Allied Services Employee Earns Health Executive Qualification

Allied Services Integrated Health System is proud to announce that Brianna Hoban, NHA, PCHA, Administrator of Allied Services Skilled Nursing Center in Scranton, has earned the prestigious Health Services Executive (HSE) qualification from the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB). This achievement underscores Hoban’s dedication to excellence in long-term care and her commitment to continuous professional development.

The HSE qualification is a significant milestone for healthcare administrators. It reflects a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of long-term care, including nursing homes, assisted living, hospice, and home and community-based services. It serves as a benchmark of quality and competence, ensuring that leaders in the field are well-equipped to manage and improve long-term care services across different settings.

Brianna Hoban has been a vital part of Allied Services. She previously served as the Assistant Administrator before taking on her current role as Administrator of Allied Services Scranton Skilled Nursing Center, a 327-bed facility. In addition, she holds the position of Assistant Vice President of Skilled Nursing Administration, where she provides operational and administrative support to the leaders of Allied Services’ Wilkes-Barre-based skilled nursing facilities. Hoban’s educational background includes a degree in Health Services Administration from Marywood University.

Her HSE qualification attainment enables Hoban to enhance her expertise further and bring innovative, high-quality care solutions to the patients and families served by Allied Services. This accomplishment allows her to continue her pursuit of knowledge and make an even more powerful impact on the long-term care continuum, benefiting the entire community.

“We are incredibly proud of Brianna’s achievement,” said Senior Vice President of Skilled Nursing, James Cooney. “Her dedication to advancing her knowledge and skills exemplifies the values of Allied Services and our commitment to providing exceptional care. Brianna’s leadership and expertise are invaluable assets to our team and the individuals we serve.”

Allied Services remains committed to fostering professional growth among its staff and continually improving the quality of care provided. Congratulations to Brianna Hoban on this outstanding accomplishment.

Marywood University’s Spring 2024 Dean’s List Locals

Marywood University recently announced area students named to the Spring 2024 Dean’s List from each of its colleges, including the College of Health Sciences and the Reap College of Creative and Professional Studies.

Undergraduate students who earn a semester GPA of 3.50-4.00 on 12 or more graded credits merit this academic honor. Students who believe they may have been omitted from this list in error should contact the Dean of their respective college.

Area students named to the Dean’s List from the College of Health Sciences as declared by Dean Shelby W. Yeager, M.Ed., LAT, ATC, CSCS, include:

