Geisinger Announces Recipients of Nursing Scholarship and Caring Award Geisinger recently recognized 11 employees who go above and beyond in their dedication to patients at work and in the community with the Caring Award and the Nursing Scholarship Award in honor of Susan M. Robel. “This recognition speaks to our recipients’ exceptional and compassionate patient care, selfless teamwork and thoughtful advocacy within our communities,” said Janet Tomcavage, RN, executive vice president and chief nursing executive at Geisinger. “They lead by example inside and outside the workplace — we’re grateful to have them as part of our Geisinger family.” Created to honor the legacy of Sue Robel, Geisinger’s former chief nursing officer and co-chief patient experience officer, the two awards are presented annually to recognize Geisinger employees’ commitment to providing the highest level of patient care and serving others in their roles at work and in the community. Geisinger’s 2025 recipients of the Nursing Scholarship in honor of Susan M. Robel pose for a group photo with Janet Tomcavage, RN, executive vice president and chief nursing executive at Geisinger. From left to right: Janet Tomcavage; Bobbi Kelder; Nicole Kister; Charlene Dixon; Jenna King; Jessie Learn. Not pictured: Kelli Andrus. The Nursing Scholarship Award in honor of Robel recognizes the significance of lifelong learning in nursing, and rewards those enrolled in nursing school who exemplify what it means to go above and beyond in providing patient care. Scholarship recipients have demonstrated a continued commitment to meeting the highest standards of bedside care and treat patients with the utmost compassion and kindness. Each recipient is awarded $2,000 toward their tuition, funded by the Alice E. Steele Endowment. The 2025 Nursing Scholarship winners are: Kelli Andrus, clinic nurse, ConvenientCare Lock Haven Charlene Dixon, nursing assistant, Geisinger Community Medical Center Bobbi Kelder, clinic nurse, family practice, Geisinger Tunkhannock Jenna King, clinic nurse, ConvenientCare Lewistown Nicole Kister, administrative team coordinator, Geisinger Medical Center Jessie Learn, clinic nurse, pulmonary medicine, Geisinger Medical Center Geisinger’s 2025 recipients of the Caring Award in honor of Susan M. Robel pose for a group photo with Greg Burke, M.D., chief patient experience officer at Geisinger. From left to right: Dr. Burke; Katelin Kukowski; Christine Zanghi; Angela Collins; Elizabeth Pepen. Not pictured: Susan Lamont. The Caring Award recognizes Geisinger employees who are dedicated to caring for others in the workplace and beyond. Like Robel, who defined collegiality and was an exemplary colleague to all, these people demonstrate a steadfast commitment to serving others and are incredible advocates in our communities. They inspire others with their compassion, thoughtfulness and selflessness. Nominated by their peers and selected by the award committee, winners receive $500 in cash and $500 to donate to their charity of choice. The 2025 Caring Award winners are: Angela Collins, administrative assistant, Geisinger Medical Center Katelin Kukowski, ophthalmology technician, Geisinger Healthplex CenterPoint Susan Lamont, clinical RN supervisor, ophthalmology, Geisinger Medical Center Muncy Elizabeth Pepen, certified medical assistant, CommunityCare Hazleton Christine Zanghi, anesthesiologist, Geisinger Healthplex State College
Wayne Bank Announces the Hiring of Donald Sutton Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce the hiring of Donald (“Don”) Sutton as Vice President and Information Technology Manager. “I am thrilled to welcome Don to the Wayne Bank team,” said Donnelly. “His extensive experience in the IT field, combined with his passion for innovation and leadership make him a tremendous asset to our organization. With his expertise, we will continue to advance our technology initiatives and elevate the experience for our customers and employees.” As Vice President and Information Technology Manager, Don oversees the Bank’s IT Department, leads strategic technology initiatives, and ensures the continued stability, security, and growth of the bank’s information systems. His responsibilities include managing day-to-day IT operations, implementing technology enhancements, and mentoring staff to support professional development and operational excellence. Don brings 28 years of experience in the information technology field, including leadership roles in network management, cybersecurity, and systems integration across both the financial and corporate sectors. Don is actively involved in his community, volunteering as the live stream coordinator for the Fall Music Festival at Dorflinger and the Spring Thaw Fundraiser, where he supports local nonprofit initiatives through technology and media production.
