Geisinger Life Flight reaches 40 years of life-saving service

This year, Geisinger is honoring 40 years of providing life-saving critical care. What started as a single-aircraft operation at Geisinger Medical Center in 1981 has grown to a nine-aircraft operation, with six bases, two critical care grounds trucks, a crew of 150, and more than 75,000 transports completed across northeastern and central Pennsylvania. Since 2001, Life Flight 3, based at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, has been a crucial part of the Life Flight program.  

This month, we invite you to consider covering this milestone in local medical history. Current and former Geisinger Life Flight leaders, current crews, and patients are willing to share their stories of how the Life Flight program has impacted medical care locally and helped to save lives. Geisinger also continues investing in the program, with the addition of its latest helicopter, which recently went into service this summer.

Maternal and Family Health Services Celebrates 50th Anniversary with New Logo

As part of its 50th anniversary of serving those in need, Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS) launched a new brand identity and website this week. The rebrand is designed to enhance recognition of the organization and array of services it offers, particularly during this difficult period for the thousands of women, children and families who rely on it for care. MFHS began its mission of care in 1971, with a vision to improve the quality of life of families in Northeast PA through preventative healthcare services.

“Our 50th anniversary was the perfect time to revisit our logo. MFHS continues to adapt to the needs of our community, and our new logo and website reflect those changes,” said Maria Montoro Edwards, Ph.D., President & CEO of Maternal and Family Health Services. “As we continue to add services such as behavioral healthcare, we wanted to create a logo that is fresh and modern, but still connected to our history of creating a ‘circle of care’ of services for our clients.”

The new Maternal and Family Health Services logo is accompanied by a new website, which highlights the services the agency offers the community. The site is designed to be welcoming and easy to navigate. The improved location finder enables the community to search by zip code to find services like the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition program and reproductive health care near them.

“We also wanted to rebrand now, during the pandemic, because there is so much need in the community. While our name remains the same, our logo and website are a clearer reminder that MFHS is here to help families struggling during such a difficult time,” commented Jim Schilling, MFHS Development and Communications Officer. “The layered, circular design represents the different people we serve: children, adults, parents, families, and our entire community. Our new website reflects this as well, with an updated look and a focus on easily connecting our community with vital healthcare information.”

MFHS encourages the community to see its new look by visiting the new website at: MFHS.org.

NROC Sole Radiation Oncology Practice in NEPA to Achieve APEx Award

“APEx” is the Accreditation Program for Excellence, an award carefully given to select practices in the United States for excellence in safety and quality by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO.) Northeast Radiation Oncology Center’s (NROC) achievement means that it has once again earned this prestigious four-year accreditation, the only facility in Northeastern Pennsylvania to do so.

“Receiving this accreditation from the premier radiation oncology society in the world validates our practices and recognizes the efforts of our team to deliver patient-centered, highest quality care to our community,” says Christopher A. Peters, M.D., Medical Director.

Having attained this during the reality of COVID-19 is especially commendable, as NROC’s physicians, nurses, radiation therapists and entire staff provide continuous care. Cancer patients, physicians and families can feel confident in this award-winning culture of safety available to them in Dunmore. At its core, this exceptional accreditation reflects competencies and practices identified and endorsed in the 2012 ASTRO publication Safety is No Accident: A Framework for Quality Radiation Oncology and Care.

Accreditation through APEx is a rigorous, voluntary, multi-step process that can take up to one year to complete. It’s the result of devotion, efficient communication and a myriad of technologies and training. Each center seeking APEx accreditation must have its policies and procedures

evaluated using objective, verifiable expectations for performance in radiation oncology. It must demonstrate its commitment to cancer care by promoting effective communication, coordinating treatment, and engaging patients and their families as partners in care.

“ASTRO is proud to recognize Northeast Radiation Oncology Center for achieving APEx accreditation,” says ASTRO chair Bruce D. Minsky, M.D., FASTRO. “NROC has demonstrated a commitment to providing their patients with safe, high-quality radiation therapy services.”

APEx has a distinctive program structure that includes both a self-assessment process and a facility visit conducted by a medical physicist and a radiation oncologist, radiation therapist, nurse, dosimetrist, nurse practitioner, physician assistant or practice administrator.

The team of physicians at NROC offers the most comprehensive, advanced radiation therapy technologies available in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Doctors carefully advise patients with a cancer diagnosis about the therapies most effective for their type and stage of cancer, and educate them and family members on their treatment options. The Center works with all insurances. Patients are also given the opportunity to participate in cancer clinical research trials. NROC physicians have served as Principal Investigators for National Cancer Institute research trials for over thirty-five years. More information is provided at www.nrocdoctors.com.

Woodloch Pines Named Number One Family Resort in the United States by USA TODAY

Woodloch Pines, an all-inclusive family resort located in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, has been selected by USA TODAY as the number one family resort in the United States in their 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Woodloch Pines claimed the same honor in 2019 and took the number two spot in 2020.

Nominees are chosen by a panel of travel experts, a well-traveled and well-educated group who are not only experts in their fields and their cities but also discriminating in their tastes. These include a combination of editors from USA TODAY, editors from 10Best.com, and other professional contributors.

