Maternal and Family Health Services: Honoring Cervical Cancer Awareness Month January marks the beginning of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the importance of early detection, education, and access to care in the fight against cervical cancer. As the President and CEO of Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS), I am proud to lead an organization that is dedicated to empowering women to take control of their health, supporting them with the resources and services they need, and ensuring they have access to the critical screenings that can save their lives. Cervical cancer, while preventable, continues to claim lives every year, especially among women who face barriers to healthcare access. But through consistent screenings, education, and HPV vaccinations, we have the power to reduce the incidence of this devastating disease and improve outcomes for women everywhere. At MFHS, we are committed to providing the essential healthcare services women deserve. As a trusted partner in reproductive and maternal healthcare, we offer a range of services designed to make preventive care and screenings accessible, affordable, and welcoming. This month, and every month, let us take action to protect our health, spread awareness, and advocate for better access to care for all women. Schedule a screening, talk to your healthcare provider, and know that you are not alone in this journey. MFHS is here to support you every step of the way. We are proud to offer services that make women’s health a priority, and we are committed to breaking down the barriers to care that too often prevent women from seeking the screenings and treatments they need. MFHS has HPV vaccines and same day appointments available. To learn more about cervical cancer, screenings, or to schedule an appointment, visit mfhs.org. or call 570-595-4496. Together, we can reduce the impact of cervical cancer and ensure that every woman has the opportunity to live a healthy, empowered life. Maria Montoro Edwards, PhD President & CEO, Maternal and Family Health Services
Marywood Univeristy Student, Former Chamber Intern and Sister Present in San Diego Marywood senior multimedia communication students Liz and Maddie Adams, twin sisters who co-founded and host the podcast, Courageously Kind, are traveling to San Diego to share messages of kindness and self-esteem with children and families affected by facial differences. Their presentation will take place on Saturday, January 18, at the Girls Scouts of San Diego Balboa Service Center in San Diego, CA. This effort began after Liz shared her story about her facial disfigurement and condition. She wanted to inspire others to be kind to those who look different. Her twin sister, Maddie, suggested starting a podcast to encourage others to be kind. Courageously Kind got its start as a quarantine passion project while the two Brackney, Pa. natives were still seniors in high school. The initiative has grown throughout their college years to include a worldwide audience of more than 170,000 followers in 70 countries. Their upcoming presentation, in collaboration with ConnectMed and the University of California San Diego, will seek to equip kids with tools to boost their self-confidence and to share kindness with others in their community. It is a part of a research study led by UCSD and ConnectMed, to show the impact of peer-to peer-support groups on social image, wellbeing, and self-esteem.
Lackawanna County Literacy Committee Holds Book Drive The Lackawanna County Literacy Committee is launching a book drive to collect used books that will be distributed to families in Scranton. Books will be collected in bins across Lackawanna County. At this time, the Lackawanna County Literacy Committee is looking for businesses that would be interested in placing collection bins in their place of business. Bins will be provided and delivered at collection locations at no cost. Interested businesses should contact Patricia Hein at pdakhein@comcast.net or Sandie Lamanna at sslamanna@aol.com for additional information.
Lackawanna College Sonography Program Secures $35,000 Grant The Lackawanna College Sonography program is excited to announce it has received a grant award of $35,000 from the Robert Y. Moffat Family Charitable Trust to purchase state-of-the-art equipment. The grant will fund the purchase of one Mindray sonography machine, providing students hands-on training with cutting-edge technology. The sonography program is currently seeking to purchase a total of five new sonography machines to meet the demand of its recently expanded cohort sizes and to replace older equipment. The grant award will help achieve this goal with the purchase of one new Mindray machine. “Securing new equipment for the program is as essential as having current books for the classroom, without the machines for our students to learn on were missing one half of the picture,” said Mary Kay DelRosso, Assistant Director of Sonography at Lackawanna College. “We can teach them the mechanical and informational aspects of sonography but until they apply it to the scan, it’s of no value to them.” The college’s sonography program has grown rapidly over the past several years. Between 2022 to 2024 the sonography program as whole has experienced a six-fold increase in its enrollment in both Cardiac and Vascular Sonography programs, along with the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program tripling its enrollment. “We’ve seen about an 80% increase in enrollment this semester over our previous semester and had to increase our max capacity of students in the program to 30,” said DelRosso. “This grant is also helping increase the number of machines we have and allows our increased number of students to spend time on these machines. We need to make sure they receive practical and efficient experience on the machines. In order for that to happen we need to have more machines in the room to meet the demands of all the new students.” The Sonography Program at Lackawanna College serves both its learners and the wider local community of patients by readying qualified healthcare professionals to fill these in-demand, frontline positions in the medical field. The purchase of new equipment through the grant is part of a greater expansion in the program to train students into workforce ready graduates. The Lackawanna College Sonography program was notified of this grant award on November 15, 2024 and the program will likely purchase the new equipment in early 2025. “I know I speak for everyone in the department, including the students, that we are very grateful for these kind of donations. Being able to put the students on new machines and make them well-prepared after graduation is the core of our program,” said DelRosso.
