The Wright Center Welcomes Alumnus as Graduation Speaker The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s 45th graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 22, at Mohegan Pennsylvania Convention Center in Wilkes-Barre will feature an alumnus who works as a University of Pennsylvania hospitalist and clinical instructor as the keynote speaker. The Wright Center’s graduation ceremony will honor and recognize 67 resident physicians from seven disciplines: 32 in Internal Medicine; 14 in Regional Family Medicine; 16 in National Family Medicine; one in Psychiatry; one in Cardiovascular Disease; two in Geriatrics; and one in Gastroenterology. Keynote speaker Dr. Humza Quadir of Philadelphia graduated from The Wright Center’s Internal Medicine Residency in 2022. He joined the staff of Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine and is also affiliated with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. At The Wright Center, Dr. Quadir served in several leadership roles, including chief resident during the final year of his three-year residency. He also served as vice president of the house staff council, a voting member of the Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC), and a member of GMEC’s Quality and Safety Committee. Dr. Quadir received his medical degree from Ziauddin University in Karachi, Pakistan, in December 2014. “Dr. Quadir is a leader who understands the importance of our mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve,” said Dr. Jumee Barooah, senior vice president of education and designated institutional official for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. “He’s carried those same values to his roles as a hospitalist and clinical instructor. We’re looking forward to hearing the wisdom he will impart to our graduates as they embark upon the next chapter of their careers.” The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education was established in 1976 as the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, a community-based internal medicine residency. Today, The Wright Center is one of the largest U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration-funded Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortiums in the nation. Together with consortium stakeholders, The Wright Center trains residents and fellows in a community-based, community-needs-responsive workforce development model to advance their shared mission to improve the health and welfare of communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve.
Marywood University to Honor Alumni Award Winners Marywood University will welcome alumni back to campus, along with families of current students, during its combined celebration of Alumni & Family Weekend, set for Friday, September 30, through Sunday, October 2, on the university’s campus. To see a full listing of the weekend’s events and to register for any events, visit: marywood.edu/alumni/events/alumni-family-weekend Alumni Award winners will be honored at a dinner on Friday, September 30, at 6 p.m., in the Latour Room at Nazareth Student Center. Reservations are required to attend, and the cost is $40 per person. This year’s honorees include: Sister Mary Persico IHM ’69, Ed.D., who is receiving the 2022 Sister M. Denis Donegan Award for Long Term Service to Marywood.The Honorable Anne Healey ’72, who is receiving the 2022 Golden Marywoodian Award.Dr. Joseph Trunzo ’93, who is receiving the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award.Dr. Amy Freeman ’98, MSW ’07, MBA ’22, who is receiving the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award.Dr. Matthew Nice, MS ’15, who is receiving the 2022 Outstanding Recent Alumni Award.Kristinia Beckage Luke ’11, who is receiving the 2022 Alumni Community Achievement Award.Lia Richards-Palmiter, Ph.D. ’09, who is receiving the 2022 Faculty and Staff Alumni Impact Award.
Hoffman Named Misericordia Alumni Board President Christélle Hoffman ’13 of Nuangola has been named the president of the Misericordia University Alumni Association Board of Directors. Hoffman graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Government, Law and National Security, along with minors in Political Science and Social Studies. She was among the first students to study that degree program at the university. While a student at Misericordia, Hoffman was involved with several clubs and organizations on campus. She served as the President of the Multicultural Club, a Peer Advocate, the Judicial Coordinator for Student Government Association, an Admissions Ambassador, and represented the student body for one of the Presidential Search Committees to name a few. Following graduation, Hoffman relocated to California, where she completed a year of service through Mercy Volunteer Corps. While in California, she worked and earned a Master of Science degree in Forensic Science with a specialization in Investigation from National University. After several years on the west coast, she moved back to Northeastern Pennsylvania where she was employed as a Forensic Interviewer in Luzerne County. In this role, Hoffman spoke with more than 2,000 children ages three to 18 who were victims of severe trauma or abuse. She is currently working in a consulting capacity with local police departments to assist children who have experienced any type trauma or abuse. Hoffman is excited to begin her term as president after being an actively involved alumna for the last nine years. “Misericordia had a huge impact on my life. It molded me into who I am today. Being part of the Alumni Board allows me to give back to the university, our alumni and the current students. I’ve enjoyed my time on the board and I’m interested to see where this position takes me,” she said. Her goals as president are to focus on how alumni and current students view their time at Misericordia. She also wants to encourage alumni to get involved and show their support for their University however they can. “Very few private Catholic Universities have thrived the way Misericordia has. It’s important for people to know where students came from and where they are going after they graduate. I want people to see the uniqueness of our alumni and understand that we aren’t just “kids” that graduated from a university. We graduated from a university where we are full of compassion, and we have the pure dedication which stems from the charisms of mercy, service, justice and hospitality,” she said. As Alumni Board President, Hoffman will also serve as an ex-officio member of the University’s Board of Trustees. She currently lives in Nuangola with her husband Frankie and two-year old son Luciano. Misericordia University was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, in Dallas, Pennsylvania. It is Luzerne County’s oldest four-year college offering 37 degree programs in three academic colleges, including Health Sciences and Education, Arts and Sciences, and Business. Faculty at Misericordia are accomplished scholars and educators who prepare students to emerge into a challenging society as ethical leaders, through challenging academic standards and high levels of engagement with students, including research, service to others, and career preparation.
