The Wright Center Names Christen Marante as Associate Vice President

Christen Marante, BSN, RN, of Roaring Brook Township, has been hired as associate vice president of the Value-Based Performance Program at The Wright Center for Community Health.

As a key member of the nonprofit enterprise’s Finance Department, Marante will focus on developing and maintaining excellent relations with payors, including commercial insurance carriers. This responsibility includes implementing pricing strategies and communicating payor participant requirements to The Wright Center’s clinicians and other stakeholders.

Marante had previously worked at The Wright Center from 2019-21 as its Luzerne County practice manager.

“We are delighted Christen will rejoin our organization and help us in an executive leadership role,” said Ron Daniels, chief financial officer of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “One area in which she will especially focus her attention is assisting in planning and rolling out alternative payment model strategies to strengthen our value proposition.”

In 2022, Marante earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Penn State University. She is completing a master’s degree program in nurse executive leadership from Illinois-based Chamberlain University.

Marante most recently worked as a nursing house supervisor for Commonwealth Health’s Moses Taylor Hospital and its Regional Hospital of Scranton. She assisted in directing day-to-day administrative and operational functions for the two hospitals’ 286-bed campus, providing guidance to more than 250 employees.

In her early career, Marante devoted five years to clinical work, including a stint as a charge nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit of The Children’s Hospital at Palms West in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Since 2015, she has been president and owner/manager of Pristine Contours LLC, an aesthetic medical spa with locations in Greenacres, Florida, and the Shoppes at Montage in Moosic. For more information about The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019

Geisinger to Start Assessment across Pennsylvania

On Wednesday, March 1, Geisinger, in collaboration with other regional hospital systems, will start the triennial Community Health Needs Assessment to identify challenges and solutions to local health-based topics.
As in prior Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs), Geisinger will partner with Evangelical Community Hospital and Allied Services Integrated Health System on the assessment. Partnership among regional organizations allow for a better understanding of health needs across the communities served and encourages collaboration to address the identified needs.
“The CHNA provides us with a snapshot of key health challenges affecting our communities,” said Matt Walsh, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Geisinger. “It leverages information from a variety of reliable resources — Pennsylvania Department of Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Anne E. Casey Foundation, U.S. Census, for example — and marries it with information from people in our community. It informs our strategy and helps us identify what we can do to improve our communities. Finally, the CHNA assists other organizations who can provide additional services to our area.”
The assessment will be conducted by Community Research Consulting, a woman-owned business based in Lancaster, Pa. that partners with healthcare providers, social service agencies, foundations, government entities and other community organizations to build vibrant, healthier, and sustainable communities by addressing community health, housing, socioeconomic disparities, capacity building, population health management, and other similar challenges.
Nonprofit hospital organizations are required to conduct a CHNA every three years and develop implementation strategies that address the identified health needs. These reports identify needs through data collection and analysis. The CHNA expands the hospital’s focus to include health issues impacting the greater community and promotes collaboration among local advocates, partners and hospitals.


This upcoming CHNA will be conducted throughout 2023 and will cover Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2026. The region’s current CHNA runs through Dec. 31, 2023.

Lackawanna County Offers Small Business Grant

Lackawanna County will be providing a $5,000 grant to small businesses. The funds can be used to pay employees, add staff, buy new equipment, pay normal expenses, and expand businesses.

The purpose of the grants will help businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible businesses must: be already operating with between two and 100 employees; have faced pandemic-related hardship; comply with all applicable federal and state laws; be current in paying federal, state, and local taxes or on a payment plan; and spend all the money in the county. No one convicted of a financial crime in the last five years is eligible. The money may also be used to pay mortgages, rent, utilities, and other operating costs.

Application forms and full instructions are available online at the county’s website, www.LackawannaCounty.org. Look for the Department of Planning and Economic Development on the homepage drop-down menu.

The Combat Inflation Business Grant can be found at this link.

Indraloka Animal Sanctuary Host Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

The NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic, a project of the Indraloka Animal Sanctuary along with the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, March 2, at 5:00 p.m. at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in Dalton.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will launch the opening of the NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic, which aims to increase access to quality, low-cost veterinary care for animals in the care of 35+ animal welfare organizations across the Northeastern Pennsylvania region that are part of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, including Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, Adopt-a-Boxer, Quigley’s Shelter Pets, and others.