Johnson College Announces the President’s List Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO of Johnson College, has announced the President’s List of students who have completed the 2024 Fall Semester with a grade point average of 3.70 or higher. Edgar Acevedo, Electrical Construction Technology, Scranton, PA; Anthony Agrella, Electrical Construction Technology, Pittston, PA; Zekiel Alejandrez, Physical Therapist Assistant, Greentown, PA Holden Aylesworth, Computer Information Technology, Nicholson, PA; Charlize Barhite, Veterinary Nursing, Clifford Twp., PA; Tiffany Beckham, Radiologic Technology, Scranton, PA; Colleen Cannon-Augustine, Physical Therapist Assistant, Jenkins Twp., PA; Brady Carpenter, Computer Information Technology, Clarks Summit, PA; Cole Chesna, Welding Fabrication & Manufacturing Technology, Honesdale, PA; Ashlee Coe, Veterinary Nursing, Hawley, PA; Matthew Collier, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Throop, PA; Cameron Collins, Electrical Construction Technology, Jermyn, PA; Kenneth Cotton, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Clifford Twp., PA; Emma Danowsky, Veterinary Nursing, Lewisburg, PA; Gerard Dolinsky, Diesel Truck Technology, Scott Twp., PA; Andi Fedorchak, Welding Fabrication & Manufacturing Technology, Carbondale, PA; Alec Fisher, Automotive Technology, West Wyoming, PA; Ethan Gardiner, Electrical Construction Technology, Summit Hill, PA; Hanaa Gohsler, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Dickson City, PA; Jennifer Gonzalez Rodriguez, Radiologic Technology, Scranton, PA; James Hancock, Automotive Technology, Clarks Green, PA; Cameron Hedgelon, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Honesdale, PA; Emanuel Hernandez, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology, Scranton, PA: Jacob Holmes, Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology, Dalton, PA; Brooke Iverson, Physical Therapist Assistant, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Michael Kishel, Computer Information Technology, Pittston, PA; Steven Kollar, Computer Information Technology, Trucksville, PA; Henry Korman, Electrical Construction Technology, Lakeville, PA; Harrison Kubilus, Electrical Construction Technology, Scranton, PA; Skyler LeClere, Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology, Beach Lake, PA; Anthony Lemobruni, Aviation Technology, Moscow, PA; Corey Lesnefsky, Diesel Truck Technology, Olyphant, PA; Lucas Lorenzetto, Automotive Technology, Throop, PA; Paul MacDonald, Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology, Scranton, PA; Daniel Marcus, Electrical Construction Technology, Greeley, PA; Jessica Miller, Veterinary Nursing, Mechanicsburg, PA; Carter Mistishin, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology, Lake Ariel, PA; Tyler Moskosky, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Simpson, PA; Sean Munson, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology, Nanticoke, PA; Weston Nugent, Diesel Truck Technology, Lake Ariel, PA; Edward Peguero, Automotive Technology, Scranton, PA; Caitlyn Philips, Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology, West Wyoming, PA; Ronald Pritchard, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Damascus, PA; Alyssa Resio, Radiologic Technology, Old Forge, PA; Vincent Rinaldi, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology, Scranton, PA; Christian Rivera, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Keith Rowlands, Electrical Construction Technology, Jermyn, PA; Abigail Schroder, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Scranton, PA; Wyatt Sickler, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Tunkhannock, PA; Caiden Stancik, Electronic Engineering Technology, Clarks Summit, PA; Madison Stashak, Physical Therapist Assistant, Nanticoke, PA; Sierra Stonier, Veterinary Nursing, Monroe Twp., PA; Andrew Styborki, Electrical Construction Technology, Dalton, PA; Ragu Subedi, Computer Information Technology, Scranton, PA; Arthur Taylor, Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology, New Milford, PA; Nicholas Thayer, Mechatronics Technology, Pittston, PA; Logan Treat, Welding Fabrication & Manufacturing Technology, Falls, PA; Noah Wijaya, Automotive Technology, Roaring Brook Twp., PA.
Jeannine Luby Sponsors ‘Laugh A Latte’ Chamber member Jeannine Luby, owner of Laugh to Live, recently collaborated with Scranton organizations NEPA Networkers and Urban Co-Works to offer local professionals the opportunity to warm up on a cold January morning. Luby sponsored the event ‘Laugh A Latte’ that brought together about 20 attendees for coffee, conversation and a sampling of stress-relieving laughter yoga. Luby and NEPA Networkers Board President Bob Courtwright greeted participants.
