Geisinger Cancer Institute receives transportation grant Grant to benefit patients in need of transportation Cancer care will be more accessible to patients now that the Geisinger Cancer Institute has received a yearly grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS). The grant offsets the cost of transportation for patients traveling to and from radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Patient transportation grant funds are awarded to health systems and health system foundations to help patients get to and from cancer-related treatment appointments. The grants are awarded through an application process that focuses on addressing unmet transportation needs of the health system’s patients. “In partnership with the ACS, we are able to help our patients during some of the most difficult times in their lives,” said Lisa Keifer, senior director of radiation oncology at Geisinger. “This grant will allow our patients to stay closer to home to receive the lifesaving treatments and care they need. With this grant, we have been able to provide over 1,623 one-way rides since initiating this program.” Funds are provided to patients on a case-by-case basis. The grant can be used to purchase gas gift cards, cab ride vouchers, parking passes and non-emergency medical transport. To learn more about cancer care at Geisinger, visit geisinger.org/cancerinstitute.
The Wright Center: A 117-year-old legacy at risk: Why Regional Hospital’s survival matters to Northeast Pennsylvania Since 1908, Regional Hospital of Scranton, including Moses Taylor, remains a NEPA health care ecosystem legacy pillar, delivering lifesaving services to generations of families to promote our health and well-being. Regional’s sustainability is vital for acute care access when patients are most vulnerable. Its obstetrical center of excellence ensures the safe arrival of the vast majority of babies born in our community. The Wright Center is eager to collaborate with new ownership to ensure seamless, forward momentum of community-responsive, high-quality health services and community-based physician and interprofessional health care workforce development. All stakeholders should meaningfully engage to ensure new ownership seeks and values community input, while maintaining and improving access to health care services, employment, and workforce development opportunities. Recently announced potential plans to preserve Regional brings hopeful but cautious optimism to a broad coalition of community members, legacy partners, advocacy organizations, and the health care union. Our collective commitment to collaboratively ensure preserving access to health care services, protecting family-sustaining jobs, upholding crucial hospital partnerships, and empowering our community’s priorities is unwavering. For nearly 50 years, The Wright Center has been deeply mission-intertwined with Regional to improve the health and welfare of our communities through responsive, whole-person health services for all and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve. Community benefit impact, health outcomes, and economic vitality generated by our enduring partnership are undeniable. Together, we have cared for countless patients and families; trained over 1,000 physicians, possibly including your doctor amongst many serving NEPA today; and educated innumerable health care students from a dozen academic institutions to understand and serve our unique needs. In 2024, almost half of The Wright Center’s total economic impact of $198,978,143, supporting 1,199 local jobs, was generated by The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, a cherished community asset dependent on its foundational Regional partnership for its existence. My personal connection to Regional runs deep. So much of who I am professionally was determined by my recruitment home 25 years ago as a Mercy physician to join Dr. Tucker Clauss, who delivered me in 1968 at the then Mercy Hospital. The valuable mentorship and learning I received serving patients, families, and communities inside Regional’s walls can never be overstated. My deeply personal, hard-won journey culminated in a historic election as the first female and, as fate would have it, final president of Mercy’s medical staff, a landmark achievement quickly and tragically overshadowed by heartbreak when our cherished hospital transitioned to for-profit ownership. Its turbulent, uncertain future continues today. Faithfully, I continue caring for multigenerational families who depend on Regional for life-saving services. Like many of you, losing Regional would feel like losing family. Stabilizing NEPA’s acute hospital services is undeniably urgent, particularly given our aging population and prevalence of chronic disease. Allowing Regional to close would trigger a devastating, modern-day “Tragedy of the Commons,” immediately crippling access to acute hospital services. The devastating human and economic aftershocks on our community would be long-lasting. Future generations would pay the price for decades. Regional delivers 380,000 encounters annually, including 36,000 emergency visits. Closure would instantaneously create a critical shortage of nearly 30,000 acute hospital “bed days” and longer wait times for everyone in our region’s already overflowing and overburdened ERs. Impact on maternal and newborn care would be equally catastrophic. Over 1,700 expectant mothers and 70% of babies born in Lackawanna County rely on Regional’s services annually. Other area hospitals simply lack capacity to accommodate this volume or the ability to replace Lackawanna County’s only Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The next closest NICU is 45 minutes away – an eternity for newborns struggling to breathe. Beyond patient care, Regional’s major employer contributions are vital to our local economy, providing more than 1,000 family-sustaining, union-supported jobs, injecting $148 million in wages and benefits. Failure to secure Regional’s viable future is simply not an option. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s existence depends on a community solution. All stakeholders, including elected officials, leadership of health systems, educational institutions, labor, and business, and, most importantly, each of us whose lives are on the line, must engage meaningfully to ensure a welcoming transition to new ownership. Together, we need to communicate our expectations to ensure new ownership will truly seek and value meaningful community input to honor our legacies and collective priorities, while steadfastly maintaining and improving access to essential health care services, employment opportunities, and workforce development.
