TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty Cohort 3 Showcases Innovative Startups During Final Presentations

The latest cohort of TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty celebrated their entrepreneurial journey with a final presentation event held at Marywood University on Wednesday, December 11. Surrounded by local funders, dignitaries, family, and friends, the participants demonstrated the progress of their innovative business ventures developed during the 10-week program.

TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty, operated by The Greater Scranton Chamber entrepreneurship and incubator program, IGNITE, in partnership with Lackawanna County, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and tecBRIDGE aims to cultivate a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Lackawanna County by empowering tech-based startups with the tools and support needed to succeed.

“You are pioneers,” Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan told the entrepreneurs. “By daring to bring your ideas to life, you are not only shaping your own futures but also the future of our community.  Your hard work, creativity, and determination embody the entrepreneurial spirit that will drive Lackawanna County forward in the years to come.”

Bob Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber, echoed this sentiment, “TechCelerator is a perfect example of what can happen when public and private interests come together. Under this program, the concerted efforts of the Lackawanna County Commissioners, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, tecBRIDGE, and The Chamber have now given a total of 23 individuals and business partners the opportunity to pursue their dreams of business ownership.”

This third cohort featured a diverse group of entrepreneurs, each with a unique vision to address real-world challenges:

  • Don McGowan, The Cusp Club
  • John George, CrasherConnect
  • Eric Farrell, EZ Fantasy Sports
  • Veronica LaRocque, Grow with L.E.A.R.N. LLC
  • Fred Aebli, GetMeCoding.com
  • Justin Byrd, SelfServeMenu.com
  • Joel DeCarli, Apex Innovations
  • Bill Booth, trasectory

The program provided participants with access to expert mentors, business development resources, and networking opportunities to refine their business plans and pitches. The event culminated in powerful presentations that highlighted each entrepreneur’s vision and progress.

The Greater Scranton Chamber and The County are committed to supporting two more cohorts of entrepreneurs who dream of owning and operating their own businesses in the region.

My Benefit Advisor: Creating Value in Employee Benefits

In recent years, it has become apparent that the traditional principles pertaining to “value” in workplace benefits have changed.  The reality that many employers have begun to embrace is twofold:

  1. Employees are not just workers, but real people, and
  2. A person’s job is a component of their life, not separate and distinct from it.

As a result, employers have realized the need to deliver both value and purpose in their benefit portfolios.  To do this, in face of the economic and business uncertainties facing them, organizations are strategically redirecting their benefit expenditures on things that matter most to their employees.  They are seeking to understand what employees prefer and value, eliminating underutilized and less relevant benefits, while focusing on improving wellbeing outcomes in a cost-effective manner.

Behind salary, most employees rate benefits, empathy and flexibility in their position responsibilities as most important when evaluating either their current job or future employment opportunities.  As a result, employers are evaluating their benefit programs to assure they are properly designed to help keep employees feeling safe, protected and prepared for any health concerns that may arise.   Additionally, business leaders continue to embrace flexibility both in the workplace and in the benefit programs offered to accommodate the needs of their staff.

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at gscc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Rob Higginbotham at (800) 377-3536.

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Misericordia University Launches Course on Emergency Preparedness for Healthcare Organizations

Misericordia University is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking course designed to equip future healthcare leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate emergencies effectively. This innovative program, Emergency Management for Healthcare Institutions, addresses the growing need for specialized training in disaster readiness and crisis management within the healthcare sector. This course also provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to help their future employers comply with federal emergency preparedness requirements.

“The healthcare industry faces unique challenges when preparing for and responding to emergencies,” said John R. Ash MHA, Ph.D., FACHE, Assistant Professor and Program Director for Healthcare Administration. “This course provides essential tools and strategies to ensure that healthcare organizations can deliver safe, effective care under the most challenging circumstances. Students earned multiple, national, certifications from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Center for Domestic Preparedness.”

