Marywood University Honors Outstanding Alumni at Recent Alumni Weekend

During its recent Alumni Weekend, Marywood University welcomed graduates back to campus to celebrate, including alumni award winners. Due to the pandemic canceling last year’s event, the 2020 and 2021 honorees were recognized together at the in-person awards luncheon on campus in late October. Awards and honorees included the following:

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award is bestowed by the Marywood Alumni Association upon alumni who have achieved distinction through their professional accomplishments and contributions, embodying the core values of Marywood and demonstrating dedication to service and responsible leadership.

Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented to:

● Cathy Gerard ’70
● 2nd Lt. R. Michael Maritato ’11, M.S. ’14
● Muriel Scherr Cagney ’69

Alumni Achievement Award

The Alumni Achievement Award is bestowed by the Marywood Alumni Association upon alumni who have attained outstanding success in their field, related to their major, which embodies the core values of Marywood and demonstrates dedication to service and responsible leadership.

Alumni Achievement Awards were presented to:

● Mary Philipp ’80
● Jeffrey R. Kovaleski ’98

Recent Alumni Award for Professional Achievement

The Recent Alumni Award for Professional Achievement is given to alumni, within 15 years of graduation, who have demonstrated significant professional achievements and responsible leadership, embodying the core values of Marywood.

Recent Alumni Awards for Professional Achievement were presented to:

● Diana D’Achille ’14
● Stanley J. Kania III ’11, M.B.A. ’14, Ph.D. ’19

Golden Marywooodian Award

The Marywood Alumni Association bestows the Golden Marywoodian Award upon a member of the 50th honor year class, who has demonstrated a commitment to community and civic service. Recipients have distinguished themselves in their career and/or professional field with a record of making a difference in the lives of others, demonstrating engagement through volunteerism as well as setting a standard for lifelong excellence, embodying the core values of Marywood, including Respect, Service, Empowerment, Catholic Identity, and Excellence.

Golden Marywoodian Awards were presented to:

● Michele Abbott McDade ’70
● Patricia A. Lawler ’71

Sister M. Denis Donegan Award for Long Term Service to Marywood

The most prestigious award given by the Marywood Alumni Association, The Sister M. Denis Donegan Award for Long Term Service to Marywood, is bestowed on a graduate who has provided a minimum of 25 years of service to Marywood and who, through personal and professional contributions, has visibly embodied Marywood’s mission by using their Marywood education in ways that demonstrate the University’s call to live responsibly in a diverse and interdependent world. The actions and contributions of each recipient support Marywood’s core values of Catholic Identity, Empowerment, Service, Respect, and Excellence.

The Sister M. Denis Donegan Award was presented to:

● Ann Boland-Chase ’7

The Wright Center Launches Lifestyle Smartwatch Program with AllOne Charities’ Giving Tuesday

The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement is launching a new high-tech program with the support of AllOne Charities’ annual Giving Tuesday on Tuesday, Nov. 30 that will provide long-term benefits for patients with chronic health conditions.

Held annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, AllOne Charities is sponsoring Giving Tuesday to incentivize supporters of regional nonprofit organizations and agencies to support their favorite charities through this special fundraising effort. AllOne Charities boosts fundraising efforts by matching the first $1,000 raised by each participating charitable organization and also offering an additional incentive of $1,000 each for the organization that raises the most money and secures the most unique donors.

Donations can be made in support of Giving Tuesday beginning Thanksgiving Day. All donations made from Nov. 30 until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 1 will be eligible for the bonuses from AllOne Charities.

The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement is purchasing the Fitpolo H709 smartwatch for patients who could not otherwise afford them. The smartwatch uses built-in features to track and monitor key aspects of the user’s life for a personalized health care data experience. The mobile technology features full touch screen capabilities that can also be accessed via a smart mobile app. The smartwatch’s life assistant monitors in real-time the user’s heart rate, steps, blood pressure and more. The watch collects data and transfers it to the patient’s electronic health records with the assistance of Humhealth technology that features 4G, Bluetooth integration.