Joanna Aguirre, Wilkes Barre; Katelyn Ainey, Jessup; Reese Allen, New Milford; Valerio Amato, Dupont; Paul Appolt, Scranton; Cassidy Asinski, Waymart; Adele Banfield, Pocono Lake; Madison Bialy, Dickson City; Megan Bidwell, Honesdale; Rachel Black, Mountain Top; Seth Blakiewicz, S Abingtn Twp; Alyssa Bollard, Kingsley; Vanessa Bompane, E Stroudsburg; Karli Boyer, Pine Grove; Halle Bryk, Pittston; Emma Budnovitch, Roaring Brook Twp; Noah Budnovitch, Roaring Brook Twp; Bethany Burns, Susquehanna; Olivia Canfield, Honesdale; Juan Cardenas, Jessup; Joseph Cardillo, Dunmore; Jessica Cardone, Hawley; Allyson Carpenter, Scranton; Jessica Carpenter, Scranton; Mackenzie Carr, Greentown; Rebecca Castimore, Lords Valley; Izabella Chmil, Scott Twp; Samantha Christian, Pittston; Corey Cicci, Scranton; Bailey Cinamella, Covington Twp; Jonah Cogliette, Dunmore; Ryan Coleman, Archbald; Jenna Collins, Duryea; Laci Connor, Archbald; Lily Connor, Roaring Bk Tp; Jennie Contreras, Old Forge; Kylie Coy, Montrose; Francheliz De Jesus Correa, Carbondale; Skylar Dearie, Carbondale; Makayla Decker, Avoca; Morgan Decker, Avoca; Mia Demarco, Pittston; Alexis Devanney, Fell Township; Molly Devine, Scranton; Todd Dotter, Thornhurst; Gabrielle Eldridge, Nanticoke; Eduardo Escobar, Harding; Myia Evans, Elmhurst Twp; Destiny Evans, Meshoppen; Alicia Farrell, S Abingtn Twp; Tanner Fenstermacher, Luzerne; Mackenzie Ferry, Pocono Pines; Noah Fontanella, Archbald; Chloe Fosko, Tunkhannock; Tela Fotta, Dalton; Madelyn Franceski, Vandling; Brandon Freedman, Fleetwood; Dhruvi Fuletra, Plains; Skylar Gagnon, E Stroudsburg; Page Gittens, Tamaqua; Gianna Giumento, Throop; Ryan Glatzel, New Milford; Autumn Goonan, Dickson City; Makayla Gregory, Waymart; Priscilla Grill, Scranton; Sadie Grochal, Shavertown; Amanda Gross, Moscow; James Guariglia, Pittston; Mason Guelho, Stroudsburg; John Guichay, Scranton; Zohal Gul Mohammad, Scranton; Haley Hallman, Blandon; Courtney Hammond, West Lawn; Natasya Handijaya, Scranton; Kortney Harry, Noxen; Shawna Hauck, Hamburg; Caleah Hawley, Eynon; Lauren Hegedus, Scranton; Michaela Henderson, Olyphant; Stephanie Hicks, Throop; Ashley Hrywnak, Spring Brook; Rosemary Jacks, Scranton; Abbey Jackson, Olyphant; Aiyanna Jean, Cresco; Jonathan Jenkins, Susquehanna; Kylee Jezorwski, Dunmore; Sarah Kagan, Hanover Twp; Will Kalinich, Scranton; Tristen Kalt, Jermyn; Daelyn Karboski, Olyphant; Heather Kauffman, W Abingtn Twp; Emma Kobylanski, Olyphant; Carissa Kopenis, Hanover Twp; Noel Korkuti, Clarks Summit; Morgan Koutch, Ashland; Kayla Kristopaitis, New Boston; Matthew Laboranti, Peckville; Jeffrey Lake, Clarks Summit; Morgan Langan, Clarks Summit; Athena Legates, Thompson; Grace Lehman, White Haven; Kristen Lello, Avoca; Kaylyn Lewis, Hallstead; Natalia Lic, E Stroudsburg; Anna Liuzzo, Mayfield; Emmanuel Lomax, Bushkill; Jasmine Loury, Scranton; Denis Madera Collado, Jessup; Kathleen Magda, Wilkes Barre; Nicholas Mancuso, Old Forge; Alyssa Marion, Peckville; Juliauna Mason, Mountain Top; Hailey Matechak, Carbondale; Elizabeth Mathias, Wyoming; Morgan Mayne, Eynon; Sara McCormack, Scranton; Willow McDonald, S Abingtn Twp; Wriley McDonald, S Abingtn Twp; Abby Megotz, Scranton; Mason Mendygral, Kingston; Brett Miller, Scranton; Madison Miller, Clifford Township; Skylar Milovcevich, Dingmans Fry; Samantha Mitchell, Lakeville; Christina Monroe, Olyphant; Journey Moran, Kingston; Madison Mower, Roaring Brook Twp; Alyvia Mroczka, Mayfield; Grace Murtagh, Olyphant; Maggie Nagle, Forest City; Fajrun Najih, Blakely; Lauryn Notari, S Abingtn Twp; Nicholas Notari, S Abingtn Twp; Abbie O’Brien, Scranton; Celeste Orchard, Lake Ariel; Rebecca Ottensman, Nanticoke; Victoria Para, Pittston; Isabella Parise, Jessup; Megha Patel, Dunmore; Sarah Pavlovicz, Scranton; Lynda Perez, Long Pond; Marzinete Pilch, Archbald; Caitlyn Posdon, Hawley; Jack Rafferty, Scranton; Jessica Raharjo, Scranton; Katrina Ramos, Scranton; Brandon Reed, Taylor; Allison Rempe, Moosic; Matthew Richards, Dallas; Camille Rillstone, Ransom Twp; Emily Rinaldi, Duryea; Natalie Rinaldi, Tobyhanna; Tatiana Roldan, Milford; Jordan Rosenberg, Gilbert; Samuel Rosetti, Archbald; Morgan Sakulich, Shavertown; Damien Saltsman, Kutztown; Mahnoor Sami, Jessup; Breanna Sanon, Cresco; Gracie Secor, Avoca; Taylor Seprosky, Archbald; Kelsey Sholtis, Larksville; Carl Shygelski, Taylor; Mary Siracuse, Jessup; Riley Skelton, Honesdale; Sydney Skrutski, Archbald; Laura Slivinski, Scranton; Megan St. Ledger, Jessup; Abigail Stalter, Jermyn; Merison Stecik, Avoca; Kacie Szczech, Dickson City; Cataldo Talutto, Scranton; Danyelle Tech, Dunmore; JaeAnna Topa, Scranton; Courtney Toroni, Peckville; Marie Traverse, Milford; Alexis Turner, Clifford Twp; Emily Umlah, Hanover Twp; Jasmin Veloz, Bushkill; Anthony Viscomi, Scranton; Katie Ward, Glen Lyon; Rebecca Webb, Shoemakersvle; Cian Wescott, Scranton; Shaskia Wibowo, Scranton; Kahley Williams, Drums; Samantha Wilson, Dickson City; Madeline Wittig, Frackville; Chloe Wolfe, Prompton; Lauren Youngken, E Stroudsburg; Lorna Yushinsky, Archbald; Aleena Zahradnik, Archbald; Leah Zambetti, Yatesville; Emma Ziminskas, Jessup; and Michael Zuzzio, Archbald.

