Geisinger welcomes primary care providers to northeast region In September, five new primary care providers began seeing new patients at Geisinger facilities across northeastern Pennsylvania. Geisinger primary care clinics in Dallas, Moosic (Geisinger Montage), Nanticoke and Pittston welcomed the new physicians to expand access to preventive and chronic disease management in the region. The following primary care providers are seeing new patients this fall: Geisinger Dallas: Soniya Koirala M.D. Geisinger Montage: Jordan Wolfheimer, M.D. Kara Romanowski, M.D. Geisinger Nanticoke: Thomas Timmerman, M.D. Geisinger Pittston Shannon Coyne, D.O. The region welcomed eight new primary care providers earlier this year. “Strong primary care is the foundation of a healthy community,” said Roger Scott, chief of the Division of Community Medicine in Geisinger’s northeast region. “By continuing to grow access to primary care services, we’re helping patients build lasting relationships with providers who support their health at every stage of life.” Primary care physicians focus on routine care like physicals, ongoing care for chronic health conditions like diabetes or asthma, and if needed, referrals to nearby specialists. Patients can schedule same-day, evening or weekend in-person or telehealth appointments through MyChart or by calling 800-275-6401. To find more information on all Geisinger’s primary care physicians, visit geisinger.org/primarycare.
Former Chamber President Austin Burke’s paintings on display at Everhart Museum Former Chamber President Austin Burke’s paintings are on display at the Everhart Museum in Scranton through November 1. The museum exhibit features renderings of well-known Scranton and northeastern Pennsylvania landmarks. There will also be a celebration of this first exhibition of the museum’s Local Artists Gallery on October 22. Burke will be present to discuss his work, and light refreshments will be available. This event is included with general museum admission and registration is not required. Burke’s paintings celebrate the richness of life throughout northeastern Pennsylvania, where he has resided his entire life. Burke served as president of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce for 40 years, and returned to his art full-time after retiring. Burke also took further classes at his alma mater Keystone College, where he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Human Letters.
Geisinger College of Health Sciences to host Neal Barnard for its 13th Preventive Medicine Lecture Geisinger College of Health Sciences will welcome Neal Barnard, MD, FACC, a nationally recognized expert in nutrition and preventive medicine, as the featured speaker for its 13th Preventive Medicine Lecture on Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. Barnard, adjunct professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Barnard Medical Center, will present “Power Foods for Weight Loss and Diabetes.” The lecture will highlight research on how specific food choices can support sustainable weight loss and improve Type 2 diabetes outcomes. Barnard will discuss evidence showing that certain foods can help reduce appetite, limit calorie absorption and increase calorie burning after meals. He will also examine the role of fat accumulation in liver and muscle cells in the development of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.
SWB to Announce New Team Name at PNC Field Fall Festival on November 7 Join the celebration on Saturday, November 7, at PNC Field as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre announces its new identity! The Adventure Begins Fall Festival will begin at 1 P.M., and the team will unveil its new moniker at approximately 5 P.M. “We are excited to host The Adventure Begins Fall Festival, brought to you by the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, as we introduce the new brand,” said Shawn Reilly, Team President & General Manager. “The day will be filled with fun for the whole family, food, and so much more. We know the whole area wants to know that new name, and this is the day we make the big reveal to tell the world!” The Adventure Begins Fall Festival will feature food trucks, craft & domestic brews, live music, a petting zoo, activities for kids, and guest appearances. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome! At 5 P.M., Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will take its baseball team down its new path as the brand is announced. After the name, uniforms, and more are unveiled, a drone show will light the sky above PNC Field. “Coming off an amazing 2026 season,” Reilly continued, “we are ready to take the future to another level. Wesaw an incredible team filled with Yankees’ top prospects and top MLB rehabs, tremendous events and momentsthroughout the year like Banana Ball and Cosmic Baseball, plus key ballpark and entertainment upgrades. TheAdventure Begins Fall Festival is an opportunity to come celebrate the region in all its glory and be a part of ourhistory as it happens.” More details regarding The Adventure Begins Fall Festival, presented by the Pennsylvania Army NationalGuard will be announced in the weeks leading up to November 7. Learn more about the rebrand or purchase 2027 season tickets at swbrailriders.com.
Community members invited to annual Red Kettle Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast Chamber members and community leaders are invited to kick off the holiday season at The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps’ 3rd Annual Red Kettle Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast on Thursday, November 12 at 8:30 a.m. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Give with JOY.” The kickoff event is meant to celebrate the start of the holiday giving season. The Red Kettle Campaign helps provide food, shelter, utility assistance, holiday meals, Christmas gifts and year-round support to individuals and families throughout our community.