The overall goal of the smartwatch program is to improve patient education, understanding, engagement and implementation of a healthy lifestyle. With remote patient monitoring, primary care providers are able to see how their suggestions have had a positive impact on their patients’ overall health, according to Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, The Wright Center for Community Health’s chief medical officer and senior vice president.

“Gathering data in real time and compiling it is beneficial for our providers and residents as the entire empanelment team will have access to their medical data in between visits instead of just monitoring them at their office visits,” Sheth explained. “With the help of technology, we, as care providers, will be able to remotely monitor patients’ activity level, calorie intake and other vital data necessary for effective lifestyle change.”

The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement serves patients in a five-county region through The Wright Center for Community Health’s eight primary care practices in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties. The fundraising effort for Giving Tuesday will benefit the new Lifestyle Medicine program’s initiative to provide select patients who have chronic illnesses with healthy lifestyle smartwatches.

To support the new initiative on Giving Tuesday, go to allonefoundations.org, scroll down and click on the Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement logo.

“By donating to The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, and contributing to our smartwatch campaign, you’ll be helping some of our patients to manage chronic diseases, like diabetes and high blood pressure,” said Laurie LaMaster, associate vice president of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, “and provide our care teams with the data they need to serve our patients more effectively.”

The smartwatches program is part of The Wright Center for Community Health’s Lifestyle Medicine program that was introduced in 2020. The initiative works to prevent and reverse chronic debilitating diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension, by focusing on healthy lifestyles based on the six pillars of health: nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, relationships and the avoidance of risky substances.

For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s Lifestyle Medicine Program, call the Scranton Practice at 570-941-0630 or go to thewrightcenter.org/services.

Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA Joins Meals on Wheels America and Subaru of America, Inc. in Sharing the Love This Holiday Season

Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA is proud to announce that it will be participating in the 2021 Subaru Share the Love Event as a member of Meals on Wheels America – one of four national Share the Love charitable partners supported through the campaign. From November 18, 2021, through January 3, 2022, Subaru of America will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased to the customer’s choice of participating charities.

Participating Meals on Wheels America members, like Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA, will receive a share of the donation raised by Subaru in their state. Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA has partnered with Minooka Subaru in Minooka to raise awareness for the popular year-end sales and giving event, and drive support for Meals on Wheels.

“Meals on Wheels America is proud to partner with Subaru of America for the 14th consecutive year to enable more seniors to live with independence and dignity,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels America. “Since 2008, the Subaru Share the Love Event has helped deliver more than 2.5 million meals and friendly visits to vulnerable seniors nationwide. We’re enormously grateful to Subaru and its retailers for their long-standing commitment to Meals on Wheels and the millions of seniors who depend on it for nourishment and companionship.”

Over the last 13 years, Subaru of America and its participating retailers have donated more than $200 million to its charity partners. This year’s Subaru Share the Love Event is on track to bring that total to over $225 million, proving there’s no limit to the amount of love we can all share.

By purchasing or leasing a new Subaru during the Subaru Share the Love Event and selecting Meals on Wheels as your charity of choice, you can help deliver nutritious meals and other important services to seniors right here in NEPA.

For more information, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/sharethelove.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses Available for All Adults at Geisinger

Following recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Geisinger is offering booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines for all adults. 

People can get their booster dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine beginning six months after receiving their second dose for non-immunocompromised patients. People who are immunocompromised can receive their booster after their third dose. The booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is half of a single dose (0.25 milliliters). The booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is the same dosage (0.3 milliliters) as a single dose.

People who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine are eligible to receive a booster dose of any of the COVID-19 vaccines two months after their initial J&J dose.

If you’re unsure if you qualify for a booster or have any specific questions, contact your doctor.