The Dime Bank Celerbates 120 Years The Dime Bank is thrilled to celebrate 120 incredible years of service, growth, and connection with our valued customers and communities. Since our founding, we have been unwavering in our commitment to building strong financial foundations and fostering meaningful relationships that stand the test of time. This milestone is not just a reflection of our longevity but a testament to the trust and support of our loyal customers, who have been with us every step of the way. As we commemorate this significant anniversary, we are preparing for a year filled with celebrations that honor our rich history, our many achievements, and, most importantly, the people who made it all possible—you! Our celebrations will include a variety of special events, community initiatives, and exciting surprises designed to engage and delight our customers and partners. Each event will be an opportunity to reflect on our journey together, recognize the milestones we have achieved, and look ahead to the future we are building. We can’t wait to share this exciting journey with you throughout the year. Whether through community service projects, educational seminars, or festive gatherings, we are dedicated to celebrating the spirit of connection that has defined our organization for over a century. Thank you for being an integral part of our story. Here’s to 120 years of unwavering dedication and a bright, exciting future ahead! Stay tuned for announcements as we unveil the festivities, and let’s continue to create lasting memories together. Your support has been vital to our success, and we look forward to sharing many more milestones with you in the years to come!
Shapiro Administration Fuels Innovation through Transportation Safety, Maintenance, and Environmental Initiatives PennDOT ‘Focus on Innovations’ publication details nearly 40 innovative projects across the department The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today released its Focus on Innovations (FOI) publication that features the department’s work to identify and boost innovative projects improving safety, promoting efficiency, and saving money. Innovation plays a key role in getting things done for Pennsylvania travelers, building on the Governor’s commitment to ensure Pennsylvania remains a leader in delivering commonsense solutions to everyday issues. “Meeting the needs of Pennsylvania’s vast transportation network requires unique solutions,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Across the Commonwealth, the PennDOT team is rolling out electric vehicle infrastructure, delivering projects faster, tackling congestion, and improving safety.” Innovation at PennDOT is a holistic process, pulling unique ideas and best practices from throughout the department. Employee-driven innovation councils and committees, the State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC), the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Every Day Counts (EDC) Program, and solutions identified and implemented by PennDOT employees, all work together to build better, more efficient, and more intuitive systems to serve all Pennsylvanians and those who travel throughout the Commonwealth. Highlighted innovations include: The Lane Reservation (or LaneRez) initiative is maximizing safety and minimizing congestion with a system to catalog upcoming construction projects, identify conflicts and plan ahead for traffic mitigation. PennDOT’s digital transformation focuses on using paperless technologies to transform the project delivery process by providing project data at the fingertips of our employees and partners. The implementation of Environmental Product Declarations is allowing the department to utilize construction materials with lower greenhouse gas emissions. Amber and green vehicle lights, enabled by Act 78 of 2024, increase safety by making construction and maintenance operations more visible. PennDOT’s continued Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure buildout, powered by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, has helped expand EV-charging-station availability, making EVs more accessible to those who travel across the Commonwealth. Now in its fourth year, the FOI publication – including an interactive innovation timeline – is available here.
Johnson College’s 8th Annual Carpentry Auction Raises over $4,000 for Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania Johnson College Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program hosted its Annual Carpentry Auction at the College’s Scranton campus on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. The event raised over $4,000 to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania in support of its mission to provide excellence in the assessment and treatment of child abuse and neglect. More than 70 items created by Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology students were available for auction. There was a wide variety of woodwork, including chessboards, tables, chests, benches, and more. Many of the items were made from repurposed materials.
Jamie Stracham Promoted to Branch Manager of our Hamlin Office Kate Bryant, President, and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, has announced Jamie Stracham has been promoted to Branch Manager of the Hamlin Office. In making the announcement Bryant stated, “Jamie’s dedication and customer focused mindset make her a true asset to our team.” She continued, “Her promotion to Branch Manager is well-deserved, and we look forward to her ongoing positive impact for our customers and employees as she assumes her new responsibilities.” As Branch Manager, Stracham will be responsible for supervising and developing staff, driving business growth within the branch, overseeing daily branch operations, and maintaining customer service standards. Stracham started her career in the banking industry in 2017. At HNB she quickly grew in her role, starting as a Teller at the Montdale Office and within six months, earning her CSR title. In 2022, she was promoted to Head Teller at the Eynon Office, and in 2024, she advanced to the position of Assistant Branch Manager at the same location. She also holds a notary license. In commenting on her new role at the Bank, Stracham noted, “Working at HNB has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally; it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I started as a Teller and worked hard to reach my current position. I am grateful to everyone who mentored and supported me on this journey.” Outside of the Bank, she serves as a Board Member and Treasurer for St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Scott Township. In her free time, she enjoys riding ATVs, spending time with her four dogs, and embracing the outdoors, especially in the summer. She also loves attending concerts. 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.
