The Wright Center earns three American Heart Association achievement awards For the second year in a row, The Wright Center for Community Health has earned three American Heart Association (AHA) achievement awards recognizing its commitment to helping patients manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes, key risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Nearly half of U.S. adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. High blood pressure, cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of serious complications, but early diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient education can help people manage these conditions and improve their long-term health. “We are honored to receive recognition from the American Heart Association for our commitment to the management and care of patients with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. Erin McFadden, chief medical officer at The Wright Center for Community Health. “With early diagnosis and evidence-based treatment, these serious conditions can be effectively managed, helping patients improve their health, reduce the risk of complications, and enjoy longer, healthier lives.” This year, The Wright Center again earned: Target: BP Gold+ – The highest level of recognition in the Target: BP program, honoring organizations that follow evidence-based practices for blood pressure measurement and treatment and achieve blood pressure control in at least 70% of their adult patients with hypertension. Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol Gold Achievement Award – Recognizes healthcare organizations that implement evidence-based practices to help patients understand, monitor, and manage their cholesterol levels. Target: Type 2 Diabetes Gold Achievement Award – Recognizes healthcare organizations that meet established thresholds for selected clinical measures related to diabetes management and cardiovascular disease risk factors, including hypertension and high cholesterol. “Heart disease and stroke remain the leading causes of death for Americans, and addressing Type 2 diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure management is key for better cardiovascular health,” said Dr. Kevin Hwang, volunteer chair of the AHA’s Outpatient Quality Improvement Advisory Group. “The American Heart Association is pleased to recognize The Wright Center for its commitment to managing patient risk factors related to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes.” The Wright Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1976, The Wright Centers for Community Health, Graduate Medical Education, and Patient & Community Engagement are a physician-led, community-owned nonprofit and a cornerstone of healthcare in the region. The enterprise employs nearly 680 professionals – including nearly 200 resident and fellow physicians – and trains more than 200 interprofessional healthcare learners each year. In fiscal year 2025-26, The Wright Center served more than 39,000 unique patients across all care settings in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. As a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center and safety-net provider, The Wright Center serves all patients, from pediatrics to geriatrics. Learn more at TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Outreach Center for Community Resources to host Mighty Oak Awards The annual Mighty Oak Awards, hosted by Outreach Center for Community Resources will take place on Thursday, October 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Glenmaura National Golf Club. The organization will honor Jerry and Michele Musheno for their contributions to the community. Each year, the awards ceremony recognizes individuals and organizations that stand out in their efforts to support individuals and families in our community who strive to achieve family stability and economic self-sufficiency. You can buy tickets online by clicking here.
WVIA nominated for six Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards WVIA has announced that it has received six nominations for the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards. The nominations are as follows: Overall Excellence (#101) WVIA General Manager: Carla McCabe Documentary (#503) Making NEPA Home Producer/Director: Kara Washington Historical/Cultural – Short Form Content (#405) VIA Short Takes: The Day Carbondale Director: Alexander Monelli | Reporter: Kat Bolus Historical/Cultural – Short Form Content (#405) VIA Short Takes: The Lattimer Massacre Producer/Director: Timothy Novotney Societal Concerns – Short Form Content (#408) Aging Together in PA Producer/Director: Timothy Novotney Editor – Content (#701) Making NEPA Home Editor: Kara Washington
WVIA News wins six Professional Keystone Media Awards WVIA News won six Professional Keystone Media Awards from the Pennsylvania Newsmedia Association (PNA) for its 2025 journalism. The honorees are: ● Sarah Hofius Hall — First Place, Sports Beat Reporting, Beyond the Scoreboard● Borys Krawczeniuk — Honorable mention, News Beat Reporting, politics and gov’t● Lydia McFarlane — Honorable mention, Feature Story, Clarks Summit memory cafe● Haley O’Brien — 2nd place, lifestyle & entertainment beat, 1st & 2nd for features videos “When we made the commitment to expand local journalism, we did so because we believed our communities deserved trusted, in-depth reporting that informs, connects, and serves the public. We never imagined our newsroom would achieve so much in such a short time,” WVIA President & CEO Carla McCabe said. “These awards are a reflection of the dedication of our journalists and the power of public media to tell the stories that matter to the communities we serve.” The Harrisburg-based PNA organizes the annual awards contest to recognize “journalism that consistently provides relevance, integrity, and initiative in serving readers and audiences, and faithfully fulfills its First Amendment rights/responsibilities.” The awards will be presented October 8 at the Keystone Media Awards Luncheon in Harrisburg.
