Maternal & Family Health Services Held Inaugural Education Seminar On June 12, more than 100 healthcare professionals, advocates, and community leaders from across northeastern and central Pennsylvania gathered at the Hilton Scranton for the first-ever Regional Maternal Health Coalition Educational Seminar, hosted by Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS) in partnership with The Institute. The seminar marked the official launch of the Regional Maternal Health Coalition (RMHC), a multi-county initiative designed to address maternal health disparities and improve maternal health outcomes through local collaboration. The event brought together 110 registrants representing at least 14 counties and a wide array of organizations, including healthcare providers, public health agencies, academic institutions, nonprofits, and community advocates. The seminar focused on the Coalition’s five priority areas, aligned with the Pennsylvania Maternal Health Strategic Plan, and served as the first step in building a unified regional response to pressing maternal health challenges. Notable speakers and attendees included: Dr. Maria Montoro Edwards, President & CEO, MFHS Jill Avery-Stoss, President, The Institute Sara Goulet, Special Advisor to the PA Secretary of Human Services Dr. Aasta Mehta, Director, Division of Maternal, Child, and Family Health, Philadelphia Department of Public Health Dr. Marc Rabin, MFHS and Physicians Health Alliance Dr. Amanda Flicker, Lehigh Valley Health Network Dr. Imanni Sheppard, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Claudia Streets Cramer, Maternal Health Advocate Representative Bridget Kosierowski, PA 114th District Attendees had the opportunity to hear expert presentations, share ideas, and contribute to the development of strategies that will drive local action and advocacy moving forward. Resources from the event, including speaker presentations, are available at mfhs.org/rmhc.
Wright Center’s Scholars Day Highlights Cutting-Edge Research Dr. Harshaman Kaur, a resident physician explains her scholarly research poster to Harold W. Baillie, Ph.D., chair of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Board of Directors. Dr. Aroma Naeem, a resident physician entered her collaborative scholarly poster in the annual Scholars Day Program. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education hosted our annual Scholars Day Program on May 24, 2025, at our auditorium in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Our event included 31 scholarly research posters presented by physician learners from our residency and fellowship programs, as well as from the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, the Geisinger Internal Medicine Residency Program, HonorHealth Mountain Vista Medical Center, and the Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital Department of Graduate Medical Education. Dr. Erin McFadden – Our deputy chief medical officer, medical director of our primary care centers in Scranton and the Scranton Counseling Center, co-regional director of medical education for A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA), and dean and director for undergraduate medical education and interprofessional education – Case Report Session. Dr. Qi Shi – Geisinger – Research and Quality Improvement Session. Dr. Nevena Barjaktarovic – Our rheumatologist and regional director of medical education for ATSU-SOMA – Community-Oriented Primary Care Session. The program opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. McFadden, followed by the keynote address, “From Clinic to Community: Partnering with AHEC to Shape Health Beyond the Exam Room,” delivered by Debra Youngfelt, executive director of the Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center (NE PA AHEC). Dr. Amninder Singh, a resident physician in our Internal Medicine Residency Program and scholarly activity chief resident, delivered the closing remarks to conclude the day. Prizes were awarded for first, second, and third place in each poster session category. The winners included: SESSION A WINNERS (Case Reports) 1st Place Presenter: Dr. Himani Mongia, Internal Medicine Residency Program, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Poster: “A Novel Case of Utilizing Overlapping Lumen-Apposing Metal Stents for Treatment of Complicated Marginal Ulcers at the Gastrojejunal Anastomosis” 2nd Place Presenter: Dr. Chukwuemeka Christian Aghasili, Internal Medicine resident physician, Geisinger Internal Medicine Residency Program Poster: “When Arteries Fracture without a Cause: A Case of Multivessel Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection and Associated Extracoronary Arterial Vascular Dissections in the Absence of Connective Tissue Disease” 3rd Place Presenter: Dr. Harshaman Kaur, Internal Medicine resident physician, HonorHealth Mountain Vista Medical Center Poster: “Unmasking the Silent Transformation: Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia Emerging Decades Post-Liver Transplantation” SESSION B WINNERS (Research and QI) 1st Place Presenter: Dr. Aroma Naeem, Internal Medicine Residency Program, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Poster: “Balloon-Expandable Versus Self-Expanding Valves in Patients with Small Aortic Annuli Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Propensity Score Matched Studies” 2nd Place Presenter: Dr. Harshaman Kaur, Internal Medicine resident physician, HonorHealth Mountain Vista Medical Center Poster: “Readmission Risk Associated with Falls in Decompensated Cirrhosis: Insights from a National Database” 3rd Place Presenter: Dr. Yuexiu Wu, Internal Medicine Residency Program, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Poster: “Surveillance Study of Lyme Disease in The Wright Center for Community Health from 2015-2024” SESSION C WINNERS (Community-Oriented Primary Care) 1st Place Presenter: Dr. Sonam Gautam, Internal Medicine Residency Program, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Poster: “One-Time Routine HIV Screening in Primary Care” 2nd Place Presenters: Drs. Justine Carlo Guevarra and Imran Hamid, Family Medicine – Scranton Residency Program, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Poster: “Investigation into Possible Improvement in HSM Rotation for Effectiveness of Intern Orientation and Preparedness for Unsupervised Patient Care” 3rd Place Presenter: Dr. Archana Sridhar, Internal Medicine Residency Program, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Poster: “Predictive Value of PREVENT Calculator for Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients at Outpatient Clinics in Northeast Pennsylvania” Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education resident physicians, Drs. Sonam Gautam, left, and Lokendra Channtyal, display their scholarly research poster at the Scholars Day Program. They are in the Internal Medicine Residency Program. Drs. Amninder Singh, left, and Harshaman Kaur, Internal Medicine resident physicians at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, showcase their scholarly research poster at The Wright Center’s annual Scholars Day Program.
