The Wright Center to Host Tinnitus Support Group The Tinnitus Support Group of Northeast Pennsylvania will meet on Friday, July 11, at 2 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn. Virtual meeting options are available for those unable to attend in person. There is no fee to attend. New members are welcome. The support group welcomes individuals living with tinnitus, their loved ones, and anyone interested in learning more about this complex audiological and neurological condition. Participants will have the opportunity to connect, share their experiences, and explore coping strategies in a compassionate and supportive environment. Tinnitus, often described as ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in the ears or head, affects over 50 million adults across the U.S., with many experiencing its effects daily. For some, it can be a temporary nuisance, while for others, it becomes a chronic, life-altering condition. For more information or to obtain the virtual meeting link, contact Nicole Flynn, director of the Geriatrics Service Line at The Wright Center for Community Health, at flynnn@TheWrightCenter.org or 570-230-0019. For more information about The Wright Center, visit TheWrightCenter.org.
Geisinger College of Health Sciences Designated a ‘Hunger-Free Campus’ Geisinger College of Health Sciences was recently notified by Pennsylvania first lady Lori Shapiro that it has received the Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus designation. “We are so honored to receive the designation,” said Tanja Adonizio, MD, Geisinger College vice provost for student affairs. “Our medical school has long maintained a free student food pantry, stocked by generous faculty, staff and community. We also embed awareness of social drivers of health – like food insecurity – into our curriculum. We encourage our students to experience initiatives like Geisinger’s Fresh Food Farmacy and to volunteer with community organizations that provide basic necessities to our neighbors. Students focused on healthcare careers need to understand everything that factors into a patient’s health.” The PA Hunger-Free Campus Initiative is building a coalition of colleges and universities focused on addressing hunger and other basic needs for their students; creating opportunities for connection among student hunger advocates; providing resources and strategies for campuses; and supporting opportunities to apply for grants related to addressing food insecurity. Mrs. Shapiro noted that more than one-third of students know someone who dropped out of college due to food insecurity during the pandemic. She further said that 52% of students who faced food or housing insecurity in 2020 did not apply for support because they did not know how. The hunger-free campus designation recognizes colleges and universities that are taking steps to address these issues so students can focus on their education instead of where to find their next meal. In addition to the Hunger-Free Campus designation, Geisinger College of Health Sciences is now also eligible for related grant opportunities.
PS Bank Contributes to Deutsch Institute’s Robinson Park Relocation Project PS Bank recently donated $1,500 to the Deutsch Institute to assist with its efforts to bring their headquarters to a building within Robinson Park in Scranton. Once completed, the community building will be used to provide recreational and wellness programming to people with disabilities and the surrounding community. Located on the city’s east mountain, Robinson Park is the second largest park in Scranton. Established in 1979, the Deutsch Institute provides a variety of events, activities, and outings to enrich the lives of persons with special needs and other barriers. The new space will not only house the Deutsch Institute administrative offices, but will also contain space to host events, activities, and recreational gatherings. The distinct A-frame building includes a large kitchen to facilitate healthy eating sessions or cooking classes; as well as a multimedia room that could allow for movie nights, exercise classes, or crafting. Chris von Ahnen, Deutsch Institute Executive Director, expressed his gratitude for the donation at a recent check presentation. “The Deutsch Institute is thankful for this donation as it will allow us to continue renovating Robinson Park, creating a safe and inclusive environment,” he said. With PS Bank’s newest office in North Scranton, this donation to the Deutsch Institute is another way the bank is contributing to progressive projects in the city. Pictured: Sean Ann Schoen, Vice President/Marketing Director at PS Bank and member of the Deutsch Institute Board of Directors; Anthony J. Gabello, PS Bank President & CEO; Chris VonAhnen, Deutsch Institute Executive Director; and Marylou Grogan, Chairwoman of the Deutsch Institute Board of Directors.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Places Col. Benjamin Kilgore in Command Pictured Left: Col. James L. Crocker; Pictured Right: Col. Benjamin Kilgore; (Photo credit: Justin Kucharski) Tobyhanna Army Depot ushered in a new era of leadership poised to shape the future of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s largest industrial employer. Col. James L. Crocker relinquished command of Tobyhanna Army Depot to Col. Benjamin Kilgore during a military ceremony on June 25. Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, presided over the ceremony. Also in attendance was the depot workforce, elected officials, community partners, and members of the Crocker and Kilgore families. Col. Crocker departs Tobyhanna and will take a new assignment in Army Materiel Command’s G3. In his departing remarks, he celebrated his time leading the DOD’s choice readiness provider. “At Tobyhanna, we ensure C5ISR readiness for warfighters worldwide. Our accomplishments, over the past two years, while important for us as an organization, were all aimed at delivering key warfighting capabilities at speed and scale,” emphasizing the vast importance of the organization’s newest mission. “The establishment of our microelectronics facility, which was unveiled earlier this month, has positioned Tobyhanna as the only organic supplier of circuit card assemblies for our warfighters, reducing the need to rely upon external sources.” Kilgore is the depot’s 36th commander and most recently served as the chief of staff at Defense Logistics Agency Energy. He holds a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the Army War College, a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the University of Louisville and a Masters in Managerial Logistics from North Dakota State University. Prior to attending the Army War College, he was assigned to Army Futures Command, where he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff G4 for Joint Modernization Command at Fort Bliss, Texas. Kilgore will lead 3,100 employees as depot commander and will be responsible for supporting global readiness for Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (also known as C5ISR) systems across the DOD. In his first address to the Tobyhanna community, Kilgore expressed excitement about his newest assignment. “I am honored to serve as Tobyhanna’s 36th Commander. Across the Department of Defense, Tobyhanna is known as a community of dedicated professionals who ensure that our joint force remains mission ready.” Kilgore also laid out his priorities for the organization’s future, citing its role in the evolution of the U.S. Army. “As we look ahead, Team Tobyhanna will continue to drive forward in alignment with CECOM’s top priorities — particularly in supporting the Army’s transformation strategy and enhancing readiness across the joint force. From sustaining and upgrading C5ISR systems to advancing capabilities in microelectronics, our work ensures that the joint force remains lethal, agile, and technologically superior.”
