Marywood University reports perfect pass rates across multiple health sciences programs Four of Marywood University’s clinical health sciences programs, including Physician Assistant, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, and Counseling, were recently notified that their graduates achieved perfect pass rates on their respective national qualifying examinations. Marywood University’s Physician Assistant (PA) program earned an overall perfect pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), the national certifying examination required for licensure in all fifty states. The program’s overall pass rate of 100 percent, which it has maintained for six consecutive years, includes a first‑time pass rate of 100 percent for its most recent graduating class. The national mean overall pass rate for 2025 was 88.4 percent overall and 91.5 percent for first-time test takers; national pass rates for 2026 are still being processed. The overall PANCE pass rate reflects all exam attempts, while the first‑time pass rate includes only candidates who sat for the exam once. Marywood’s nursing program was notified that its 2026 graduating class also achieved a perfect 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). This result significantly exceeds the year‑to‑date national average of 88 percent for first‑time U.S. educated nursing candidates. The NCLEX-RN uses computerized adaptive testing to ensure valid and reliable measurement of nursing competence. This marks the fourth consecutive year in which Marywood nursing graduates have achieved a perfect pass rate for first-time test takers. Graduates of Marywood’s Respiratory Therapy (RT) program from the Class of 2026 attained a 100 percent first‑time High Cut Score pass rate on the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple‑Choice Examination, far exceeding the national first-time passing percentage of 68 percent in 2025, highlighting the exceptional performance of Marywood’s graduates. Achieving the High Cut Score earns the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential and grants eligibility for the Clinical Simulation Examination to pursue the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Reaching this threshold on the first attempt reflects sustained effort in both classroom and clinical settings and demonstrates readiness to provide exceptional patient care as future respiratory therapists. Marywood’s most recent Counseling program graduates also achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Counselor Exam (NCE), fulfilling the examination requirement for professional counselor licensure and eligibility for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. “The perfect pass rate on the PANCE for our physician assistants, as well as the 100 percent pass rate on NCLEX for our nurses, the High Cut Score on the NBRC for RT graduates, and NCE for counselors, demonstrates that Marywood University consistently produces top graduates in health sciences who score well above the national average in their respective fields of practice,” said Shelby Yeager, Ph.D., Academic Vice President and Dean of the College of Health Sciences. “We are tremendously proud of our graduates and continuously strive to maintain that standard of excellence through the academic and clinical rigor of our health sciences programs.” For additional information about these programs and Marywood’s College of Health Sciences, please visit marywood.edu/academics/affairs/colleges/health-sciences.
Wayne Bank Welcomes Stephanie Abraham as Senior Vice President and Commercial Team Leader Stephanie Abraham has joined Wayne Bank as Senior Vice President and Commercial Team Leader. In her new role, Abraham will be responsible for leading and expanding Wayne Bank’s commercial lending team while helping to deepen the Bank’s presence throughout the Lackawanna and Luzerne County markets. “Stephanie brings an exceptional combination of commercial lending expertise, relationship-building skills, and leadership experience,” said James O. Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank. “Her strong track record of business development and customer service, along with her deep understanding of our local markets, makes her an excellent addition to our commercial banking team. We are excited to welcome her to Wayne Bank and look forward to the impact she will have on our continued growth.” Abraham brings more than 11 years of banking experience and more than two decades of sales, business development, and relationship management experience. Most recently, she served as Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer, where she managed a commercial loan portfolio, generated significant loan and deposit growth, and developed long-term customer relationships while maintaining a strong focus on credit quality and customer service. A graduate of the University of Scranton, Abraham earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and has continued her professional development through the Pennsylvania Bankers School of Commercial Lending, Leadership Lackawanna, and the Amplify Women’s Leadership Program. Wayne Bank is a subsidiary of Norwood Financial Corp., Member FDIC, and is headquartered in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The Bank operates 33 branches serving communities throughout Pennsylvania and New York. Its stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol NWFL.
