The Dime Bank Celebrates Employee Milestones

Each year The Dime Bank holds a dinner celebration to acknowledge and honor their employees who are celebrating five-year incremental career anniversaries with The Dime Bank. In 2023, twenty-six Dime Bank employees were honored.

The Dime Bank believes employee anniversary celebrations are an important part of recognizing and appreciating the hard work and dedication of their employees. It’s a time to celebrate their achievements, milestones, and loyalty to The Dime Bank.

President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “We are grateful for our employees, who make The Dime Bank one-of-a-kind. Their positivity, commitment, and devotion provide our customers with the best possible experience. Each employee is valued and is an integral part of The Dime Bank’s success and we thank them for their hard work and commitment.”

Wright Center Employee Receives Statewide Honor

Kara Seitzinger, executive director of public affairs and advisor liaison to The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education’s president and CEO, was named by the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers as the recipient of a 2023 Award for Primary Care Excellence (APEX) in recognition of her work as a community ambassador.

The association annually bestows its APEX awards in 10 categories to recognize the outstanding efforts of dedicated individuals and teams who work or volunteer for Pennsylvania’s community health centers. An APEX represents the pinnacle of service, quality, innovation, and achievement in primary health care. The association awarded two Community Ambassador Awards this year.

A Scranton resident, Seitzinger received the award on Oct. 11 at the association’s Annual Conference and Clinical Summit in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

“Kara is truly worthy of this prestigious award. I cannot think of anyone who is a stronger advocate for the patients, families, and communities we serve,” said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “She embodies the mission of The Wright Center 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.

“Thanks to her efforts, our patients and families struggling with food insecurity receive nutritious foods; community members who need warm clothing are given winter garments; and those who need transportation to doctor’s appointments receive travel vouchers. Her monumental public service efforts are honestly hard to quantify, but our communities are healthier and safer because of her reliable and tireless efforts.”

The Community Ambassador Award is “presented to an individual who champions the community health center mission through a steadfast commitment to build relationships, enact change, and promote awareness and bring positive attention to their health center,” according to the association.

Seitzinger works to expand The Wright Center’s visibility and public health impact throughout the region, often identifying and joining forces with mission-aligned community partners to conduct outreach programs that support vulnerable populations and medically underserved communities.

As part of a collaboration with the CDC Foundation, she coordinated with government, business, and nonprofit leaders at the height of the coronavirus pandemic to launch a public health campaign in the Hazleton area to expand access to COVID-19 education, testing, vaccines, and treatment. Later, the campaign also succeeded in delivering CDC-recommended childhood vaccinations to more than 700 school-aged children, enabling their uninterrupted participation in the classroom.

Seitzinger has also played a key role in the planning and execution of fundraising events that allow The Wright Center to provide goods and services to patients and community members in need. For example, the “Road to Recovery” car show in Scranton helps to offset transportation costs for certain individuals who are served by The Wright Center’s Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence and Healthy MOMs program so they can get to and from their medical appointments.

Seitzinger often serves as the health center’s point person for high-profile community impact projects, such as sponsoring the region’s annual PrideFest Parade, most recently held in Wilkes-Barre. The Wright Center’s participation in the event helps to raise awareness of its Ryan White HIV Clinic and to reach community members who might otherwise not have the resources needed to seek care.

The Wright Center currently operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical 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, noting that no patient is turned away due to an inability to pay.

To learn more about The Wright Center’s mission and many services, call 570-230-0019 or visit TheWrightCenter.org.

The Honesdale National Bank Honors Employees for Years of Service

The Honesdale National Bank has had the great fortune of having loyal and long-tenured employees to help serve its customers and greater communities. The Bank is pleased to recognize 26 employees who celebrated milestones of service in 2023.

Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., HNB President & CEO, offered, “Our company’s enduring success is a testament to the dedication and unwavering commitment of our longstanding employees, who have been the driving force behind our achievements for many years.” He continues, “Their dedication and expertise continue to lead our company’s success and growth each and every day.” 

5 Years of Service

Joseph Sweeney, Senior Credit Analyst, Corporate Center; Emily A. Zielinski, Mortgage Loan Processor, HNB Mortgage Center; Catherine Ferraro, VP, Commercial Loan Officer, Eynon Office; Ralph Scartelli, VP, Residential Mortgage Sales Manager, Lake Wallenpaupack Office; Kristain Kochanski, Receptionist, HNB Mortgage Center; Linda Short, PT Teller/CSR Float, Montdale Office; and Marissa Smith, Teller/CSR, Route 6 Plaza Office.

10 Years of Service

Lisa Valentine, AVP, Branch Manager, Montdale Office; Jamie Shnipes, Branch Manager, Eynon Office; Nicholas J. D’Alberto, AVP, Branch Manager, Main Street Office; Charles Curtin, VP, Trust Officer, Corporate Center; William Carmody, Financial Consultant, Corporate Center; and Annie Grado, PT Clerk, HNB Mortgage Center.

15 Years of Service

Christopher Cook, VP, Commercial Loan Officer, Corporate Center; Melissa Rushworth, AVP, Loan Officer, Forest City Office; Maggie Klim, Receptionist, Corporate Center; Raymond Ceccotti, SVP, Business Development & Relationship Manager, Corporate Center; Jeanne Frank, Trust Clerk; Corporate Center; Neil Neumann, PC Support Specialist, Corporate Center; Theresa A. Halliday, Assistant Branch Manager, Main Street Office; and John Conte, AVP, Loan Officer, Main Street Office.

20 Years of Service

Kim Canfield, Head Teller, Montdale Office; Deborah Miller, BSA Assistant, Corporate Center; and Ronald Sebastianelli, SVP, Chief Lending Officer, Corporate Center.

25 Years of Service

Cherese Golya, Loan Servicing Clerk, HNB Mortgage Center.

30 Years of Service

Cindy Motichka, VP, Loan Servicing Manager, HNB Mortgage Center.

HNB extends its appreciation to all its employees for their dedication to supporting its customers and local community!

The Honesdale National Bank, established in 1836, holds the distinction of being the area’s oldest independent community bank headquartered in Northeastern PA, with offices in Wayne, Pike, Susquehanna, Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties.  The Honesdale National Bank offers personal banking, business banking and wealth solutions.  For more information on HNB’s products and services, visit www.hnbbank.bank.

The Dime Bank Celebrates Employee Milestones

Each year The Dime Bank holds a dinner celebration to acknowledge and honor their employees who are celebrating five-year incremental career anniversaries with The Dime Bank. This year, thirteen employees were honored: Cynthia Burdick with 45 years of service; Ruth Daniels with 35 years; Cindy Galloway with 30 years; Irene Selvaggi with 25 years; Ekaterina Pereyra with 15 years; Kim Metz, Donna DiChiaranti, and Laura Novak each with 10 years of service; and Jeffrey Roche, Cassandra Dean, Jared Newbon, Katelyn Donat, Brianna Connelly with 5 years of service each. Thirty-seven 2020 and 2021 honorees were also invited to this year’s dinner to celebrate with their teammates since dinners weren’t held due to COVID and instead The Dime Bank donated the value of the dinner to area food banks.

President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “Our employees are what makes The Dime Bank so unique. Their positive attitude, dedication, and loyalty bring the ultimate experience to our customers. We appreciate each person’s contribution to our team as we celebrate their commitment to The Dime Bank, to our customers, and to our communities.”