NEPIRC Announces Benefits and Impacts Reported by Manufacturers According to data voluntarily provided by 575 small and mid-sized manufacturing firms across Pennsylvania throughout 2023, the statewide Industrial Resource Center (IRC) initiative, the Commonwealth’s flagship program for strengthening the competitiveness and resiliency of smaller industrial firms, generated significant positive results among users of their services. Over the past 12 months, manufacturers that utilized IRC professional services avoided 7,197 layoffs while adding 1,462 full-time workers to their rosters. They also realized $796.8 million in retained sales and secured $256.4 million of new customer orders as results of their IRC advisement and engagements. In addition to growing their workforces and increasing their top-line revenue numbers, companies that performed consultative projects with their regional IRC reduced their non-personnel operating costs by $187.1 million over the past 12 months, avoided $36 million of unnecessary expenditures, and invested more than $376.8 million in new equipment, facility expansion, advanced technologies and workforce training. Pennsylvania’s IRC initiative consists of seven affiliates: DVIRC, Catalyst Connection, the Innovative Manufacturers’ Center (IMC), MANTEC, the Manufacturers’ Resource Center (MRC), NEPIRC and NWIRC. “Over the past year, more than 1,100 manufacturers called upon their regional IRC to help them grow their business, implement new technologies, overcome strategic challenges and build a more robust and skilled workforce. We’re impressed with the results reported by this sampling of our client base while also acknowledging that the true extent of the IRCs’ impact upon our manufacturing economy are well in excess of those represented here,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, president & CEO of NEPIRC, the IRC that services manufacturers across northeastern, northern and north central Pennsylvania. The revenue, cost savings, regional investment and job impacts reported by 575 IRC clients was gathered by an independent market research firm and confirmed by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Allied Services Partners with Local Church to Support Injured Ukrainian Soldiers Allied Services partnered with Father Myron Myronyuk, Pastor of St.Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church in Scranton, to donate rehab equipment and medical supplies to benefit injured Ukrainian soldiers. The donated equipment will be part of a shipment of supplies heading to Ukraine thanks to the efforts of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Church and its friends. On Thursday, January 25, 2024, a shipping container arrived from New Jersey at the warehouse at Allied Services in Taylor for loading. Allied Services, a nationally-ranked non-profit rehabilitation provider, donated a significant volume of lightly used rehabilitation equipment including stationary bikes, treadmills, and parallel bars. The donation, estimated to be in the tens of thousands of dollars, also included hospital beds, gowns, walkers, wheelchairs, and other supplies. The donation will assist rehabilitation centers working with Ukrainian soldiers injured since the war started in 2022.
Keystone College Names Dr. Fran Langan Trustee Emerita Keystone College has named Professor Fran Langan, Ed.D. as Trustee Emerita in recognition for her many years of dedicated service. Dr. Langan, who recently retired as Keystone’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Strategic Initiatives, has been affiliated with Keystone since 1980 and has been faculty member since 1985. She will continue to serve Keystone as Special Advisor to Keystone President John F. Pullo, Sr. In addition to her most recent position, Dr. Langan served as a professor of education, and Chair of the Division of Social Sciences, the Division of Education, and Dean of the School of Professional Studies. Actively involved in educational issues and well-respected as an advocate for quality practitioner education, Dr. Langan has been skilled in securing funding and discovering revenue streams that have helped advance Keystone’s reputation as one of the most respected institutions of higher learning in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Knowledgeable about local, state, and national funding opportunities, Dr. Langan is also experienced in cultivating private foundation opportunities, specifically targeting program innovation. She is a member of numerous local, state, and national boards and commissions. “Dr. Langan’s expertise and dedication to Keystone, the field of higher education, and Northeastern Pennsylvania has been legendary,” said President Pullo. “It is an honor to welcome her to the Board of Trustees as Trustee Emerita as we continue to value her knowledge and guidance.” “I am honored to begin the next phase of my relationship with Keystone College as Trustee Emerita,” said Dr. Langan. “Keystone has been such a vital part of my life. I’m looking forward to continuing to be a part of the college community in this new capacity.” Dr. Langan is a graduate of Wilkes University. She received a master’s degree in public administration from Marywood University and a doctorate in education from Temple University. Dr. Langan is also a registered nurse.