Area students named to the Dean’s List from the Reap College of Creative and Professional Studies as declared by Dean James J. Sullivan, M.ARCH, RA, AIA, include:

Jihad Abdallah, Greeley; Annabel Adams, Brackney; Elizabeth Adams, Brackney; Madeline Adams, Brackney; Mariah Addis, Peckville; Hanna Adonizio, S Abington Twp; Rye Ahronson, Scranton; Kaelin Alicea, Saylorsburg; Tatiana Amaral, Roaring Brook Township; Adam Anderson, Berwick; Mia Angelicola, Waverly Twp; Olivia Arcuri, S Abington Twp; Nathaniel Armstrong, Clarks Summit; Andrew Babinski, Scranton; Zoe Badner, Greentown; Bryce Baldwin, Susquehanna; Vesna Baric, Tobyhanna; Matthew Barletta, Scranton; Colton Barrett, Dunmore; Jake Barrett, Peckville; Brandon Bartley, Mountain Top; Gavin Beck, Moosic; Daniel Becker, Honesdale; Bria Beggin, Jessup; Chase Benjamin, Archbald; Noah Berkoski, Scranton; William Berlew, Courtdale; Mia Blume, Dunmore; Marlena Bompane, E Stroudsburg; Mia Bonavoglia, Scranton; Vincent Bonavoglia, Scranton; Kiarra Bonning, Harding; Logan Bowling, Luzerne; Faith Bravo, Dunmore; Esmeralda Brito Romero, West Hazleton; Jocelyn Brotzman, White Haven; Joseph Brown, Dunmore; Julie Bryan, Lake Ariel; Caitlyn Burdick, Waymart; Jacob Burkhart, Old Forge; Brennan Burnside, Scranton; Joel Cali, Old Forge; Dylan Campbell, Scranton; Bryan Cano, Scranton; Ashley Capone, Scranton; Brandon Carlson, Lakeville; Jordan Carty, Mount Pocono; Nicholas Casella, Old Forge; Joanna Castro, E Stroudsburg; Carter Cerretani, Clarks Summit; Emily Chamberlain, Luzerne; Sephora Charlot, Scranton; Phoebe Cheesman, Dalton; Maya Chorba, Peckville; Thomas Ciccotti, Scranton; Maria Cicerini, Jefferson Twp; Olivia Ciullo, Dunmore; Vito Ciullo, Scranton; Lauren Clancy, Clifford Twp; Caroline Coar, Dunmore; Isabella Coleman, Factoryville; Nicholas Colombo, N Abingtn Twp; Brianna Conniff, Archbald; Gavin Connor, Carbondale; McKenzie Connor, Childs; Christopher Conserette, Peckville; Chloe Conway, S Abingtn Twp; Makyla Cordaro, Scranton; Daniele Cragle, Old Forge; Shannon Croll, Milford; Nickolas Curtis, Waymart; Damanta Dahal, Scranton; Matthew Davis, Saylorsburg; Thomas Day, Moosic; Joel Decarli, Archbald; Aviel Decastro, Scranton; Sarah Demchak, Carbondale; Tehya Dietrich, Carbondale; Macrina Dolinish, Old Forge; Cali Domin, Jefferson Twp; Collin Dougherty, Shavertown; Kyle Driscoll, Roaring Bk Tp; Molly Driscoll, Roaring Bk Tp; Emily Duris, Monroe Twp; Collin Eisenhower, Sugarloaf; Jayden Evans, Olyphant; Kayleigh Evans, Taylor; Ryan Evans, Dalton; Madison Evans, Cressona; Emma Eynon, Dunmore; Ellen Fago, Hawley; Kyle Falcon, Mohnton; Jaden Fedorchak, Carbondale; Elaine Felipe Olivares, Scranton; Dilenny Feliz, Peckville; Dominique Ferraro, Jessup; Avery Fiorillo, Clarks Summit; Bridgette Flannery, Lake Ariel; Alison Fortuner, Carbondale; Jolie Fraggetta, Milford; Kami Frindt, Hawley; Gianni Gaitan, Cresco; Anastasia Galko, Roaring Brook Twp; Elizabeth Gething, Old Forge; Maxim Gingo, Shavertown; Josh Godlewski, Taylor; Frank Golden, Dunmore; Dominique Gomez Juarez, Scranton; Fabiana Gonzales, Old Forge; Savannah Gonzalez, Dingmans Fry; Alyssa Green, Nescopeck; Kelsey Green, Nescopeck; Zachary Grosvenor, Kingsley; Mason Gumble, Tafton; Destiny Hallock, Throop; Charles Hamm, Waverly Twp; Matthew Hartz, Hazleton; Justin Hartz, Orwigsburg; Shawna Heckman, Old Forge; Jocelyn Hittle, Morgantown; Emma Holbrook, Clarks Summit; Julian Homa, Mountain Top; Kaylie Hontz, Wilkes Barre; Zachary Houston, Exeter; Ava Howells, Douglassville; Samantha Howey, Honesdale; Colby Hughes, Scranton; Corey Iyoob, Jessup; Ty Jackson, Olyphant; Emily James, Hanover Twp; Gabriel Jenceleski, Nanticoke; Kyle Jenkins, Scranton; Matthew Jesse, Dallas; Bo Judson, S Abingtn Twp; Corrine Justick, Jefferson Twp; Delaney Kaeb, N Abingtn Twp; Olivia Kaschak, Archbald; Shelby Kaschak, Jermyn; Aiden Kelly, Fell Township; Megan Kielar, Carbondale; Taylor Kizer, Scranton; Rebecca Klemovitch, Waymart; Eleanor Kloss, Sprng Brk Twp; Michael Kobierecki, Dickson City; Jennifer Kobylanski, Dickson City; Esther Korkuti, Clarks Summit; Elsa Kovatch, Archbald; Diane Kraus, Covington Twp; Matthew Kubasti, Hunlock Creek; Sara Labar, Scranton; Cydney Lahr, Herndon; Connor Laity, Lake