Marywood University Presidential Society Dinner Honors Alumni Benefactors Pictured from left to right are Barbara Cawley, Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood University President, and Mary Ellen Coleman. At its recent Presidential Society Dinner, Marywood University honored Barbara Cawley ’63 and Mary Ellen Coleman (H)’68 with the Presidential Mission Medal. Presidential medal recipients are servant leaders who embrace a commitment to Marywood’s core values of Catholic identity, respect, empowerment, service, and excellence. They inspire others to serve and advance Marywood’s commitment to excellence and empowerment through education.. Additionally, Barbara Sowinski, M.A. ’00; the late Ann Marie Janders, M.S.L.S. ’68; and The Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation were inducted into the Saint Alphonsus Society, which honors benefactors whose lifetime commitments to Marywood have reached or exceeded $500,000. Cawley’s leadership, devotion, talents, and support have made a lasting impact at Marywood. She was taught, mentored, supported, guided, and counseled by the IHM Sisters in Catholic grade school and high school, as well as throughout her college days and professional opportunities at Marywood. Her career has featured high-profile leadership positions in both corporate and educational settings, including her distinctive service at Marywood, first as Director of Development, then as Vice President of Development, Alumni Relations, and Public Relations, and, more recently, as Alumni Engagement and Development Liaison and Advocacy Committee Liaison to corporate, foundation, and government offices. Her accomplishments are not solely in the professional milieu; Cawley’s community involvement is prolific, meaningful, and lifelong, encompassing numerous civic, cultural, and charitable organizations and events. Coleman has contributed her professional expertise, community influence, and generous personal resources in support of Marywood and its mission. Her considerable professional achievements, including a long, successful career in the out-of-home media industry, are framed by her highly effective leadership in numerous charitable, civic, and professional organizations. She is known for being astute, professional, caring, and dependable, meeting life’s challenges and uncertainties without hesitation and with a riveting passion for helping others. Her passionate involvement with Marywood spans several decades, including serving for nine years as Director of Development, another nine years as a member of the Board of Trustees, and, presently, more than ten years as an Advancement and Alumni Engagement Consultant. Presidential Mission Medal recipients inspire others to serve and advance the University’s commitment to excellence and empowerment through education. Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood University president, said, “These women have humbly, wholeheartedly, and graciously lived the Marywood mission and, in so doing, have helped transform Marywood. Commitment to helping others is at the very core of their existence. On behalf of the campus community, I thank Barbara and Mary Ellen for their unwavering advocacy for the present and future success of this great institution.”
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
Marywood University’s Alumni Office to Host Movies at Circle Drive-In Marywood University’s Alumni Office will host two feature films at the Circle Drive-In, Dickson, City, Pa. The feature films are open to the public and include Free Willy on Wednesday, July 21, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on Wednesday, August 18, 2021. Both films will be shown at 9 p.m., and the cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 12 and under. Proceeds from the movie feature events will be donated to the Marywood Alumni Lackawanna County Scholarship. In addition to the movie features, attendees can purchase basket raffle tickets (cash only), and the winner will be announced prior to the start of each of the movies. The basket for the Free Willy film includes passes to the Electric City Aquarium, gift certificates to Hank’s Hoagies, Free Willy movie and popcorn, beach and summer fun items, goldfish crackers, and more. The Harry Potter basket includes gift certificates to Hank’s Hoagies, Harry Potter movie and popcorn, back to school supplies, a Harry Potter joke book and jigsaw puzzle, candy, and more. For additional information about the feature film screenings, please contact Marywood University’s Alumni Office, at (570) 348-6206, or visit marywood.edu/connect/events.
Marywood University Alumnus to Reveal Martin Luther King, Jr. Mural Marywood University alumnus, Emmanuel Wisdom Adjei, bachelor of fine arts in graphic design graduate, and Eric Bussart, bachelor of fine arts in illustration graduate, will reveal their mural, “The Dream,” of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the City of Scranton’s First Friday event on July 2, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. The mural is located at the intersection of Adams Avenue and Mulberry Street, Scranton, Pa. Scranton Tomorrow sponsored the grant that funded the mural project and is also organizing the unveiling. The mural, which will occupy the entire side of a building, as well as the imagery and messaging, is aesthetically outstanding and powerful. Inspired by Martin Luther King (MLK), Jr., “The Dream” pays tribute to the American civil rights leader who changed the world. Artist Eric Bussart incorporated morning glory flowers into the design because they are resilient, just as his hero, MLK, was. With lettering by artist Emmanuel Wisdom Adjei, the mural encompasses a wide array of interests, including diversity, positive messaging, inclusion, urban gentrification, and art. The messaging and art work conveys a timeless message for the greater community, enhances the aesthetic appeal of the city, and showcases how graduates of Marywood University’s art programs are applying their talent and creativity to elevate humanity, a universal, as well as a Marywood, core value. For additional information about Marywood University’s art department, please visit marywood.edu/art, or call the Office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6234. For additional information about Scranton Tomorrow’s mural projects, please visit scrantontomorrow.org/thedream.
