President/CEO at The Wright Center receives inaugural national award for graduate medical education leadership Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, received the inaugural 2026 Program Leader of the Year Award from the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research’s ShepsGME (Graduate Medical Education) Technical Assistance Center, which runs two federal technical assistance centers supporting the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Residency Planning and Development and Teaching Health Center programs. Dr. Thomas-Hemak accepted the award during the 2026 Rural and Health Center National GME Conference, held Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2026, at Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Rockville, Maryland. The award recognizes an exemplary leader in graduate medical education who demonstrates exceptional leadership, advances innovation and continuous improvement, and shows an unwavering commitment to developing the physician workforce and expanding training opportunities. Dr. Thomas-Hemak is a quintuple board-certified primary care physician in internal medicine, pediatrics, addiction medicine, obesity medicine, and nutrition. Alongside her executive leadership, she continues to care for generations of patients and families at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley in Jermyn, which is her hometown and the Birthplace of First Aid in America. A proud graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and the University of Scranton, Dr. Thomas-Hemak went on to earn her medical degree as a Michael DeBakey Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, followed by completing Harvard’s Combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Residency Program in Boston. Guided by a profound sense of service to her community roots, she returned to Northeast Pennsylvania to practice primary care. She joined The Wright Center in 2001, became its president in 2007, and assumed the role of CEO in 2012. Dr. Thomas-Hemak has transformed The Wright Center’s approach to graduate medical education while advancing community-based physician training nationally. Under her leadership, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education has grown from the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, a single Internal Medicine residency established by Dr. Robert Wright and others in 1976 through a $1 million federal Bureau of Health Manpower grant, into an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited Sponsoring Institution with seven residency and fellowship programs and a foundational partner in one of the nation’s largest Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortiums. Today, The Wright Center trains nearly 200 resident and fellow physicians annually, along with more than 200 interprofessional learners, who help deliver comprehensive, affordable, compassionate, whole-person primary and preventive health services to more than 39,000 patients annually across The Wright Center for Community Health’s 15 Teaching Health Centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties and through its mobile medical and dental unit, Driving Better Health. Under Dr. Thomas-Hemak’s leadership, The Wright Center for Community Health earned full Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) designation in August 2026, which unlocks significant federal resources for the region and vastly improves access to high-quality, whole-person primary and preventive health services for patients and families. Central to Dr. Thomas-Hemak’s work has been the development of The Wright Center’s Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortium, a proven, scalable, and replicable community-owned and community-governed model that integrates physician and interprofessional healthcare workforce development with the delivery of healthcare services in underserved communities. The model is built on the principle that communities should be empowered to develop and sustain the healthcare workforce they need while strengthening the systems of care in which those professionals train and ultimately serve. “Dr. Thomas-Hemak has spent her career challenging us to think differently about what graduate medical education can and should accomplish,” said Scott E. Schermerhorn, Esq., chair of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Board of Directors. “Her legacy is not simply measured by the programs she has built or the physicians she has trained. It is measured by the capacity she has created in communities to build, sustain, and steward their own healthcare workforce. She has demonstrated that graduate medical education can be more than a system for training physicians. It can be an instrument for strengthening communities, expanding access to care, and changing the trajectory of health for generations.” One of the clearest examples of that approach was The Wright Center’s National Family Medicine Residency, a pioneering multistate residency program launched in 2013 in collaboration with A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona and Federally Qualified Health Centers: El Rio Health in Arizona, HealthPoint in Washington State, HealthSource of Ohio, and Unity Health Care in Washington, D.C. The program connected geographically dispersed community health centers through shared educational standards, resources, and a commitment to training family physicians in underserved communities. The National Family Medicine Residency concluded in June 2026 after producing 167 family physicians, 74% of whom practice in medically underserved