John Cleese Coming to the Scranton Cultural Center on April 10 Comedy legend John Cleese, is coming to the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple on April 10 for “John Cleese: Still Not Dead (Yet) – Celebrating ‘The Holy Grail’ at 50.” The event will begin at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the theater opening at 6:30 p.m. The evening will feature a theatrical screening of the immortal classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail, followed by a live question-and-answer session with Cleese. Tickets start at $65.20, including fees, with a limited number of post-show VIP packages also available for purchase. Tickets go on sale October 9 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased in person at the Fidelity Bank Box Office, by calling 570-344-1111, or through Ticketmaster.
Electric City Studios offering Christmas mini sessions Electric City Studios is offering mini photography sessions during the month of November as we head into the holiday season. The photography sessions will take place from November 1-13 and November 22-30. Weekday shoots will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. while weekend shoots ar from 12:00-6:00 p.m. There are three ways to book a 15-minute photo slot for the company’s Christmas-themed set up: Electric City Studios take the photos: $150, and includes 5-10 edited images Photographers bring their clients to the set/clients bring their own photographer: $40 Clients bring their own phone/camera: $50 You can book a spot on Electric City Studios’ booking calendar by clicking here.
Coffee Inclusive opens new Scranton location Coffee Inclusive, a nonprofit coffee shop and bakery operated by PA Inclusive, has officially opened its second location at 526 Cedar Avenue in Scranton. Building on the success of its Pittston location, Coffee Inclusive creates meaningful employment and training opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including people with Down syndrome and autism. Coffee Inclusive’s Scranton location serves specialty coffee, breakfast, lunch, fresh-baked goods and Inclusive Grounds coffee. Staff members invite the community to stop in, meet the team, and experience its mission of inclusion in action.
Wright Center vice president of primary care and public health policy recognized as healthcare trailblazer in City & State PA list Laura Spadaro, vice president of primary care and public health policy for The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, has been named as one of Pennsylvania’s Trailblazers in Healthcare by City & State Pennsylvania, a multimedia news organization dedicated to covering the state’s politics and policy. The list recognizes public officials, hospital and healthcare executives, nonprofit leaders, union leaders, academics and others making a difference by framing, influencing and changing the healthcare industry. At The Wright Center, Spadaro leads federal and state regulatory strategy, health policy and government relations initiatives that expand access to high-quality primary and preventive health services and strengthen the healthcare safety net. Since 2021, she has directed more than 110 responses to proposed regulations and requests for information, helping shape Medicare, Medicaid and public health policy while amplifying the voices of patients and frontline clinicians. Through collaboration with national partners and policymakers, she contributed to advocacy efforts supporting multi-year reauthorization and increased federal investment in the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, growing annual funding from approximately $175 million to $225 million. Previously, Spadaro served as executive advisor to the Pennsylvania secretary of health, focusing on strategic initiatives and cross-agency priorities. “Laura’s deep understanding of health policy combined with her ability to build meaningful relationships with policymakers and partners makes her an invaluable advocate for our patients, clinicians, and communities,” said Jennifer Walsh, Esq., senior vice president of enterprise integrity, chief legal and governance officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “She brings a thoughtful, informed and persistent voice to some of the most important healthcare policy discussions facing our nation, always keeping in focus the real-world impact on access to care and the people we are privileged to serve. This recognition is a well-deserved acknowledgment of Laura’s leadership and the difference she continues to make.” The Wright Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1976, The Wright Centers for Community Health, Graduate Medical Education and Patient & Community Engagement are a physician-led, community-owned nonprofit and a cornerstone of healthcare in the region. The enterprise employs nearly 680 professionals, including nearly 200 resident and fellow physicians, and trains more than 200 interprofessional healthcare learners each year. In fiscal year 2025-26, The Wright Center served more than 39,000 unique patients across all care settings in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne and Wyoming counties. As a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center and safety-net provider, The Wright Center serves all patients, from pediatrics to geriatrics. Learn more at TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
The Brown Initiative to host 10th Annual Kick-off to Christmas Live Music & Dance Concert Entertainment company The Brown Initiative will host its 10th annual Kick-off to Christmas Live Music & Dance Concert on December 4, 5, and 6 at 97 Bochicchio Boulevard in Covington Township. The performance is a great way to kick off the holiday season with family, friends and loved ones. The event will raise funds for several community organizations and will feature 10+ singers and 20+ dancers, as well as a live band. Tickets will go on sale later in the month of October.
