Scranton Jazz Festival 20th Anniversary Show Tickets Now Available for Sale Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Scranton Jazz Festival, Tower of Power performs on the Main Stage this summer! Tickets on sale now for this special concert! Now in its 20th year, the Scranton Jazz Festival will celebrate a milestone in its history with three days of live jazz, blues and world beat music, August 1 to 3 in Downtown Scranton. Pennsylvania’s world class jazz festival will feature the iconic funk and soul band Tower of Power on the Main Stage at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple (SCC). Tickets for the performance are on sale now at www.scrantonjazzfestival.org. Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California. “East Bay Grease,”their debut album released in 1970,defined their sound and landed them with Warner Brothers. In 1972, their “Bump City” albumwas a hit on the Billboard 200 and the R&B Albums chart yielding some of their most famous hits, including “You’re Still A Young Man” and “Down to The Nightclub.” The band’s popularity continued to soar with the release of “Tower of Power” in 1973 featuring hits “So Very Hard to Go” and “What Is Hip?” Tower of Power will perform at the Scranton Jazz Festival as the Main Stage Act at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, 420 N. Washington Avenue, Scranton, on Saturday, August 2. Doors open at 7 p.m. with an 8 p.m. show time. Tickets start at $45.65. A limited VIP Sound Check Experience package is available for $178.80. The package includes access to Tower of Power’s sound check, a photo with the band, and a concert ticket. For tickets, visit www.scrantonjazzfestival.org. In addition to Tower of Power, the festival lineup includes the Emmy-nominated Scranton Jazz Festival Big Band in concert and performances by more than 80 national, regional and local swing, jazz, blues and world beat musicians. Reminiscent of a New Orleans style festival, the event takes place in more than 20 venues throughout Downtown Scranton, featuring a Jazz Walk on Friday and Saturday nights and Jazz Brunches on Sunday. More details will be released soon! The Scranton Jazz Festival is made possible through partnerships with Blu Elefante Events, PA Jazz Alliance Inc., Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau, First Friday Scranton, Lackawanna County, and Scranton Tomorrow, and with the generous support of sponsors and media partners. For tickets and more information, visit www.scrantonjazzfestival.org and follow Scranton Jazz Festival on Facebook and Instagram. History of the Scranton Jazz Festival The inaugural Scranton Jazz Festival (SJF) was held in 2005 at Hanlon’s Grove Amphitheatre in Nay Aug Park, Scranton, Pennsylvania. After a major snowstorm damaged the facility in 2007, organizers moved the event to the historic Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel in Downtown Scranton. The festival later expanded to include live music at the Radisson and in dozens of venues throughout the downtown. Presented in August, the 3-day festival features the finest international, national and regional jazz, blues and world beat artists. The event draws audiences from the entire Mid-Atlantic region, resulting in tremendous notoriety and exposure to the international jazz world. The SJF contributes to the region as a cultural epicenter, spreading the arts throughout the northeast much like festivals in other parts of the country do, such as Newport, Rhode Island; Saratoga Springs, Florida; and Monterey, California. SJF is an annual tribute to Scranton’s rich history in jazz, which dates back to the 1930s. Jazz legends Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey performed regularly with the famous Scranton Sirens Jazz Band. The greater Scranton area is also credited with hosting the first known recorded jazz festival, “The Cavalcade of Dixieland Jazz,” in 1951. Festival organizers aspire to carry on this rich tradition while the event becomes a recognized contributor to the world of jazz, blues and world beat music in its own right. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, SJF is made possible with support from sponsors and partners, and an outstanding staff of artisans, technicians, administrators and volunteers. As a result of their dedication, the festival has remained a high-quality musical event that entertains and inspires festival goers while supporting the region’s economy with a boost in tourism to the city. It is the hope and desire of everyone involved with the festival that it will continue for decades to come. To learn more, visit www.scrantonjazzfestival.org. Tower of Power For 57 years, Tower of Power has delivered the best in funk and soul music. “We were a Soul band called The Motowns,” recalls Emilio Castillo. “Rocco was the bass player, I was there, and my brother was the drummer. I met “Doc” Kupka back in 1968 and gave him an audition. He came in the band, and we eventually changed our name to the Tower of Power.” The reason for the band name change was that they had a specific goal in mind. East Bay Grease defined their sound and landed them with Warner Brothers. Bump City, their 1972 debut for the label, was a hit on both the Billboard 200 and the R&B Albums chart and netted them the hits “You’re Still A Young Man” and “Down to The Nightclub.” The 70s were a boom period with radio classics like “So Very Hard to Go” and “What Is Hip?,” and the band continued to tour and record over the years. Castillo says their love of the stage is the same today as it was back in 1968. Fifty years later, in 2018, they returned to Oakland to celebrate their landmark 50th anniversary. Tower’s window-rattling grooves and raucous party spirit has been a balm for the soul throughout their half-century existence, but the release of 50 Years of Funk & Soul: Live at the Fox Theater couldn’t have arrived at a better time. The band has long since surpassed Castillo’s modest aspirations, traveling the world, enjoying hit singles on their own and backing legendary artists including Otis Redding, Elton John, Santana, the Grateful Dead, John Lee Hooker, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, and countless others. In the process they’ve defined an “Oakland soul” sound as instantly recognizable as those from Castillo’s hometown, Detroit, as well as inspirations like Memphis and Philadelphia. The future of Tower of Power is set out to be vigorous and dynamic and will prove to be just that for fans around the world starved for the band’s groove just the way Tower of Power likes it! To learn more, visit towerofpower.com.
Friendship House Appoints Chris Howe to Vice President and Chief Operation Officer Friendship House President and Chief Executive Officer Alex J. Hazzouri has announced the appointment of Chris Howe as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Friendship House, a vital behavioral health and human services organization in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Howe has more than two decades of experience in healthcare leadership. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health’s Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, where he led market-wide initiatives that resulted in significant improvements in clinical, operational, and financial performance. Mr. Howe has held leadership roles at Bon Secours Mercy Health in Springfield, Ohio, and Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill, West Virginia. In these roles, he achieved double-digit growth in revenue and surgical volume, launched new service lines, and completed a $16 million operating room expansion project. He began his healthcare career as a registered nurse, a foundation that continues to shape his empathetic, mission-driven leadership style. Mr. Howe possesses a Master of Health Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina. He is a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional, a Fellow of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, and an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He resides in the North Pocono area with his wife, Carline Archer Howe, and their daughter, Bonadia Marie Howe. He takes over from James R. Martin, retiring after serving as the VP/CEO of Friendship House during its growth and expansion over the past decade. Friendship House is dedicated to serving children, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities, emotional or behavioral difficulties, or those traumatized by loss, abuse, or neglect. In addition to many other services, they operate the Whole Person Care Center in downtown Scranton, which provides mental health services, primary care services, and substance use disorder services to all individuals and families, regardless of their ability to pay. They believe in identifying and providing the best treatment options for every individual with the help of a committed and supportive staff. Their dedication is evident in the individualized services they offer, which promote resilience in children and recovery in adults, maximizing the physical, emotional, behavioral, and social well-being of those they serve.