Ariel; Matthew Lastauskas, Waverly Twp; Braden Law, Plymouth; Alivia Lawless, S Abingtn Twp; Madelyn Lee, Douglassville; Thomas Lee, Scranton; Mercedes Lee, Noxen; Jodi Lowthert, Long Pond; James Lucia, Covington Twp; Tristan Luczak, Hanover Twp; Isabella Luongo, Old Forge; Kathleen Lynott, N Scranton; Ashlyn Maas, Carbondale; Sarah Macdonald, Scranton; Jaylene Maisonet, Tobyhanna; Hudson Malinowski, Waymart; Vanessa Mancuso, Olyphant; Aubrey Mangan, Scranton; Marissa Manza, E Stroudsburg; Lydia Marotti, West Pittston; James Marsh, Duryea; Sarah Martin, Archbald; Nelly Martinez, Scranton; Jade Marzolino, Scranton; Jayden Matute, Scranton; Mercedes McAvoy, S Abingtn Twp; Jack McCabe, Old Forge; Coleman McCain, Great Bend; Michael McCann, Dallas; Allison McDermott, Lake Ariel; Danilo McDonough, Scranton; Jacob McLane, Scranton; Nathan McLane, Scranton; Emma McNally, Olyphant; Isaiah Meals, Fleetwood; Kirsten Melton, Scranton; Giavana Mercatili, Archbald; Jennifer Mercereau, Greentown; Marina Miesko, Sprng Brk Twp; Laura Mildner, Moscow; Mary Miles, Carbondale; Thomas Milewski, Jefferson Twp; Emma Monahan, Fell Township; Jillian Mooney, Dunmore; Kevin Morales, Scranton; Nolla Morawiec, E Stroudsburg; Macey Morcom, Moscow; Owen Morgan, Jermyn; Paige Morgan, Olyphant; Amanda Morgan, Greentown; Riley Mulherin, S Abingtn Twp; Connor Mulhern, Duryea; Alexandra Murphy, Orwigsburg; Jacob Muth, E Stroudsburg; Yamile Nader, Beaver Mdws; Donia Nazmy, Wilkes Barre; Rebecca Nieto, Hawley; Marissa Nowak, Exeter; Jessica Nowakowski, Duryea; Lauren O’Brien, Pittston; Thomas O’Keefe, Milford; Emily Orlando, Scranton; Nick Oruska, Montrose; Cecelia Otis, Olyphant; Jake Pajalich, Avoca; Karen Pan, Stroudsburg; David Paramo, Scranton; Megan Pavlowski, Dunmore; Casey Penzone, Jermyn; Chloe Perko, Bear Creek; Ava Perrins, Throop; Kailee Perry, Carbondale; Julia Pesotine, Hughestown; Logan Pfaff, Scranton; Alexander Poehailos, Waymart; Angel Popko, Dickson City; Chloe Pugh, Mountain Top; Emily Raffaele, E Stroudsburg; Anaid Ramirez, Effort; Joshua Ramos, Mahanoy City; Elyse Rehder, Clarks Summit; Robert Reilley, Wilkes-Barre; Fiona Reinhard, Kunkletown; Ethan Rickard, Honesdale; Ayana Rivera, S Abingtn Twp; Emilee Paige Robinson, S Abingtn Twp; Brittnie Rodriguez, Scranton; Madelynn Ross, Wyoming; Emily Rowe, Forty Fort; Emily Ruggles, Damascus; John Russo, Milford; Joseph Sanfilippo, Wyoming; Abigail Sankus, Wilkes Barre; Abigail Saverslak, Dickson City; Autumn Savitski, Shavertown; Daniel Sayre, Tunkhannock; Sophia Scalese, Old Forge; Brielle Scheland, Old Forge; Santo Schiavone, Clarks Summit; Marissa Schuler, Harveys Lake; Lia Schwenk, Dunmore; Alexander Shields, Scott Twp; Jada Siino, Newfoundland; Haylee Sileo, Dunmore; Gradon Silva, Sprng Brk Twp; Kevin Slywka, Moscow; Andrew Smith, Archbald; Matthew Smith, Old Forge; Gabrielle Snee, Olyphant; Todd Snyder, Meshoppen; Alexandra Solimine, Lake Ariel; Nevaeh Sorensen, Scott Township; Grace Spisso, Taylor; Kailey Stevenson, Montrose; Italia Storey, Scranton; Andrew Straka, Peckville; Milana Straub, Scranton; Jakub Stromko, Tobyhanna; Ruiwen Su, York Haven; Antonia Summa, Dunmore; Jessica Sunar, Scranton; Natalie Sweeney, Jessup; William Sweeny, Eynon; Jonelle Symonies, Carbondale; Alexandra Taffera, Moscow; Kevin Talley, Lake Ariel; Carissa Tallo, Dunmore; Trevor Thomas, S Abingtn Twp; Samantha Thomas, Factoryville; Caryn Thompson, Scranton; Gabrielle Troch, Newfoundland; Brianna Trutt, Lake Ariel; Nicola Veniamin, Waverly Township; Elizabeth Vito, Dupont; Lilly Vito, Dupont; Larissa Waite, Henryville; Julia Walsh, Scranton; Mira Walsh, Scranton; Justine Walters, Roaring Bk Tp; Kenneth Ward, Scranton; Victoria Weber, S Sterling; Benjamin Werle, Meshoppen; Kevin Whitaker, S Abingtn Twp; Colby White, Jermyn; Mia Wilkus, Scranton; Benjamin Williams, Honesdale; Abigail Wilson, Scranton; Christian Winkler, Jermyn; Zachary Witte, Lakeville; Sean Wolfe, Nanticoke; Claire Wood, Montrose; Molly Yatchyshyn, Bernville; Lauren Yencho, Dickson City; Kyra Yergey, Fleetwood; Maggie Yerkes, Milanville; Taylor Zackarias, Tunkhannock; Brenda Zakarias, Scranton; Rachel Zarubski, Dunmore; Noah Zeigler, Lake Ariel; Jenna Zerilli, Effort, and Anna Zuby, Peckville.

