SACF: Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Honored

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation has been recognized with the Outstanding Foundation Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter at the annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon held on Friday, November 21, 2025, at The Woodlands Inn & Resort.

This prestigious award celebrates the Foundation’s extraordinary leadership, strategic philanthropy, and deep commitment to advancing the health and well-being of Northeastern Pennsylvanians.

Established from the sale of Mercy Hospital, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation has continued to uphold its mission: reducing health disparities, improving access to care, and fostering collaboration across Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties. Since its inception, the Foundation has invested millions in programs that address both immediate health needs and long-term, systemic change, always through a lens of equity and community partnership.

“The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation is an extraordinary force for good in our region,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “Beyond its generosity, the Foundation is a true convener—listening deeply, responding compassionately, and leading collaboratively to strengthen the healthcare system for everyone in our community. We were honored to nominate them for this well-deserved recognition.”

A defining pillar of the Foundation’s impact is its highly successful Careers in Care initiative, designed to address critical workforce shortages across the health care economy. Since 2020, the Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program has awarded over $975,000 in scholarship funding to 131 individuals, many of whom are now employed in local healthcare settings. The initiative expands opportunities for underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students to pursue family-sustaining careers in nursing and the health professions—creating long-term benefits for the region’s workforce and patients alike.

The Foundation also established the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Scholars Program at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM), a multi-year $3.2 million commitment that has supported 20 medical students from the tri-county region who are dedicated to practicing medicine in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These investments strengthen the long-term physician pipeline and ensure access to high-quality care for future generations.

“The Foundation’s leadership has been especially crucial during the ongoing hospital crisis in Lackawanna County. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation partnered with regional philanthropic organizations to provide emergency support, sustain critical services, and advocate for solutions that prioritize community well-being. This timely and strategic response exemplifies what community-centered philanthropy looks like in action,” Ducceschi added.

Beyond workforce development and crisis response, the Foundation has made targeted investments in youth mental health, nonprofit capacity building, rural health access, and community collaboration, uplifting innovation and directing resources where they are most urgently needed.

“This award reflects the Board’s integrity, compassion, and unwavering belief that meaningful change happens when we work together,” Ducceschi added. “Their impact is felt in classrooms, hospitals, clinics, and communities throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.”

For more information about the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, visit nepahealthcarefoundation.org.