Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes Employees of the Quarter Every quarter, Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) recognizes one junior and one senior member of its world-class workforce with an Employee of the Quarter (EoQ) award. Great candidates are easy to come by as there are many talented and hard-working artisans supporting TYAD’s vast and varied missions. For the 2nd Quarter of FY24, it is Michael Benner of the Installation Services directorate and Michael Rudick of the Production Engineering directorate receiving the honors respectively. Benner joined Team Tobyhanna as a firefighter in October 2020. He began his career in 2004, serving as a volunteer firefighter alongside his uncle and two cousins near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He earned a Fire Science degree from Harrisburg Area Community College, where he lived in a firehouse opposed to a traditional dorm. A native of Blakeslee, PA, he also served as a police officer with the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department and an emergency medical technician with Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services. Benner is no stranger to the United States Army and its values as he joined the Army component of the Pennsylvania National Guard in 2012. One of the Army core values, “selfless service,” goes hand-in-hand with the type of work he performs on a daily basis. He said that helping people is something he feels naturally compelled to do. “It’s something that I’ve always done,” said Benner. “I’m very familiar with the Army values and selfless service. I feel like everybody should have these values and help their fellow persons.” Daryl Gebhardt serves as Chief of the Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) Branch. He lauded Benner for his commitment to team cohesion and his strong sense of duty and dedication. “Firefighter Benner exemplifies selfless service through his unwavering commitment to the Army values. He consistently prioritizes the needs of others above his own, demonstrating a willingness to sacrifice personal comfort and convenience for the greater good,” said Gebhardt. “Whether it’s volunteering for challenging assignments, offering support to fellow firefighters, or going above and beyond to assist the community, Mr. Benner’s actions reflect a deep sense of duty and dedication. His selfless service not only enhances team cohesion and morale but also strengthens the overall effectiveness for the F&ES Branch.” Benner recently led a small team tasked with developing the F&ES Branch’s Box Alarms, a system that ensures a structured and standardized response posture when dealing with emergencies. To do so, Benner met with mutual aid partners in the counties surrounding TYAD to develop a better understanding of what emergency response capabilities they were prepared to provide. He worked with them to ensure they knew exactly what was expected of them should the alarm rise to their level. The partnership works both ways so that TYAD’s emergency responders may also be dispatched should an emergency occur outside the gates of the installation. Gebhardt added that Benner’s efforts have made a lasting impact on the F&ES Branch’s capabilities. “Implementing Box Alarms under firefighter Benner’s leadership streamlined resource deployment, improving response efficiency. His initiative set a precedent, inspiring others to adopt similar structured approaches,” said Gebhardt. “By optimizing response protocols, Mr. Benner exemplified proactive leadership, enhancing overall departmental productivity. His innovative strategies not only expedited emergency responses but also fostered a culture of excellence. His commitment to efficiency sets a standard for operational effectiveness within the department, while his dedication to continuous improvement drives ongoing enhancements, ensuring sustained efficiency in emergency response.” Benner said he was grateful that leadership within the F&ES branch provided him the opportunity to lead a project so early into his depot career. “The fire department is really great in letting junior members really take projects and run with them,” said Benner. “When I noticed the alarm system needed to be revamped worked on, I presented it to the chief and he gave me the full power to run with it. Strong teamwork is a concept vital to the job of a firefighter. Benner credited the individuals he worked with on the project for its success. “The team always works better when everybody puts the team ahead of themselves. Everybody benefits from it. If the team is winning, everybody is winning,” said Benner. “The people I work with, I feel like we’re all on the same page. They made it easy to take the lead because they knew what to do and when to do it. Rudick is being recognized for his efforts dealing with the AN/TPQ-53, a multi-mission radar system, and the AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder system. When Army leadership needed a quick response for the evaluation of a AN/TPQ-53, he immediately took the lead to perform the necessary testing and provide a detailed report ahead of the requested deadline. Knowing they would be required to install and upgrade the AN/TPQ-53 system software, Rudick earned his CompTIA Security+ and Network+ certificates. Getting out ahead of this requirement was critical to TYAD being able to complete the AN/TPQ-53 Pilot Program repair effort and provide technical support to fielded systems ahead of planned Depot maintenance. He also took