communities, and expanding primary care access for more than 392,000 patients nationwide. Its legacy continues through FQHC partners that have developed or are developing their own graduate medical education capacity, demonstrating the scalability and sustainability of community-based physician training. HealthPoint and El Rio Health became independent ACGME-accredited Sponsoring Institutions with their own Family Medicine Residency Programs; HealthSource achieved accreditation for a new Family Medicine Residency under The Wright Center’s Sponsoring Institution; and Unity Health Care continues developing similar capacity. Dr. Thomas-Hemak has also helped advance the Teaching Health Center movement nationally through her leadership, advocacy, federal service, scholarly work, and presentations focused on physician workforce development and the social mission of graduate medical education. She is a founding board member of the American Association of Teaching Health Centers, which represents community-based teaching health centers that train primary care physicians, and serves as governor for the Eastern Region of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Physicians (PA-ACP), the nation’s largest medical-specialty organization. In March 2026, she was appointed to serve a two-year term on the 18-member Healthcare Advisory Committee, convened by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to help guide national health policy and program innovation to strengthen care delivery and financing, improve quality, reduce administrative burden, and focus healthcare on patients. She was also appointed in 2026 to serve on the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) Board of Directors. She serves on numerous local, regional, and national healthcare and medical education nonprofit governing boards, cross-sector committees, and workgroups, including the federally funded Partnership for Quality Measurement’s Endorsement & Maintenance Committee Advisory Group on Cost and Efficiency, which brings together healthcare experts to evaluate and endorse performance measures. She is a founding member of the consortium that established the Scranton-based Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, the immediate past chair and executive committee member of the Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center (NEPA AHEC), co-chair of the Community Health Hub, and an advisory board member of The Institute. She and her husband, Mark, have three children, Mason, Maya, and Antoinette. She is the daughter of the late William and Johanna Cavalieri Thomas. For more information about The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Wright Center – sponsored concert in Scranton wins national award for colorectal cancer prevention efforts The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education-sponsored concert at The Theatre at North in Scranton, aimed at spreading the word about the importance of colon cancer screenings, won an award from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). The one-of-a-kind community concert, “Louder Than Cancer!,” was organized by Dr. Vikas Khurana, program director of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s (TWCGME) Gastroenterology Fellowship Program, and TWCGME Gastroenterology fellows Drs. Peter Iskander and Udit Asija, who are also graduates of TWCGME’s Internal Medicine Residency Program. About 200 people attended the concert, which featured an hour-long performance by Rocdoc and the Healers, led by gastroenterologist Dr. Stephen Eskin. All songs, including cover songs with rewritten lyrics and original songs, included information about the importance of colon cancer screening and gastroenterological health. In addition to live music, the evening included educational information tables highlighting the importance of colorectal cancer screenings and connecting attendees with regional providers of whole-person primary and preventive health services. Attendees were also asked to fill out surveys before and after the event to gauge what they learned. The event won a SCOPY Award, which recognizes ACG members’ achievements in community engagement, education, and awareness efforts for colorectal cancer prevention. The award will be presented at a ceremony during ACG’s Annual Scientific Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday, Oct. 12. Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. In many cases, routine screening can prevent it or catch it early. The Wright Center was the event’s platinum sponsor, reinforcing its commitment to prevention, education, and community well-being. For more information about The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
ABSN program coming to Misericordia University in Spring 2027 Misericordia University is expanding access to nursing education with its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, which is coming to the campus in Spring 2027. Designed for students with previous college experience, the program provides an accelerated pathway into the nursing profession and can be completed in as few as 16 months over four semesters. The hybrid format combines online lecture content with hands-on learning. In-person laboratory sessions are held primarily on weekends at Misericordia’s campus in Dallas, Pennsylvania, while clinical experiences take place at healthcare facilities within a 60-mile radius. It’s an opportunity for students to build on their previous college experience and prepare for a new future in nursing without following a traditional four-year path. Learn more about Misericordia’s Accelerated BSN program here.