What:  All members of the media are invited to attend the NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic ribbon-cutting ceremony, with the opportunity to tour the new facility and to learn more about this groundbreaking vet clinic, which is the only one of its kind in the area.

When: Thursday, March 2, 5:00 pm

Where: Indraloka Animal Sanctuary (336 Oak Dr, Dalton, PA 18414)

The Clinic will be led by Dr. Leslie Interlandi, DVM, a rescue medicine specialist and resident veterinarian at Indraloka.

“The NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic was designed to address the incredible veterinary shortage in our area, which has only worsened following COVID-19, and which has made accessing veterinary appointments difficult for local shelters and rescues,” stated Laura Ducceschi, President & CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, which houses the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative. 

The NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative is a collective of animal shelters, rescues, advocates, and sanctuaries in the region that have come together to advance various causes in animal welfare and to increase the collective resources available to these agencies. Its mission is to work on initiatives aimed at ensuring animals in Northeastern Pennsylvania achieve a happy and healthy life—free from abuse and neglect. The Scranton Area Community Foundation serves as the convener of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, which aims to bring together individuals, shelter and rescue groups who are working together to help solve challenges for the benefit of people and animals in NEPA.

The NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic is supported by the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative and grant funding from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation,  the Scranton Area Community Foundation, and other regional funders.

Indraloka Animal Sanctuary rescues animals from the most desperate circumstances. “They all need immediate emergency vet care. Getting that care has proven to be one of the most difficult aspects of running a sanctuary,” stated Indra Lahiri, Founder of the Indraloka Animal Sanctuary. “Dog and cat rescues also struggle to get rescued animals the particular care they need,” she added. “The NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic aims to provide high-quality, low-cost emergency vet care quickly.”

The NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic offers services to 501(c)3 rescues, shelters, and sanctuaries located in Northeastern Pennsylvania that are part of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative. To become involved with the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, contact the Scranton Area Community Foundation at awc@safdn.org.

RailRiders University Community Series Begins April 5

Annual series puts local high school and special needs teams on PNC Field 13 times this year.
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce the schedule for the seventh annual RailRiders University Community Series, presented by Geisinger. Each year, the RailRiders welcome local high school and special needs teams onto PNC Field to showcase their talents.


2023 RailRiders University Community Series
Date Time Game Details


April 5 4:30 P.M. Wyoming Seminary High School vs. Holy Redeemer High School
Doubleheader A battle of first-year head coaches starts the schedule when Kyle Ofier and the Blue Knights take on Ryan Knowles and the Royals.
Riverside High School vs. Holy Cross High School
RailRiders University instructor Sean Hughes leads the Vikings against the defending District 2 Champion Crusaders, led by Sandy Menichetti.


April 6 4:30 P.M. Hanover Area High School vs. Greater Nanticoke High School
Eric Spencer’s Trojans and Todd Kolbicka’s Hawkeyes return to PNC Field.


April 10 3:00 P.M. Western Wayne High School vs. Mid Valley High School
Wildcats John Bonyl takes on RRU instructor Ryan Kropa’s Spartans.


April 17 4:30 P.M. Delaware Valley High School vs. North Pocono High School
RRU instructor Brian Jardine and the Trojans host Sean Gilbin and the Warriors, who are making their PNC Field debut.


April 21 4:30 P.M. Panther Valley High School vs. Abington Heights High School
The Comets and RRU’s Billy Zalewski, host the Panthers from District 11.
April 24 4:30 P.M. West Scranton High School vs. Scranton High School


Jamie Higgins, a RRU instructor, and the Knights host Brian Minnich and the Invaders in this classic rivalry match-up.
Triple-A Affiliate of the
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRidersPNC Field 235 Montage Mountain Road Moosic, PA 18507 570-969-2255 www.swbrailriders.com
media advisory
April 28 4:30 P.M. Blue Ridge High School vs. Mid Valley High School
The Spartans host coach Rob Dibble and the Raiders.