“We are ecstatic to be chosen as the number one family resort by USA TODAY. Woodloch has been in our family for over 60 years, and it is humbling to see our resort ranked among so many amazing properties and national brands,” said Brad Kiesendahl, CEO and President of Woodloch Pines.  “This could not have been accomplished without the hard work and sincere hospitality of our staff members, as well as our loyal and passionate guests who want to share their experiences with the world. We are eternally grateful for their continued support especially through the challenges of the past few years,” he continued.

To obtain more information or to book a stay, please visit woodloch.com, or call 1-800-Woodloch.

Northeast Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Awards Careers in Care Grant to Johnson College

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation has awarded Johnson College a $30,000 grant from its Careers in Care initiative. The grant will support the College’s “Widening the Pipeline for a Trained Healthcare Workforce” project designed to increase the pool of qualified, well-trained health care workers for our area.

With the grant, Johnson College will establish a mobile training laboratory to provide a hands-on experience for potential students to see and feel what it is like to work in the health care field.

The board of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation recently met with Johnson College to discuss the $30,000 grant awarded to the College in support of its “Widening the Pipeline for a Trained Health Care Workforce” project and tour the mobile training laboratory.

Photo: Front Row L-R: James Clemente, board chair, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, Shubhra Shetty, M.D., board member, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, Marie Roke Thomas, Ph.D., board member, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, Donna Martucci, board member, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, Katie Leonard, Ed.D., President & CEO, Johnson College, Karen Baker, Sr. Director of College Advancement, Johnson College, Michele McGowan, D.B.A., board member, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, and Laura Ducceschi, President & CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation. Back Row L-R: The Honorable Terrence Nealon, board member, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, Robert Knowles, Vice Chairman, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, Kerry O’Grady, board member, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, Christopher Dressel, M.D., board member, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, Mark Mitchell, board member, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, James Mileski, board member, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, Jeremiah Eagen, M.D., board member, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, and Peter Cognetti, M.D., board member, Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation.

City Lights Church to Participate in Walk for Freedom

On October 16, abolitionists all over the world will come together to shine a spotlight on human trafficking for A21’s 7th annual Walk For Freedom. This event is a collective effort led by A21, a global anti-human trafficking organization dedicated to abolishing slavery everywhere, forever. Walk For Freedom is A21’s global response to human trafficking, rallying tens of thousands of people in cities around the world to fundraise and walk for the millions enslaved today.

A21 combats modern-day slavery through a multi-dimensional approach: Reach, Rescue, and Restore. Walk For Freedom is an integral part of A21’s efforts to reach the vulnerable and prevent human trafficking from ever happening in the first place, as well as reaching people with the information to recognize and report human trafficking.

In 2019, A21 had 500 walks in 50 countries around the world. Collectively, there were over 85 million people reached through social media. Each step mattered. Every step made a difference.

But there are millions who have yet to be freed—and we will continue to walk, to show up, and to raise awareness for the victims in our cities and around the globe still trapped in slavery. This year our local actions will multiply into a greater global impact than ever before.

A21’s hosts are rallying their communities and taking action. The event is not a protest, but a silent, single-file walk on behalf of the millions of men, women, and children who are trapped in slavery today.

City Lights Church is hosting the walk in the Scranton area. Register for the walk here. If you have any questions, please email jesse@clcscranton.org.

SBA Covid-19 Relief Programs and Services Webinar

The U.S. SBA Eastern PA District presents information on pandemic assistance and programs and services available for small businesses on October 6. This is a no cost webinar. Registration is required; register here.

Presenters: Steve Dixel, SBA Eastern Pennsylvania District Director, and Sonia Smith, Public Information Officer

Steven R. Dixel serves as the district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Eastern Pennsylvania District Office, where he is responsible for the delivery and leadership of the agency’s financial and business development programs throughout the eastern 40 counties of Pennsylvania. He has nearly 30 years of federal service, during which he has worked for three federal agencies in the Financial and Operations fields throughout his career. Prior to his appointment as district director, Dixel served as Business Operations Officer at the SBA’s Office of Field Operations, where he oversaw day-to-day financial operations, planning, and risk management affecting nearly 40% of the SBA’s workforce. Dixel also served as Senior Analyst with the SBA’s Office of Chief Financial Officer, where he provided technical financial research and analysis related to SBA’s loan portfolio and other programs. Dixel was awarded SBA’s 2014 Mission Support Award – the highest honor given to an SBA employee – by the SBA’s Administrator for demonstrating outstanding service in the successful accomplishment of SBA’s mission and strategic goals. Dixel holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics/Management and a Master of Business Administration. He is also a graduate of the Partnership for Public Services, Excellence in Government Program.

