Geisinger Cancer Institute receives transportation grant Grant to benefit patients in need of transportation Cancer care will be more accessible to patients now that the Geisinger Cancer Institute has received a yearly grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS). The grant offsets the cost of transportation for patients traveling to and from radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Patient transportation grant funds are awarded to health systems and health system foundations to help patients get to and from cancer-related treatment appointments. The grants are awarded through an application process that focuses on addressing unmet transportation needs of the health system’s patients. “In partnership with the ACS, we are able to help our patients during some of the most difficult times in their lives,” said Lisa Keifer, senior director of radiation oncology at Geisinger. “This grant will allow our patients to stay closer to home to receive the lifesaving treatments and care they need. With this grant, we have been able to provide over 1,623 one-way rides since initiating this program.” Funds are provided to patients on a case-by-case basis. The grant can be used to purchase gas gift cards, cab ride vouchers, parking passes and non-emergency medical transport. To learn more about cancer care at Geisinger, visit geisinger.org/cancerinstitute.
Geisinger Wyoming Valley ER Entry Changed Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center continues construction work to expand and modernize the hospital campus and provide more health care services and resources for the northeastern Pennsylvania community. Beginning Monday, April 28, patients seeking care at the emergency room (ER) on Geisinger Wyoming Valley’s east campus will have a new entry point. To accommodate the extension of underground utility lines across the east campus and keep patients, visitors and staff safe, the patient entry path will begin farther away from the ER and be protected by a covered walkway. Geisinger staff will be present at the new entrance to assist patients. ER parking and valet service will also have a new entry point marked with signage on the east campus road. Geisinger has provided a campus map to help patients visualize the new areas of parking and entry. The east campus road between the Richard and Marion Pearsall Heart Hospital and the tower construction site will be reduced to one-way traffic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, through September. A flagging crew stationed on campus will help drivers navigate the one-way stretch. Visitors should allow extra time when traveling to the hospital in case of delays, and drivers should be alert for new traffic patterns throughout the project. To arrive on time for outpatient appointments at the hospital’s Medical Office Building or the Pearsall Heart Hospital, follow these tips: Use Geisinger Wyoming Valley’s east entrance from East Mountain Boulevard. Campus entrances are labeled on roadside signage. Plan to arrive on the east campus 30 minutes before your appointment, especially if you’re not familiar with the current state of campus. Look for campus signs directing you to park in the most appropriate place for your destination. Consider bringing a companion if you have limited vision or mobility. Your companion can help you read signs or offer support as you go to your destination. The Medical Office Building has a dedicated parking garage, and the Medical Office Building, Pearsall Heart Hospital and emergency room provide free valet service to all patients, so the need to walk should be minimal. For anyone who parks farther away, free campus shuttles make regular trips to patient parking areas and these facilities.
The Wright Center: A 117-year-old legacy at risk: Why Regional Hospital’s survival matters to Northeast Pennsylvania Since 1908, Regional Hospital of Scranton, including Moses Taylor, remains a NEPA health care ecosystem legacy pillar, delivering lifesaving services to generations of families to promote our health and well-being. Regional’s sustainability is vital for acute care access when patients are most vulnerable. Its obstetrical center of excellence ensures the safe arrival of the vast majority of babies born in our community. The Wright Center is eager to collaborate with new ownership to ensure seamless, forward momentum of community-responsive, high-quality health services and community-based physician and interprofessional health care workforce development. All stakeholders should meaningfully engage to ensure new ownership seeks and values community input, while maintaining and improving access to health care services, employment, and workforce development opportunities. Recently announced potential plans to preserve Regional brings hopeful but cautious optimism to a broad coalition of community members, legacy partners, advocacy organizations, and the health care union. Our collective commitment to collaboratively ensure preserving access to health care services, protecting family-sustaining jobs, upholding crucial hospital partnerships, and empowering our community’s priorities is unwavering. For nearly 50 years, The Wright Center has been deeply mission-intertwined with Regional to improve the health and welfare of our communities through responsive, whole-person health services for all and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve. Community benefit impact, health outcomes, and economic vitality generated by our enduring partnership are undeniable. Together, we have cared for countless patients and families; trained over 1,000 