May 1 4:30 P.M. Valley View High School vs. Abington Heights High School
Another great rivalry game that pits the Cougars, led by Jason Munley, against the Comets.


May 7 TBD Crestwood High School vs. Dallas High School
After the RailRiders host the Rochester Red Wings, Sean Foley’s Comets and Mike Viglione’s Mountaineers wrap our Community Series with a rivalry clash.


There is no parking or admission fee for any of the 2023 RailRiders University Community Series games.
The RailRiders are also proud to host the Wyoming Valley Challenger League as part of the Community Series on June 11, 25 and July 9.


RailRiders University will host three camps this summer – June 27-29, July 25-27 and August 15-17. Save the dates now and be sure to book your six to 14 year-old once registration begins. Contact Robby Judge at (570) 558-4612 or rjudge@swbrailriders.com for additional information.
The 2023 RailRiders University Community Series is presented by Geisinger as part of their continued commitment to Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, please contact the RailRiders front office at
(570) 969-BALL.

Gerrity’s Fresh Grocer Celebrates Employee Appreciation Week

The essential heroes at Gerrity’s The Fresh Grocer and Gerrity’s Ace Hardware will be getting some well-deserved recognition for their hard work. FMI (Food Marketing Institute), the food industry association has created a national initiative to thank the country’s supermarket workers, and Gerrity’s is joining the party. Wednesday, February 22, will be Supermarket Employee Day – a time for the food industry and the community to recognize employees at every level for the work they do, feeding families and enriching lives.  Gerrity’s will be including their Ace hardware team as well.

At Gerrity’s, “Mom” has some special surprises for her 1,300 team members, including a catered lunch on Friday, February 24th and a 20% discount on their weekly grocery order.  However, the most important component of the celebration is the effort to spread public awareness. “We try to show our appreciation to our team every day, but our main goal for this event is to make sure that everyone knows the critical role these everyday heroes play in our community,” said Joyce “Mom” Fasula, President of Gerrity’s.

Supermarkets are arguably the center of their respective communities, touching every life around them.  Across the country, millions of supermarket employees go to work every day, keeping shelves stocked and providing essential nutrition and services that help communities survive and thrive. This is especially true during periods of crisis. In the face of natural disasters – hurricanes, blizzards, fires, and floods – supermarket employees keep their towns and cities going.  When COVID-19 shut the rest of the world down, supermarkets and hardware stores stayed open.

“It has been an extraordinarily challenging few years.  Our team, and all grocery workers, have worked extremely hard. They have earned an extra pat on the back,” said Fasula.  All ten Gerrity’s Fresh Grocer locations and four Gerrity’s Ace locations will get the word out with signs, in-store announcements and social media posts throughout the week.

Gerrity’s is a family-owned supermarket business that began in 1895 as a small meat market. Today, the company is the largest family-owned supermarket business in Northeastern Pennsylvania and is led by Joe Fasula and his mom, Joyce Fasula, known to customers as “Mom.” The company includes ten supermarkets and four hardware stores in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Northampton counties and currently employs over 1,300 associates.

Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces America Saves Week Webinars

Treasurer Stacy Garrity today announced three upcoming webinars as part of America Saves Week, which runs February 27 through March 3. America Saves Week is an annual event to encourage families to make informed choices when it comes to saving and protecting money, reducing debt, and building wealth.

“America Saves Week is the perfect time to highlight Treasury’s great savings programs and let families across Pennsylvania know that we can help them save more effectively,” Garrity said. “I’m excited to work with the Pennsylvania Bankers Association and PHEAA for these webinars to help get the word out about the great financial resources available to Pennsylvanians.”

Treasury is partnering with experts to present three free webinars that will cover cybersecurity, student financial aid, and an overview of Treasury’s savings programs, including the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program, Keystone Scholars and the PA ABLE Savings Program.

The America Saves Week webinar schedule is:

This session, presented by the Pennsylvania Bankers Association, will share information about the current cybersecurity landscape and provide tips on safeguarding your financial information. 

Presented by Treasury and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), this session will cover affordable ways to pay for college, including the benefits of PA 529 plans and other aspects of financial aid to cover funding gaps, such as PA Forward Student Loans.

Presented by Treasury, this session will illustrate how families can use Treasury’s savings programs to build a brighter future, including PA 529, Keystone Scholars, and PA ABLE.

