Geisinger Chair of Pediatrics: Rising Theat of Marijuana Edibles Between legalization in many surrounding states and the increased amount of people with medical use cards, the use of tetrahyocannabinol or THC, has increased dramatically in the past decade. The surge in popularity of edible cannabis products has allowed users to be discreet, while eliminating odor and potential harm to the lungs. However, the packaging of these products is appealing to children. Most people don’t know, that THC, the principal psychoactive compound found in cannabis, can be extremely toxic to children. In our communities and at our children’s hospital, there has been an alarming rise of accidental poisonings of children due to synthetic marijuana. It is a growing threat that demands our attention and immediate action. In 2024, we had more than a dozen children brought to our hospital for THC poisoning. We recently admitted two young children to our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) on the same day with life threatening consequences from cannabis exposure. Young children who unknowingly ingest THC-laced products often present with significant medical emergencies, including profound lethargy, respiratory depression, seizures, and, in severe cases, coma or even near-cardiac arrest. Nearly 10 percent of children suffering from these ingestions require support in a PICU. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a dramatic increase in the rate of overdoses. In 2017, there were 207 reported cases of accidental edible cannabis exposure for kids under the age of 6. By 2021, the number skyrocketed to 3,054, and these numbers continue to increase. Toddlers are disproportionately affected due to their small size and developing metabolism, making even small quantities extremely toxic. In June 2022, the Food and Drug Administration released a consumer alert warning that THC-containing edibles are easily mistaken for products that might appeal to children. By Frank Maffei, Geisinger chair of pediatrics
Crystal Windows Welcomes New Chief Financial Officer John Christie, Experienced Financial Leader, Joins National Manufacturer National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems is pleased to welcome Mr. John P. Christie to its leadership team as the new Chief Financial Officer. He joins Crystal Chairman and founder Thomas Chen, CEO Jeffrey Smith, and President Steve Chen to guide the company in its future growth and expansion. “John comes to Crystal with vast experience in the financial aspects of construction, building products, and manufacturing,” said Jeff Smith. “He has served as CFO for multi-national manufacturers, investment companies, and construction firms, providing strong leadership for vital corporate functions. John will build on Crystal’s track record of success and position the company for ongoing growth and prosperity in the future.” Christie will be responsible for all accounting, budgeting, financial, and IT operations of Crystal Windows and its subsidiaries. Crystal operates five manufacturing facilities across the country and has 750 employees. The company is expanding in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas with a new manufacturing facility and has additional expansion plans in North Carolina. “I am excited to join this award-winning company at this time and help shape its strategic direction,” said Christie. “Crystal has a great record of steady growth and financial stability, and I will build on that. My focus will be on increasing profitability and cost efficiencies across all operations and enhancing cash flow to ensure Crystal is well positioned for its expansions in the coming years.” Prior to joining Crystal Windows, Christie was CFO for Keystone Sports Construction in Pennsylvania, implementing financial management and profitability analytical tools for greater strategic oversight. He was CFO for Universal Atlantic Systems, a national security systems provider headquartered in Pennsylvania, establishing internal control systems and measures to improve profitability. Christie was CFO for Fleetwood Acquisition Corporation, a global manufacturer for the retail construction industry headquartered in Pennsylvania, and he held senior managerial accounting positions with the exterior products division of CertainTeed Corporation in Pennsylvania. In addition to accounting and financial oversight, Christie led IT and Human Resources functions at previous companies. Christie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Villanova University (Villanova, PA), and an MBA from West Chester University (West Chester, PA). Throughout his career he has specialized in key areas such as profitability, best accounting practices, staff professional development, and cost reduction strategies.