Johnson College To Offer CDL Training Availability In response to the regional and national demand for CDL truck drivers, Johnson College, in partnership with Road Runner CDL Academy, offers its Class A CDL Driver Training program at two convenient locations: Road Runner CDL Academy at 6 S. Keyser Ave., Taylor, and Johnson College’s Hazleton campus at 370 Maplewood Drive, located inside the Humboldt Industrial Park in Hazle Township. This 160-hour program, available at both locations, prepares students to inspect and operate tractor-trailers and take on the responsibilities of a professional driver on the road and at pickup and delivery sites. The curriculum emphasizes vehicle inspections, defensive driving, range maneuvers, motor carrier safety regulations (DOT 380–397), trip planning, cargo handling, size and weight laws, general maintenance procedures, hours of service, and accident prevention. The training complies with the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and includes a certificate for entry-level drivers. Participants can complete the program and obtain their CDL in as little as four weeks. To learn more or to enroll in the Class A CDL Driver Training program, visit johnson.edu/continuing-ed/cdl or contact the WAVE Department at wave@johnson.edu or 570-702-8979.
Grey Towers Honored With Do 6 Partnership Award Grey Towers Heritage Association was honored on September 10 with the “Do 6” Partnership Award, bestowed by the PA Route 6 Alliance. Linda Pinto of Grey Towers Heritage Association (second from left) accepts the “Do 6” Partnership Award from Dan Glotz, PA Route 6 Alliance Board President, James Hamill, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau Senior Correspondent & Media Relations and PA Route 6 Board Member, and Candace Hillyard, PA Route 6 Alliance Executive Director. Over one hundred statewide leaders, business owners, and stakeholders gathered in Kane, Pennsylvania, on September 10–11 for the PA Route 6 Alliance 2025 Educational Workshop, Annual Meeting, and “Do 6” Awards Program. The Annual Meeting featured the “Do 6” Awards, honoring outstanding individuals, organizations, and communities that exemplify the Alliance’s mission to protect, preserve, and promote the scenic, cultural, historic, and recreational resources of PA Route 6. Each year, six awards are presented. This year, the Heritage Partnership Award was bestowed upon Grey Towers Heritage Association in Pike County. Linda Pinto of Grey Towers Heritage Association accepted the award, saying, “This event truly showcased the power of collaboration and the shared commitment to preserving and promoting the unique character of our heritage area. The PA Route 6 Alliance aligns perfectly with our mission at Grey Towers.”
Geisinger Donates to Local Organizations During Challenging Times To help provide support where it’s needed most for people potentially impacted by the federal government shutdown, Geisinger is contributing $275,000 to a network of Pennsylvania food banks that distribute resources to local food pantries and cupboards throughout the surrounding communities. That includes Central Pennsylvania Food Bank serving the central, north-central and western regions, and CEO Weinberg Food Bank serving the northeast region. “At Geisinger, being the best means caring for one another and for the communities we serve,” said Terry Gilliland, M.D., president and CEO of Geisinger. “These are particularly challenging times for many of our community members, so Geisinger is doing its best to help take care of our patients, members and communities.” If an individual or someone they know is in need of assistance, NeighborlyPA.com offers a directory of resources to connect people with food pantries, mobile distributions, community meals, utility and heating assistance, and other services across Pennsylvania. The Neighborly app is available for download on Apple and Android devices. Geisinger can also connect patients who might need assistance with social workers who can help.