Saint Joseph’s Center Summer Festival Kicks off Excitement

As summer heats up, Saint Joseph’s Center is excited to announce a series of pre-events designed to build community enthusiasm leading up to this year’s Summer Festival, WNEP-TV Telethon, and Go Joe 27 Bike Ride. These Community Ride Alongs are a celebration of the collaboration with our valued community partners.

The Ride Alongs, walks, and runs, continuing now through the end of July, will feature a variety of interests from Family Fun Walks and Bike Rides, to collaborations with local breweries and restaurants. “These pre-events are essential in encouraging excitement and bringing people together, all culminating at the Annual Summer Festival,” says Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM President/CEO Saint Joseph’s Center, “These events wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our community partners who share our mission of making a difference in our community.”

Saint Joseph’s Center is blessed to have so many community advocates who have helped grow these events into what they are today. Anthracite Bicycle Coalition has assisted in creating multiple “Rides” over the years and throughout the area including bringing in local restaurants like Barrett’s Pub in Archbald, Groove Brewing in Scranton, and McGrath’s Pub and Eatery in Dalton. This year, we are also pleased to include Scranton Running in some of these events along the Heritage Trail. The Rail-Trail Council of NEPA continues to host rides in Simpson and Forest City.

Partners throughout Luzerne County include Wilkes-Barre Bike Gang, who host rides along the Levee Systems and local parks, and The Cycle Yard, who partnered with Susquehanna Brewing Company to bring stationary exercise bikes to their outdoor area.

The community is also invited to join Saint Joe’s as they send off Joe Snedeker, WNEP Meteorologist, on his 27th Annual Go Joe Bike Ride on Friday, July 12th at Cooper’s Seafood House in Scranton. This Launch Party will feature Go Joe T-shirts and other merchandise sales, raffle chances, and much more. Go Joe 27 merchandise can also be purchased online through Saint Joe’s Website, stjosephscenter.org, with an optional free pick-up date of July 11, 3-6 pm. More details are located on webstore.

The collaboration with partners extends beyond sponsorship to active participation in event planning, logistics, and community engagement. Each contributes unique resources and expertise to ensure the success of Community Ride Alongs. Please see the events listed below and join Saint Joseph’s Center for a fun-filled Summer!

  • Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Archbald Ride & Walk at Trailhead & Barrett’s Pub: Registration: 5:30 pm Start Time: 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday, July 10, 2024,  Rails to Trails:  Simpson/Morse Ave to Forest City – Start Time: 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Wilkes Barre Gang – Start Time:  6:00 pm
  • Sunday, July 14, 2024, The Cycle Yard at SBC, Pittston – Outdoor Spin Class – 12 pm
  • Thursday, July 18, 2024, Groove Brewery/Olive Street Trailhead: Registration: 5:30 pm & Start Time: 6:00 pm
  • Friday, July 12, 2024,  WNEP Go Joe Launch Party, Cooper’s Seafood, Start Time: 4 pm

Other fundraisers for Go Joe 27 and Saint Joseph’s Center include Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day on July 24th, Montage Mountain Water Park Day on July 21st, and a Liturgy at Saint Peter’s Cathedral in downtown Scranton on July 21st at 10 am.