Shapiro Administration Makes Fast Progress on Scranton to New York City Rail Corridor Project PennDOT leading plan identifying projects, engaging with public, and outlining potential service options. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that – after receiving federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments to expand passenger rail across Pennsylvania – the department is now taking the next step in making the transformative Scranton to New York Penn Station (NYP) Passenger Rail Corridor project a reality. This project is among the first five in the nation to reach this milestone. PennDOT is now developing a Service Development Plan (SDP) which will include: Stakeholder engagement with railroads, agencies, and the public; Service options analysis and transportation planning; Capital project identification, conceptualization, and cost estimating; Environmental analysis; and Financial and implementation planning. “Under Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership, PennDOT is aggressively putting additional federal and state transportation investments to work for Pennsylvanians, whether it’s fixing our roads and bridges or restoring and improving passenger rail service,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “Advancing this project ensures we will leave no stone unturned as we grow the northeastern region’s economy and mobility. We are steadfast in our commitment to the public, business leaders, and many more who look forward to restoring this passenger rail connection.” The Scranton to NYP Passenger Rail Corridor project will restore intercity passenger rail service between Scranton, Pennsylvania and NYP, providing access to New York City, northwestern New Jersey, and Scranton for employment, business, leisure trips, tourism, recreation, and opportunities at higher education institutions along the route. The Corridor has been the subject of numerous studies, including the Amtrak Connects US Corridor Vision Plan, and long-range transportation plans that show growing demand for intercity passenger rail service along a corridor that has heavy auto traffic and unpredictable travel times for commuters. The Corridor will provide an intercity transportation option for historically under-served northeastern Appalachian Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey. The corridor study and development is made possible by the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with the goal of developing formal planning studies and perform preliminary engineering for new intercity passenger rail corridors as well as enhancements to existing passenger corridors. The SDP milestone follows the FRA’s approval of PennDOT’s SDP scope. The SDP scope’s $500,000 investment was fully funded by the program, and the SDP development’s estimated $5.46 million cost will be 90 percent federally funded with PennDOT matching 10 percent. With PennDOT as the lead agency and Amtrak as the proposed operator, the owners of the route – Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Rail Authority (PNRRA), New Jersey Department of Transportation, New Jersey Transit (NJT), and Amtrak – are all project partners in working to restore passenger service to this corridor. “Amtrak looks forward to supporting PennDOT and PNRRA as they advance the proposed Scranton to New York City route through the federal planning process,” said Amtrak Vice President of Network Development Nicole Bucich. “This is an important next step to better understand the costs and benefits of this new service and to serve new communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania. We are excited about the future of this, and other, new routes across America!” “I commend the experience, financial support, and leadership of PennDOT in advancing this vital Amtrak Corridor after many years of acquiring and developing this crucial Transportation and Economic Development Corridor,” PNRRA President Larry Malski said. The route from Scranton to New York City last served passenger trains in 1970 as part of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. Today, the entire right-of-way is still intact, with the majority in active use by various public rail operators. Starting in Scranton, the 60-mile segment of the route in Pennsylvania and across the Delaware River is owned by the PNRRA and currently used for freight rail service between Scranton and Slateford. One mile of track south of Slateford Junction was previously removed and will need to be reconstructed. The Lackawanna Cutoff, a segment of the route between Slateford, PA, and Port Morris, NJ, carried its last freight train in 1979 as part of the Conrail network and subsequently had its track removed. The portion of this segment in New Jersey is owned by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. NJT is actively reconstructing about seven miles of track at the east end to extend its commuter service from Port Morris to Andover, NJ. The other 20 miles from the Delaware River to Andover will need to be restored. From Port Morris, the route will run over existing NJT commuter lines to Kearny, NJ. At Kearny, the route connects to Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor for the last eight miles into New York Penn Station. “We at NJ TRANSIT look forward to continuing our participation with project partners PennDOT, NJDOT and Amtrak on this endeavor,” said NJ TRANSIT Chief Planner Jeremy Colangelo-Bryan. After the SDP is completed and federally approved, the projects identified in the SDP will begin preliminary engineering and environmental review in coordination with the FRA. More information on passenger rail in Pennsylvania can be found on PennDOT’s website.
Comcast (Xfinity) Mobile Speed Improved by 150 Percent “PowerBoost,” a Feature Available to All Xfinity Mobile Customers that Delivers WiFi Speeds Up To 1 Gig, is Credited for Delivering the Superfast Speeds Xfinity Mobile Consistently Ranks Faster Than Competitors in Comcast Markets Ookla’s latest Speedtest Intelligence® research credits Xfinity Mobile’s PowerBoost for delivering customers 150 percent faster speeds since the innovative feature launched in 2024. PowerBoost delivers speeds of up to 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) over WiFi at home or at millions of WiFi hotspots across the country. The feature is free to all Xfinity Mobile customers. “Xfinity Mobile combines its WiFi network resources, 5G capabilities, and PowerBoost technology to enhance the connectivity experience for its customers,” said Kerry Baker, Industry Analyst, Ookla. “The integration of these technologies reflects the ongoing industry focus on creating better solutions for evolving user demands.” PowerBoost provides Xfinity Mobile customers with more than enough speed to stream, game, video call, or browse and have a high-quality experience. Xfinity Mobile is one of the fastest growing mobile services in the industry with more than seven million customers and counting since the service launched. “From the very beginning Xfinity Mobile has delivered an unparalleled wireless experience for the way consumers use mobile today, to get online,” said Kohposh Kuda, senior vice president, Xfinity Mobile, Comcast. “The superfast speeds delivered by PowerBoost are the latest in a long line of game changing features that our customers can enjoy, whether that is saving hundreds of dollars1 by switching from the Big Three mobile providers, customizing their account to fit their unique household needs, or keeping loved ones safe from cyber threats with our advanced cybersecurity features.” Nearly 90 percent of Xfinity Mobile smartphone data travels over WiFi and because Comcast delivers the best WiFi experience, now with speeds up to a gig, that is the primary reason why the service consistently ranks faster than competitors in Comcast markets2. Xfinity Mobile customers with the latest devices automatically connect to millions of WiFi hotspots across the country and receive up to gig speeds delivered by PowerBoost. And, as the Ookla report notes, Xfinity Mobile speeds will continue to get even faster as consumers upgrade to new devices capable of taking advantage of the faster speeds. PowerBoost is another innovation made possible by Comcast’s state-of-the-art network, designed to provide an exceptional Internet experience to more than 63 million homes and businesses and across more than 23 million WiFi hotspots. It represents years of research, technological advancements, and significant investments, including over $20 billion in the past five years, in development and infrastructure. 1 Xfinity Internet req. Compares 2 Xfinity Mobile Unlimited lines and lowest price 5G plans of top 3 carriers. Data thresholds and actual savings may vary. 2 Based on consumer testing of mobile WiFi and cellular data performance from Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data in Q1-Q2 ’24 for Comcast service areas, including its WiFi footprint, verified by Ookla for Comcast’s analysis.