The University of Scranton’s Commencement to Feature Senior Producer of “60 Minutes” Nicole Young ’00, H’20, 16-time Emmy Award-winning senior producer for “60 Minutes,” will be the principal speaker at The University of Scranton’s 2025 undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 18. 60 Minutes Producer, Nicole Young. Photo: CBS News ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. “We are honored to have the senior producer of America’s most-watched news program return to her alma matter to share her vast knowledge and insights with our graduating class,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton. “Few television producers have achieved as much as Nicole Young. She has channeled her innate interest and skill of storytelling into compelling and acclaimed journalism with humanitarianism at its heart. Her concern for justice and passion for Jesuit education shine through in all that she does.” Growing up in Hoptacong, New Jersey, Young was impacted by news stories of famine in Ethiopia. News from across the globe, combined with an interest in international events gleaned from summers spent in Jamaica with family, led Young to pursue a career in journalism as a way to effect positive change by creating awareness of the wrongs in the world. After graduating from The University of Scranton in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in communication, Young earned a master’s degree in international journalism from City University of London. She began her career at CBS News as an intern at 19, working in Washington, D.C., London, and New York. She joined “60 Minutes” in 2004 as an assistant to correspondent Scott Pelley and became his producer a few years later. Over the years, Young has been the producer behind many of the major segments of the broadcast, which is now in its 57th season. She has earned 16 News and Documentary Emmy Awards, three Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia Awards, eight Writers Guild Awards, five Edward R. Murrow Awards, two Gerald Loeb Awards, two Sigma Delta Chi Awards, six National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Salute to Excellence Awards, a George Foster Peabody Award, a George Polk Award, an Investigative Reporters & Editors Award, a Gracie Award, a Media for Liberty Award, and a Wilbur Award. Young’s most recent “60 Minutes” assignments have taken her to cover critical global events, such as the war in Ukraine, the fall of Syria’s dictator, the devastating earthquakes in Turkey, the deadly tornadoes in Kentucky, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also covered social injustice, President Donald Trump, and high-profile interviews with celebrities, including Cillian Murphy. She has produced in-depth stories on Syria’s front lines, the famines in South Sudan and Yemen, and toxic electronic waste in China. Her fearless reporting includes investigations on civilian deaths due to airstrikes in Afghanistan, the gold mining conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and being on the ground after the tsunami in Japan. However, some of her most pivotal stories have focused on issues closer to home, such as job loss, poverty, homelessness and child hunger in the United States. In addition to producing stories for “60 Minutes,” Young leads special projects for the newsmagazine, including the development of the broadcast’s first free streaming channel. She also held a senior producer position at CBS Evening News, covering such major events as the Fiftieth Anniversary of the March on Washington and the historic election choice of Pope Francis in Rome. Young is a member of the University’s Board of Trustees and was awarded an honorary degree from Scranton in 2020. She resides in the New York area with her family. The University’s 2025 undergraduate commencement ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on May 18 at the Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre.
The University of Scranton Presents World Premieres Composition Series Concert World-Class Musicians Wycliffe Gordon (L) and Jennifer Krupa (R) to Premiere Compositions Apr. 12 The University of Scranton will welcome two guest composers/conductors – trombone legends and internationally acclaimed musicians, composers and educators Wycliffe Gordon (H ’06) and Jennifer Krupa – at its 42nd annual World Premiere Composition Series Concert on Saturday, April 12. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis at the Houlihan-McLean Center on campus. The concert will feature the University’s Concert Band and Concert Choir performing the world premieres of commissioned works by Gordon and Krupa, written specifically for the student ensembles. Gordon will compose and conduct compositions for the SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass) mixed choir and trombone soloist Krupa. Gordon and Krupa will reverse roles with Gordon as the soloist for the band piece she composed and will conduct. “Wycliffe Gordon has been an inspiration to me for decades – not just as a mentor, but as a dear friend,” Krupa said. “He introduced me to so many styles of music and pushed me to go beyond studying jazz history to develop my own voice. This concert band piece reflects just a few of the many ways he has influenced me, from introducing me to the worlds of Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and gospel music, to encouraging me to write my own. The themes in this piece blend his influence with elements from my earliest compositions. I can’t wait to share the stage with Wycliffe and The University of Scranton Concert Band and Choir.” Krupa’s “Cone Themes” for concert band and virtuosic trombonist will be premiered by the University’s Concert Band and soloist Gordon. “There is no musician alive I am more in awe and amazement of than Wycliffe,” said Cheryl Y. Boga, conductor and director of Performance Music at the University. Gordon’s three-piece choral cycle – “Blues Hymn,” “It is Spring” and “Ballad for Lena Mae” – will be premiered by the University’s Concert Choir, piano/bass/drums and soloist Krupa. “Wycliffe and his music hold a very special place in the heart of the university and its students and alumni,” said Boga, who founded the World Premiere Composition Series in 1984. “Wycliffe’s impact musically and spiritually on every heart, ear and mind he touches is immeasurable. We are unbelievably fortunate to regularly benefit from his generosity and open-hearted and expressive musicality.” Gordon is a regular guest at the University, where he was honored in 2006 with an honorary doctorate. An award-winning trombonist, composer, conductor, arranger and educator, Gordon has been a regular guest performer and teacher at the University for nearly 30 years. He has composed and premiered numerous compositions at Scranton through the University’s World Premiere Composition Series, as well as a piece composed and premiered for the celebration of the inauguration of University President Kevin Quinn, S.J. in 2016, and has performed as soloist with various student ensembles at Scranton. Named the Jazz Journalists Association “Trombonist of the Year” for a record-breaking 15 times, Gordon has topped Downbeat Critics Poll for “Best Trombone” for an unprecedented six times (2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013 and 2012). Recent awards include the “Louie Award,” the International Trombone Award and the Satchmo Award, among others. A prolific recording artist, Gordon can be heard on hundreds of recordings, soundtracks, live DVD’s and documentaries, and has an extensive catalog of original compositions that span the various timbres of jazz and chamber music. His arrangement of the theme song to NPR’s “All Things Considered” is heard daily across the globe. Krupa is also a returning guest to the World Premiere and a regular guest artist at the University with student ensembles and her own quintet. An accomplished performer and educator, as well as a prolific arranger and composer who has contributed original works and arrangements to a wide variety of ensembles, Krupa’s extensive discography spans nearly 30 recordings with artists including Gordon. Renowned for her exceptional musicianship, transformative teaching, and dedicated service to the jazz community, her influence extends across generations of musicians and audiences worldwide. Recently retired from a two-decade career with the United States Navy Jazz Commodores, where she served in a variety of roles, including lead trombonist and Music Director, Krupa is currently lead trombonist with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra. Krupa is also a faculty member at The Juilliard School. She has led guest clinics, masterclasses and adjudications nationwide, guest-conducted the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, and presented at the Jazz Educators Network, Midwest Clinic and the International Trombone Festival. “I am enjoying preparing the band for Jen’s arrival and am very much looking forward to meeting her, working with her, and hearing the piece come together with the band and Wycliffe under Jen’s direction,” said Janelle Decker, conductor and co-director of Performance Music. Performance Music at The University of Scranton has now commissioned 100-plus musical works in the 42 years since the series was created. The primary focus of Performance Music at the University is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles. All University students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible for membership in the University bands, choirs, string ensembles and steel drum band. Hundreds of students, spanning the curriculum and bonded by a love of music, participate each year in the ensembles. For more information on the concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music. Visit wycliffegordon.com for more information on Gordon and jenkrupa.com for more information on Krupa.