Sonia Smith joined the US Small Business Administration Eastern Pennsylvania District Office in 2013. She is SBA’s Public Information Officer for the 40 counties in Eastern Pennsylvania as well as the Economic Development/Lender Relations Specialist for Wayne and Pike Counties. Sonia is a subject matter expert on women business owners, encore entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial reentry (ex-offenders) programs, microlending, and mission-focused community-based lending. Sonia has taken the lead in SBA programs for small business such as the Rural Initiative and the Pandemic Capital Programs. In addition, Sonia manages the official Twitter account for the district office – so follow the office @SBA_EasternPA. She previously served as the Economic & Business Development Program Administrator for the County of Bucks, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the government, she founded, financed, and directed a technology company and then structured its sale to a publicly traded company after more than 10 years of operation.  Ms. Smith has an extensive career in banking with Mellon Bank (now Citizens Bank) and CoreStates Bank (now Wells Fargo). Ms. Smith is a bilingual, first-generation American and holds a B.S. degree from Penn State in Quantitative Business Analysis with an Economics Minor. Sonia, a breast cancer survivor, volunteers with Fox Chase Cancer Center as an inspirational speaker.

Peoples Security Bank & Trust Announces New Executive Hires

  • John Pagano
  • Thomas Guinan

Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company (“PSBT”) is pleased to announce the following executive level appointments to its first business center in the state of New Jersey, which is slated for a public grand opening in October 2021.

John J. Pagano, Senior Vice President, New Jersey Market Manager 

Pagano joins the team with over 27 years of banking experience specifically within the commercial real estate market, including the multifamily sector, MHPs, grocer-anchored retail, credit-anchored retail, self storage, industrial and medical office assets. Along with his proficient management capabilities in leading high-performing teams, Pagano holds designated concentrated experience in portfolio management and client retention. Within his management role, Pagano will be instrumental in cultivating the brand’s outward visible presence in the market. As the designated primary leader, his position will also entail proactively building long-term relationships with business owners and clients throughout the region.

Prior to his hiring at Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Pagano served as Vice President/Relationship Manager at Lakeland Bank in Waldwick, NJ, in which he was responsible for originating, structuring, and negotiating commercial real estate loans throughout South Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware. Previously, he was appointed as Vice President at Oritani Bank in Cherry Hill, NJ, where during his tenure he structured and negotiated commercial real estate loans within the same geographic territory. Prior to that, as Vice President of Columbia Bank in Voorhees, NJ, Pagano was tasked with developing commercial real estate and construction loans while simultaneously establishing and overseeing relationships in South Jersey, as well as the Philadelphia Metro region. Pagano also held senior positions related to commercial lending activities at Amboy National Bank in Old Bridge, NJ, as well as the former United Jersey Bank (Summit Bank) in Princeton, NJ. 

Pagano earned an Associate of Science degree in Law Enforcement from Mercer County Community College, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Rider University. He also received a Certificate in Banking from the American Institute of Banking. A dedicated civic leader and passionate community volunteer, Pagano is a good standing member of the Mortgage Bankers Association. Vice Chairman & Class IV Member of the Florence Township Planning Board, he also holds active memberships with the Florence Township Environmental Commission and Florence Township Mayor’s Task Force on Affordable Housing. He is involved as a subcommittee member for the Former Roebling Steel Site Rezoning Committee, an assistant cubmaster and den leader for Roebling/Florence Pack 3, an assistant scoutmaster for Roebling/Florence Troop 3, and a fundraising chair for the Roebling Pack 3 Committee. Additionally, he is also a BSA-certified Merit Badge Counselor for the Garden State Council. Pagano is a resident of Florence, NJ. 

Thomas G. Guinan Senior Vice President, Senior Commercial Lender

Guinan joins the team with over three decades of experience in managing complex portfolios within the commercial mortgage space, construction sector, and residential loan arena. Throughout the duration of his career, Guinan has excelled in creating precise financial solutions to stimulate substantial portfolio management growth to a wide variety of clientele throughout the Tri-State area, as well as Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware. In his new executive management role, Guinan will be responsible for developing new commercial business activity in the form of lending, advisory, and treasury services for the regional market. 

Prior to his recruitment to Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Guinan was most recently named as Vice President, Relationship Manager at Lakeland Bank in Waldwick, NJ. Previously, he was a Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending Office at ConnectOneBank in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. His work experience has also included serving as Executive President, Chief Lending Officer at Oritani Bank in the Township of Washington, NJ, and Senior Vice President – Commercial Lending Officer at Columbia Bank in Fair Lawn, NJ. 

Guinan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University. In his spare time, he enjoys serving as a Public Member of the Bergen County Bar Ethics Committee, a Trustee of the Bergen County Bar Foundation, and a Trustee of the Hackensack Golf Club. Guinan is a resident of Wyckoff, NJ.  

“The extraordinary talent and experience of these two professionals will provide depth and added value to our new and existing customers of Peoples Security Bank & Trust in the New Jersey market,” remarked Neal Koplin, Senior Executive Vice President – Chief Banking Officer. “With the support of a strong leadership team in John and Tom, we look forward to welcoming new customers and providing enhanced services to existing customers across this region in the near future.” 

For customers wishing to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting with either Mr. Pagano or Mr. Guinan before the business center opens in October 2021, they may email: john.pagano@psbt.com or thomas.guinan@psbt.com.