NeighborWorks Presented with Two Significant Awards NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania (NeighborWorks) received the Organizational Impact Award during the National NeighborWorks Association (NNA) 20th Annual Excellence Awards in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, April 10. Read more about the award here, and watch our nomination video here. Additionally, NeighborWorks and the City of Carbondale were recognized for the expansion and sustained success of the Beautiful Blocks program in Carbondale with the Building Community Partnerships Award during the Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence ceremony, held at The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg this past Wednesday, April 10. Read more about the award here.
WVIA Honored with Seven American Advertising Federation of NEPA Awards WVIA, Northeastern Pennsylvania’s PBS and NPR station, is thrilled to announce a resounding win at the 2024 American Advertising Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania (AAF NEPA) Awards. Taking home an impressive seven awards, WVIA’s content and creative teams were recognized for their exceptional work in crafting impactful messages that resonate with viewers. “This recognition is a true testament to the dedication and talent of our entire production team,” said WVIA President & CEO, Carla McCabe. “At WVIA, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and make a difference. These awards validate our commitment to using that power to serve our community.” WVIA’s award-winning entries spanned a diverse range of categories, showcasing their versatility and ability to deliver impactful messages across platforms. From promotional campaigns to documentaries, their work left a lasting impression on the AAF NEPA judges. “We are incredibly proud of the stories we tell and the messages we share,” continued Ben Payavis II, WVIA Chief Content Officer. “These awards motivate us to keep pushing boundaries and finding new ways to connect with our audiences on a deeper level.” This significant win at the AAF NEPA Awards further solidifies WVIA’s position as a leader in creative storytelling within the region and their dedication to using their platform for positive impact. WVIA received the following seven awards: GOLD (Single Spot)- ROAR Documentary Trailer. GOLD (Single Entry and Best of Show)- The Hooded Graves of Catawissa. GOLD (Integrated Campaigns and Judge’s Choice)- Pizza! SILVER (Television Advertising)- ROAR Documentary. SILVER (Integrated Campaigns)- ROAR Documentary. The award ceremony was held on Friday, March 8th at The FM Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre. All winners and professional entries can be viewed here.
WVIA Recognized for Impact with Six Prestigious PAB Awards WVIA, Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania’s public media station, is honored to announce it has received six awards from the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB) for its outstanding work in 2023. These prestigious honors recognize WVIA’s commitment to delivering essential local news, informative programs, and captivating arts and entertainment content for our region. “These awards represent so much more than success for WVIA. They acknowledge the important role we play in informing, educating, and entertaining our neighbors, and inspire us to continue delivering essential public media that strengthens our region.” said WVIA Chief Content Officer, Ben Payavis II. “We are deeply grateful for the continued trust, support, and encouragement from our communities, and look forward to building upon this success in years to come.” The PAB Awards represent the pinnacle of broadcasting excellence in the state, judged by a panel of industry professionals. WVIA’s six recognitions span a variety of categories, reflecting its commitment to serving audiences across various interests and representing all facets of its communities. Outstanding Use of Digital Media WVIA presents PIZZA!, Digital Short-Form Documentary Series ROAR: The Story of the Southern Columbia Football Tigers, Documentary Launch Mind Over Matter, Season Recap Outstanding Feature Story/Report The Hooded Graves of Catawissa, VIA Short Take Conversation group in Scranton Helps refugees from around the world, WVIA News story Outstanding Television Documentary ROAR: The Story of the Southern Columbia Football Tigers, Documentary In addition to these awards, WVIA’s impact extends far beyond broadcast. In 2023, the station reached over 2 million viewers and 1 million listeners, provided educational resources to thousands of students, and hosted community events that engaged residents across the region. “These awards are a reflection of the countless hours, late nights, and passionate hearts poured into every story we tell,” stated WVIA President & CEO, Carla McCabe. “We do this together, for our communities.” Winners were announced online on Friday, February 9th, and a luncheon will be held at The Harrisburg Hilton on Friday April 26th, 2024, at noon, where winners will receive their awards.