physicians, possibly including your doctor amongst many serving NEPA today; and educated innumerable health care students from a dozen academic institutions to understand and serve our unique needs. In 2024, almost half of The Wright Center’s total economic impact of $198,978,143, supporting 1,199 local jobs, was generated by The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, a cherished community asset dependent on its foundational Regional partnership for its existence. My personal connection to Regional runs deep. So much of who I am professionally was determined by my recruitment home 25 years ago as a Mercy physician to join Dr. Tucker Clauss, who delivered me in 1968 at the then Mercy Hospital. The valuable mentorship and learning I received serving patients, families, and communities inside Regional’s walls can never be overstated. My deeply personal, hard-won journey culminated in a historic election as the first female and, as fate would have it, final president of Mercy’s medical staff, a landmark achievement quickly and tragically overshadowed by heartbreak when our cherished hospital transitioned to for-profit ownership. Its turbulent, uncertain future continues today. Faithfully, I continue caring for multigenerational families who depend on Regional for life-saving services. Like many of you, losing Regional would feel like losing family. Stabilizing NEPA’s acute hospital services is undeniably urgent, particularly given our aging population and prevalence of chronic disease. Allowing Regional to close would trigger a devastating, modern-day “Tragedy of the Commons,” immediately crippling access to acute hospital services. The devastating human and economic aftershocks on our community would be long-lasting. Future generations would pay the price for decades. Regional delivers 380,000 encounters annually, including 36,000 emergency visits. Closure would instantaneously create a critical shortage of nearly 30,000 acute hospital “bed days” and longer wait times for everyone in our region’s already overflowing and overburdened ERs. Impact on maternal and newborn care would be equally catastrophic. Over 1,700 expectant mothers and 70% of babies born in Lackawanna County rely on Regional’s services annually. Other area hospitals simply lack capacity to accommodate this volume or the ability to replace Lackawanna County’s only Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The next closest NICU is 45 minutes away – an eternity for newborns struggling to breathe. Beyond patient care, Regional’s major employer contributions are vital to our local economy, providing more than 1,000 family-sustaining, union-supported jobs, injecting $148 million in wages and benefits. Failure to secure Regional’s viable future is simply not an option. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s existence depends on a community solution. All stakeholders, including elected officials, leadership of health systems, educational institutions, labor, and business, and, most importantly, each of us whose lives are on the line, must engage meaningfully to ensure a welcoming transition to new ownership. Together, we need to communicate our expectations to ensure new ownership will truly seek and value meaningful community input to honor our legacies and collective priorities, while steadfastly maintaining and improving access to essential health care services, employment opportunities, and workforce development.
The Wright Center for Community Health to host resource fair for Alzheimer’s, dementia caregivers, and family members The Wright Center for Community Health is hosting a Caregivers Resource Fair for family members and caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The free, public event will be held at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave., from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. Agencies from across the region, including Lackawanna County’s Area Agency on Aging, Scranton Counseling Center, Telespond Senior Services, LIFE Geisinger, Lackawanna Pro Bono Inc., Interim Health Care, United Neighborhood Centers, Jewish Community Center of Scranton, Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, and more will provide information about the resources they offer. A legal expert and a local caregiver will give presentations. No registration is required to participate in the Caregivers Resource Fair. Alzheimer’s disease, the leading cause of dementia, is a progressive brain disorder that gradually impairs memory, thinking abilities, and daily functioning. In Pennsylvania, it affects about 282,000 individuals. About 465,000 family members and friends across the state serve as caregivers, often providing unpaid, around-the-clock care for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, frequently with limited opportunities for respite. The Wright Center’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program provides coordinated, comprehensive support for patients, families, and caregivers. It is part of a collaborative, county-wide effort called Age-Friendly Lackawanna that includes nearly 30 community organizations. Nicole Flynn, director of the geriatrics service line at The Wright Center, said many caregivers have a hard time finding the resources they need for their loved ones. “We’ve heard from so many people who don’t know what is available,” she said. “Since we’re part of this network, we thought we could help by hosting an event where caregivers can come to one place to get information, hear from experts, and better help their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.”