the initiative to better himself and increase his effectiveness at TYAD by achieving his Certified Electronics Technician and Engineer-In-Training certificates. Rudick volunteered to support another requirement by developing a test capability to validate digital phase shifters, a part critical to AN/TPQ-37 Power Amplifier Modules. He developed an automated program to reduce the amount of time required for manual measurements and also worked with the Original Equipment Manufacturer to develop a better understanding of AN/TPQ-53 testing. He then provided training to fellow engineers and C4ISR technicians in order to complete depot transition efforts within the contract timeline. Mike Sherin serves as a Supervisory Electronics Engineer and works closely with Rudick. He said his efforts have made an impact on the entire team around him. “Mike consistently dives head-first in new technical challenges. His self-motivation, positive attitude, and strong work ethic are inspiring to his peers. Mike volunteers for additional work assignments demonstrating a mission-first attitude to his team members and his hands-on approach allows him to lead by doing,” said Sherin. “Mike truly puts his best foot forward each and every day and encourages others to do the same. Mike is recognized by his peers as someone who is always willing to help others solve challenging technical issues, and takes any Pathways students under his wing to ensure they have a fulfilling experience at TYAD.” The Employee of the Quarter awards and other employee recognition programs align with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035 – specifically the Investing In Our People line of effort. The plan aims to posture the depot for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.
Keystone Mission’s Rejuvenation Project Receives Grant Keystone Mission’s Rejuvenation Project received a generous $10,000 grant from The Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Community Needs Grant. The Rejuvenation Project aims at equipping individuals experiencing homelessness with the tools they need to rebuild their lives. Through this project, Keystone Mission is establishing the Seeds of Hope Community Garden, expanding access to showers, and offering comprehensive training through the Pathfinders’ Vocational Program. Thanks to the generous funding, the Rejuvenation Project has a tangible impact on homeless individuals, providing them with the resources and opportunities to rebuild their lives and regain independence. “We are grateful for the partnership of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Together we are creating a greater impact on the lives of our guests.” says Danielle O. Keith-Alexandre, CEO & Executive Director. “It is essential for the unsheltered community and those experiencing economic hardship and food insecurity to have access to the necessary tools required for their betterment.” Keystone Mission is thankful for community partners like Scranton Area Community Foundation for supporting the mission to bring help and hope to the homeless, hungry, and hurting people in Northeast PA.
Johnson College Earns Gold Military Friendly School Designation Johnson College has earned the 2024-2025 Gold Military Friendly® School designation. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-2025 survey with 537 earning special awards for going above the standard. The 2024-2025 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com. Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer), and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans. “Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunities for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages Institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard.” – Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®. For more information about Johnson College’s student veteran programs, visit https://johnson.edu/veterans/.
The Wright Center Welcomes New Workers The Wright Center for Community Health and residents of Northeast Pennsylvania are offering two new community health workers (CHWs) with specialized services to patients, thanks to a unique program through the National Health Corps (NHC). Harry Yanoshak of Plains Township to work with The Wright Center’s geriatric care teams and Kristin Zaorski of Covington Township will collaborate with The Wright Center’s behavioral health teams. Both CHWs are funded through the NHC’s Community Health Fellowship, a grassroots community health service program that trains local community residents as CHWs. The new employees are committed to addressing the unmet needs of underserved populations and honing their skills as community health leaders. The Wright Center employs CHWs to help connect patients and community members to various resources. In addition to connecting them to food pantries and helping them find safe, affordable housing, CHWs can also help patients address utility bills, transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, health insurance applications, and a variety of other needs. “They bridge the gap,” said Kathleen Doyle, director of patient-centered services at The Wright Center. “They help address basic needs so patients can focus on their health and medical needs. This ties in directly to The Wright Center’s mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services.” The NHC program funds CHWs to work in specialized areas to facilitate integration with The Wright Center for Community Health’s whole-person primary health services. “This