The Honesdale National Bank Celebrates William Schweighofer’s 50th Anniversary Honat Bancorp, Inc., and The Honesdale National Bank are proud to celebrate William “Bill” Schweighofer’s remarkable 50-year milestone with the Bank. Bill’s dedication and expertise have made him an integral part of the bank’s history and growth. Bill served as CEO for several decades before stepping down in 2013. Since then, he has continued to play a pivotal role at HNB as Chairman of the Board of Honat Bancorp, Inc. and The Honesdale National Bank. “For the past 50 years Bill has led this Bank not only with a strong business sense, but with heart,” said Roger Dirlam, Vice Chairman of the Honat Bancorp, Board of Directors. “We are truly grateful for the pride and passion with which he continues to drive our Bank and community forward.” Kate Bryant, CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, noted, “Bill’s consistent dedication and outstanding leadership have been critical to our strength and stability. His commitment to excellence and genuine service to the community has profoundly impacted both the Bank and the region we serve.” Bill’s leadership has helped navigate the Bank through significant evolution in the financial industry, ensuring that HNB remains a pillar of stability and trust for its customers. His risk-management and service-centric approach have led to numerous strategic initiatives that have driven the Bank’s growth and customer satisfaction. HNB extends its heartfelt congratulations and deep gratitude to Bill Schweighofer for his 50 years of exemplary service. The Bank is grateful for his continued contributions and leadership into the future. Bill’s legacy at HNB is a testament to his dedication and the high standards he has set for himself and his colleagues. 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.
Beyond Dunder Mifflin: The Electric City Documentary This fan-made documentary explores the unique and unexpected impact of the popular TV show The Office on the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Moving beyond the fictional world of Dunder Mifflin, the film delves into the real-life connection between The Office and Scranton, uncovering the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and the myriad ways in which the show has shaped its identity. Almost 20 years since the pilot aired on March 24, 2005, The Office has transformed Scranton from a “Coal Town to a Cool Town.” Viewers will hear from notable figures such as Tim Holmes, Michele Dempsey, Mari Potis, Mayor Paige Cognetti, and many more. Additionally, some of your favorite characters from the show, including Andy Buckley and Angela Kinsey, will make appearances in the documentary. Our documentary will be free to the public on March 28 via YouTube and Facebook. There are discussions about airing it on a local TV station in the Scranton area, with hopes of eventually having it available on Peacock. Our story is about 54 mins to an hour long. Credits: Director, Producer: Brandon Soto Director of Photography and Assistant Director: DeAngelo Dixon Production Assistants: Brian Schnieders, Madison Whitford, and Cody Exley
Leadership Lackawanna Announces Applications Open for Leadership Fundamentals 2.0 Program Leadership Lackawanna, the community leadership and professional development division of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, announces applications are open for Leadership Fundamentals 2.0. Leadership Fundamentals 2.0 is a virtual eight-week course that provides advanced leaders with all the fundamentals of leadership but at a 2.0 level! Topics may include prioritizing purpose, reframing, humility, running effective meetings, generational differences, and workplace diversity. Applications close on February 3, 2025. Leadership Fundamentals 2.0 is open to anyone who desires to advance their personal and professional growth. Apply online at LeadershipLackawanna.com.
The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Announces 156th Annual Dinner The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announces the 156th Chamber Annual Dinner, presented by PNC Bank, to be held on March 26, 2025, at the Scranton Cultural Center. This signature event is set to bring together the region’s business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members for an evening to celebrate the accomplishments of our members and programs from the past year. This year’s Annual Dinner will feature keynote speaker, author, and workforce strategist, Gregory Offner. Offner is the founding partner of the Global Performance Institute, a boutique consulting firm supporting organizations and executives seeking to get the most out of their workforce. He previously held leadership roles in the outsourced services and risk management industries, developing future leaders and advising some of the most recognizable names in business. In this keynote, former dueling pianist and award-winning speaker Offner will demonstrate three principles of engagement found in a piano bar and then discuss the strategies and stories of organizations who’ve applied these principles to business with phenomenal results. As part of its ongoing commitment to workforce development, Offner’s keynote address will equip businesses with valuable insights to address current workforce challenges. “We always look for an Annual Dinner keynote speaker who provides insight into the compelling issues facing our business community. As the nature of our workforce is evolving, Gregory Offner brings a thought-provoking perspective to address these key workforce issues,” shared Bob Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. To purchase tickets for the 156th Annual Dinner, visit www.ScrantonChamber.com.