The Dime Bank Celerbates 120 Years The Dime Bank is thrilled to celebrate 120 incredible years of service, growth, and connection with our valued customers and communities. Since our founding, we have been unwavering in our commitment to building strong financial foundations and fostering meaningful relationships that stand the test of time. This milestone is not just a reflection of our longevity but a testament to the trust and support of our loyal customers, who have been with us every step of the way. As we commemorate this significant anniversary, we are preparing for a year filled with celebrations that honor our rich history, our many achievements, and, most importantly, the people who made it all possible—you! Our celebrations will include a variety of special events, community initiatives, and exciting surprises designed to engage and delight our customers and partners. Each event will be an opportunity to reflect on our journey together, recognize the milestones we have achieved, and look ahead to the future we are building. We can’t wait to share this exciting journey with you throughout the year. Whether through community service projects, educational seminars, or festive gatherings, we are dedicated to celebrating the spirit of connection that has defined our organization for over a century. Thank you for being an integral part of our story. Here’s to 120 years of unwavering dedication and a bright, exciting future ahead! Stay tuned for announcements as we unveil the festivities, and let’s continue to create lasting memories together. Your support has been vital to our success, and we look forward to sharing many more milestones with you in the years to come!
Become the top dog in tourism at the PMVB’s 2025 Tourism Day Summit! WHEN: Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. WHERE: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions WHAT: A day full of tourism-focused networking and educational training plus 2024 Annual Report Highlights and 2025 PMVB Awards Presentations! This year’s agenda will include a panel discussion with industry experts, breakout sessions on social media, AI, quality content, streaming data and metrics, and more! Don’t miss Dino Cotilletta from Amazon Web Services, who will share insights into hospitality and data. Speaker Tom Ray, EVP at JDA.media and Amazon Best Selling Author, will explore the foundational concepts of management through the lens of the dog training world. Click HERE to watch a preview! Registration is required. The deadline to register is Monday, May 19, 2025.If you need assistance registering, please contact Liz Blose directly.
Shapiro Administration Fuels Innovation through Transportation Safety, Maintenance, and Environmental Initiatives PennDOT ‘Focus on Innovations’ publication details nearly 40 innovative projects across the department The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today released its Focus on Innovations (FOI) publication that features the department’s work to identify and boost innovative projects improving safety, promoting efficiency, and saving money. Innovation plays a key role in getting things done for Pennsylvania travelers, building on the Governor’s commitment to ensure Pennsylvania remains a leader in delivering commonsense solutions to everyday issues. “Meeting the needs of Pennsylvania’s vast transportation network requires unique solutions,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Across the Commonwealth, the PennDOT team is rolling out electric vehicle infrastructure, delivering projects faster, tackling congestion, and improving safety.” Innovation at PennDOT is a holistic process, pulling unique ideas and best practices from throughout the department. Employee-driven innovation councils and committees, the State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC), the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Every Day Counts (EDC) Program, and solutions identified and implemented by PennDOT employees, all work together to build better, more efficient, and more intuitive systems to serve all Pennsylvanians and those who travel throughout the Commonwealth. Highlighted innovations include: The Lane Reservation (or LaneRez) initiative is maximizing safety and minimizing congestion with a system to catalog upcoming construction projects, identify conflicts and plan ahead for traffic mitigation. PennDOT’s digital transformation focuses on using paperless technologies to transform the project delivery process by providing project data at the fingertips of our employees and partners. The implementation of Environmental Product Declarations is allowing the department to utilize construction materials with lower greenhouse gas emissions. Amber and green vehicle lights, enabled by Act 78 of 2024, increase safety by making construction and maintenance operations more visible. PennDOT’s continued Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure buildout, powered by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, has helped expand EV-charging-station availability, making EVs more accessible to those who travel across the Commonwealth. Now in its fourth year, the FOI publication – including an interactive innovation timeline – is available here.