You can make an appointment for a first, second, third or booster dose of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Geisinger through MyGeisinger or by calling 570-284-3657. Appointments are available at the vaccine centers at the Geisinger Health Plan Building near Danville, Geisinger CenterPoint in Jenkins Township, Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital and Geisinger Lewistown Hospital. Appointments are also available at Geisinger Philipsburg and Geisinger Pharmacy locations in Dallas, Danville, Lewistown, Lock Haven, Mount Pocono, Pottsville, State College and Scranton.

Remember to bring your COVID-19 vaccine card or proof of having received the vaccine to your appointment. More information about the COVID-19 vaccine is available at Geisinger.org/COVIDVax.

As a reminder, no visitors are permitted for outpatient appointments, unless medically necessary, and masks must be worn by everyone in all Geisinger buildings and facilities.

Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Begins Construction on Medical Office Building

Construction of a new Medical Office Building is underway at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, a development that will make better health easier for patients in Luzerne County by allowing for growth of specialty services on the hospital campus and increased appointment availability. 

The 160,000 square-foot clinic space will be comprised of four floors plus a lower level and will house general surgery, vascular surgery, pulmonology, infectious diseases, neurology, pediatric neurology, neurosurgery, neurophysiology, otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat)/audiology, general internal medicine, nephrology and transplant outreach practices as well as laboratory and radiology services and a retail pharmacy.

Demand for these services is growing among residents of Luzerne County and northeastern Pennsylvania, and the Medical Office Building will reduce wait times for patients by allowing for program expansion, hiring of 20 new providers, and more appointments in these disciplines. As programs mature, the development will create approximately 70 jobs and provide for roughly 70,000 new patient visits each year.

“We are grateful that more and more of our friends and neighbors are trusting Geisinger with their care, and we know we have to continue to grow to make our services easier to use for patients in Luzerne County,” said Dan Landesberg, associate vice president of operations in Geisinger’s northeast region. “This is another step forward in bringing better health to our region by providing a more comprehensive spectrum of services on our hospital campus and allowing for in-demand services to grow with our community need.”

The services chosen for the Medical Office Building have inpatient and surgical components, so locating them near the hospital is a natural fit to accommodate patients and their care needs should their course of treatment require in-hospital care.

Services have also been grouped for patient convenience. Locating nephrology and transplant outreach services under one roof allows for better coordination for transplant patients who are cared for by both sets of providers. A growing pediatric neurology practice aligned with epilepsy monitoring and inpatient pediatrics at Geisinger Wyoming Valley allows patients in northeastern Pennsylvania to get all the care they need close to home and on one campus.

The office building will also feature:

  • Facial recognition technology for quick and easy check-in
  • More than 4,000 square feet dedicated to public education, community stewardship and supporting residency programs for training top-tier physicians and nurses
  • An adjacent, multi-level parking garage that will increase total parking by 12 percent and provide a convenient parking location for patients scheduled for care on the east campus

The Medical Office Building is expected to be completed by late 2023, and it continues Geisinger’s commitment to providing outstanding health care to patients and members in Luzerne County and northeastern Pennsylvania.

The Wright Center Offering Holiday Pictures with Santa Claus and COVID-19 Vaccinations

The Wright Center for Community Health is combining holiday tradition and spirit with an important public health initiative in December to ensure every family member in Northeast Pennsylvania can safely celebrate the joyous holiday season.

“Pictures with Santa,” will enable children of all ages to carefully recite their wish list to the jolly old elf, as parents snap pictures of the treasured moment and participate in one of the vaccine clinics. The Wright Center will be offering the pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children, ages 5-11, with their parent’s permission, and vaccines for adults.

The holiday-themed events will be available free to the public at The Wright Center for Community Health’s Scranton Practice, 501 S. Washington Ave., Scranton, on Friday Dec. 3 from 2-5:30 p.m., and Mid Valley Practice, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn, on Sunday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The pediatric Pfizer vaccine will be available at both vaccination clinics. The Moderna vaccine will be administered at the Scranton Practice and the Mid Valley Practice will have the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for people who are 12 and older.