The course offers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates practical applications with the latest research in emergency management. Key topics include:

  • Risk assessment and mitigation strategies specific to healthcare settings
  • Developing and testing emergency response plans
  • Crisis communication and coordination with public health agencies
  • Managing resources during pandemics, natural disasters, and other emergencies
  • Building resilience in healthcare teams and systems
  • Fire Suppression

Designed for healthcare administrators, clinicians, and emergency response professionals, the course combines expert-led lectures, hands-on simulations, and case studies from real-world events. Participants will gain actionable insights and practical skills to enhance their organization’s preparedness and response capabilities.

The program aligns with Misericordia University’s commitment to fostering excellence in healthcare education and addressing critical industry needs. “Our goal is to empower healthcare professionals with the expertise to protect patients, staff, and communities during crises,” said Ash, a nationally certified Firefighter-Paramedic.

Dr. Ash designed this course from the ground up by leveraging his 45 years of experience in public safety and using resources readily available from the federal government.

Geisinger Cancer Institute Attains National Reaccreditation

Geisinger Cancer Institute has received reaccreditation under the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) Accreditation Program at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton.

The ACS CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for patients with cancer by setting and raising standards. 

“As the population in the northeast continues to age, with that comes the need for high-quality cancer care close to home,” said Erin Miller, D.O., a Geisinger general surgeon and ACS CoC committee chair. “Our recognition by the ACS CoC signifies that we meet the rigorous standards required to deliver exceptional care to our patients and validates our efforts while enabling us to further elevate the standards of cancer care in our region.”

CoC accreditation is granted to institutions committed to providing high-quality cancer care by demonstrating compliance with the CoC standards. Each program must undergo a rigorous evaluation and review of its performance and compliance with the CoC standards. To maintain accreditation, cancer programs must undergo a site visit every three years. The CoC accreditation standards supply the structure for providing all patients with a full range of diagnostic, treatment and supportive services either on site or by referral, including community-based resources.

As a CoC-accredited institution, Geisinger also becomes an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, which means it is dedicated to consistently improving procedures and approaches, while maintaining a critical eye on process at every step.

“ACS Quality programs are grounded in more than a century of experience and participation is an important measure of a hospital’s surgical quality. As an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, Geisinger has shown a commitment to providing the best possible patient care, evaluating that care in a rigorous fashion and dedicating themselves to continuous self-improvement,” said Patricia L. Turner, M.D., executive director and chief executive officer of ACS.

Outreach – Center for Community Resources and its Annual Toyland Workshop

Outreach – Center for Community Resources recently held its annual Toyland Workshop at its Seventh Avenue Center in Scranton. Outreach received tremendous support from local donors, businesses, and organizations. These donations provided an array of toys, pajamas, books, and gifts for Outreach families to give to their children on Christmas morning. Families are also provided grocery gift cards to help with the cost of a holiday meal to share. 

Students at Geisinger College of Health Sciences, and Holy Cross High School each held toy donation drives at their respective campuses. At the same time, Johnson College employees held a drive at their institution to collect gifts. Each drive was very successful, and Outreach is incredibly grateful to each school and all donors for their generosity. 

It is truly a marvel to see the toddler playroom at the Outreach Seventh Avenue Center overflowing with toys and filled with the spirit of the season’s generosity each and every year. Many of Outreach’s families live below the Federal Poverty Level, and the holidays are often an extra financial burden. Adults come into the Outreach Center and shop for their children, allowing them to choose the toys and books for their children. The Toyland Workshop helps alleviate some of that burden and helps create a bit of Christmas magic.

Geisinger Expands Community Medicine in Lackawanna County

Geisinger is adding to its community medicine offerings for patients and members in Lackawanna County.

Geisinger Montage, located at 5 Lakeview Commons in Moosic, will provide primary care, ConvenientCare walk-in services, lab, and diagnostic imaging in one newly renovated facility.

The primary care clinic and diagnostic services are scheduled to welcome their first patients Monday, Dec. 16, with ConvenientCare slated to open in the first quarter of 2025. Geisinger will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, when members of the community and local media are welcome to tour.

Geisinger Montage features 28 primary care exam rooms and six ConvenientCare exam rooms in a 25,000-square-foot space that also serves as a training center for nurses and emergency medical services personnel in Geisinger’s northeast region.