The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum Holds Wine Event Wine education presented by David Falchek, wine writer and former executive director of the American Wine Society A new program of The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum will feature a unique wine education event, “Vinho and Views: Exploring Portugal’s Wine Heritage,” presented by David Falchek, wine writer and former executive director of the American Wine Society. The event will be held Friday, June 6, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library. This 90-minute event will feature a four-course wine tasting accompanied by hors d’oeuvres, a presentation on Portuguese wines and an interactive discussion. “When we think about wine from Portugal, we often think only of Port,” said Falchek. However, Portugal is a centuries-old wine producing region that produces all kinds of wines. “Portugal’s wines have evolved with its people, culture and cuisine, becoming a springboard for the region and what shaped it,” said Falchek. Participants will enjoy a guided tasting of four iconic wines, including the refreshing Vinho Verde, a still white from the Dão region, a bold red blend and the renowned Tawny Port. They will also learn how Portuguese wines are made from indigenous grape varieties that set the country’s wines apart from those of other wine-producing regions throughout the world. “When you open a bottle of Portuguese wine, it is completely unique to the region,” said Falchek. Alongside the tasting, participants will learn about the accidental creation of Port wine during a trade war between England and France and how that influenced not just the wine’s evolution, but also the names of Port wines. The presentation will also include discussions about Portugal’s significant contributions to the worldwide wine industry as the primary producer of wine corks from the country’s sustainable forests. Participants don’t need to be wine connoisseurs to appreciate and enjoy this event, said Falchek. “You’re the master of your own taste. No one can tell you what you do and don’t like,” he said, adding that he hopes participants will come prepared to be more adventurous in drinking something new. For those unsure about trying a new wine, Falchek says, “Try it … try it and find out what you like.” A wine you enjoy today may not be your favorite tomorrow, as tastes change over time. “In the end, it’s really a personal journey,” he said. Falchek has been published in Beverage Media, Vineyard & Winery Management and others, and writes a drinks column for The Scranton Times. To register for this wine education event, or for more information on the Schemel Forum, call 570-941-4740 or email rose.merritt@scranton.edu. The cost for the wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, lecture and discussion is $60 per person and $100 per couple. There is no additional fee for Schemel Forum Members, Angels and Archangels. University of Scranton and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine students, staff and faculty must purchase tickets. Attendees must be 21 or older. To pay online, visit: www.scranton.edu/schemelforum. Additional Schemel Forum events can be found on the Schemel Forum’s webpage.
