My Benefit Advisor: Creating Value in Employee Benefits In recent years, it has become apparent that the traditional principles pertaining to “value” in workplace benefits have changed. The reality that many employers have begun to embrace is twofold: Employees are not just workers, but real people, and A person’s job is a component of their life, not separate and distinct from it. As a result, employers have realized the need to deliver both value and purpose in their benefit portfolios. To do this, in face of the economic and business uncertainties facing them, organizations are strategically redirecting their benefit expenditures on things that matter most to their employees. They are seeking to understand what employees prefer and value, eliminating underutilized and less relevant benefits, while focusing on improving wellbeing outcomes in a cost-effective manner. Behind salary, most employees rate benefits, empathy and flexibility in their position responsibilities as most important when evaluating either their current job or future employment opportunities. As a result, employers are evaluating their benefit programs to assure they are properly designed to help keep employees feeling safe, protected and prepared for any health concerns that may arise. Additionally, business leaders continue to embrace flexibility both in the workplace and in the benefit programs offered to accommodate the needs of their staff. The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at gscc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Rob Higginbotham at (800) 377-3536. This e-mail is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by replying to the sender. After notifying the sender of the error, you should immediately delete this e-mail from your system. Please be aware that any unauthorized disclosure, dissemination, distribution, duplication or use of the e-mail contents or any attachments therein is strictly prohibited.
Marywood University: Summer 2025 Sessions Begins in January Marywood University is opening registration for its summer courses in January, to give both Marywood students and visiting students an opportunity to review courses and plan ahead for summer during the holiday season. Registration for Marywood students begins during the week of January 6. Enrollment opens for all students, including visiting students, on January 9. Registration for each session is open up until the start date of that particular session. Marywood University currently offers three summer sessions for students at all levels of study, consisting of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses and featuring online, hybrid, and on-site formats. Session dates include: Summer I (May 19 – June 28) Summer II (July 7 – August 17) Summer III (May 19 – August 16); this is an extended, primarily cohort-based term. “Summer courses are an important part of each student’s educational experience, providing options to get ahead, as well as to take, or even to retake, courses that they need to stay on track and improve their grade point average,” said Leslie Christianson, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs & Strategic Initiatives. “In the summer, students can focus exclusively on one or two classes at a time and mitigate the stress that can sometimes accompany the full course load of a regular semester.” Visiting students are welcome to enroll in summer classes at Marywood, whether for enrichment or for transfer to their home institution. Students who are planning to transfer from another institution to Marywood University in the fall can speak with their advisor about getting a head start on classes in the summer. To get more information on course subjects/listings, session dates, pricing, and more, visit: marywood.edu/summer.
Damage Control Hosts Emergency Preparedness & Disaster Planning Training We are please to announce the upcoming Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Planning Training and we would love for you to join us and share with anyone who may also benefit. Our presenters are: Rocco DiPietro, CSP Associate Vice President, Senior OHS Professional, Office Director Pennoni www.pennoni.com Jeff Skrilow, CR, WLS Damage Control, Inc. www.damagecontrolinc.com Please see attached flyer for training details. Training will be held at Damage Control, 342 Main Street, Eynon, Pa on Monday, 12/16 at 10am with lunch to follow. Please Click Here to Register!
AT&T Opens Connected Learning Center at Boys & Girls Clubs of NEPA in Scranton to Help Bridge the Digital Divide New dedicated learning center in Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania will provide access to internet, technology, and digital learning resources for club members Key Takeaways: Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania and AT&T open new Connected Learning Center to provide digital resources for club members AT&T contributed $100,000 to support the creation and operation of the center AT&T opened a new Connected Learning Center (CLC) inside the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania in Scranton to provide internet access and high-quality educational tools to club members. AT&T made a $100,000 contribution to the club to help launch the center and for programming support. This Connected Learning Center is the first one in Pennsylvania. It offers free access to digital resources. In Scranton, the BGC used the funds to purchase 10 Chromebooks for use by students when visiting the club, with more to be added in the future. The club also procured desktops to help manage students’ participation in the many programs at the club. It also provides educational resources such as The Achievery, a free digital learning platform by AT&T, and free digital literacy courses in partnership with the Public Library Association. Homework help and mentoring are also provided by AT&T employees and community volunteers. “Our investment in the AT&T Connected Learning Center at the Boys and Girls Clubs in Scranton reflects our commitment to get more Americans connected and make an impact in the communities we serve,” said David Kerr, president, AT&T Pennsylvania and West Virginia. “The center will give club members access to internet connectivity, educational and mentoring resources to help them succeed in digital school and job environments.” AT&T also plans to bring its award-winning, high-speed fiber internet service to Northeastern Pennsylvania in the future. AT&T launched this center as part of the AT&T Connected Learning® initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability, and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to the internet by 2030. “We are so appreciative of our relationship with AT&T and their investment in the children we serve at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Tricia Thomas, executive director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania. AT&T opens these centers within local nonprofit organizations that are already adept at supporting underserved populations within their community, including some of our nation’s most vulnerable students and families. The company plans to open at least 100 Connected Learning Centers across the country by the end of 2027. Learn more at att.com/connectedlearning.