To schedule a vaccine appointment at the Scranton or Mid Valley practices, please go to TheWrightCenter.org and click on the “make an appointment” link at the top, center of the page and follow the directions.

The vaccine clinic will be available simultaneously at both locations during “Pictures with Santa.” Parents can choose to have their children vaccinated before visiting Santa or after the annual tradition. The special event enables children and their families to participate in the holiday festivities in a safe and socially-distanced manner and meet Santa for a picture. Guests are invited to capture the special moments with their personal cameras.

COVID-19 masking will be required for everyone who participates in the event.

“Vaccination is the best tool to keep ourselves and our children safe from COVID-19,” said Geraldine McAndrew, the director of Patient & Community Engagement “We carry our mission directly into the communities we serve, and hope to take the opportunity to encourage children and families to get vaccinated.”

To reserve a time for a photo with Santa, please call McAndrew at 570-267-4199 or email her at McAndrewG@TheWrightCenter.org.

Marywood Alumna Makes Million Dollar Contribution to Support the Liberal Arts Center

Barbara Sowinski, a Northeastern Pennsylvania native and a Marywood graduate, has made a substantial leadership gift to Marywood University to support and enhance the Liberal Arts Center. The million dollar contribution, which will establish the Barbara Sowinski Welcome Center, located in the Admissions area of the Rotunda in the Liberal Arts Center, will support needed physical renovations and enhancements to the nearly 100-year old campus facility.

Sowinski is pictured at right with Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Marywood President, at the University’s recent Presidential Society Dinner.

Barbara Sowinski, a Northeastern Pennsylvania native, a longtime resident of the Towanda area, and a Marywood graduate, has made a substantial leadership gift to Marywood University to support and enhance the Liberal Arts Center. The million dollar contribution, which will establish the Barbara Sowinski Welcome Center, located in the Admissions area of the Rotunda in the Liberal Arts Center, will support needed physical renovations and enhancements to the nearly 100-year old campus facility.

Built from 1922-1923 and dedicated in 1924, the Liberal Arts Center is one of Marywood’s most iconic structures, featuring a Rotunda that is 72 feet in diameter, just eight feet smaller in size than its nearest domed competitor, the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. In the 1930s, the interior walls and dome of the Rotunda were formally decorated with murals painted by commissioned artist Gonippo Raggi. This magnificent space, with its aesthetic and historical significance, was a driving force behind Sowinski’s gift, appealing to her deep desire to leave a beautiful family legacy in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

As an honor student at Scott High School, Montdale, Sowinski wanted to be a concert pianist. Not having the funds to study at Marywood at that time in her life, she instead worked in a series of jobs in various cities before joining United Air Lines in Chicago and travelling the world. After studying drama at Northwestern University, she pursued an acting career in Manhattan, where she studied under some of the best professionals of the time. Following her recovery from a serious illness, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Hunter College. Sowinski then worked as a sales representative to banks in a six-state Midwest territory, as a sales representative to hospitals in a New York State territory and also in a California/Nevada territory. During these years, she continued classes at colleges along the way and traveled abroad, always viewing learning as a lifelong experience.

Following her retirement from business, Sowinski was ready to capture the creative spirit that had lurked within her all those years, diving into the art scene with enthusiasm, in addition to buying a 65-acre farm in Bradford County to begin “phase two” of her life.

She attended art schools, exhibited regionally and nationally, painted on location globally, was a museum docent, workshop instructor, and juror. Sowinski’s passion for art accelerated at Marywood, where she earned a Master of Arts degree in Art in 2000. She noted, “Art has been such a satisfying part of my life, and it’s been a wonderful life.”

Sowinski’s love for beauty and art, combined with her desire to remember her roots and celebrate her lifelong journey is reflected in her substantial leadership gift to Marywood University. She has fond memories of her early Dickson City days with the Witko/Sowinski families, her student days at Marywood after retirement, and, most of all, her satisfaction of witnessing the progress Marywood has made during her lifetime. Sowinski’s gift will have a lasting impact, benefitting Marywood University now and for future generations.

