Geisinger Announces Recipients of the Nursing Scholarship and Caring Award

Geisinger has recognized 10 employees who go above and beyond in their dedication to patients at work and in the community with the Caring Award and Nursing Scholarship in honor of Susan M. Robel.

“Improving the patient experience and making better health easier for everyone is at the forefront of what we do. And our Geisinger family members are devoted to finding ways — big and small — to impact our patients’ lives,” said Janet Tomcavage, MSN, RN, executive vice president and chief nursing executive at Geisinger. “Each year, we recognize those who go the extra mile in their service to others. Congratulations to all the deserving recipients.”

Created to honor the legacy of Sue Robel, Geisinger’s former chief nursing officer and co-chief patient experience officer, the two awards are presented annually to recognize Geisinger employees’ commitment to providing the highest level of patient care and serving others in their roles at work and in the community.

The Nursing Scholarship Program in honor of Robel recognizes the significance of lifelong learning in nursing, and rewards those enrolled in nursing school who exemplify what it means to go above and beyond in providing patient care. Scholarship recipients have demonstrated a continued commitment to meeting the highest standards of bedside care and treat patients with the utmost compassion and kindness. Each recipient is awarded $1,000 toward their tuition, funded by the Alice E. Steele Endowment. 

The 2023 Nursing Scholarship winners are:

  • Cherie Hrapowicki, patient care technician II, emergency medicine, Geisinger Medical Center Muncy
  • Jennifer Kauffman, patient care unit assistant, intermediate care unit, Geisinger Lewistown Hospital
  • Katie Lynn, nurse intern/extern, emergency medicine, Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre
  • Carson Farr, patient care technician, medical/surgical unit, Geisinger Medical Center
  • Jessica Wallace, operations manager II, family practice, CommunityCare Kistler Clinic

The Caring Award recognizes Geisinger employees who are dedicated to caring for others in the workplace and beyond. Like Robel, who defined collegiality and was an exemplary colleague to all, these people demonstrate a steadfast commitment to serving others and are incredible advocates in our communities. They inspire others with their compassion, thoughtfulness and selflessness. Nominated by their peers and selected by the award committee, winners receive $500 in cash and $500 to donate to their charity of choice.

The 2023 Caring Award winners are:

  • Raphael Ferro, registered nurse, intensive care unit, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center
  • Kimberly Green, registered nurse, Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital
  • Gina Hatton, licensed practical nurse, neurology, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center
  • Angela Phillips, community health assistant II, Care Coordination and Integration
  • Lindsey Shannon, patient care technician, intensive care unit, Geisinger Medical Center

Geisinger Welcomes Vascular Surgeon

John A. Kutz, M.D., an experienced vascular surgeon with deep ties to northeastern Pennsylvania, has joined Geisinger.

Dr. Kutz practices at Geisinger Community Medical Center and treats patients with diseases of the circulatory system. He has a clinical interest in helping patients get appropriate operative and non-operative care for vascular conditions and is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Vascular Surgery.

He joins Eugene Langan, M.D., David Phang, M.D., and Alessandro Smeraldi, M.D., on a vascular care team that provides comprehensive coverage for Scranton and surrounding communities.

A native of Luzerne County, Dr. Kutz earned his medical degree from the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He completed his residency in general surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and his fellowship training in vascular surgery at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

He has provided vascular care in Scranton for 20 years and has held clinical and administrative leadership positions in surgery, vascular surgery and wound care. Dr. Kutz serves as an assistant professor of vascular surgery at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, and he was recently appointed by the governor of Pennsylvania to serve on the State Board of Medicine.

“I’m grateful to have the opportunity to continue caring for members of my community with Geisinger,” Dr. Kutz said. “My wife and I came back to this region two decades ago, because we wanted to be part of the communities in which we were raised.”

Dr. Kutz served 13 years in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve where he trained at the School of Aerospace Medicine in San Antonio, Texas, reached the rank of major and was awarded for expert marksmanship, unit achievement and meritorious service.

To learn more about vascular care at Geisinger or find a vascular surgeon near you, visit Geisinger.org/vascular.

Marywood University to Hold Transfer Tuesdays Program

Marywood University has set several dates in the fall and winter for its Transfer Tuesdays program. Transfer Tuesday events are for current or former college students, at all stages of their college journey, who are considering transferring to Marywood University.

Transfer Tuesdays opportunities will take place on the following Tuesdays: November 28, 2023 and December 12, 2023, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and on January 9, 2024, from 1-6 p.m. Those interested in the fall/winter Transfer Tuesdays events can schedule an appointment every half hour during the time frames established for each date, and optional tours will be offered at select times.

Registered visitors can discuss financial aid and scholarship options, transfer credits, take a tour of campus, review credits for transfer eligibility, and complete an application for admission. Marywood University’s spring semester begins on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

For additional information about transferring to Marywood, or to register for the Transfer Tuesdays program, please visit marywood.edu/transfer or call Marywood University’s Office of University Admissions, at (570) 348-6234 or email YourFuture@marywood.edu.

Bartari to Host Fundraiser for Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital

Bartari will be hosting the 3rd Annual “Quarters for Kids” an Extra Life event, which benefits the Geisinger Janet Weis Children Hospital. The event will take place on Sunday, November 5th from 11 am. to 11 pm.

The fundraiser is looking for monetary donations, raffle items, and items from Child Life Donation Wish List. (See attached list below. These items have to be new.) All donations can be dropped off at Bartari, 101 Adams Ave. Scranton or at A.J Guzzi General Contractors, 9 Skyline Drive, Clark Summit. Any questions please call Carol Heim at (570) 498-2004.

Donation List

Pennsylvania SBDC Upcoming Programs

Upcoming Pennsylvania SBDC programs:

Keystone Edition Business with host Steve Stumbris, Director of Bucknell University SBDC: Walk Around Town – Monday, November 13 at 7PM on WVIA-TV

A walkability study recently made headlines in Scranton. Other downtowns are already making strides to improve how walkable they are.What impact does improving a community’s walkability and bikeability have? Keystone Edition Business: Walk Around Town Send us your questions – Call 1-833-408-9842 or email keystone@wvia.org Join live in studio – Register at wvia.org/events or watch live on WVIA-TV’s Facebook page. Monday, November 13 at 7PM on WVIA-TV.

Promo video https://youtu.be/5zbedG6LbCQ 

The Cost of Burn Out – Free webinar on Thursday, November 16

Register at: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/30597

The Dime Bank Hosts Reality Fair with Honesdale High School

The Dime Bank is committed to bringing financial education to their communities. Recently, The Dime Bank teamed up with Honesdale High School to host an inaugural reality fair, aimed at enhancing students’ financial and life skills. The fair provided students with an interactive experience for making real world financial decisions and managing money.

President and Chief Executive Officer Pete Bochnovich stated, “The reality fair was a fun way for students to build financial knowledge and skills. The fair helped students experience what it is like to have a checking account, decide how to use their money, obtain a loan, manage expenses, and more. At The Dime Bank, we believe that financial education is a crucial part of personal development, and we are incredibly grateful to all who collaborated with us to make this program a success.”