WVIA Recognized for Impact: Six Prestigious PAB Awards Celebrate Local Storytelling WVIA, Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania’s public media station, is honored to announce it has received six awards from the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB) for its outstanding work in 2023. These prestigious honors recognize WVIA’s commitment to delivering essential local news, informative programs, and captivating arts and entertainment content for our region. “These awards represent so much more than success for WVIA. They acknowledge the important role we play in informing, educating, and entertaining our neighbors, and inspire us to continue delivering essential public media that strengthens our region.” said WVIA Chief Content Officer, Ben Payavis II. “We are deeply grateful for the continued trust, support, and encouragement from our communities, and look forward to building upon this success in years to come.” The PAB Awards represent the pinnacle of broadcasting excellence in the state, judged by a panel of industry professionals. WVIA’s six recognitions span a variety of categories, reflecting its commitment to serving audiences across various interests and representing all facets of its communities. Outstanding Use of Digital Media WVIA presents PIZZA!, Digital Short-Form Documentary Series ROAR: The Story of the Southern Columbia Football Tigers, Documentary Launch Mind Over Matter, Season Recap Outstanding Feature Story/Report The Hooded Graves of Catawissa, VIA Short Take Conversation group in Scranton Helps refugees from around the world, WVIA News story Outstanding Television Documentary ROAR: The Story of the Southern Columbia Football Tigers, Documentary In addition to these awards, WVIA’s impact extends far beyond broadcast. In 2023, the station reached over 2 million viewers and 1 million listeners, provided educational resources to thousands of students, and hosted community events that engaged residents across the region. “These awards are a reflection of the countless hours, late nights, and passionate hearts poured into every story we tell,” stated WVIA President & CEO, Carla McCabe. “We do this together, for our communities.” Winners were announced online on Friday, February 9th, and a luncheon will be held at The Harrisburg Hilton on Friday April 26th, 2024, at noon, where winners will receive their awards.
The Wright Center Earns Multiple Recognition Badges The Wright Center for Community Health recently received recognition from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for quality work last year in three performance categories, including its use of health information technology to better serve patients and their families. The Wright Center also made notable achievements during 2022 in these two categories: providing services to combat the COVID-19 public health emergency and screening patients for social risk factors that can impact their health, such as lack of adequate housing and food insecurity. HRSA annually reviews the performance data of health centers across the United States and then highlights the organizations that meet or exceed its goals in categories of special focus, such as improving health equity, access, and other quality measures. It bestows the top performers with its Community Health Quality Recognition badges. HRSA first awarded badges in 2021, using data from the prior year’s reporting period. Since then, The Wright Center has earned 10 badges. This year, the three badges awarded to The Wright Center are “Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality,” “COVID-19 Public Health Champion,” and “Addressing Social Risk Factors to Health.” HRSA displays information about all of its badge recipients – which include many of the country’s 1,370 Federally Qualified Health Centers and 117 Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alikes, including The Wright Center – on an online dashboard accessible via its website, hrsa.gov. The Wright Center was among fewer than 12 percent of Look-Alikes nationwide to receive this year’s “Addressing Social Risk Factors to Health,” according to the dashboard. The Wright Center operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its practices offer integrated whole-person care, meaning patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. It accepts most major health insurance plans, including Medical Assistance (Medicaid), Medicare, and CHIP. No patient is turned away due to an inability to pay. To learn more about The Wright Center for Community Health’s many services, call 570-230-0019 or visit TheWrightCenter.org.