The Wright Center welcomes alumna as a physician and faculty member A graduate of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency Program has returned to The Wright Center for Community Health to serve patients while helping train the next generation of physicians and advance health policy and advocacy efforts. Dr. Sandra Rabat, who completed her Internal Medicine residency at The Wright Center in June 2026, is accepting adult patients of all ages at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley. In addition to providing whole-person primary and preventive health services, she will serve as an internal medicine physician faculty member and physician liaison for health policy and advocacy. Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Dr. Rabat spent three years in Scranton as a member of the inaugural cohort from A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. During medical school, she completed her clinical rotations at The Wright Center for Community Health, an experience that ultimately led her to remain in the region for residency training. Dr. Rabat provides comprehensive, whole-person primary and preventive health services, including checkups and physicals, preventive screenings, treatment of common illnesses and injuries, chronic disease management, and more. To make an appointment, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019. In her new role, Dr. Rabat will have medical, educational, and administrative responsibilities focused on high-quality patient care and clinical education. She will teach and supervise resident and fellow physicians, medical students, and interprofessional learners participating in clinical education at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. She will also work closely with The Wright Center’s advocacy team to champion legislative and regulatory changes at the state and federal levels that affect graduate medical education, public health policy, patient care, and healthcare workforce development. During medical school, Dr. Rabat participated in the Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center’s (AHEC) prestigious Scholars Program, which strengthened her focus on caring for vulnerable populations, community engagement, integrating behavioral health services into primary care, and advancing access to healthcare. She received an honorable mention for the 2024 AHEC Alumni/Advocate of the Year Award. Dr. Rabat’s interest in advocacy developed during her residency at The Wright Center, where she became increasingly involved in local and federal advocacy. Working alongside Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO at The Wright Center, as well as The Wright Center’s advocacy team, colleagues, and enterprise leadership, she championed the vital role of teaching health centers and addressed the needs of rural and underserved communities. Her work with Dr. Thomas-Hemak and The Wright Center advocacy team helped shape her passion for health policy and advocacy. In her final year of residency, she served as chief resident of the Internal Medicine Residency Program, acting as a liaison between resident physicians and faculty members, mentoring junior residents, and helping facilitate clinical training. She previously served as a resident physician leader for advocacy in her second year of residency and as a resident physician leader during her first year. She has also led a community-oriented primary care project focused on increasing routine breast cancer screening rates, emphasizing preventive care and patient education. Dr. Rabat signed her employment contract on Feb. 17, 2026 – the 50th anniversary of The Wright Center. Founded on Feb. 17, 1976, The Wright Centers for Community Health, Graduate Medical Education, and Patient & Community Engagement is 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, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. No patient is turned away due to an inability to pay. Learn more at TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
NAMI Northeast Region receives donation from Hardcore for Husvar NAMI Northeast Region PA (National Alliance on Mental Illness) has accepted a donation for the second year from the Hardcore for Husvar benefit shows and is extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to speak and offer resources at these events. Hardcore for Husvar is in memory of former Scranton resident Neil Husvar, who was an integral part of NEPA’s hardcore music scene. In addition to his contributions to the arts in music and photography, Neil was known to be a man who encouraged unity and kindness, especially for those who felt cast out. Together we can break the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Visit NAMINEPA.org to learn about monthly support group meetings, trainings and other programs and advocacy NAMI is leading. You can also text or call 988 for free 24/7 mental health crisis support.
Celebrate 200 years of American railroading at Railfest 2026 Steamtown National Historic Site will celebrate the past, present and future of American railroading during Railfest 2026, taking place Sept. 4 to 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The park’s premier annual celebration features three days of historic train rides, visiting railroad equipment, locomotive shop demonstrations, exhibits, music, ranger programs, hands-on activities and displays from community and railroad partners. General admission to the park and Railfest is free. This year’s Railfest marks an extraordinary convergence of national and local milestones: the 200th anniversary of railroading in the United States, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service and the 40th anniversary of Steamtown’s enabling legislation. The celebration officially kicks off with an opening ceremony on Sept. 4, at 10:30 a.m. “Railfest celebrates not only America’s railroad heritage but also the people, partnerships and communities that keep that history alive,” said Jeremy Komasz, superintendent of Steamtown National Historic Site. “Following an incredible summer that brought more than 111,000 visitors to Northeastern Pennsylvania for the Big Boy Reunion, we’re excited to build on that momentum and welcome visitors back to Scranton for another celebration of our shared history.” Steamtown’s 1929 Baldwin Locomotive Works No. 26 will take center stage with “No. 26 in ’26,” providing steam-powered Scranton Limited rides throughout the weekend. Visitors can also experience caboose hops, photo run-bys, maintenance-of-way equipment rides, Big Boy No. 4012 cab tours, model railroad layouts and demonstrations inside the park’s historic Locomotive Shop. Railfest will bring an impressive collection of visiting railroad equipment to Scranton, including the Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad’s famed Nickel Plate Road PA No. 190 and a special commemorative locomotive from Norfolk Southern. Visitors can also see the public debut of a half-scale replica of Union Pacific No. 119, representing one of the locomotives present at the 1869 Golden Spike ceremony. The Union Pacific Railroad Museum’s traveling exhibit, All Set for the West, will also explore the historic relationship between America’s railroads and national parks. Throughout the weekend, dozens of railroad, cultural, historical, recreational, educational, civic, tourism and preservation organizations will participate in Railfest’s Community Partner Expo. Additional activities include railroad-themed musical performances, special walking tours, hands-on demonstrations and World War II-era military vehicle rides supporting restoration of Steamtown’s historic Troop Sleeper. Visitors can also participate in evening railroad photography opportunities in partnership with the Iron Horse Society and the park’s first “Life on the Railroad” Costume Contest on Sunday. General admission and parking at Steamtown National Historic Site are free. Fees apply for train rides and some special activities. Some advance train tickets will be available through Recreation.gov beginning Wednesday, August 26, with a limited number available for walk-up purchase during Railfest. For the complete Railfest schedule, ticket information, parking details, participating organizations and the latest event updates, click here. Programs, equipment, train rides and activities are subject to change.