The Wright Center Commits to ‘Change Maker Campaign’ Recognizing the risks posed by burnout among health care professionals and persistent physician attrition, The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education recently joined the National Academy of Medicine’s “Change Maker Campaign for Health Workforce Well-Being.” The academy launched the campaign in October. About 270 organizations, including The Wright Center enterprise, have joined the campaign, committing to institutionalizing well-being as a long-term value. Other well-recognized campaign members include the American Medical Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Geisinger, Penn Medicine, and the Veterans Health Administration. The National Academy of Medicine introduced the campaign to further the goals of its “National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being,” an initiative begun in 2022 and aimed at driving “collective action to strengthen health workforce well-being and restore the health of the nation.” “The capacity and well-being of the U.S. health workforce has been under threat for years by an epidemic of burnout, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this systems issue,” according to the academy. “Now more nurses, physicians, and state and local public health department employees than ever are considering leaving their professions.” Addressing the issue is a “shared responsibility,” according to the plan’s promoters at the National Academy of Medicine. The Wright Center – which provides graduate medical education training opportunities for more than 245 resident and fellow physicians annually – has, in recent years, amplified its efforts to prepare doctors and other clinicians to be resilient, long-term professionals. To support the well-being of its workforce, for example, The Wright Center has embraced initiatives such as mental health first aid training and the statewide “CEOs Against Stigma” campaign, both of which help to broaden awareness about depression and mental illness in the workplace. The Wright Center also is pursuing certification in the Sanctuary Model, a proven strategy for enhancing the workplace environment through the direct address of the effects of trauma. Similarly, The Wright Center has introduced employee wellness programs such as recurring meditation sessions, reflection and decompression sessions using artistic expression as a medium, and monthly visits by a therapy dog. These and other activities give clinicians and support staffers a chance to momentarily break from their workday routines and de-stress. Reflecting its strong commitment to employee wellness, The Wright Center was a recent finalist for the Workplace Excellence Award in the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce’s annual SAGE Award recognition program. To learn more about The Wright Center, and view a current list of career opportunities, visit TheWrightCenter.org.
NEPIRC Releases 2023 Impact Study Results Throughout 2023, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) provided assistance to 183 regional small and mid-sized manufacturers. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program office recently released a report summarizing the one-year financial and operational impacts of those services based upon voluntary surveys completed by a sampling of those companies over the past 12 months. In total, 74 companies participated in the survey process. Collectively, they reported dynamic results. The 74 companies attributed a total of $157.9 million of incremental revenue in 2023 to the assistance and advisement they obtained from NEPIRC. These additional revenues, coupled with $12.8 million of annual savings, allowed those same companies to create and retain 1,051 regional manufacturing jobs and invest more than $56.4 million in expansion, modernization and workforce training. More than 93% of the companies surveyed felt that NEPIRC’s services improved their overall competitiveness and nearly 91% indicated that they would refer NEPIRC to other manufacturing firms in need of technical assistance in the areas of continuous improvement, leadership development, technology integration, safety or industry certification. “Throughout 2023, we saw strong demand of our services and training programs and were optimistic that the impact we’re generating for our clients and region would be impressive,” explains Eric Joseph Esoda, NEPIRC’s president and CEO. “But these results exceed even our most lofty internal expectations, and we’re very proud of our staff, the manufacturers we serve and their workforce for being so successful.” Based upon the impact reported by its clients, NEPIRC’s performance places the organization as a top-performer across the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Network and within the top six of more than 50 MEP affiliates nationally in key metrics, such as client reported cost savings, new revenue, retained revenue, regional investment, job creation and job retention. In addition to providing manufacturers with expert services, training programs, and on-site assessments to enhance their resiliency, profitability, workforce practices and long-term growth, NEPIRC also supports the manufacturing community through its Manufacturing Jobs Board, Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team, Manufacturer of the Month campaign and other efforts that support the industrial community. More details regarding NEPIRC’s regional impact and its programs to bolster manufacturing growth are available by contacting Eric@NEPIRC.com.