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine to Host Annual Turkey Trot Event benefits Friends of the Poor. Registration now open for 5K/10K run in downtown Scranton Nov. 3 Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine students will host its 15th annual Turkey Trot 5K/10K run in downtown Scranton on Sunday, Nov. 3. The event will also feature a Tiny Trot, including crafts, games, face painting and relay races, for children ages 13 and younger. Proceeds will benefit the charitable organization Friends of the Poor, a nonprofit whose mission is to ease the burden of living in poverty and enhance the quality of life for all. Race-day registration begins at 7 a.m. in the main lobby of Geisinger Commonwealth’s Medical Sciences Building at 525 Pine St. in Scranton. The 5K and 10K runs and the Tiny Trot all begin at 8 a.m. Routes begin and end at the school’s Medical Sciences Building on Pine Street. Online registration is open and will close Friday, Nov. 1. For participants ages 14 and older, registration is $30 for the 5K run/walk and $40 for the 10K. For those age 13 and younger, Tiny Trot registration is free, but a donation of two canned goods on race day is appreciated. To register: runsignup.com/gcsomturkeytrot
WVIA Conversations for the Common Good: Trust in Our Elections WVIA Free Event September 19th, at 6:30 PM at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Fair and secure elections are the bedrock of our democracy. However, many members of our community have little information about what happens after they cast their ballots. As we head into the general election in November, WVIA, and Keep Our Republic invite you to attend this informative, nonpartisan event dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of the 2024 election process and equipping our community to combat misinformation surrounding election integrity. At this event, experts from across the state and from our community will talk about what’s new for Pennsylvania’s elections in 2024, how votes are counted, certified, and audited, and answer questions on topics like mail-in ballots, the role of the courts and media in elections, how technology impacts election security, and what federal, state, and local governments are doing to combat election interference. This event will provide valuable insights to help you stay informed for the upcoming November 5th election. We hope to see you there. REGISTER HERE
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s Gala Raises More Than $100,000 for Student Scholarships Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine celebrated a monumental success with its annual Black Ties for White Coats Gala, raising more than $100,000 in support of student scholarships. Held at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Saturday, April 20, the event brought together esteemed guests, faculty, students, and community members for an evening of philanthropy and celebration. Geisinger Commonwealth would like to thank the Diamond Sponsor of this year’s event, Mericle Commercial Real Estate Service/Discover NEPA and the Gold Sponsor, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. The annual gala serves as a cornerstone fundraising event for the school and is aimed at supporting the next generation of healthcare leaders. “We are thrilled by the overwhelming generosity and support shown at this year’s Gala”, said School President and Dean Julie Byerley, MD, MPH. “The funds raised will directly impact our students by enabling them to pursue their dreams of becoming a healthcare provider who will make a difference in the communities they serve.” The success of the Black Ties for White Coats event underscores Geisinger Commonwealth’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive. By providing scholarships, the school aims to alleviate the financial burden of medical education and empower students to focus on their studies and clinical training. Each year Geisinger Commonwealth selects a Founders, Wel-lbeing and Community honoree. This year’s honorees include: Founders: Tom Churilla, MD Well-being: Shubhra Shetty, MD Community: The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine to Host Community Event Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine is hosting a community event: “Nobody’s Fool: Why We Get Taken in and What We Can Do About It” on May 14.
Surgeon General of the United States to Deliver Keynote Address at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) announced that Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the Surgeon General of the United States, will deliver the keynote address at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s 12th annual commencement ceremony scheduled for Sunday, May 5 at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre. “We are honored to welcome Dr. Murthy,” said Julie Byerley, MD, MPH, GCSOM’s president and dean. “He has used his far-reaching platform as Surgeon General to advocate for population health issues that Geisinger has made central to our mission, like greater access to care, addressing loneliness, and healthcare worker well-being. We look forward his remarks as we celebrate the graduation of our twelfth class of physicians, now totaling more than one thousand doctors, from our medical school.” Jaewon Ryu, MD, JD, president and CEO of Geisinger, noted that Dr. Murthy has long championed a comprehensive approach to medicine that prioritizes mental health and wellness. “As a national leader in value-based care, Geisinger is proud that Dr. Murthy will encourage our graduates to pursue our shared vision of medicine. He knows well what Geisinger means when we say our mission is to make better health easier and I know he will inspire the class of 2024 to dedicate their careers to doing just that.” Dr. Murthy was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2021 to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States. As the nation’s top doctor, Dr. Vivek Murthy helps to advance the health and well-being of all Americans and has worked to address critical public health issues. He has issued Surgeon General Advisories on the youth mental health crisis and social media’s impact on youth mental health, the epidemic of loneliness and isolation, and on burnout in the health worker community. Dr. Murthy also issued a Surgeon General’s Framework on mental health in the workplace and he is the first Surgeon General to host a podcast, House Calls with Dr. Vivek Murthy, where he invites guests and listeners to explore how we can all build more connected and meaningful lives. As Vice Admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Dr. Murthy oversees more than 6,000 dedicated public health officers serving underserved and vulnerable populations. Dr. Murthy previously served as the 19th Surgeon General under President Obama. Raised in Miami, Dr. Murthy received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard, his medical degree from the Yale School of Medicine, and his master’s in business administration from the Yale School of Management.
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine to Host Black Ties for White Coats Gala Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, with learning venues throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania, will host its Black Ties for White Coats gala on Saturday, April 20, at Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre to benefit medical student scholarships. Prominent community members who embody aspects of the school’s founding principles, community service and well-being will also be honored. When: Saturday, April 20, 6 – 11 p.m. Where: Mohegan Pennsylvania 1280 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre This year’s honorees are: Community Honoree:The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children Well-being Honoree:Shubhra Shetty, MD Founders Honoree:Tom Churilla, MD ’13