South Side Floral Shop Celebrates 100 Years of Family-Owned Excellence South Side Floral Shop proudly marks a century of service in 2024. Established in 1924 by John Stankowski as a retail floral and landscaping business, the shop has been passed down through three generations — from John to his son Leon, and now operated by siblings Jake and Mari Jane. Originally located at 1107 Pittston Avenue, the business moved to its current home at 1025 Pittston Avenue in the late 1940s. Over the decades, South Side Floral Shop has become a trusted name in both floral design and landscaping, contributing to major community projects including Memorial Stadium, city pools, and elementary schools. In recognition of its longstanding commitment to excellence, South Side Floral Shop received the Century Award from the Society of American Florists in 2024. This prestigious honor celebrates businesses that have served the floral industry for 100 years or more. The shop was also recognized by FTD, which has over 20,000 members in the United States, as one of the Top 1,000 Florists in the U.S. for outstanding quality and service in 2024. South Side Floral Shop looks forward to continuing its tradition of beauty, service, and community involvement for generations to come.
Misericordia Offers Course for GIS Basics Certification Unlock the Power of Place Explore how spatial data drives decisions in nearly every field—from business and public health to urban planning and logistics. Misericordia University’s GIS Basics Certificate is a 6-week online course that introduces professionals to the world of geographic information systems and data visualization. Fully online | Fall 2025Register now
Geisinger, Wilkes University Extends Sports Medicine Contract Geisinger Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine and Wilkes University have renewed their contract for Geisinger to provide athletic training services to the university’s athletic department. The contract extension, which runs through 2028, continues a 23-year partnership began in 2002. “I am very happy to have extended our partnership with Geisinger to provide all of our health care coverage, said Scott Musa, Wilkes University athletics director. “Our student-athletes very much value the care they receive from the athletic trainers, doctors and other health care professionals, and I have 100% confidence in their ability to help keep our student-athletes healthy.” Geisinger offers five athletic trainers for the university for all NCAA sports the school offers. Geisinger also provides physician services that includes coverage for football and ice hockey games as well as weekly training room visits. “The longstanding partnership between Geisinger and Wilkes University has been a tremendous benefit to our student-athletes,” said Geisinger athletic trainer Camille Dudinyak, who is the head athletic trainer for Wilkes University. “Their health and well-being are paramount, and the continued collaboration helps facilitate exceptional care both on and off the playing field.”
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to Host Trivia Night PENS TRIVIA NIGHT MONDAY, JUNE 30 Are you ready for a night filled with fun, food, and friendly competition? The Penguins GOALS Foundation is thrilled to host its very first Trivia Night, and you’re invited! This exciting event will take place on Monday, June 30th, 2025, at 6 PM, in the cozy Team Café at the Toyota SportsPlex. Whether you’re a trivia pro or just looking for an entertaining evening out, this event promises something for everyone. Sign Up Here
The Wright Center for Community Health Welcomes Director of Employee Health The Wright Center for Community Health welcomed a longtime emergency medical technician and vascular technologist to serve as director of employee health and coordinator of continuing medical education. Mark Powell, RVT, NRP, will oversee employee health services and training for The Wright Centers, which is transitioning from an official American Heart Association (AHA) designated training site to an AHA training center, a distinction earned by training a certain number of people annually and meeting other high standards. “By becoming a center, we can develop sites and expand access to these classes that provide these critical training classes, including Basic Life Support, which many people know as CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and more,” Powell said. “These skills are important for everyone to know because they can save lives.” Since The Wright Center launched its AHA training site in 2023, it has completed nearly 3,560 certifications, which include 1,761 in Basic Life Support (BLS), 416 in Heartsaver CPR, 412 in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), 158 in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and several more. Powell has decades of experience as an emergency medical technician, paramedic, and registered vascular technologist in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland. He has extensive experience directing vascular labs, managing clinical operations, and ensuring accreditation compliance. Before joining The Wright Center, he worked as the technical director and vascular manager at Guthrie Medical Clinic and Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre. In addition to being a registered vascular technologist, he is an accredited ACLS/PALS/CPR instructor and a certified intervention team member. Mark Powell, RVT, NRP, helps Taila Avia, a Marywood University student, use a bag valve on a mannequin during a Basic Life Support class at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton. Powell, our director of employee health and coordinator of continuing medical education, is working to have our American Heart Association (AHA) training site designated as an AHA training center, a distinction earned by training a certain number of people annually and meeting other high standards.