Allied Services Integrated Health System Announces New Board Member Peter J. Moses, Esquire, Appointed to Allied Services Integrated Health System Board of Directors Allied Services Integrated Health System is proud to announce the appointment of Attorney Peter J. Moses to its Board of Directors, effective May 2025. The appointment was approved by the Board in recognition of Mr. Moses’s dedication to public service and his deep ties to the Northeastern Pennsylvania community. This appointment holds particular personal meaning for Mr. Moses, whose late father, John Peter Moses, had a longstanding connection to Allied Services and received compassionate care from the organization before his passing. The opportunity to contribute to the mission of Allied Services is a deeply personal honor. “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there,” shared Peter J. Moses, Esquire Mr. Moses brings to the Board a unique blend of legal expertise, civic leadership, and heartfelt dedication to community-centered care. His experience and perspective will support Allied Services’ ongoing commitment to excellence in healthcare and rehabilitation.
Geisinger Career Program Expands to Include Respiratory Therapy Geisinger’s Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program aims to fill critical nursing and health sciences roles while providing more career opportunities to Geisinger employees Geisinger is helping more employees follow their calling to care for others by adding a respiratory therapy pathway to Geisinger’s Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program. Previously called Geisinger’s Nursing Scholars Program, this career development program financially and professionally supports employees pursuing a career in nursing or select health sciences. “We’re very excited to add respiratory therapy to our Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program,” said Wayne Williams, clinical manager of respiratory services at Geisinger Community Medical Center. “This is a big step for our team and profession. It shows the significant role our respiratory therapists play in the care of our patients and our commitment to working across different disciplines to improve outcomes. This change reflects our dedication to building a skilled workforce ready to take on the evolving needs of our patients.” According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster than average over the next decade. The aging baby boom generation is leading to an older population that tends to have the most respiratory conditions, including pneumonia, COPD or other diseases commonly associated with aging. How the program works Open to employees starting day one of employment, the Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program covers part of the cost of pursuing any of the following careers in return for committing to work at Geisinger: Registered nurse (RN) – $40,000 in financial assistance with a three-year work commitment as an inpatient RN Respiratory therapist – $30,000 in financial assistance with a three-year work commitment Surgical technologist – $22,500 in financial assistance with a two-and-a-half-year work commitment Licensed practical nurse (LPN) – $20,000 in financial assistance with a two-year work commitment as an inpatient LPN Certified medical assistant (CMA) – $7,000 in financial assistance with a two-year work commitment as an outpatient CMA While supporting employee career and professional goals, the program also mitigates a shortage of nurses and critical health sciences team members across Geisinger. Since its launch in 2021, the program has helped more than 400 employees further their career journeys. To set the nursing scholars up for success, the program offers guidance in choosing a school and type of degree. Geisinger nurses and leaders also offer mentorship support. “Many of our employees are eager to pursue nursing or other health careers, but need additional support to do so,” said Janet Tomcavage, RN, executive vice president and chief nursing executive at Geisinger. “Changing careers is a major decision and studying while working is a huge undertaking — not to mention the cost of it all. The Nursing and Health Sciences Program has been a difference-maker for so many of our employees by providing the financial, professional and well-being support they need to succeed. I’m incredibly proud of our scholars and I’m grateful to Geisinger for investing in our employees and their futures.” The Geisinger program serves as an entry point into the health care profession for high school students or anyone considering a career in nursing or health sciences. Applications to the program are accepted throughout the year. Geisinger employees who are already in school to pursue one of the career pathways included in the program can apply up to 12 months before their anticipated graduation date. All Geisinger School of Nursing students can take advantage of the program, regardless of employment status, if they commit to work at Geisinger upon graduation. Community members who are not Geisinger employees can apply for available positions at Geisinger and qualify for the program starting on employment. Visit geisinger.org/nursingscholars for details on Geisinger’s Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program.