Johnson College Sets Eighth Consecutive Enrollment Record as College Continues to Grow As of Aug. 31, the first day of the 2026-27 academic year, 743 students are enrolled across Johnson College’s Scranton and Hazleton campuses, a 7% increase over the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year. This marks the College’s eighth consecutive year of record enrollment. The continued growth comes as Johnson College expands its academic offerings, facilities and access to career-focused education throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. This year’s incoming class includes more than 330 first-year students and more than 100 high school students enrolled in the College’s Industry Fast Track early college program. The continued enrollment growth comes at a time when colleges and universities across the country are facing a shrinking pipeline of traditional college-age students, making Johnson College’s sustained growth particularly notable. “Our continued enrollment growth demonstrates the value students and families place on career-focused education and the opportunities it can provide,” said Bill Burke, vice president of enrollment and student affairs. “Students are looking for programs that prepare them for careers where their skills are in demand, and Johnson College continues to expand those opportunities to meet the needs of both students and employers.” The College’s Hazleton campus experienced a 35% enrollment increase over last year, including its largest incoming classes to date in HVAC and Electrical Construction Technology. The growth comes as Johnson College expands the programs and opportunities available at the Hazleton campus. For the 2026-27 academic year, Johnson College introduced six new academic offerings. Computer Information Technology added three new concentrations: Cybersecurity, Scripting and Application Development, and Network Management. Mechatronics Technology added two new concentrations: Automation and Robotics and Industrial Mechanics. The College also introduced a new Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology with Plumbing option. For the first time, the two new Mechatronics Technology concentrations and the HVAC with Plumbing option are being offered at the Hazleton campus. The new offerings are contributing to significant enrollment growth across several areas. Enrollment in HVAC programs increased 15%, including both the traditional HVAC option and the new HVAC with Plumbing option. Enrollment in Mechatronics Technology more than doubled, combining the new Automation and Robotics and Industrial Mechanics concentrations. Computer Information Technology enrollment increased 50% following the addition of its three new concentrations. “We’re seeing tremendous growth at our Hazleton campus, and that growth reflects the demand for technical education in the communities we serve,” Burke said. “By bringing additional programs to Hazleton, we’re giving more students access to career opportunities close to home while responding to the workforce needs of employers throughout the region.” Building on the new HVAC with Plumbing option, Johnson College will further expand its plumbing education offerings in spring 2027 with the launch of a one-year Plumbing Academic Certificate program at both the Scranton and Hazleton campuses. Johnson College also expanded its physical footprint this year by adding the new Transportation Technology Center on Wyoming Avenue in downtown Scranton. The facility now houses lab space for the College’s Diesel Truck Technology, Diesel Preventative Maintenance Technology and Automotive Technology programs, providing students with expanded space for technical training. Other core programs, including Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology, Aviation Technology, Welding, Veterinary Nursing and Radiologic Technology, also continued to show strong enrollment. “These enrollment numbers are another indication that students are responding to the opportunities available at Johnson College,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, president and CEO. “Our growth is allowing us to expand our programs, invest in new facilities and bring more career-focused education to students across Northeastern Pennsylvania. Our strong relationships with industry partners are an important part of that growth. By working directly with employers, we can ensure our programs teach the technical skills, knowledge and soft skills students need to succeed in today’s workforce. That connection between education and industry is at the heart of what we do at Johnson College.”
Chop Out Hunger to host Feeding the Future Dinner Chop Out Hunger’s Feeding the Future Dinner will take place on Wednesday, October 14 at 5:00 p.m. at Constantino’s Event Venue on Lackawanna Trail in Clarks Summit. This year, the organization will honor Dalida Walton, a member of Chop Out Hunger’s Board of Directors and a philanthropist in northeastern Pennsylvania. Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased by clicking here. There are also sponsorship opportunities available.
Lexington Entertainment releases summer and fall performance schedule Doug Smith’s Music and Lexington Entertainment will take part in several performances from August through October 2026. You can find a full list of performances by going to the Lexington Entertainment Facebook page. Sunday, August 2 – Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars at Nay Aug Park in Scranton from 2:00-4:00 PM Wednesday, August 5 – Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars at Hillside Park in Clarks Summit from 6:00-8:00 PM Friday, August 7 – Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars at Doherty Park in Scranton from 6:30-8:30 PM (sponsored by Scranton Tomorrow) Saturday, August 8 – Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars at Waverly Wine Fest in Waverly. Admission is $5 per person Sunday, August 9 – Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars at Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford from 12:00-1:30 PM Thursday, August 13 – Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars at Peckville Library in Peckville from 5:30-6:30 PM Friday, August 15 – Doug Smith’s Jazz Quartet at Dennis Farm in Kingsley from 1:00-4:00 PM. RSVP required by emailing your name and phone number to dfcltforum@gmail.com Sunday, August 16 – Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars at Gouldsboro Train Station in Gouldsboro from 12:30-2:30 PM Sunday, August 23 – Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars at the Pocono State Craft Festival in Stroudsburg from 1:30-4:30 PM Sunday, September 6 – Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars at Fiber Festival in Hawley. Admission is $10 per person and kids under 12 are free Saturday, October 3 – Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars at Scarecrow Festival at the Carbondale Library from 1:00-2:00 PM Sunday, October 11 – Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars at Cresco Station Museum in Cresco from 1:00-3:00 PM The Doug Smith Band will also play at the Skytop Lodge in Skytop from 8:00-10:00 PM on the following days: August 1, 15 & 29; September 5, 19 & 26; October 10 & 31; November 21 & 26; December 12 & 26
Scranton Cultural Center to host free concert in August The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will host The West Point Band’s America 250 Free Concert on Thursday, August 20. Doors to the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Theatre will open at 6:30 pm and the concert is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm. The concert is part of the ensemble’s celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. The concert is free, but concertgoers must get their tickets online ahead of time. There is a limit of four tickets per household, and there may be convenience charges if the tickets are bought online or by phone. You can get tickets at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC, by calling (570 344-1111 or via Ticketmaster. You can learn more about this concert and other upcoming events by clicking here.