Misericordia University Launches Course on Emergency Preparedness for Healthcare Organizations Misericordia University is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking course designed to equip future healthcare leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate emergencies effectively. This innovative program, Emergency Management for Healthcare Institutions, addresses the growing need for specialized training in disaster readiness and crisis management within the healthcare sector. This course also provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to help their future employers comply with federal emergency preparedness requirements. “The healthcare industry faces unique challenges when preparing for and responding to emergencies,” said John R. Ash MHA, Ph.D., FACHE, Assistant Professor and Program Director for Healthcare Administration. “This course provides essential tools and strategies to ensure that healthcare organizations can deliver safe, effective care under the most challenging circumstances. Students earned multiple, national, certifications from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Center for Domestic Preparedness.” The course offers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates practical applications with the latest research in emergency management. Key topics include: Risk assessment and mitigation strategies specific to healthcare settings Developing and testing emergency response plans Crisis communication and coordination with public health agencies Managing resources during pandemics, natural disasters, and other emergencies Building resilience in healthcare teams and systems Fire Suppression Designed for healthcare administrators, clinicians, and emergency response professionals, the course combines expert-led lectures, hands-on simulations, and case studies from real-world events. Participants will gain actionable insights and practical skills to enhance their organization’s preparedness and response capabilities. The program aligns with Misericordia University’s commitment to fostering excellence in healthcare education and addressing critical industry needs. “Our goal is to empower healthcare professionals with the expertise to protect patients, staff, and communities during crises,” said Ash, a nationally certified Firefighter-Paramedic. Dr. Ash designed this course from the ground up by leveraging his 45 years of experience in public safety and using resources readily available from the federal government.
Geisinger Cancer Institute Attains National Reaccreditation Geisinger Cancer Institute has received reaccreditation under the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) Accreditation Program at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton. The ACS CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for patients with cancer by setting and raising standards. “As the population in the northeast continues to age, with that comes the need for high-quality cancer care close to home,” said Erin Miller, D.O., a Geisinger general surgeon and ACS CoC committee chair. “Our recognition by the ACS CoC signifies that we meet the rigorous standards required to deliver exceptional care to our patients and validates our efforts while enabling us to further elevate the standards of cancer care in our region.” CoC accreditation is granted to institutions committed to providing high-quality cancer care by demonstrating compliance with the CoC standards. Each program must undergo a rigorous evaluation and review of its performance and compliance with the CoC standards. To maintain accreditation, cancer programs must undergo a site visit every three years. The CoC accreditation standards supply the structure for providing all patients with a full range of diagnostic, treatment and supportive services either on site or by referral, including community-based resources. As a CoC-accredited institution, Geisinger also becomes an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, which means it is dedicated to consistently improving procedures and approaches, while maintaining a critical eye on process at every step. “ACS Quality programs are grounded in more than a century of experience and participation is an important measure of a hospital’s surgical quality. As an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, Geisinger has shown a commitment to providing the best possible patient care, evaluating that care in a rigorous fashion and dedicating themselves to continuous self-improvement,” said Patricia L. Turner, M.D., executive director and chief executive officer of ACS.
The Wright Center Launches Program for Developing Type 2 Diabetes Patients The Wright Center for Community Health is launching a free, 26-session lifestyle modification program in January to help people prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes. The Wright Center, in partnership with the Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center (NE PA AHEC) and Quality Insights, is offering the National Diabetes Prevention Program. The evidence-based program helps individuals with prediabetes lower their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The first session is on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 5:30 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn. The program will meet weekly for the first six months, followed by bi-weekly or monthly sessions for the remaining six months. Participation is open to everyone, with an option to participate virtually. An estimated 88 million – more than 1 in 3 – American adults have prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 80% of people with prediabetes do not know they have it. “Type 2 diabetes is a serious, chronic condition that can lead to health issues such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney failure,” said Melissa Germano, a registered dietician, licensed dietician nutritionist, and the director of lifestyle and preventive medicine at The Wright Center. “Our program will teach participants the skills they need to get healthier and reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.” Research has shown the National Diabetes Prevention Program, which the CDC developed, can reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58% for people 18-59 and by 71% for those 60 and older. A specially trained lifestyle coach leads the program, teaching participants how to make lasting lifestyle changes by changing eating habits, increasing physical activity, developing skills to cope with stress, and more. “The program gives participants personalized support that empowers them to implement healthy behavior changes,” Germano said. “We thought the New Year would be a great time to launch the program to help people focus on their overall health and make changes for a healthier lifestyle throughout the year.” NE PA AHEC Health Educator Valerie Williams said her organization has offered the National Diabetes Prevention Program for years and decided to partner with The Wright Center to reach more people. “We have a high number of people with prediabetes and diabetes in our area,” Williams said. “We need to educate our community because many people don’t realize they have prediabetes and that they can postpone the onset of Type 2 diabetes.” To qualify for the program, participants must be 18 or older; have a body mass index, commonly known as BMI, of 25 or higher (23 or higher for Asian-American patients); have no prior diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes or end-stage kidney disease; and cannot be pregnant. Participants must also meet at least one of the following: Had a blood test result in the prediabetes range within the past year (includes any of these tests and results): Hemoglobin A1C: 5.7%–6.4% Fasting plasma glucose: 100–125 mg/dL Two-hour plasma glucose (after a 75g glucose load): 140–199 mg/dL Be previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) Received a high-risk result (score of 5 or higher) on a prediabetes risk test at www.cdc.gov/prediabetes/risktest/index.html Anyone who qualifies for the program and is interested in enrolling in the in-person classes or a virtual component can contact Germano at germanom@TheWrightCenter.org or 570-892-8598. The Wright Center, headquartered in Scranton, has a growing network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, to ensure everyone has access to affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory whole-person primary health services. To make an appointment or for more information, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-342-5353.