Move With Intention® celebrates certification milestone Move With Intention® Co-Founder and Lead Neuro-Trainer Lacey Cook has earned her certification as a Master Practitioner and Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). They plan to bring these skills home to northeastern Pennsylvania to help entrepreneurs, business owners, high-achievers and community members strengthen communication, manage their internal state, navigate challenges, and lead themselves and others more effectively. Through practical, interactive trainings, they plan to turn what they’ve learned into tools the community can immediately apply in business, relationships, leadership and everyday life.
The Wright Centers for Community Health, Graduate Medical Education, Patient & Community Engagement welcome new board members The Wright Centers for Community Health, Graduate Medical Education, and Patient & Community Engagement have appointed eight new members to their governing boards, bringing decades of combined experience in healthcare, business, education, and community service to the nonprofit enterprise. The new board members will help guide The Wright Center’s mission to improve the health and welfare of communities through responsive, whole-person health services for all and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve. Joining The Wright Center for Community Health’s Board of Directors are: ● Marie Beggin, the CEO of Penn East Federal Credit Union. A current patient of The Wright Center for Community Health, Beggin brings nearly 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. She also serves on the boards of Metro Action, Leadership Lackawanna, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council. ● Jill Durkin, Esq., of Factoryville, Pennsylvania, an attorney with a longstanding career in civil law. Durkin is active in community service through her work on several regional boards, including Meals on Wheels NEPA, Widener University Commonwealth Law School Advisory Board, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. ● Kirsten Smith of Clifford Township, Pennsylvania, director of career services at Fortis Institute. Formerly director of grants and education at WVIA, Smith has extensive experience in education, workforce development, grant and program management, and community partnerships. She also serves on the boards of Meals on Wheels NEPA and WRC (formerly the Women’s Resource Center) in Scranton. ● Adrian Wilck Summa, O.D., of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, a retired optometrist with more than 30 years of experience in clinical and hospital settings across New York. A patient of The Wright Center for Community Health, she brings extensive expertise in clinical care, healthcare delivery, and managed care. Joining The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Board of Directors are: ● Michael Clark, Pittston, Pennsylvania, the CEO of Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. With more than 30 years of healthcare leadership experience, Clark brings a deep understanding of hospital operations, physician engagement, and performance improvement to the board. Before joining Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, he served as division president at LifePoint Health, a nationally recognized healthcare system. ● Peter Cognetti, M.D., of Waverly, Pennsylvania, director of medical education at Regional Hospital in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He has more than 40 years of experience providing patient care and mentoring future physicians. ● Himani Mongia, M.D., an Internal Medicine Resident physician at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, where she serves as president of the Housestaff Council and chief resident for advocacy. Prior to beginning her residency, Dr. Mongia worked in the humanitarian sector with Doctors Without Borders in India and served on the board of directors for Doctors Without Borders South Asia. Joining The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement Board is: ● Syeda Neha Aamer, M.D., an Internal Medicine Resident physician at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education and a graduate of Federal Medical and Dental College in Pakistan. A third-generation physician, Dr. Aamer’s commitment to medicine is rooted in a longstanding family tradition of service. She will serve as the resident leader liaison to the board, which supports programs and initiatives that assist under-resourced individuals and families in Northeast Pennsylvania, including those experiencing food and housing insecurity, social isolation, poverty, or other hardships
Serving Seniors marks support for older adults, honors Judge Vito Geroulo Serving Seniors, Inc., a nonprofit leader in advocating for and protecting vulnerable older adults in Northeastern Pennsylvania, will hold its annual dinner September 25 honoring Lackawanna County Judge Vito Geroulo with its Legacy of Care Award. As Senior Judge, Geroulo served on Orphans Court, presiding over cases involving guardianships, estates, trusts, adoptions, and matters affecting vulnerable older adults and families. In a career spanning five decades, Geroulo served as assistant public defender and chief public defender and began a leader in the legal profession prior to his election to Lackawanna Court of Common Pleas where he heard a range of criminal, civil and family law matters. “Orphans Court is not a very high-profile court, but it is enormously consequential to those with matters beforeit,” said Serving Seniors Inc. Executive Director David Falchek. “Judge Geroulo brought a deep understanding of the law, thoughtful judgement and compassion to the bench in matters involving older adults,” The Annual Dinner will bring together community partners, volunteers, and supporters to reflect on the organization’s impact and renew its commitment to protecting and uplifting the aging population in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Tickets for the event are available at https://ticketstripe.com/ServingSeniors. For sponsorship opportunities or more information, visit https://servingseniorsnepa.org or call (570) 574-4045.