These pre-events will culminate in the eagerly anticipated Saint Joseph’s Center Summer Festival set to take place July 26th and July 27th from 4-10 pm, and July 28th from noon- 7 pm.

For more information on the pre-events and the Summer Festival, please visit stjosephscenter.org and follow us on social media at “Saint Joseph’s Center”.

Photo caption: MaryLou Grogan, Committee Chair; Lynn Gavin, Auxiliary Coordinator, Saint Joseph’s Center; and Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM, President/CEO Saint Joseph’s Center.

Pennsylvania Treasury Department Praised for PA 529

Pennsylvania Treasury Department has been praised for PA 529 Investment Plan. Morningstar, a financial services company that rates 529 plans across the country, recently reinforced the reasons it awarded the Pennsylvania Treasury Department’s PA 529 College and Career Savings Program Investment Plan (IP) its Gold Rating in November – making it one of only two plans in the nation to receive Morningstar’s highest rating.

In a recent article (“Morningstar’s Top-Ranked 529 Plans”), Morningstar praised Treasury’s “aggressive negotiations for lower fees and additional fee breakpoints” which “led to a more positive investor experience.” It also highlighted the department’s “effective and steadfast advocacy on behalf of its investors [which] puts the plan a notch above peers.”

“My team and I are proud of the fact that we earned Morningstar’s Gold Rating because it means that we’re doing a great job for the hardworking Pennsylvania families who use the PA 529 IP to save for education,” Treasurer Stacy Garrity said. “Our focus is always on the people who are saving every dollar they can to give their children and grandchildren the education they want and deserve. We will continue working day in and day out to give Pennsylvania families even more reasons to save for their child’s bright future with PA 529.”

The PA 529 IP allows families to choose from a variety of investment portfolios, including target enrollment date options, which automatically adjust asset allocations to become more conservative as a child reaches the anticipated date of enrollment in post-high school education. PA 529 IP earnings are dependent upon financial market performance.

Since taking office in 2021, Treasurer Garrity has overseen several changes to PA 529 plans, making them more accessible and affordable for Pennsylvania families, including eliminating the minimum deposit to open an account and reducing the minimum contribution to one dollar, on top of multiple fee reductions that have saved more than $11.5 million for families across the whole PA 529 program, which also includes the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP).

There are nearly 301,000 combined PA 529 IP and GSP accounts with more than $7.7 billion in assets.

The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program helps families steadily and strategically save for future educational expenses like tuition, fees, books, equipment, room and board and more at qualifying technical, collegiate and apprenticeship programs. PA 529 plans offer significant state and federal tax advantages and saving with PA 529 does not impact Pennsylvania state financial aid eligibility.

To learn more about PA 529 accounts visit pa529.com, call 800-440-4000 or email pa529@patreasury.gov.

L.R. Costanzo Co. Inc. Completes Project at Johnson College

Johnson College has once again teamed up with its long-standing partner, L.R. Costanzo Co. Inc., to erect its latest northeastern Pennsylvania masterpiece: Johnson College’s Ideal Saldi Hall.

This new building, serving as a dramatic gateway to all who enter the 44 acre campus, not only welcomes visitors and students, but also stands as a symbol of Johnson College’s innovative spirit.

Ideal Saldi Hall houses state-of-the-art classrooms; student areas; computer labs; the Biomedical Equipment Technology program; administrative offices; including Financial Aid, Admissions, Advising, President’s Office; and the “Hallway of Industry.” 

Spanning two stories, this extraordinary structure features an expansive second floor with a floating, cantilevered classroom above a student gathering area.  This impressive edifice overlooks the school’s beautifully landscaped greenspace and alumni garden.

A first of its kind on the campus, this building allows for intuitive learning and teaching by featuring a type of “live laboratory” for students.  Johnson College requested design features that leave most of the interior building envelope exposed, in order to foster real-world learning.  This includes uncovered ceilings, observable structural steel, visible ductwork, and wide open spaces, allowing teachers to bring their classrooms to life by encouraging students to experience, firsthand, what they are learning.

“The partnership between Johnson College and L.R. Costanzo began years ago and goes beyond the construction of campus buildings,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College. “Everyone at L. R. Costanzo, including many of our alums, participate in our Professional Advisory Committees and career fairs, interact with our students during their classes and labs, and students frequently visit their construction sites through internships and in-industry tours. Our collaboration shows what it means when we say industry is our students’ campus.”   

Bringing Real Life Experience to Students

Another unique aspect of this remarkable project has been student engagement with professionals from L.R. Costanzo.  Senior Project Manager Benjamin Washington and Senior Project Engineer Stephen Peterson regularly serve as guest instructors, providing educational learning throughout course of the project.  L.R. Costanzo is also affording paid internships so students can continue learning outside of the college environment.