is one more step in offering whole-person, integrated care,” said Lou Strazzeri, community and agency referrals coordinator for The Wright Center. “We can now offer a CHW who can focus specifically on what a patient being seen by our geriatric care team might need or what one of our behavioral health patients may need.” Nicole Lipinski, director of The Wright Center’s Geriatric Service Line, looks forward to the unique resources and support Yanoshak will be able to offer to patients and their families. “We are able to help this vulnerable population navigate through the care continuum as they age in place or require additional assistance with care in facilities,” she said. “Having a CHW will only enhance what we can offer.” CHWs are one of the fastest-growing occupations in today’s health care field, with a projected 12% increase in jobs between 2021 and 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Participants in the AmeriCorps-funded NHC program must complete 1,700 hours of service within a term spanning 42-46 weeks. They also must complete a CHW training course offered by the Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center. They receive a living stipend and are eligible for food and child care assistance, tuition reimbursement, and access to health insurance, including medical, vision, and dental. The Wright Center, headquartered in Scranton, operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its locations offer integrated whole-person primary health services, meaning patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Geisinger Hospitals Recognized for Maternal Healthcare Five Geisinger hospitals were recipients of the Pennsylvania Perinatal Quality Collaborative (PA PQC) inaugural Designations Awards. The awards, presented May 22 at a ceremony in Harrisburg, recognize hospitals for establishing multidisciplinary teams that have demonstrated improvements in maternal and newborn care by sharing best practices in their hospital and community. Hospitals could earn a designation for each 2023-24 PA PQC initiative in which they actively participated, including: the availaibility of immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (IPLARC); maternal substance use disorders (SUD) identification and treatment; and standardizing the treatment of the substance exposed newborn (SEN) to reduce the need for drug therapy. The awards are based on meeting quality improvement milestone criteria from April 2023 through March 2024. “These recognitions are a reflection of the focus that our Obstetric and Pediatric teams place on high quality and equitable care across the Geisinger system,” said Sandra Culbertson, M.D, chair of Geisinger’s Women and Children’s Institute. “Responding to the opioid crisis and providing easy access to effective contraception are priorities that reflect the needs of families in our communities.” Geisinger Medical Center earned a silver designation to recognize its work in the issue areas of SUD focusing on health equity and a bronze designation in IPLARC. Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital earned a gold designation in SEN, a silver designation in SUD with a health equity focus, and a bronze designation in IPLARC. Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center earned a gold designation to recognize its work in the issue areas of SUD and a bronze designation in IPLARC. Geisinger Lewistown Hospital earned a silver designation in SEN with a patient voice focus, a silver designation in SUD with a health equity focus, and a bronze IPLARC designation. Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton earned a silver designation to recognize its work in the issue areas of SUD focusing on health equity and a bronze designation in IPLARC. A gold designation signifies a hospital’s proven commitment to health equity and patient voice in their quality improvement work. A silver designation signifies the hospital’s proven commitment to incorporating health equity OR patient voice into its quality improvement work. A bronze designation signifies the hospital met the required quality improvement submission criteria for at least two of the four quarters. In Pennsylvania, perinatal health issues persist, including racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes, higher than average maternal sepsis rates, and drug overdose deaths during pregnancy and postpartum. The PA PQC addresses these challenges through various initiatives, including Maternal Opioid Use Disorder, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Maternal Sepsis, and Safe Sleep. Through collaborative efforts, the PA PQC aims to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes across the state. “All Geisinger delivery hospitals have taken an active role in the PA PQC since its inception in 2019. The work is conducted by hospital staff (nurses, care managers and providers) who have shown tremendous dedication to improving care for mothers and babies,” said James Cook, M.D., Geisinger director of newborn services and co-chair on the PA PQC for pediatrics. “This work has been rewarded by the PA PQC with funds to purchase equipment and provide further education to our staff. “Future PA PQC initiatives for 2024-25 will include a focus on reducing the incidence of both maternal sepsis and sudden unexpected infant death across the region,” Dr. Cook added. The PA PQC is administered by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation and WHAMglobal, and it is affiliated with the Northeastern PA PQC (NEPaPQC).