Marywood Alumnus and Trustee Michael E. Bugno to Chair “Celebrate Marywood” Fundraiser Michael E. Bugno, a Marywood University alumnus and trustee, will chair Marywood University’s flagship annual fundraising event, Celebrate Marywood, on Thursday, May 1, 2025, 5:30 p.m. This vibrant event will take place outdoors in the stunning Motherhouse and Seminary Morgan Memorial Garden for a unique experience in a distinctly Marywood way. The celebration will honor Marywood former trustee Richard Kane and his wife, Erin. Dedicated community advocates, the Kanes have made remarkable contributions to Marywood and various organizations across Northeast Pennsylvania. Mr. Bugno, formerly of Clarks Summit, is an accomplished experiential marketing and strategic global events leader, with more than 20 years of planning and executing successful corporate trade shows and events for mid-sized and Fortune 150 companies. Presently, he is the Vice President, Enterprise Experiential Marketing, for Fiserv, based in New York, N.Y. Prior to Fiserv, Mr. Bugno held a number of leadership positions at Lectra, Food Network, and Comedy Central. He began his career at Walt Disney World, where he was involved in College & International Marketing and Recruiting. Mr. Bugno graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in theatre arts administration in 1998, and he has had a longstanding relationship with the university ever since. He received the Marywood Alumni Association Recent Graduate Award in 2004 and served as a Marywood University trustee from 2006-2015. In 2019, he again joined Marywood’s Board of Trustees. Mr. Bugno has co-chaired and/or worked on sponsorships for the Annual Community Leadership Celebration, now reimagined as Celebrate Marywood, since its inception in 2014. Celebrate Marywood is the University’s signature fundraiser, providing special support to Marywood students and honoring individuals in the community who exemplify Marywood’s core values in leadership and service to others. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit needed campus improvements. To join Marywood University in honoring Richard and Erin Kane, at Celebrate Marywood on May 1, please visit marywood.edu/celebratemarywood for ticket and sponsorship information, or call (570) 348-6238.
Marywood to Feature Former NFL Quarterback Ron Jaworski as Commencement Speaker Ron Jaworski will deliver the commencement address at Marywood University’s graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, PA. After a distinguished 17-year NFL career, with a Super Bowl appearance, Pro Bowl selection, an MVP award, and an Eagles Hall of Fame induction, the “CEO-Quarterback” Ron Jaworski has been teaching and coaching football fans on TV and radio as a multiplatform NFL analyst, with feature roles that included ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, the NFL Matchup show, NFL-branded specials, Mike & Mike in the Morning, Pardon the Interruption, ESPN’s Monday Night Football, NFL Network’s Film Sessions, and currently on Westwood One’s NFL Radio broadcast coverage, was a part of the True To Your Heart podcast, focused on cardiovascular health, and the co-host of NBC Sports Philadelphia Eagles’ Pre-Game Live and Post-Game Live. Aside from his storied history on the football field, “Jaws” remains committed to civic activity and philanthropy and has received numerous recognitions for his community service. Ron and his wife Liz Jaworski created the Jaws Youth Playbook Foundation, which focuses on a mission to improve the overall health and wellness of at-risk youth, primarily in the Greater Philadelphia Region. Annually, Ron and his foundation have partnered with HOF Coach Mike Ditka to host the Ditka-Jaws Cigars with the Stars party every year at the Super Bowl, and the annual Ron Jaworski Celebrity Golf Challenge in South Jersey to raise money for the charity. To date, the Jaworski family is proud to have donated over $8 million to at-risk youth. A successful entrepreneur, Jaws owns a Relationship Marketing company called Business Clubs America. In addition, he operates eight signature golf courses in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Ron is also the current celebrity spokesman for the new Live! Casino & Hotel, Philadelphia, after partnering with the Cordish Gaming group and their new landmark property in South Philadelphia.
