University of Scranton Graduates Win Scholarships University of Scranton class of 2023 graduate Elise Westhafer, Reinholds, and class of 2022 graduate Isaiah Livelsberger, Hanover, have been awarded 2023-2024 Fulbright Student Scholarships, the premier international academic exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. Competitive, merit-based scholarships allow recipients to spend a year conducting research or teaching abroad. Westhafer received a Fulbright Award to Slovenia where she will conduct research focusing on neurotransmitters in the aging brain at the University of Ljubljana. Livelsberger, received a Fulbright Award to Guatemala where he will study judicial reform in Guatemala by carrying out research at the Rafael Landívar University and at the Association for Research and Social Studies in Guatemala City. “The Fulbright awards will give both exceptional graduates the ability to pursue research they are passionate about with world-class experts in their fields,” said Kara Kofira Bishop, University of Scranton Fulbright Program adviser. “An ardent researcher, Elise will work with Dr. Nina Vardjan, a member of the medical faculty at the Institute of Pathophysiology at the University of Ljubljana, to study brain metabolism and neuronal function to gain a better understanding of age-related decline. Zealous in pursuit of social justice, Isaiah will work with Professor Byron Morales of the Jesuit-run Rafael Landívar University, and Pablo Hurtado of the Association for Research and Social Studies to analyze how judicial institutions in Guatemala were impacted by the recently-retired International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala.” According to Bishop, the Fulbright program awards grants based on the recipients’ records of academic achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. This year’s awards continue Scranton’s decades of success with the Fulbright program. Since 1972, a total of 129 University students have been awarded Fulbrights.
FNCB Bank Announces Staff Promotions FNCB, locally-based since 1910, announced several staff promotions. Christina Baker, Banking Officer, Community Office Manager II Christina Baker has been promoted to Banking Officer, Community Office Manager II where she is responsible for strengthening existing relationships and creating new relationships to grow the Bank’s deposits and loans to increase branch profitability, all while delivering world class customer service. Miss Baker joined FNCB Bank in July 2021, where she was Personal Banker III and most recently Community Office Manager. Prior to joining the bank, she gained experience as a Universal Banker with Mellon Bank, and as a Head Teller, Retail Branch Assistant, and Loan Officer at Community Bank NA. She is a graduate of North Pocono High School and has completed Leadership Lackawanna’s Leadership Fundamentals 2.0 program. She resides in Elmhurst Township with her husband Christopher, daughter Victoria, and son Ean. Debra Burnett, Banking Officer, Human Resources Generalist Debra Burnett has been promoted to Banking Officer, Human Resources Generalist where she is responsible for coordinating the internal and external staffing process to identify, evaluate, and on-board qualified candidates. Miss Burnett joined FNCB in 2017 and most recently was a Human Resources Generalist. Prior to joining the bank, she worked for Gentex Corporation and Keystone College. She is a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School and Keystone College with an associate degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in human resources management. She resides in Carbondale with her husband Richard, and has two children, Nicole and Richard. Michael Darter, Assistant Vice President, Community Office Manager Michael Darter has been promoted to Assistant Vice President where he is responsible for strengthening existing relationships and creating new relationships to grow the Bank’s deposits and loans to increase branch profitability, all while delivering world class customer service. Mr. Darter joined FNCB Bank in 2021, and most recently served as Community Office Manager. Prior to joining the bank, he gained twenty years of management experience in mortgage banking and retail banking with different companies including Santander, Citizens Bank, CitiBank (CitiFinancial), First NLC Financial, and Ameriquest Mortgage. He is a graduate of Freeport High School (NY). He resides in Drums with his son Jacob. Paula Kashuba, Banking Officer, Community Office Manager II Paula Kashuba has been promoted to Banking Officer, Community Office Manager II where she is responsible for strengthening existing relationships and creating new relationships to grow the Bank’s deposits and loans to increase branch profitability, all while delivering world class customer service. In her time with FNCB Bank, she has worked in Customer Care, served as a Customer Service Representative, a Personal Banker, Assistant Community Office Manager, Community Office Manager, and most recently Banking Officer, Community Office Manager II. Christopher Moshinskie, Banking Officer, Community Office Manager II Christopher Moshinskie has been promoted to Banking Officer, Community Office Manager II where he is responsible for strengthening existing relationships and creating new relationships to grow the Bank’s deposits and loans to increase branch profitability, all while delivering world class customer service. In his time with FNCB Bank, Mr. Moshinskie has been an Assistant Community Office Manager, Community Office Manager I, and most recently Community Office Manager II. Prior to joining FNCB, he was a Licensed Banker at Citizens Bank. He is a graduate of Bay Shore High School (NY) and the University of Phoenix with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He was awarded a certification in the Foundations in Leadership Program, provided through FNCB. As an active member of the community, he is an assistant coach within the Jessup Youth Sports Association. He resides in Jessup with his wife, Danielle, and children Gianna, Alivia, Logan, and Dominic.