MFHS Donates Diapers and Baby Wipes to Families in Need Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS) is pleased to announce that a Mother’s Day Diaper Drive organized by Penn East Federal Credit Union collected 7,500 diapers, 7,000 baby wipes, 177 baby outfits, and $2,000 in cash donations for the families enrolled in their Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Program. The Penn East FCU Community Involvement Committee (CIC) coordinated the activity at all five Penn East FCU branches during the month of April, with the goal of collecting over 2,000 diapers. “We are so grateful to the staff and customers of Penn East FCU for supporting our Nurse-Family Partnership clients,” said MFHS President and CEO, Maria Montoro Edwards, PhD, “The response was incredible, and will make such a difference to the at-risk mothers and children we serve.” The Nurse-Family Partnership program pairs specially trained nurses with at risk, often young, mothers-to-be, beginning early in the pregnancy and continuing until the child’s second birthday. NFP nurses help families prepare for their child, and help them lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits. Penn East has been an integral part of the community in Lackawanna to, Luzerne, and Wyoming counties for over eighty years. Penn East FCU’s team believes that by assisting and being involved in their membership counties, they can help to create and be a part of a more positive future for Northeastern Pennsylvania. Through the diaper drive, the community-minded credit has made a positive impact in the lives of the local families that MFHS serves.
FNCB Bank Announces Receipt of Regulatory Approvals FNCB Bancorp, Inc. (“FNCB”) (Nasdaq: FNCB) and Peoples Financial Services Corp. (” Peoples”) (Nasdaq: PFIS) today announced receipt of all required regulatory approvals or waivers necessary to complete the previously announced merger of FNCB with and into Peoples, with Peoples as the surviving corporation, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 27, 2023, by and between Peoples and FNCB. The merger is expected to close on July 1, 2024, pending satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Keystone Mission Raises Money for NEPA Gives Coming up on year five, Keystone Mission took part in NEPA Gives, a 24-online giving event that’s all about giving back to the community. On June 6-7, 2024, Keystone Mission’s goal was to raise $10,000 toward the transportation needs of Transformation Center residents. Together, the community helped Keystone Mission surpass the goal and raise over $15,000! Whether it is medical, dental, and mental health appointments or traveling to a job interview, transportation is essential to connecting residents of the 24/7 shelter program to the proper resources and changing their lives. “NEPA Gives 2024 is an amazing experience for Keystone Mission. We are appreciative to our matching donors and other general donors for their generosity. These funds will bring much relief to our Transformation Center residents, making attending and receiving specific services easier. We can’t thank our donors enough!” says Danielle O. Keith-Alexandre, CEO & Executive Director. “Even through a tough economic climate, our donors rally with us to fill the transportation gap in our programming. We can’t thank the community enough for their unwavering support,” said Jillian Mirro, Communications & Marketing Manager. Keystone Mission recognizes the generosity of the local organizations that provided matching gifts: Pioneer Construction Company Inc., Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation, Dustbusters Cleaning Team Inc., Cross Valley Federal Credit Union, Deluxe Detail, Citizen’s Saving Bank, and Medico Construction Equipment Inc.. Keystone Mission is grateful to the NEPA community that came together to aid in our mission of life transformation.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant In April 2024, the Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded a $15,000 Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The grant will support the purchase of outdoor playground equipment at the Y’s new Early Learning Center in Olyphant. The center opened in April 2024. Through the opening of the new center, the Greater Scranton YMCA’s goal is to offer our community much needed childcare services, allowing parents to work knowing their child(ren) are in a safe and nurturing environment. The center will provide children with the tools and resources needed for success in kindergarten and beyond, and the outdoor playground equipment will provide children with daily opportunities for outdoor play. The new center, which is licensed to serve up to 125 children, will also aid jobseekers, creating 16 full-time and two part-time positions. “It’s because of the incredible generosity of community partners like the Scranton Area Community Foundation that the Greater Scranton YMCA is able to serve so many members of our community,” said Rich Surridge, Interim CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “The opening of our second early learning center will allow our Y to provide care to the substantial number of children and families in need of childcare services. The outdoor playground will be such a wonderful asset to the center.” For more information about early childhood education at the Greater Scranton YMCA, contact Tressa Parker, Senior Director of Education, at tparker@gsymca.org or visit the Y online at www.greaterscrantonymca.org.