“As programs mature, Geisinger Montage will be staffed by eight primary care physicians and four advanced practitioners, making primary care more available to our patients in northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Roger Scott, D.O., internal medicine specialist and director of community medicine in Geisinger’s northeast region.

Four more advanced practitioners will staff the ConvenientCare clinic when it opens.

Joining Dr. Scott, who is moving his practice to Geisinger Montage, for opening day will be internal medicine specialist Joseph Leo, D.O.; family medicine specialist Saima Mukta, D.O.; internal medicine specialist Michael Jalowiec, D.O., who is a new addition to the Geisinger team; certified physician assistants Thomas Nawrocki and Ripal Patel, and certified registered nurse practitioner Kelly Haikes.

Johnson College: Hazleton Campus Enrolls for New Pharmacy Technician Program

Johnson College is now enrolling for its new Pharmacy Technician program at its satellite campus, Johnson College at the CAN DO Training Center in Hazle Township. The program will run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 9:30 p.m. beginning January 7, 2025.

This comprehensive 50-hour program will prepare students to work as a pharmacy technician in retail or other pharmacy setting. Course content includes pharmacy medical terminology, the history of pharmacy, the pharmacy practice in multiple environments, pharmacy calculations and measurements, reading and interpreting prescriptions, and defining drugs by generic and brand names. Through classroom lectures and hands-on labs, students will review dosage calculations, drug classifications, the “top 200 drugs”, I.V. flow rates, sterile compounding, dose conversions, aseptic technique, the handling of sterile products, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), dispensing of prescriptions, inventory control and billing and reimbursement.

This program meets the requirements needed to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certified Board (PTCB) exam as well as the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Pharmacy Technician (PTAC) exam. 

Participants of the Pharmacy Technician program will be eligible to participate in an optional, 80-hour clinical externship. Requirements for the externship include a resume; waiver; release form; statement of health; vaccines for MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B series, Tdap (within the last 10 years); a TB test (within the last 12 months); background check; drug screen; and state registration if applicable.

The total cost of the course is $1,650 which includes textbooks, a PTCB exam voucher, and a PTCB prep course.

To learn more or to enroll, visit https://johnson.edu/continuing-ed/pharmacytech/ or contact the Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu.

Keystone Mission Christmas Meal Operation – Volunteers and Donations Needed

Keystone Mission’s Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Innovation Centers for Homelessness & Poverty are gearing up for the Christmas season. Following the success of serving over 280 meals during Thanksgiving, the team is preparing for an even greater impact this December.

On Monday, December 23rd, Keystone Mission will host a special Christmas Meal for individuals experiencing homelessness. The Scranton Innovation Center will begin serving at 12 PM, followed by the Wilkes-Barre Innovation Center at 4 PM.

“As the colder weather drives more people indoors, we’re distributing additional winter supplies and serving more meals,” says Jillian Mirro, Communications & Marketing Manager. “We encourage the community to get involved—not just during Christmas, but throughout the season—by donating essential items or volunteering.”

Keystone Mission is currently seeking volunteers to assist with the Christmas Meal, whether by serving food or contributing needed items.

For more information on volunteering or bringing a dish to share, please visit www.KeystoneMission.org/volunteer. For more information on most needed items, please visit www.KeystoneMission.org/donate-goods.

Tobyhanna Army Depot Celebrates Seven Decades of Tatical Radio Excellence

Since its inception as a signal depot in 1953, Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) has been at the heart of military communications, providing tactical radio support to joint warfighters worldwide. Thanks to an unmatched reputation and enduring expertise, the organization remains a competitive and trusted force in the organic industrial base – even as new demands and technologies transform the battlefield.

Following World War II, the depot supported early portable and vehicle radios like the AN/PRC-6 and AN/ARC-27. These systems were essential for ground and airborne communications. Later, TYAD expanded its capabilities to handle more complex systems like the AN/VRC-12 system for armored vehicles, the AN/ARC-115 and the AN/ARC-51, which enhanced secure airborne communications. In recent decades, Tobyhanna has supported modernized equipment like the versatile, handheld AN/PRC-148 and the vehicle-mounted AN/VRC-104.