Representatives Tour The Wright Center for Community Health Practice Representatives of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office of Intergovernmental & External Affairs toured The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton Practice on Thursday, June 29 to highlight the Biden administration’s work to lower prescription drug costs for Americans and to explain how Medicaid beneficiaries can maintain their health care coverage amid post-public health emergency changes to renewal requirements. Melissa Herd, acting regional director and executive officer, Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, Region 3, HHS; Leah Suter, regional administrator, HRSA; and Robert McKenna, deputy regional administrator, HRSA, and Theresa Devine Kimak, public health advisor, HRSA, discussed the federal initiatives designed to protect health care access with Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, resident physicians, board members, and clinical care team representatives during a personal meeting and tour of the health care facility that provides oral, primary, preventive, and specialty care services to patients of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses. “The Wright Center is privileged to fulfill the delivery of its noble mission by working collaboratively with the United States Department of Health and Human Service and numerous like-minded community partners,” said Dr. Thomas-Hemak. “Together we strive to ensure patients and families in our service area have inclusive access to high-quality, comprehensive, equitable, and affordable primary and preventive health services and a respected voice in the generation of our incumbent and future health care workforce. “Collectively, we are tirelessly working to bolster our national primary care and public health infrastructure to improve the health care and health of our country,” she added. “We are excited to host and celebrate our accomplishments as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program service provider, and Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortium with our national partners.” Thanks to President Joe Biden’s new lower-cost prescription drug law, part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the lives of people with Medicare are changing for the better. In addition to giving Medicare the ability to negotiate the cost of prescription drugs, highlights of the new law include a $35 monthly cap per insulin prescription and free recommended preventative vaccines. With the federal public health emergency ending in May, it marked the discontinuation of Medicaid’s continuous coverage requirement. Medicaid users now must complete their annual renewal for health care coverage. Since May, more than 3,500 Pennsylvanians have been disenrolled because they failed to complete the renewal process. More are expected to lose coverage for the same reason during the year, according to HHS. The Wright Center for Community Health has been working to educate regional residents about the redetermination process for Medicaid coverage. The regional primary and preventive care provider has been distributing educational packets to patients, while community health workers also offer patients the personal attention they need to complete the renewal application process. “Medicaid is our Swiss army knife of health – we use it to address maternal health, homelessness, food insecurity, provide mental health support to young people in their schools, to help improve care and coordination for the formerly incarcerated, and more,” Herd said. Pennsylvania is one of 40 states to expand Medicaid, ensuring people across the state can access health care coverage. Had out-of-pocket costs for covered vaccines been eliminated in 2021, more than 177,459 Pennsylvanians who received vaccines under Part D would have saved almost $11 million or $60.43 per Medicare enrollee. And the $35 monthly insulin cap would have saved more than 80,197 state residents with Medicare an average of $543 on their insulin in 2020, according to HHS. Today, a record 92 million Americans rely on Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, better known as CHIP, for their health care, including nearly 3.7 million in the commonwealth, according to HHS. The Wright Center for Community Health’s patient-centered medical home has nine locations in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, that serve more than 40,0000 unique patients annually and ensures everyone in the service area has access to integrated, high-quality, affordable health services, regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. “The Wright Center for Community Health and its network of providers in Northeast Pennsylvania emphasize the importance of primary and preventive care for patients of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics,” said Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, chief medical officer for The Wright Center for Community Health. “The federal changes to Medicaid and CHIP renewal requirements could potentially reduce access to health care for some patients. That’s why the Wright Center for Community Health offers a sliding-fee discount program based on family size and income. It ensures health care services are accessible and more equitable for everyone, he added.” For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Scranton Counseling Center Receives Donation Scranton Counseling Center recently received a $25,000 grant from The Margaret Briggs Foundation to help fund the Center’s blight remediation / parking lot construction capital project. From left: Kevin Rogers, The Margaret Briggs Foundation; Dr. Sarah Wodder, President and CEO, Scranton Counseling Center; and Douglas Hein, Director of Development, Scranton Counseling Center.
Marion Munley Speaks on Women in Leadership Munley Law is pleased to announce that Marion Munley recently spoke to the Connecticut Women Trial Lawyers Association on Women in Leadership: Empowering One Another. Marion spoke on “Authentic Leadership: Telling Your Story”. A champion of victims’ rights and the civil justice system for over 25 years, Marion Munley is known for her compassionate approach to representing the catastrophically injured and her tireless devotion to her clients and their families. Triple Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial, Civil Practice, and Truck Law, Marion has earned an AV-Preeminent designation from Martindale-Hubbell, the industry’s highest ethical and client satisfaction rating. A leader in the legal community, Marion is an active member of the American Association for Justince (AAJ) and currently serves on the AAJ Board of Governors and on its Executive Committee. She was the first woman to become Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group in 2018 and is a past chair of the AAJ’s Women Trial Lawyers Caucus. Marion is the second woman in Pennsylvania to become Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Among her other professional affiliations are the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Society of Barristers, and the Summit Council, an exclusive group of todays top civil justice attorneys committed to the highest levels of trial advocacy, to obtaining justice for individuals and families who have been hurt by corporate wrongdoing, and to the protection of the civil justice system. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2012, Marion has been named the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Marion has also been selected to the list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for the last 18 years and was recently named to the 2023 Top 10 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list. She has been consistently recognized as one of the “top 50 Women Lawyers in Pennsylvania” in Super Lawyers Magazine. A graduate of Temple University School of Law (J.D., 1986), Marion received her undergraduate degree from the University of Scranton in 1983.