WVIA News Awarded Grant for Full-Time Journalist WVIA was recently awarded a grant through the Williamsport Lycoming Competitive Grant Program at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania to support the addition of a dedicated, full-time WVIA News reporter to exclusively cover Williamsport and the Lycoming County region. The position has now been filled by Chase Bottorf, a Lock Haven native, providing dedicated WVIA News coverage to the area. Bottorf is a graduate of Lock Haven University and holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in writing. Having previously been a reporter for the Lock Haven news publication, The Express, he comes with an existing awareness of the unique issues in the Lycoming County region, and has ties to the local communities. “I am extremely excited to work for WVIA in bolstering community-based reporting in Northcentral Pennsylvania,” said Bottorf. “While working with the station, under the NPR/PBS umbrella, I hope to achieve greater transparency within the community and tackle stories that will benefit the area as a whole. This, and at the same time, garner experience that will help push my boundaries in the field of journalism overall.” Mr. Bottorf will be responsible for reporting and producing stories exclusive to the Lycoming County region on WVIA’s radio and digital platforms. He will focus on the many complexities of the Williamsport area by providing in-depth coverage of local issues and community engagement opportunities with residents of the region. Bottorf will work out of the WVIA Studios Lycoming County Bureau in the Community Arts Center on West 4th Street in Williamsport. Bucking the national trends of shrinking staff and non-local ownership groups, WVIA has grown – and is quickly becoming the source for balanced, local news throughout the 22-county region it serves. Founded in 2022, WVIA News has grown to a team of six full-time journalists in less than two years. “First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania is thrilled to support WVIA’s continued expansion into Lycoming County,” stated Betty Gilmour, Director of Grantmaking, First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania. “With a dedicated journalist closely involved in the greater Williamsport and surrounding area, residents will become more knowledgeable about the place they call home, opening new avenues to a more connected community.” This is the second grant-funded news position for WVIA News since its founding in 2022. These additions to WVIA’s growing news department are evidence of the level of support from donors and the community for local non-profit journalism, and the level of commitment from WVIA to fill the need for such.
Marywood Architecture Student Recognized by AIA Pennsylvania Rye Ahronson, Scranton, a Marywood University Architecture student, was recently recognized by AIA Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Chapter of The American Institute of Architects, with its 2023 Architectural Excellence Student Award. Each year, AIA Pennsylvania recognizes one architecture student from each of the seven Pennsylvania schools offering an accredited architecture program, as determined by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Mr. Ahronson, a Dean’s List student, who will earn his Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree from Marywood in 2024, represents the Marywood University School of Architecture (MUSOA) in this prestigious awards program. He earned the AIA Pennsylvania Architectural Excellence Student Award based on his exceptional accomplishments and proficiency in academics and design and his readiness to meet the challenges and responsibilities of a career in architecture. The Pennsylvania chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), AIA Pennsylvania, represents nearly 3,000 members across the Commonwealth working at the forefront of a nearly $17 billion construction industry. AIA Pennsylvania advocates for the value of architecture and policies that promote economic prosperity and the health, safety, and welfare of the public. As a membership organization, the chapter provides architecture professionals with the statewide community, advocacy, and knowledge to affect positive outcomes through the power of design. For more information about Marywood University’s School of Architecture programs, please visit marywood.edu/architecture.
