Greater Scranton YMCA Tips for Safety around Water this Summer The Greater Scranton YMCA is offering tips for parents to keep kids safe in and around water this summer The Greater Scranton YMCA wants to ensure that water safety doesn’t get lost in our community’s eagerness to jump into summer. As temperatures rise, kids want to cool off, whether that is in home pools, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, or oceans. And that means the risk of drowning is as prevalent as ever. For National Water Safety Month this May, the Greater Scranton YMCA is encouraging parents and caregivers to reinforce the importance of water safety skills with the whole family. “As ‘America’s Swim Instructor,’ the Greater Scranton YMCA annually teaches more than 1,500 children valuable water safety and swimming skills,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Now more than ever, it’s important to remind parents and caregivers that water safety needs to be top-of-mind as families start to return to their favorite summertime activities.” As part of National Water Safety Month, the Greater Scranton YMCA is encouraging parents to play an active role in promoting water safety and providing five tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable swimming experience for all. Make sure children know to always ask permission before going in or near the water. Teaching your children to be water smart is the first step in water safety – be sure they understand the importance of asking permission before going in or near the water. Never swim alone or without a water watcher. When children are swimming, make sure they are actively supervised at all times. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty, or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions. Supervise your children whenever they’re in or near water. Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or waterfront, make sure your children are within arm’s reach at all times. Don’t engage in breath holding activities. Both adults and children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can be dangerous. Wear a life jacket. Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water. If an adult or child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try to save them. Even if they are a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling the rescuer underwater. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique an adult or child can help their friend without compromising their own safety. Beginning June 9th, the Greater Scranton YMCA will once again offer its Annual Safety Around Water Campaign. The campaign gives children ages three through 14 the opportunity to learn new swimming skills designed to help keep them safe around water. The Safety Around Water Campaign consists of eight swim lessons over a two-week period, four lessons each week, and costs only $25 for both members and non-members. Registration opens Monday, May 12th. The Safety Around Water Campaign is once again supported by the Kiwanis Club of Scranton. To learn more about the Greater Scranton YMCA’s swim programs and Safety Around Water Campaign, please contact Leslie Kopa, Aquatics Director, at lkopa@gsymca.org.
Geisinger Hospital Earns National Ranking from Money Magazine Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital ranked in Money magazine’s Best Hospitals for Pediatric Care list Money magazine recently recognized Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital as one of the 2025 Best Hospitals for Pediatric Care. Money’s 2025 list focuses on hospitals that deliver safe, high-quality care with experienced pediatricians and providers who are excellent communicators. A high priority also goes to facilities that are well-equipped to deal with pediatric emergencies. Money ranks the top 75 children’s hospitals that provide excellence in value-based care, patient experience, and price transparency. Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital ranks 32nd out of 75 hospitals making the list and is listed in the top 10 in patient experience. “This is a tremendous acknowledgement of our pediatric staff, who are deeply committed to providing pediatric access with exceptional care,” said Frank Maffei, M.D., Geisinger’s chair of pediatrics. “Our children’s hospital delivers outstanding value of care by keeping our children safe, adhering to the best practice standards and treating our children and families with kindness and authentic compassion. We greatly appreciate the recognition and are dedicated to upholding this distinction in pediatric care.”
2024–25 Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Graduation The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and its community leadership and professional development division, Leadership Lackawanna, is proud to announce the graduation of the 2024–25 class of Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT)—a transformative program that prepares high school juniors for leadership roles in their communities. The ceremony took place at the Green Ridge Club in Scranton. Sponsored by NBT Bank, the TLT program spans seven months, immersing students in hands-on experiences across essential sectors, including healthcare, STEAM, history and heritage, crime and corrections, financial literacy, philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, and community service. Program Coordinator, Jen Strzelec states:“We are proud to congratulate the 67 remarkable teens of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Program. We’re confident they’ll use the skills and knowledge they gained over the last seven months to positively impact their schools and communities as confident and capable young leaders”. The TLT program provides these young leaders with unique opportunities to develop critical leadership, interpersonal, and managerial skills. Throughout the program, students engaged in workshops, field visits, and interactive discussions led by regional experts and industry leaders, preparing them for the real-world challenges and opportunities that await them. The class participants are: Audrey Agnello, Western Wayne High School Kathryn Apolinario, Holy Cross High School Emily Atonal, Scranton High School Molly Banik, Mid Valley Secondary Center Lauren Bartell, Abington Heights High School Lindsey Bartell, Abington Heights High School Wyatt Barucky, Forest City Regional High School Madelyn Battaglia, Riverside Jr/Sr High School Nathan Beecham, Riverside Jr/Sr High School Grace Bennett, Abington Heights High School Anthony Betti, Mid Valley Secondary Center Molly Carter, Valley View High SchoolMya Cesarini, Valley View High School Nora Crambo, Lakeland Jr/Sr High SchoolKiera Crowell, Abington Heights High School Joshua Cuck, Scranton Preparatory School Addison Daiute, Valley View High SchoolKaylyn Davis, Lakeland Jr/Sr High School Ryan DeMarco, Old Forge High School Gabriella Dennis, Scranton Preparatory School Timothy Fogley, Abington Heights High School Natalia Ghirelli, Lakeland Jr/Sr High SchoolJoseph Griffin, Commonwealth Charter Academy Emily Grover, Carbondale Area Jr/Sr High School Emma Guse, North Pocono High SchoolKatie Gutekunst, North Pocono High School Madison Hallock, Valley View High School Sona Hanumali, Abington Heights High School Gabrielle Jordan, Riverside Jr/ Sr High School Matthew Kirchner, Dunmore Jr/Sr High SchoolBrendan Korty, Forest City Regional High School Krithika Krishnan, Dunmore Jr/Sr High School Maryn Kukuchka, Tunkhannock Area High School Benjamin Kulikowski, Riverside Jr/Sr High SchoolOlivia Lach, Lakeland Jr/Sr High SchoolOlivia Lawler, Carbondale Area Jr/Sr High School Emily Loomis, Valley View High SchoolMadeleine Mackarey, Scranton Preparatory School Andrew McDonald, Abington Heights High School Khloe Mistishin, Western Wayne High School William Murphy, Carbondale Area Jr/Sr High School Julia Noto, Dunmore Jr/Sr High SchoolIsabelle O’Brien, Scranton High School Kathryn O’Hora, Riverside Jr/ Sr High School Olive O’Rourke, Abington Heights High School Mia Peregrim, Old Forge High SchoolKate Peters, Abington Heights High School James Prislupski, Holy Cross High School Natalie Puckett, Triboro Christian Academy Benjamin Reese, Abington Heights High School Ava Roberto, Scranton High SchoolGavin Roberts, Lakeland Jr/Sr High School Emmelia Rucks, Commonwealth Charter Academy Madison Smith, Abington Heights High School Kelsey Smith, North Pocono High SchoolCharlie Stampien, Abington Heights High School Ava Strzelec, North Pocono High SchoolNatalie Talluto, Mid Valley Secondary Center Raphael Thomas, Scranton Preparatory School Aidan Tinney, Mid Valley Secondary CenterJaiden Trunzo, Lackawanna Trail Jr/Sr High School Nmesoma Udoye, Scranton High SchoolGianna Vachino, Abington Heights High School Kevin Vincent Jr., Holy Cross High School Luke Warring, Scranton High SchoolKiley Williams, Riverside Jr/ Sr High School Ava Wisnosky, Tunkhannock Area High School
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.