WVIA To Premiere New TV Program WVIA will premiere a new original television program, Conversations for the Common Good: Safeguarding Justice Through Judicial Independence, on Thursday, November 6 at 7 p.m. on WVIA TV. The program, recorded before a live studio audience, features an esteemed panel of county, state, and federal judges in an engaging discussion about the importance of maintaining an independent judiciary in a healthy democracy. Moderated by award-winning journalist Tracey Matisak, the program features: Judge Matthew Brann, Chief United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Judge Joseph Saporito, Jr., United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Judge Lesa Gelb, Court of Common Pleas, Luzerne County Judge Mary Jane Bowes, Superior Court of Pennsylvania Together, the panel examines the historical role of judicial independence in ensuring a fair and impartial legal system, identifies current threats to the rule of law and the safety of judges, and discusses how both the public and the judiciary can work together to safeguard justice for all. Encore broadcasts will air on Friday, November 7 at 4 p.m., Thursday, November 13 at 10 p.m., Friday, November 14 at 3 p.m., Monday, November 24 at 7 p.m., and Tuesday, November 25 at 4 p.m. Conversations for the Common Good: Safeguarding Justice Through Judicial Independence will also be shared by public media stations across Pennsylvania. Viewers are encouraged to check with their local PBS station for additional airdates. This installment of Conversations for the Common Good continues WVIA’s mission to foster informed civic dialogue on the issues that matter most to our communities. WVIA News recently covered this event and important community conversation. Read the story here.
Misericordia University’s SLP-Connect Hosting Support Session Learn more or register at slpconnect@misericordia.edu or call 570-674-8047.
PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Veterans Day The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in observance of Veterans Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications, and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; REAL ID pre-verification; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services. A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in 2025 is available online. If planning to visit one of PennDOT’s Online Messenger Service Centers, please call ahead for hours of operation during holidays.
UNC’s Feed-A-Friend Campaign United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is grateful to serve as a WNEP-TV designated agency for their 41st Annual Feed-A-Friend Campaign. The nonperishable items collected help fill the Angel’s Attic Food pantry shelves, while monetary donations provide Thanksgiving meals for local families in need. UNC has been proud to be part of this regional tradition since the campaign’s inception. The organization has witnessed firsthand the growing challenge of food insecurity in the area. With increasing need, rising costs, and potential benefit reductions on the horizon, UNC has set a higher goal this year—to serve 1,800 families. Many of the households receiving assistance include working adults, some of whom are visiting the pantry for the first time. To better serve the community, UNC have extended their pantry hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with evening hours until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. Click here to find more information.
Wright Center: Importance of Flu Vaccines As the holiday season rapidly approaches, it is important to remember that this time of year also marks the peak season for respiratory illnesses such as RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and influenza, commonly known as the flu. Henry Novroski, D.O., family medicine physician According to projections by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2025-26 flu season will likely be moderate across all age groups, based on historical trends and expert analysis. The previous season was classified as a high-severity season across all ages — the first time that’s happened since 2017-18. Flu season typically begins around late September or early October, which is generally considered the ideal time to get vaccinated. From there, cases increasingly accelerate until hitting peak flu between December and February. Some years, infections can occur as late as May. Flu symptoms typically appear within a few days and may include fever, chills, dry cough, body aches, headaches, nasal congestion or runny nose, shortness of breath, and fatigue. The most effective way to protect against the flu — and to reduce the severity of symptoms if infection occurs — is to receive the annual flu vaccine, which helps the body develop protective antibodies within two weeks of vaccination. This season, all flu vaccines in the United States are trivalent (three-component) vaccines, which are designed to protect against three main groups of circulating flu Type A and B viruses: an A(H1N1) virus, an A(H3N2) virus, and a B/Victoria lineage virus. The flu vaccine is available to anyone ages 6 months and older, and CDC studies have shown that vaccination reduces the risk of contracting the illness by about 40 to 60 percent among the general public. For certain vulnerable populations, vaccination is particularly crucial given the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and even death. That list includes pregnant women, young children, adults ages 65 and older, and those with serious health conditions like cancer, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, asthma, and kidney disease. Every year, thousands of children are hospitalized with severe flu, according to the CDC. The Wright Center places great importance on flu vaccinations and offers flu shots at all of its locations throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. To schedule an office visit that includes a vaccination, call 570-230-0019 or go online to use the express scheduling system at TheWrightCenter.org. Meanwhile, numerous local pharmacies offer free flu shots to customers with health insurance, and a number of local employers provide flu vaccinations as a free service to their workers. It is important to emphasize that flu vaccines are safe and effective in protecting individuals and their loved ones from the most severe effects of the illness. As an early holiday gift to oneself, receiving a flu shot as soon as possible is strongly encouraged.