The Wright Center: Give blood – it saves lives! As we settle into 2025 and leave the holiday rush behind, you might find your schedule has a little more breathing room. If so, consider making a difference by donating blood at a local blood drive. Early in the year, blood supplies often dip to critically low levels nationwide and locally. Several factors contribute to this: donations decline during the busy holiday season, many people are sidelined by seasonal illnesses like the flu or COVID-19, and inclement weather frequently disrupts scheduled blood drives. It’s fitting, then, that January is National Blood Donor Month – a time to spotlight the urgent need for blood donations. This marks the 55th annual observance of National Blood Donor Month, first proclaimed in January 1970 by President Richard Nixon and supported by a U.S. Senate resolution. Decades later, raising awareness remains as important as ever. According to the Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood or platelets every two seconds – for surgeries, cancer treatments, traumatic injuries, and more. A single blood donation can save up to three lives. Each year, about 6.8 million Americans donate blood, resulting in the collection of approximately 13.6 million units of whole blood and red blood cells. However, only about 3% of the eligible population participates. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, especially those with type O blood, which is most frequently used by hospitals. In Northeast Pennsylvania, there are many opportunities to give blood. The local Red Cross chapter hosts regular blood drives, and is Bloodmobile frequently travels across the region. The requirements to donate are straightforward: you must be at least 16 years old, in good health, and weigh over 110 pounds. The Wright Center is proud to partner with the Red Cross and other community organizations throughout the year to host blood drives. These events have a significant impact. During the 2023-24 fiscal year, donations at our blood drives saved up to 582 lives. Our next event, the “Students Save Lives” blood drive, will take place on Monday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at our community health center at 501 S. Washington Ave. In collaboration with students from Scranton Preparatory School, this drive will support area cancer patients undergoing treatment. You can sign up to donate at RedCross.org. Beyond donating, the Red Cross also welcomes volunteers to serve as blood donor ambassadors. These individuals greet and register donors, answer questions, and provide support at the refreshment table, helping ensure a positive experience that encourages repeat donations. Other volunteers act as transportation specialists, delivering lifesaving blood products to hospitals. Please consider using some of your free time to donate blood or volunteer at a drive. It’s easy, virtually painless, and immensely rewarding. Plus, there’s the added bonus of a free cookie! Maura Longstreet, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC, is certified registered nurse practitioner at The Wright Center for Community Health North Scranton, 1721 N. Main Ave. She is accepting new patients of all ages.
Stone House Investment Celebrates New Office in Clarks Summit Stone House Investment Management is thrilled to announce the opening of its new office location at 103 West Grove Street, Clarks Summit, PA, below Kelly Dental. This expansion marks an exciting milestone as Stone House continues to grow and extend its services to the Lackawanna County area. To celebrate this grand opening, Stone House will be hosting an open house on January 24th, starting at 1:00 PM. Guests are invited to visit the newly renovated office space, meet the team of financial advisors, and learn more about their services such as retirement income planning, business investment services, and personal wealth management. The open house will run until 6:00 PM, providing ample opportunity for community members to drop by at their convenience. In addition to the open house, Stone House is proud to sponsor a live ice carving at the Clarks Summit Ice Festival that evening. The ice carving will take place at 6:00 PM in the pocket park on Depot Street. “It will be great to kick off our grand opening around such a treasured, community event,” says Mike Cravath, a Lead Advisor on the Stone House team. The Advisors are also excited to be extending into Lackawanna County with a holistic strategy, focusing on more than just how much you have saved for retirement. Advisors also consider key areas such as tax, estate, and generational planning, which provides a comprehensive approach for your financial wellbeing. “We’re excited to start working with more clients in the valley and look forward to serving the community with a local office presence,” said Ryan Vassil, a Lead Advisor at Stone House. “Our team is committed to helping everyday people feel secure with their financial plans.” For more information about the open house or their services, please contact Stone House at 570-507-8946 or visit their website at stonehouseinv.com.
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 University 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.