Geisinger Discusses Isometric Exercise By: Geisinger, interventional cardiologist, Sandy Green, MD Exercises to combat high blood pressureNew evidence points to wall sits, planks and other isometric exercises as the most effective at lowering high blood pressure. Movement is the key to combating hypertension, right? Not so fast. It’s long been thought that aerobic exercise — think brisk walking, running and cycling — strengthens your heart and reduces blood pressure. And that’s true. But new evidence shows wall sits, planks and other isometric or static exercises are more effective at lowering high blood pressure. While research shows all forms of exercise are good for your heart, isometric training is a promising exercise mode for people with high blood pressure. The good news is isometric exercises also bolster joint stability, promote better posture and can be beneficial for preventing injuries and aiding in rehabilitation. What is isometric exercise? Isometric exercise is a low-intensity form of strength training where you contract or tighten a muscle group and then hold still — without any joint movement. While holding in a static position, the exercise relies on your body’s weight to help maintain strength and stabilize your joints and core. Isometric exercise is convenient, can be done in just a few minutes and doesn’t require any equipment and you can perform it easily at home or in the office during breaks. Why are isometric holds the best exercise to lower blood pressure? A study published in the fall of 2023 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine revealed that while most types of exercise helped lower blood pressure, isometric training was the most effective at lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure — especially in people with high blood pressure. When doing a plank or other isometric hold, your muscles contract and generate tension. That makes your blood vessels constrict, causing more demand for oxygen and nutrients. Decreased blood flow stimulates the production of nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels to improve blood flow and supply these required resources. As a result, more blood can flow through the blood vessels and blood pressure is reduced. Strength training also engages the muscles and constricts blood vessels, but not for an extended time. When you do a bicep curl, you don’t hold it for several minutes. You lift it quickly and go back down, so you’re not getting the decreased blood flow to the area and increased production of nitric oxide from holding the position. An isometric hold also increases your heart rate and cardiac output to supply more oxygen to your muscles. Over time, this strengthens and conditions your heart to pump blood more efficiently and reduces stress on blood vessels, leading to lower blood pressure. What are isometric exercise examples? While all isometric exercises can contribute to lowering blood pressure, some are more effective than others. In the study, researchers studied three isometric exercise examples in particular: squeezing a handgrip, leg extensions and wall sits, also called wall squats. The wall sits were found to be the most effective isometric exercise of them all. To do a wall sit, position yourself with your back against a wall and slide down until your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. Hold this position for 20 seconds or more. The wall sit primarily focuses on your quadriceps and glutes. The optimal isometric exercises for lowering blood pressure are those that engage multiple muscle groups and increase your heart rate. The study found doing four sets of two minutes each with a rest period in between, three to four days a week, yields maximum benefits. Other isometric exercise examples include: Plank, side plank and reverse plank Glute bridge Dead hang from a pull-up bar Static lunge V-sit Standing wall push-ups Calf raise and hold Tricep dip and hold Bicep curl and hold Overhead hold Kettle ball hold in front of you When doing any isometric hold, breathe slowly and regularly to make sure your muscles get plenty of oxygen. You can start by holding the position for 20 seconds and slowly working your way up to holding it for two minutes. Just be sure to talk with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine. Adding isometric holds as “exercise snacks” There is increasing evidence that points to the health benefits of “exercise snacks,” short bursts of vigorous activity spread throughout the day. If you struggle to find 30 minutes to work out each day, these two-minute or so “snacks” can quickly add up to help you meet your daily fitness goals. Incorporating exercise snacks into your daily routine is a great way to vary your workouts. For office workers, this is an easy way to get in exercise snacks throughout the day and positively impact blood pressure. So do wall sits between phone calls, hold a plank if you’ve been sitting too long or grip a stress ball before heading to a meeting. It breaks up your day at the office and can get you up and out of your chair even if you do it three or four times a week, that’s enough to lower blood pressure. Small changes can make a big difference. Adding isometric exercises doesn’t mean you should stop doing all other types of exercise, like strength training and cardiovascular workouts. It’s important to include all forms of exercise for your overall health and heart health. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (hiking, biking, water aerobics) or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity (running, swimming laps) each week. Research is well established that aerobic training is just as important as strength training, which is just as important as stretching and isometric exercise for longevity. Each type of exercise plays a vital role in building the body’s strength, endurance, coordination, flexibility and functionality. For the latest health and wellness tips and advice, visit geisinger.org/balance.