The Dime Bank Supports Lacawac Sanctuary The Dime Bank donated $9,750.00 to Lacawac Sanctuary to support their hands-on academic enrichment and innovative educational programs. The Lacawac Sanctuary is a non-profit conservation, research, and education center providing the community with a host of quality environmental, historical, and cultural programs. $7,500.00 was donated through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program to support Lacawac Sanctuary’s mission to educate students with important ecological and environmental science lessons, strengthening academic achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. On-site visits to Lacawac, off-site teachings at schools, educational workshops, and curriculum for afterschool sessions are just some of Lacawac’s innovative and educational offerings. $1,000.00 was donated as a corporate sponsorship, $1,000.00 was donated as an epicurean sponsorship of the 8th Annual Farm to Plate Dinner event, and $250.00 was donated to the Cocktails for Conservation fundraiser. All three help with the Sanctuary’s mission to help promote environmental understanding through education and conservation. “Many schools have insufficient funding to create their own programs that allow students to explore our diverse lake and forest habitats. Lacawac’s programs are multidisciplinary and geared towards a wide audience. We are happy to support this vital sanctuary that is available not only to our students but to people of all ages,” stated The Dime Bank Vice President Marketing Deb Unflat.
Net Credit Union Donates to Scranton Counseling Center Scranton Counseling Center was honored to accept a donation from NET Credit Union towards the center’s Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Unit (CRSU). The donation was for a total of $400.00.
PS Bank Nationally Ranked on American Banker List PS Bank is pleased to announce it has been ranked as the #42 highest bank on American Banker’s list of the Top 200 Community Banks under $2 billion in the United States as published in its June 2023 edition of the magazine. The 2023 ranking marks the eleventh consecutive year that Peoples Ltd. (PPLL) was included among institutions that are ranked based on three-year average Return on Equity (ROAE). For the fourth time in five years, Peoples Ltd. was the highest-ranked Pennsylvania-based institution on this list. With a three-year average ROAE of 14.84%, PS Bank continues to be a strong bank proudly serving customers throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania. Anthony J. Gabello, President & CEO, said “I am extremely proud of the hard work being done on a daily basis by our PS Bankers throughout the communities we serve. Earning the #42 ranking from American Banker and the highest ranking in Pennsylvania is a testament to the dedicated service we provide to our customers and to our strength as a community bank.”
Wayne Bank Supports United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties Jim Donnelly, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce that Wayne Bank has supported the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties with a donation through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Scholarship Program. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne counties works with a dedicated team of educators and community stakeholders to help better align Early Childhood Education and school districts, while building a strong bridge for families to help ensure every child in our community is supported through all the stages of growth and development. For the past 13 years, the United Way has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED) as a Pre-Kindergarten, Educational Improvement, Scholarship, and Opportunity Scholarship organization. Through their support and the generosity of local companies, hundreds of children from Preschool to High School are on the path to a bright future. Matt Ceruti, Vice President of Resource Development & Campaign with the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, accepted a check in the amount of $5,000 from Senior Vice President and PA Retail Market Manager of Wayne Bank, Joseph Castrogiovanni. “We are so pleased to make this donation to the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counites. Wayne Bank is proud to support the goals and initiatives of the United Way and feels strongly about investing in our local youth and giving back to our communities,” stated Mr. Donnelly. The gift was made possible as a result of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program offered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acting through the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Geisinger to Continue Maternity Needs for NEPA With the recent announcement that Wilkes-Barre General Hospital will close its labor and delivery services, Geisinger wants to assure the communities of northeastern Pennsylvania that Geisinger will work hard to fill that care gap. Rest assured that labor and delivery services will continue at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre and Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton. Leaders from both Geisinger facilities are holding recruitment events in hopes of filling staff vacancies and bolstering our OB-GYN services throughout the northeast. Teams are finding ways to create additional space to accommodate a potential volume increase in births. Logistical plans for providing transportation quickly and effectively for a mother and child are also being put in place. Geisinger accepts all major insurances, including Aetna, Cigna, Highmark, United Healthcare and Medicare. Geisinger will stay true to its mission to make better health easier for families in the communities we serve. Mothers-to-be who need to make a birthing plan can contact Geisinger to schedule an appointment by calling 570-808-7916. Geisinger also offers full OB-GYN and Women’s Health services at our outpatient Women’s Health clinics in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. To find a provider near you, visit providers.geisinger.org, type in your zip code and search women’s health or pregnancy.