Restaurant Week happening July 17-23 in downtown Scranton Scranton Tomorrow’s Restaurant Week will take place in downtown Scranton from July 17th through July 23rd. There are a dozen participating restaurants throughout the city. There are no advance tickets for Restaurant Week. Diners can show up at participating restaurants and pubs to choose from their 3-course fixed price menus. The most popular price points are $19.99, $29.99 and $39.99. Restaurant Week is a project of Scranton Tomorrow’s Summer of Scranton campaign, which encourages people to support local businesses during the summer season. You can learn more about Restaurant Week and see menus from participating restaurants on Scranton Tomorrow’s Facebook page. The following restaurants and pubs are participating in Restaurant Week: The 16th Ward – 306 Penn Avenue Alter Bar – 116 North Washington Avenue, Suite 100 AV – 320 Penn Avenue Bar Pazzo – 131 North Washington Avenue Bartari – 101 Adams Avenue Fork ‘N’ Bowl – 305 Penn Avenue Picciocchi’s Pasta – 114 Wyoming Avenue P.J.’s 1910 Pub – 100 Adams Avenue The Roof at Oppenheim – 409 Lackawanna Avenue Robata Sushi and Hibachi – 244 Adams Avenue Spin & Savory – 341 North Washington Avenue Warney Cellar and Tap – 515 Center Street
ShopRite of Daleville hosts ribbon cutting for new EVgo station ShopRite of Daleville hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony with The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce to debut its new EVgo electric vehicle charging station on Tuesday, July 14. Community members joined ShopRite representatives and employees for the ceremony. The new station has four charging stalls, including one high-power charger that’s capable of charging two vehicles at the same time. ShopRite representatives say this new addition will help provide convenient, reliable access to power for electric vehicle drivers throughout the community.
Outreach – Center for Community Resources to host Children’s Career Fair Outreach- Center for Community Resources will host its annual Children’s Career Fair on Saturday, August 22, from 10 am to 1 pm. The career fair will be at 431 North 7th Avenue in Scranton and will have the theme “Professions for Parents, Too!” Kids ages 2 to 12 and their parents will be able to explore more than 40 career options and discover their interests in a fun, hands-on environment. Professionals from local industries will lead interactive activities. Parents and caregivers will also be able to speak with local employees to learn about potential career pathways and opportunities in the area. This year’s “Professions for Parents, Too!” component will allow adults to explore careers alongside their kids. Each child will complete a “career passport” as they move through the booths at the event. When it’s complete, they can choose an educational item from the free children’s store. There will also be face-painting, live music, STEAM projects, free back-to-school haircuts, back-to-school supplies, take-home career materials, and complimentary food and treats. “We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to dream big and aspire to greatness,” said Lori Chaffers, MSW, President/CEO of Outreach. “The Children’s Career Fair gives children the chance to explore different professions, spark their imaginations, and picture a bright future. By connecting parents with local employers at the same time, we support the whole family in working toward stability and self-sufficiency.” For more information about this event, you can contact Liz Ratchford at (570) 558-7562 or lratchford@outreachworks.org.