Fall at the Furnaces Brings Four Arts and Cultural Events to Scranton’s Historic Iron Furnaces This fall, one of Scranton’s most distinctive historic landmarks will become a destination for live music, theater, visual art, and performance as Valley In Motion (VIM) presents Fall at the Furnaces, a four-event series at the Scranton IronFurnaces, 159 Cedar Avenue. Presented in partnership with Good Things Are Happening! Fest, Scranton Shakespeare Festival, Scranton Fringe Festival, and the Anthracite Heritage Museum, Fall at the Furnaces celebrates Northeastern Pennsylvania’s creativity, culture, and community while bringing new activity to one of the city’s most significant historicpublic spaces. Four events. One historic destination. “Fall at the Furnaces activates an incredible place in our community,” said Gus Fahey, President of Valley In Motion. “The Iron Furnaces are an important part of Scranton’s founding story. This series brings new experiences to the community, creating memories through music, theater, and art.” Fall at the Furnaces 2026 Schedule Saturday, September 12 at 12:00 p.m. — Good Things Are Happening! Fest A day of music, art, food, drink, and vendors. goodthingsfestpa.com Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. — Scranton Shakespeare Festival’s “September Serenades”A family-friendly evening of Broadway music performed by vocalists and an orchestra.scrantonshakes.com Thursday, October 1, 5:00–10:00 p.m. & Friday, October 2, 5:00–9:00 p.m. — ScrantonFringe Festival Launch EventDynamic performances and immersive 3D projection art installations transform thehistoric site. scrantonfringe.org
WVIA Earns W. Howard Hartman Little League Friendship Award WVIA has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 W. Howard Hartman Little League Friendship Award, one of Little League International’s highest honors, recognizing the organization’s longstanding commitment to the Little League community and its dedication to sharing the stories of Challenger Division athletes with audiences nationwide. The honor comes as WVIA prepares to produce the 25th Little League Challenger Division Exhibition Game, Presented by Eggland’s Best, a beloved tradition of the Little League Baseball World Series that celebrates inclusion, perseverance, teamwork, and the joy of playing the game. WVIA will be recognized for the award during an on-field ceremony at Howard J. Lamade Stadium on Saturday, August 29, prior to the International Championship Game. Established in 1988 in memory of W. Howard Hartman, one of Little League’s most devoted supporters, the Friendship Award is presented annually to individuals and organizations whose service embodies the spirit of friendship and commitment that defined Hartman’s legacy. For fifteen years, WVIA has produced and nationally distributed the Challenger Division Exhibition Game, bringing the inspiring athletes, families, coaches, and volunteers of Little League’s Challenger Division into homes across America. This year’s broadcast will once again be shared by more than 28 public media stations nationwide, in addition to digital streaming platforms. “This recognition is deeply meaningful because it celebrates something much larger than a television broadcast,” said Carla McCabe, President & CEO of WVIA. “Every year, we have the privilege of sharing stories that remind us what sports, and public media, are truly about: inclusion, community, perseverance, and belonging. We are incredibly honored that Little League has entrusted WVIA with helping bring these remarkable athletes and their families into homes across America.” The 2026 Challenger Division Exhibition Game will feature the Berwyn-Paoli Area Little League Challenger Division of Berwyn, Pennsylvania, and the East County Little League Challenger Division of Oakley, California. The teams will take the field at Volunteer Stadium in Williamsport on Saturday, August 29, at 10:30 a.m. ET, celebrating the athletes and communities who make Challenger Division baseball possible.