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces 529 Day Promotion with Awards Totaling More than $33,000 Six regional awards of $5,529 – covers a year’s tuition at a Pennsylvania community college Treasurer Stacy Garrity is encouraging families to save for education with this year’s 529 Day promotion. Families who save with the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program may be eligible to win one of six regional awards based on where in Pennsylvania they live. Each award winner will receive a $5,529 deposit into their PA 529 account. The promotion period starts tomorrow, May 1, and ends May 31, 2025. To be eligible, families must contribute at least $10 to a PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) or PA 529 Investment Plan (IP) account between May 1 and May 31, 2025, and the account owner must be a Pennsylvania resident. Visit pa529.com/529day to read promotion rules. “I’m thrilled to announce this year’s 529 Day promotion to help boost savings for more Pennsylvania families,” Treasurer Garrity said. “Every year we celebrate 529 Day, May 29, all month long to recognize the power of saving with a PA 529 plan. It’s never too late to start saving, and our PA 529 program is the perfect way to do it. It comes with big tax advantages, and we have two plans to choose from, including the PA 529 Investment Plan which is ranked as one of the top plans in the entire country!” The PA 529 program has been helping families save and pay for education for more than 30 years. There are two plans to choose from, the PA 529 GSP and the Morningstar Gold-Rated PA 529 IP. The PA 529 GSP lets families save at today’s tuition rates to cover tomorrow’s tuitions costs and PA 529 GSP fees are waived through June 30, 2025. The PA 529 IP has multiple investment options to choose from and returns tied to financial markets. Treasurer Garrity has cut PA 529 fees numerous times, resulting in $17 million in savings for Pennsylvania families. Both plans offer state and federal tax advantages, and PA 529 assets don’t impact a student’s eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid. PA 529 accounts can be used for a wide variety of qualifying technical, collegiate, and apprenticeship expenses like tuition, fees, books, equipment, room and board, and more. Families with children born January 1, 2019, or later, already have a $100 Keystone Scholars account to jumpstart their education savings. This automatic deposit is available to every baby born in Pennsylvania, and those adopted by Pennsylvania families. The program uses no taxpayer dollars. Families are encouraged to claim their Keystone Scholars accounts at pa529.com/keystone and open their own companion PA 529 account to continue saving for their child’s future. Visit pa529.com to learn more about saving with PA 529 and pa529.com/529day for 529 Day promotion details and official rules.
Manufacturing Millennial to Headline NEPIRC’s Annual Manufacturing Day Best Practices Summit & Expo When younger generations think of manufacturing, many often picture dimly lit, dangerous and outdated work environments, but that is not a fair or accurate view of today’s manufacturing scene according to industry advocate Jake Hall, known as the “Manufacturing Millennial.” He is on a mission to educate younger people by meeting them where they are—on social media. Hall will address the future of manufacturing, effective social media use for manufacturers and much more when the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) welcomes him as keynote speaker at its 2025 Manufacturing Day (MFG DAY) Best Practices Summit & Expo—the region’s largest manufacturing trade show and networking event of its kind—on Oct. 3, at Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre. “We’re so excited to have Jake Hall as our MFG DAY keynote speaker addressing the topic of ‘The Future of Manufacturing: Technology and Workforce.’ Jake is an influential advocate for manufacturing, automation and skilled trades. His content is effective at educating the future workforce about the manufacturing industry, which is why we believe our Manufacturing Day attendees will be energized by his message and gain valuable insight,” said Chelsey Coslett-Traver, NEPIRC’s manager of marketing & stakeholder engagement. Considered one of the loudest voices in the industry and awarded by LinkedIn as the Top Voice in Robotics, Automation and Manufacturing, Hall is helping companies future-proof their businesses with technology and attract the workforce of tomorrow. Coslett-Traver said Hall is helping to revolutionize the way people and companies present through social media. With more than 100,000 followers and 150,000,000+ views on his content channels, Hall ignites conversations about the latest in manufacturing and automation to excite the current and future workforce about the manufacturing industry. Coslett-Traver added that Hall’s desire to influence the future workforce aligns closely with the goals of NEPIRC’s innovative Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team initiative that increases high school and college student awareness of outstanding careers available within Pennsylvania’s advanced manufacturing field. She said Hall helps to reach the future workforce with programs like his “Discover Manufacturing” and MiCareerQuest, which introduce 20,000 high school students to manufacturing each year in west Michigan. In addition to delivering the keynote presentation, Hall will also lead a breakout session entitled, “The Power of Social Media: What You Should Do.” MFG DAY sponsorship opportunities are available but going quickly! If interested, visit www.nepirc.com/mfgday to learn more and complete and submit the confirmation form required to lock in sponsorship. Additionally, NEPIRC is proud to announce that InnoTek Computer Consulting of Bloomsburg is this year’s Presenting Sponsor. Tickets are also on sale and start at $75. If you want to learn from industry experts and connect with people who are making a difference in the manufacturing industry, then this is a must-attend event! This year’s MFG DAY will heavily focus on manufacturing technology, AI and automation. Visit www.nepirc.com/mfgday to purchase tickets. For more information, email Chelsey Coslett-Traver at Chelsey@NEPIRC.com or visit NEPIRC’s Manufacturing Day webpage at www.NEPIRCMFGDAY.com.