The Wright Center Recieves Grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, a nonprofit subsidiary of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, administered by Scranton Area Community Foundation. This funding will support the expansion of The Wright Center’s Patient and Community Needs Program, helping to address critical barriers faced by the region’s most vulnerable populations. This additional funding will enable The Wright Center to provide nutritious meals to hundreds more individuals and families, ensuring no one goes hungry. It will also support affordable, reliable transportation to medical appointments and expand access to valuable nutritional education. These efforts build upon the progress made possible by previous grants from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation and Scranton Area Community Foundation. “This philanthropic gift beautifully exemplifies the unwavering dedication of the Robert H. Spitz Foundation and Scranton Area Community Foundation to our cherished community partnership and steadfast commitment to improving the health and well-being of our communities,” said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education and co-chair of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement Board of Directors. “As the needs of our communities continue to grow, we are deeply grateful for this support, which provides a lifeline to individuals and families struggling with necessities and empowers them to focus on improving their health without being burdened by the barriers that often prevent access to care.” The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement advances The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education’s mission — to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve – by involving patients and communities in transforming primary health services, fostering workforce development, and addressing public health challenges. Focused on education, advocacy, and reducing socioeconomic barriers, the nonprofit assists vulnerable populations facing poverty, homelessness, food and housing insecurity, limited transportation, and social isolation. Guided by a board of patients and local professionals, it organizes impactful initiatives like health fairs, food drives, and school supply giveaways. Its annual Dr. William Waters Golf Tournament raises critical funds to ensure equitable access to high-quality, whole-person primary health services for everyone. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation provides grants to registered nonprofit organizations that support impactful programs benefiting Lackawanna County and Northeast Pennsylvania residents. Among its four key focus areas are “programs that aim to break the cycle of poverty, remove economic barriers, and encourage independence in adults and children through access to safe, affordable housing, transportation, education, and other important issues.” Since its inception, the Robert H. Spitz Foundation has awarded nearly $6 million in community grants. Scranton Area Community Foundation has served as its administrator since 2016. For more information, visit safdn.org. Headquartered in Scranton, The Wright Center’s growing network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, provides affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory whole-person primary health services to everyone, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. Patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
PennDOT: Voting Open for Paint the Plow ProgramPennDOT: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 4 invites the public to vote on 12 plows decorated by high school students in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Wayne, and Wyoming counties as part of the annual Paint the Plow program. Paint the Plow is a statewide outreach aimed at promoting winter driving safety and fostering appreciation for high school art programs and student creativity. Earlier this year, PennDOT invited students/teens from District 4 to paint plow blades based on the statewide theme “Use Your Reason When It’s Freezin,” The theme was chosen to remind motorists that seat belts save lives and should be worn year-round. Students from Carbondale Area High School, Delaware Valley High School, Dunmore High School, Hanover Area High School, Hazleton Area High School, Honesdale High School, North Pocono High School, Northwest High School, Old Forge High School. Riverside High School, Tunkhannock High School, and West Scranton High School participated. This year, the public is invited to vote through an online survey posted on the PennDOT website District 4 Paint the Plow Voting 2024. The voting form can be found by clicking on the county names within the table. Additional Paint the Plow art programs were held throughout the state and the public may vote on their favorite from each participating district. Participation is limited to one vote per person per district. The plow photo in each district that receives the most votes between December 10 and December 15, 2024, will be deemed the “Fan Favorite” for that area. Along with the “Fan Favorite” award, the blades are also eligible for the“Judges’ Pick” honor that will be determined by PennDOT personnel. The winner in each category will be announced at the end of December. Schools and participants are encouraged to share the link to the contest to promote voting. PennDOT may post thepictures on statewide and regional Facebook accounts, however responses on social media will not count toward the voting totals. For more information on PennDOT’s winter preparations and additional winter-driving resources for motorists, visit the department’s winter website.