PennDOT Joins Senator Casey, State and Local Officials in Johnstown to Celebrate Federal Grant Award

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Yassmin Gramian joined Senator Bob Casey, state Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr., Mayor of Johnstown Frank Janakovic, Johnstown Vision 2025 chair Bill Polacek, Greater Johnstown Regional Partnership president Mark Pasquerilla, and Amtrak Assistant Vice President for Stations and Facilities George Holz to celebrate Johnstown receiving a $24.5 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) for its Iron-to-Arts Corridor project.

The Iron-to-Arts Corridor project will upgrade and connect Johnstown’s three downtown transit systems for visitors, residents, and commuters from all income levels: the Johnstown Train Station, the Inclined Plane transit system, and the Downtown Intermodal Bus Transportation Center. The total cost for the Iron-to-Arts Corridor project is just over $53 million with just under $29 million in state, local, philanthropic, other federal, and Amtrak funding already secured, with the remainder to be covered by the $24.5 million RAISE grant.

“Investment in transportation has historically paid dividends in economic development and thriving communities,” said Gramian. “I applaud Johnstown’s leaders for their strategic vision for this project, and for the growth of their city.”

“Today, I am proud to say that Johnstown can begin to take action on projects vital to the economic health of the region,” said Senator Casey. “Not only will upgrading and restoring transportation hubs allow for more pedestrian movement, these projects will facilitate commutes for workers and increase tourism. As we build back better, investing in our Nation’s infrastructure is absolutely critical. I will continue to advocate for resources to come to Johnstown and southwestern Pennsylvania.”

“Today’s announcement is of historic proportions and will greatly benefit the Greater Johnstown region and beyond. It is a true testament to the bipartisan collaboration across all levels – local, state, and federal. As chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and a key advocate for this funding, I look forward to its implementation and the catalyst it will be to spur further economic activity in our region,” said Langerholc.

Renovations for the historic Johnstown Train Station include restoring it as a multimodal center with daily Amtrak, regional rail, and bus transit services. The city also seeks to utilize now-vacant portions of this upgraded station for uses that could include a new Johnstown Visitors’ Center, a healthy food and farmers market, and a retail transit-oriented development expansion, along with the newly-launched headquarters of the Artist-Blacksmiths Association of North America (ABANA) which located there earlier this year.

The RAISE grant will also provide more funding, leveraging PennDOT investment, for the upgrade of the historic Johnstown Inclined Plane, restoring the passenger and vehicle funicular system to full function which will help boost ridership by 300% annually on this central CamTran transit link, further fostering an expanded regional tourism market and new economic development.  

The RAISE grant funding for the CamTran Downtown Bus Intermodal Transportation Center will design and construct upgrades to this central hub for bus transit with passenger safety upgrades, station improvements, and mobility connections to the surrounding catchment area.

The RAISE grant for the Iron-to-Arts Corridor will also provide the funding needed to connect these transit hubs with complete street and pedestrian and bicycle trail upgrades, a component called the “Main Street Greenway & Urban Connectivity” initiative.  This component of the project will improve walkability with 0.5 miles of complete street upgrades on Main Street including sidewalk, traffic calming, transit stop enhancements, ADA-accessibility, green infrastructure, and streetscape improvements. RAISE funding will also help this project connect key downtown segments of the Path of the Flood Trail and the Jim Mayer Riverwalk Trail, which will join these three transit hubs and key community anchors, as well as link Johnstown to the National 9/11 trail.

RAISE grants, formerly known as Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) and Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grants, fund projects that help build or repair critical pieces of freight or passenger transportation networks. Projects for RAISE funding are evaluated based on merit criteria that include safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, economic competitiveness, state of good repair, innovation, and partnership. Projects are prioritized that can demonstrate improvements to racial equity, reduce impacts of climate change and create good-paying jobs.

For additional information about PennDOT’s multimodal program, please visit the Projects and Programs section of PennDOT’s website.