The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program helps families steadily and strategically save for future education expenses. Treasury offers two plans; the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan, which allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s tuition costs, and the PA 529 Investment Plan that offers a number of investment options. Both plans offer significant state and federal tax advantages and can be used for a wide variety of qualifying technical, collegiate, apprenticeship and K-12 educational expenses.

Keystone Scholars jumpstarts educational savings by providing a $100 investment for every child born to a Pennsylvania family on or after January 1, 2019. The program uses no taxpayer money, and the funds are invested by Treasury to grow as the child grows. The funds can be used after a child’s 18th birthday for a wide variety of postsecondary educational expenses.

PA ABLE is a tax-free way for Pennsylvanians to save for disability-related expenses while maintaining government disability benefits. PA ABLE allows for up to $17,000 in savings annually, and up to $100,000 total without impacting important benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Funds are easy to access and may be used for a wide range of expenses.

To register for one or more of these free webinars, visit pa529.com/webinars.

To learn more about all of Treasury’s Consumer Savings Programs, visit patreasury.gov/consumer.

Media contact:
Samantha Heckel, Press Secretary, 717-418-0206 or sheckel@patreasury.gov

WVIA Receives Five 2023 Awards

WVIA has received five 2023 Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB) Awards for programs in three categories.

WVIA received two PABs in the Outstanding Documentary Program 2023 category for Agnes 50: Life After The Flood and VIA Short Takes: 201.

WVIA also received two PABs in the Outstanding Television Public Affairs Program/Program Series 2023 category for Keystone Edition Reports: Agnes 50 and Mind Over Matter: You Are Not Alone.

In addition, WVIA’s George Graham has been awarded the Radio Broadcaster of the Year Award.

“To be recognized by the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters for the work that we do is always an honor,” said Ben Payavis II, Chief Content Officer at WVIA. “The work that received awards this year tells the stories of our region, and we are proud to share them with the world.”

“WVIA creates programs that ask hard questions and dig deep into their subject matter,” said Carla McCabe, WVIA President, and CEO. “We are honored that these programs are being recognized, as they highlight the stories and people of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania while maintaining the high quality that our viewers and listeners have come to expect from WVIA. Something that our own George Graham, who is also being recognized, has been doing for our region for decades.”

Agnes 50: Life After The Flood, VIA Short Takes: 201, Keystone Edition Reports: Agnes 50, and Mind Over Matter: You Are Not Alone are available to watch anytime, on-demand at wvia.org as well as on the PBS and WVIA Apps.

The Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters endeavors to promote collaboration between radio {“type”:”block”,”srcIndex”:10,”srcClientId”:”aa940bd4-652b-4470-8be5-130a79949482″,”srcRootClientId”:””}and television broadcast station owners, managers, and staff across the Commonwealth. We assist our member stations in serving their communities, audiences, and advertisers through FCC-licensed free over-the-air broadcast program operations.

To learn more about the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters, please visit https://pab.org.

WVIA Mission

WVIA educates, inspires, entertains and fosters citizenship, diverse cultures, and perspectives to nurture community.

Johnson College to Offer Forklift Operator Training Course

Johnson College‘s Continuing Education program is offering a Forklift Operator Training Course on Sunday, March 19, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Diesel Truck Technology Center on the College’s campus in Scranton. The cost of the course is $200, but if you are a current Johnson College student or alum the cost is only $100. Space is limited! Visit johnson.edu/continuingeducation or contact our Continuing Education team at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu to learn more and enroll.

The forklift operator training is designed to familiarize students with OSHA Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training Requirements (29CFR Standard 1910.178 and ASME B56.1), provide current training requirements under the newly adopted standards, and assist participants in becoming an authorized operator of forklifts through theory and tactile testing. Nine hours of instruction including pre-operational inspection, picking up, traveling, and placing loads, parking procedures, refueling, and practical operation.

Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their in-demand careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912 and is the region’s only technical college, offering 17 associate degrees, four academic certificates, and over 30 continuing education programs. A low student-to-instructor ratio supports an emphasis on hands-on learning. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus with a satellite campus serving the greater Hazleton area, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.