Today, TYAD is the source of supply for a significant new workload from Project Manager Tactical Radios (PM TR). Depot personnel and PM TR are working together to create radio installation kits (IK) for the Integrated Tactical Network. These IKs allow radios to be configured to different vehicles for different functionalities.

Logistics Management Specialist Kris Martin leads a unique team of 39 employees that are dedicated to executing workload for this customer. He feels the partnership has been very successful due to the team’s strategic collaboration.

“We are a critical partner to PM TR, not just in requirements execution, but we are also active participants in their weekly staff calls, planning discussions, fielding planning sessions, and sustainment planning,” Martin explained. “Just about all of the equipment that PM TR purchases and fields comes through our shops, so it is critical that both organizations are synchronized.”

The workload, expected to bring in around $90M in work this fiscal year, is comprised of fabrication efforts for Wheeled Vehicle Install Kits (WVIK), Stryker Brigade Combat Team Kits (SBCT), and Armored Brigade Combat Team Kits (ABCT). This year, the team plans to complete approximately 2,000 WVIKs, 1,040 SBCTs, and 1,280 ABCTs.

This cross-functional effort involves multiple teams, including production management, cable fabrication, engineering support, quality management, and sheet metal fabrication. By leveraging these diverse areas of expertise, Tobyhanna can provide comprehensive logistics service, underscoring its long-standing reputation as a trusted partner dedicated to high standards of reliability and performance.

“We’re organic,” noted Logistics Management Specialist Blake Small. “When the customer needs an adjustment on the fly, we’re there.”

This fabrication-based workload is a pivot from TYAD’s traditional capabilities. Depot artisans have completed specialized training in areas like soldering, cable fabrication, and welding to ensure they are equipped to meet the demands of the project.

Logistics Management Specialist William Brothers believes Tobyhanna’s hard-earned reputation as a proven leader in military communications electronics gives the organization a competitive edge in current and future markets.

“Over the years, kit quantities have gone up and we have taken on additional workloads in platforms other than wheeled vehicles,” Brothers emphasized. “Our past success makes us a viable option for future workload.”

Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications – Network Program Manager Dennis Teefy and several PM TR stakeholders visited on Nov. 26 to tour Tobyhanna’s modernized, cutting-edge facilities. During the visit, over 100 employees were recognized with certificates for their contributions to the mission’s success.

In his remarks, Teefy celebrated the team and referred to depot personnel as the “backbone of PM TR”.

“I’ve been visiting Tobyhanna for 13 years in one capacity or another and you have never let me down,” said Teefy. “The work each of you do individually is a critical component of our mission.”

Timothy Ivory, Chief of PM TR’s Product Support and Training Branch, has been an integral part of the relationship with TYAD since it began over ten years ago and anticipates continued growth in the future.

“Initially, this was a stock, store, and issue workload,” said Ivory. “Tobyhanna has grown with us significantly over the years as operations have expanded to include fabrication and utilization of engineering support. I expect us to continue to grow together as the resources, quality, and flexibility the depot offers beats industry.”

This developing workload is directly aligned with the TOBY 2035 corporate philosophy, specifically the C5ISR Readiness line of effort by advancing innovative solutions to ensure mission readiness.

Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners.

Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters.

About 3,200 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to deliver integrated C5ISR weapon systems, business systems, and medical sustainment to enable full spectrum combat operations at the point of need.

Lexington Entertainment Holiday Performance Schedule

Sunday, December 15                   DOUG SMITH’S DIXIELAND ALL-STARS                                    5:00 – 7:00

                                                       New Orleans Christmas

                                                       Villa Maria, 1610 Washburn Street,  Scranton, PA

Wednesday, December 25             JIM WALTICH / DOUG SMITH JAZZ DUO                                  Noon – 5:00

                                                            Christmas Dinner

                                                            Skytop Lodge’s Windsor Dining Room, Skytop, PA