The Wright Center’s Dr. Doug Klamp Gives Message for National Nurses Week I don’t need to tell you how vital nurses are to our health care system. They are, without question, the most essential of essential personnel – skilled, compassionate, dedicated, and absolutely indispensable to physicians like me. Nurses are the ones at the bedside day and night, answering calls, comforting patients, coordinating care, and often serving as the bridge between patients and the rest of the care team. Their impact is immeasurable. That’s why I’m especially glad to recognize National Nurses Month – and more specifically, National Nurses Week, observed annually from May 6-12. It’s a time to thank nurses for their tireless efforts, professional excellence, and the deep humanity they bring to everything they do. The idea for the observance came from Dorothy Sutherland, an employee of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, who sent a letter to President Dwight Eisenhower in 1953 proposing a specially designated day for nurses for that October. While Eisenhower never signed the proclamation, the first National Nurses Week was celebrated in October 1954 – the 100th anniversary of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale’s service in the Crimean War. It took two more decades before the observance gained official recognition. In 1974, President Richard Nixon issued a proclamation designating a National Nurses Week. Then, in 1981, the state of New Mexico took it a step further by declaring May 6 – Nightingale’s birthday – as a National Recognition Day for Nurses. President Ronald Reagan formalized this recognition the following year. This year, the American Nurses Enterprise is promoting the theme “The Power of Nurses.” It’s a fitting tribute to the remarkable contributions that nurses make every day – often while navigating enormous challenges like staffing shortages, public health emergencies, and increasing demands on their time and expertise. At The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, we’re proud to celebrate our exceptional team of nurses and nurse practitioners. They are not just caregivers – they are educators, advocates, and leaders in every sense of the word. In fact, several of our nurse practitioners serve as clinical leads in our community health centers, managing teams and ensuring all of our patients – from pediatrics to geriatrics – receive affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary health services. Recognizing the need to prepare more nurses for advanced practice roles, The Wright Center launched a 12-month Nurse Practitioner Fellowship in Family Medicine, one of the few programs of its kind in Pennsylvania. Modeled after the pioneering initiative created by Community Health Center Inc., in Connecticut, the fellowship provides newly certified nurse practitioners with intensive hands-on experience and mentoring during their first year in practice. The fellows rotate through clinical settings focused on pediatrics, mental and behavioral health, infectious diseases, and addiction and recovery services at our Clarks Summit, Mid Valley, and Scranton health centers. This program is a testament to our commitment to developing the physician, nursing, and interprofessional health care workforce that America needs to address gaps in primary care. As the demand for health care continues to grow – particularly in underserved areas – nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses will play an increasingly central role. So, whether you’re a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse, know this: Your work is seen, valued, and deeply appreciated. You are the lifeblood of health care. This Nurses Week, and every week, I tip my hat to you. Thank you for all that you do for our patients, our clinicians, our care teams, and our communities.
Johnson College Announces 2025 Summer Camp Series SCRANTON, Pa. (May 1, 2025) – Johnson College will host a 2025 Summer Camp Series for rising 5th through 8th grade students. There will be nine different camps that will run on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and include hands-on learning in building trades, robotics, drafting and design, animal sciences, and engineering and aviation. Through the support of Pleasant Mount Welding, Inc., and the Wayne County Community Foundation, all of the Johnson College summer camps will be free to participants. Participants must bring their own lunch. To register for a Johnson College Summer Camp, visit https://johnson.edu/summercamps/. For more information, contact Tim Frank, Associate Director of Community Engagement at Johnson College at tfrank@johnson.edu. 2025 Johnson College Summer Camp list: Building Trades at the Stourbridge Tech Hub in Honesdale June 23-27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn the basics of carpentry and how to use hand and power tools safely to build a project. Registration deadline: June 2 Robotics at the Stourbridge Tech Hub in Honesdale June 23-27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn the basics of robotics and robotics block coding to use robots to complete various coding challenges. Registration deadline: June 2 Robotics at the Carbondale High School June 23-26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn the basics of robotics and robotics block coding to use robots to complete various coding challenges. Registration deadline: June 2 Building Trades at Johnson College Scranton July 7-11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn the basics of carpentry and how to use hand and power tools safely to build a project. Registration deadline: June 20 Robotics at Johnson College Hazleton July 7-11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn the basics of robotics and robotics block coding to use robots to complete various coding challenges. Registration deadline: June 20 Drafting & Design at Johnson College Scranton July 14-18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn the basics of AutoCAD and REVIT design principles and techniques to complete various design challenges. Registration deadline: June 27 Animal Science at Johnson College Scranton July 14-16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn about careers in the Veterinary Nursing field, animal anatomy, clinical procedures, and complete a dissection. Registration deadline: June 27 Robotics at Johnson College Scranton August 4-8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn the basics of robotics and robotics block coding to use robots to complete various coding challenges. Registration deadline: July 25 Engineering & Aviation at Johnson College Scranton August 11-15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn the basics of engineering with an emphasis on aviation to complete various hands-on design challenges. Registration deadline: July 25