“Our goal is to expose students to true life situations by showing them that what they’re learning in the classroom and labs really does translate in the real world,” states Stephen Peterson, Project Engineer.  “In other words, we want to expose them to the various types of jobs in construction, since there is no one path to get there.”

Benjamin Washington, Project Manager says, “Taking part in the creation of a building that not only serves as a welcoming showpiece for Johnson College’s constituents, but also provides real time, hands-on learning for its students, has been incredible. Knowing that we are actively contributing to furthering a student’s education has made this job rare and extremely rewarding.”

Alumni Involvement

Both Johnson College and L.R. Costanzo are proud of their alumni involvement in not only this project, but in numerous other projects along the east coast and beyond.  “There are several L.R. Costanzo team members who are proud graduates of Johnson College including myself in 1985 (my father, Tony, 1946, who attended through the GI bill served as my inspiration); Ideal Saldi Hall’s Project Superintendent, Joseph Carlo (1985); and it’s Estimating Manager, Kevin Coolican (1985),” states L.R. Costanzo Vice President of Operations, Matthew Michalek.

Project Superintendent and Alumnus Joseph Carlo states,  “We take an enormous amount of pride in all our projects, but this one is particularly close to our hearts. Our team is working hard to ensure that this building will exceed expectations.”

Michalek continues, “As a locally-owned and operated family company, our leadership strongly supports this wonderful institution. In fact, Louis A. Costanzo served as Board Chair and his son, Louis E. Costanzo served as a Board Member. Currently, our Business Development Executive and Johnson College alum, Candy Frye, 1994, is also Board Member.”

The Wright Center Expanding Healthy MOMS Program

The Wright Center for Community Health received a $62,000 grant from the Wilkes-Barre City Health Department to expand a program that helps moms and their babies build a solid foundation to begin their lives in recovery from opioid use disorder.

The Wright Center’s Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support (Healthy MOMS) program will receive funding through a two-year grant. The grant is provided by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Services block grant, which the state allocated to the city’s health department for distribution.

Members of the Michael Steiner American Legion Jessup Post 411 Ladies Auxiliary recently presented a $2,000 check to representatives of The Wright Center for Community Health’s Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support (Healthy MOMS) program.

The Healthy MOMS program is a multi-agency effort that The Wright Center co-founded in 2018 to help combat the opioid crisis. It was launched in Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties but has grown to serve women and their families throughout much of Northeast Pennsylvania. The program is modeled after a program of the same name in Ohio and aims to help pregnant women and new mothers achieve and maintain sobriety. To date, it has supported more than 500 mothers and 282 babies, including 137 mothers in Luzerne County.

“When I started working with Healthy MOMS in 2020, we had five moms in Luzerne County. Now, just four years later, we have 38 active moms,” said Marcella Bicksler, the lead program manager for the Healthy MOMS program. “We know there’s a huge need. Our goal is to help 50 Luzerne County mothers this year, and this grant will make that goal achievable.”

To expand the Healthy MOMS program in Luzerne County, The Wright Center will leverage its existing behavioral health services and its state-designated Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence (COE) to provide extensive community outreach, education, prevention efforts, and opioid pregnancy recovery and medication-assisted treatment services. The program provides access to prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum care and access to certified recovery specialists, psychiatrists, board-certified addiction medicine physicians, licensed social workers, and licensed clinical social workers.

“We’re uniquely qualified to lead these initiatives,” said Maria Kolcharno, The Wright Center’s Healthy MOMS program manager and director of addictions services. “Our work helps dismantle the stigma frequently linked to addiction and boosts mothers’ self-esteem during and after pregnancy, aiming to enroll them in recovery support services for two years to prevent relapse.”

Kolcharno said the program’s success can be attributed to The Wright Center’s approach to delivering whole-person primary health services and connecting Healthy MOMS clients with a variety of wraparound services — from help with housing and utility bills to access to food pantries, clothing supply closets, and many other social services — that encourage healthy behaviors for the mothers and babies.

Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown said he looks forward to seeing the work The Wright Center will do in the future to help build strong families.

“We are pleased to be a community partner with The Wright Center to provide a much-needed service for moms-to-be and their babies,” said Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown. “This program provides a core foundation for all aspects of a healthy mom and baby so they can thrive successfully in our community.” For more information about the Healthy MOMS program, visit healthymoms.org.

Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces Property Tax/Rent Rebate Payments

Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced that approximately 442,000 payments totaling about $266 million were disbursed today to Pennsylvanians who have been approved for this year’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.

“This is an all-time record for day one of the Property Tax / Rent Rebate Program,” Treasurer Garrity said. “More people than ever before are eligible for rebates, thanks to great work by the General Assembly and the Governor to expand the program. This money can make a huge difference – especially for the many Pennsylvanians who are struggling to make ends meet, and I encourage everyone who is eligible to apply for their rebate. Treasury will continue to make payments on a rolling basis as we receive approvals from the Department of Revenue.”

Of the payments sent today, 56 percent were processed via direct deposit, while 44 percent were paper checks mailed via the U.S. Postal Service.