Geisinger Recognized in Gartner’s Healthcare Supply Chain Top 25 For the third consecutive year, Geisinger’s supply chain operations were named among the nation’s top healthcare organizations in the Gartner Healthcare Supply Chain Top 25 for 2023. “Supply chain challenges continue to wreak havoc across the industry, and health care supply chain is no exception. Geisinger’s response has been vital in keeping our staff supplied with what they need to support the communities we serve,” said Kate Polczynski, Geisinger’s vice president of enterprise supply chain services. “Our position in this national ranking is a credit to the team’s commitment to making better health easier, and it highlights the industry leadership Geisinger as a whole represents.” Some of Geisinger’s top focuses include strategic partnerships with suppliers, data quality and standardization and technology innovation — all of it centered around patient care. Now in its 15th year, the Gartner Healthcare Supply Top 25 helps guide supply chain leaders of health systems to build stronger operations to improve patient outcomes and control costs. The rankings program highlights supply chain excellence, recognizing investment in technologies, talent retention and innovation. It is a renowned annual ranking of global supply chains.
Ufberg & Associates: COVID-19 Vaccination Status is Confidential Under ADA A Federal District Court in Pennsylvania recently issued a decision that provides a valuable reminder that an employee’s COVID-19 vaccination status is considered a medical record which employers must keep confidential. In Purvenas-Hayes v. Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bedensky, P.C., a paralegal was required by her law firm employer to provide her COVID-19 vaccination status, which she did. The paralegal later sued the law firm, initially alleging she was not being paid for overtime work. A few days later, a lawyer in the firm disputed the paralegal’s allegations by informing the Legal Intelligencer, a newspaper that covers the law practice industry, that the paralegal left the firm because she did not wish to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The paralegal then sued the law firm again, this time alleging a violation of the confidentiality requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) due to that disclosure. The law firm defended the suit by arguing that the disclosure did not violate the ADA because: (1) the confidentiality requirement only applied to disability-related inquiries; and (2) the law firm only disclosed her political views. The Court disagreed with both arguments, holding that when an employer’s inquiry of an employee yields information “regarding the medical condition or history of any employee,” the employer must treat the information as a confidential medical record under the ADA. When the employer asked the paralegal for her COVID-19 vaccination status, it requested information about her medical history, which she provided. The employer therefore had an obligation to keep her COVID-19 vaccination status confidential under the ADA. This decision provides an important reminder that an individual’s decision not to receive a vaccination is nevertheless medical information that must be kept confidential. It is also a valuable reminder that organizations should be very careful when making statements to the news media about active litigation – or about human resources issues in general. If you have any questions about this case or the ADA’s confidentiality requirements for employee medical information, please call our office. This Client Alert provides a general overview of new legal developments. It is not intended to provide legal advice. If you have any questions or would like more information about how these developments may affect your business, please contact us at (570) 341-8800.
Dentist at The Wright Center Receives Faculty Appointment with Partner Organization Dr. Surbhi Abrol, a board-certified dentist at The Wright Center for Community Health, has been appointed as a faculty member at NYU Langone Dental Medicine. In her new role, Abrol will mentor dental residents in the Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program, sharing her clinical knowledge in general dentistry and background in prosthodontics. Each academic year, two dental residents train at The Wright Center’s primary care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania as part of an affiliation established in 2021 with NYU Langone Dental Medicine. The organization, based in Brooklyn, N.Y., operates the world’s largest postdoctoral dental residency program of its kind, training about 400 residents annually at partner sites, including community health centers, hospitals, and other affiliates in nearly 30 states. The Wright Center is currently the only organization in Pennsylvania to partner with NYU Langone to offer its AEGD program. Through the affiliation, The Wright Center is able to attract additional health professionals to the region to address the community’s pressing need for dental services. “I am pleased to receive this faculty appointment and contribute to The Wright Center for Community Health’s vision in clinical training and dental education,” said Abrol, who joined The Wright Center in 2022. “As a faculty member at NYU Langone Dental Medicine, I am excited to help shape the next generation of dentists, particularly those committed to serving in rural and medically underserved communities. This role aligns perfectly with my passion for dental education and community health.” Abrol earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and has been practicing since 2021 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The Wright Center for Community Health 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. The Wright Center 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 schedule a dental appointment at the Mid Valley Practice in Jermyn, call 570-230-0019. To schedule a dental appointment at the Scranton Practice in the city’s South Side neighborhood, call 570-941-0630. For more information about The Wright Center, visit TheWrightCenter.org.