The General Assembly and the Governor expanded the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program this year to increase household income limits for rebates to $45,000 for homeowners and renters (up from $35,000 and $15,000, respectively). Claimants may exclude half of their Social Security income. The maximum standard rebate is now $1,000 (up from $650).

Payments will continue to be processed as applications are approved by the Department of Revenue and received by Treasury. The deadline to apply has been extended to December 31, 2024.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits Pennsylvanians age 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older.

For more information about eligibility and how to apply, Pennsylvania residents can contact their state legislators, visit the Department of Revenue’s website or call 888-222-9190. Applications can be submitted online with Revenue’s myPATH system.

Those who have already applied can check the status of their rebate by clicking on the “Where’s My Rebate?” tool available on this page.

United Way Announces Scholarship Recipient

The United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike awarded the Mike Munchak Community Service Scholarship to Celia Emiliani, a 2024 graduate of West Scranton High School. The scholarship award was officially presented as part of the 28th Annual Mike Munchak Charity Golf Classic to benefit the United Way held at the Country Club of Scranton.  The sold-out golf tournament raised over $100,000 for United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike.  Over $1,600,000 have been raised during the 28 years of this golf outing.

“For the past 28 years it has been our honor to welcome Mike back home to Scranton, and we remain grateful to him for his unwavering commitment to the people of our community,” said Gary Drapek, President and CEO of the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike.

The United Way established the Mike Munchak Community Service Scholarship to assist high school students from Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike Counties, who plan to continue their education in an accredited university, college, or trade school in a two or

four-year degree program. The amount of the one-time scholarship is $6,300 in honor of Mike’s #63, retired by the Houston Oilers in 1994.  Completing the scholarships 13th year of existence, a total amount of $81,900 in scholarship funds have been distributed to local graduates.

To be eligible, candidates must be volunteers in programs funded by the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike, have a demonstrated commitment through community service activities and be full-time residents and/or students of a school district within Lackawanna, Wayne or Pike Counties. Additional requirements include a demonstrated financial need, academic achievement, agency recommendation and a track record of community service.

“Education is one of our pillars here at the United Way.  This scholarship is a prime example of how important a good education along with strong community involvement is in helping ensure Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike Counties continue to Live United.  Every year we are amazed at the amount of Hall-of-Fame caliber seniors who apply for this scholarship.  The future certainly remains bright here in NEPA,” added Drapek.

The 2024 scholarship recipient is Celia Emiliani, a West Scranton High School graduate who will be attending the University of Pittsburgh to pursue a degree in International Business.

Celia’s community service accomplishments include the American Red Cross Blood Drive, activities at the Knights of Columbus, St. Patrick’s Food Pantry, Scranton 1/2 Marathon, Community Intervention Center, Read Across America, Scranton Public Library among many other activities. Additionally, Celia is a member of the National Honor Society, West Scranton High Class President of 2024, Student Representative to the Scranton School Board, SADD Club Secretary as well as an array of clubs and activities in which she is engaged.  The Scholarship Committee noted Celia’s superior GPA as well as the leadership qualities she exhibited throughout her time at West Scranton.

“Funding essential programs throughout Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike Counties as well as running our own community outreach programs has led us into our 2nd Century of Service in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  Continuously evolving each and every year has been the key to our success.  Like the mindset of a Hall-of-Fame Athlete, we set a goal every year and do everything in our power to achieve that goal, just like our homegrown football legend himself, Mike Munchak,” Drapek concluded.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders Playing as the Malmö Oat Milkers

The evening of June 28th, the Malmö Oat Milkers came to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but they’ll have some familiar faces. Your hometown RailRiders played as the Oat Milkers, Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™)’s newest team brought to the league by Oatly, the world’s original and largest oatmilk company.

Questions such as “the Malmö whats?” “How do I even pronounce that?” and/or “what is oatmilk?” as well as statements including “I don’t get it, and I just want to watch some RailRiders baseball” are appropriate and, frankly, not shocking. Luckily, the Oatly public relations department shared some answers with us, which admittedly could bring either more clarity or more confusion to this situation.

Announced during MLB Tonight’s March 27 evening broadcast, the introduction of The Malmö Oat Milkers to the league is part of Oatly’s ongoing multi-year partnership with MiLB as the first-ever national plant-based, non-dairy sponsor, and pays homage to Oatly’s home city of Malmö, Sweden.

All of MiLB’s already existing 120 teams are each playing one game this season as the Oat Milkers, including the RailRiders – making the Oat Milkers more than just the 121st team of MiLB, but also an occasion for our local players to wear non-generic, but also non-outlandish pink accented jerseys for nine entire innings. Fans are under no obligation to wear Oat Milkers’ gear, but we’re told Oatly – the corporate sponsors – would love that.

While now primarily known for “assuming the identity of a MiLB team,” Oatly also makes a delicious range of oat-based, non-dairy milk alternatives that offer the same creamy taste, frothy feel, and functionality as cow’s milk, while generally having a lower environmental impact1. This includes frozen dessert concessions available for purchase at PNC Field.