Johnson College Hosts Debut Event for Bracey Hall Johnson College celebrated the completion of Bracey Hall during a debut event at its Scranton campus on April 2, 2025. This new facility has doubled the size of the former Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC) laboratory to provide necessary training facilities for the College’s growing Building Trades programs, specifically HVAC Technology and Electrical Construction Technology. Members of the Johnson College community and the Bracey family gathered to see the newly constructed building that will allow more students to enroll in the College’s hands-on Building Trades programs to meet industry needs throughout the region and beyond. “We prepare our students for the workforce from the moment they step on campus, ensuring they have the skills, knowledge, and experience to thrive in the ever-changing landscape of technology and industry,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, President and CEO of Johnson College. “This building—Bracey Hall—will help us do just that. It’s vital to our continued growth and success, allowing us to better serve the increasing demand for skilled technicians and technologists.” Bracey Hall is one of four components of the College’s comprehensive, five-year capital campaign, “Innovation at Work.” It was named after the Bracey family in recognition of their immense support of Johnson College and its building trades programs. The Bracey’s pledged a major gift to the College’s capital campaign, aiding its mission to meet the needs of its students, industry partners, and the community through real-world, hands-on, and industry-driven education. In addition to the transformational gift from the Bracey family, the College was awarded a $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the City of Scranton. The grant will help the College expand its workforce development programming for high-tech and in-demand fields, including HVAC and Electrical Construction. The HVAC and Electrical Construction Technology programs also benefitted from a $280,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant for campus technology upgrades. Walter Wood ’11, HVAC Program Director and Chair of the Building Trades Division at Johnson College is elated by the opportunities the new space will provide his students. “The demand for skilled technicians is increasing, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of preparing our students for success in various industries, both locally and globally. This expansion is about more than just space—it’s about creating an environment that fosters innovation, teamwork, and excellence,” he said. Construction of Bracey Hall began in 2024, following the official reveal of the building, designed by Studio KLP Architects. Under the construction management of L.R. Costanzo Co., Inc., the building took shape quickly with the help of many of Johnson College’s industry partners and alumni.
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Announces New Officers and Members to the Board of Directors The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s Board of Directors elected new officers. Holly Roever Carron, was elected as Chair of the Board of Directors, Maria Montoro Edwards, Ph.D, Vice Chair, Susan Belin, Secretary and John Ruddy, DPS, CFA, CPA, Treasurer. In addition to the new officers, the Board of Directors appointed four new Board members, Gail Smeraldi, DPM, Amber L. Sobuto, D.O., John J. Sobuto, D.O., and David J. Grega, CPA. Holly Roever Carron is President at HW Roever Inc, a family operated Real Estate Holding company and former Dunkin franchisee. Holly is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University at University Park with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and International Business with a concentration in Spanish. She currently serves as Chair of the Board at St. Joseph’s Center, an organization designed to assist those with intellectual disabilities and developmental delays and sits on the Family Business Alliance Board. Ms. Carron has also begun a new career in college admissions as a First Reader at the University of Miami. Gail Smeraldi, DPM is a retired Podiatrist, the 2024-2025 CASUAL Day Co-Chair, an active community fundraiser and a mother of two, Hayley and Caleb. Amber L. Sobuto, D.O. is board-certified in Hematology, Oncology and Internal Medicine. She is a Hematologist/Oncologist with Hematology & Oncology Associates. Dr. Sobuto is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her fellowship in Hematology and Oncology and her residence in Internal Medicine at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, PA. She is a mother of four children, Giovanni, Scarlett, and twin girls Livianna and Juliet. John J. Sobuto D.O. is a Pulmonologist with Geisinger and will be transitioning to the Lehigh Valley Physician Group in May 2025. Dr. Sobuto is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed Fellowship training at Lankenau Medical Center. His specialty is in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. He holds board certifications in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine all under the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Sobuto has a special interest in Advanced Bronchoscopy with a focus on early-stage lung cancer diagnostics. He is a member of the American College of Chest Physicians and the American Thoracic Society. Dr. Sobuto is a father of four children, Giovanni, Scarlett, and twin girls Livianna and Juliet. David J. Grega, CPA is the Corporate Controller at Medico Construction Equipment, Inc., where he is responsible for overseeing all accounting and financial operations while playing a key role in driving the company’s growth. Before joining Medico Construction Equipment, Inc., David served as a Director at McGrail Merkel Quinn & Associates, P.C., bringing 16 years of experience in public accounting. David holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Wilkes University and resides in Shavertown with his wife Sarah and their three children. David is a member of the Knights of Columbus and has previously served on the Finance Committee at Wyoming Valley Country Club. He also dedicates his time as a coach for both Back Mountain Little League and Lake-Lehman Youth Basketball.
The Wright Center Introduces New Psychiatrist The Wright Center for Community Health has expanded its psychiatry services with the addition of an experienced psychiatrist, who is now offering office-based remote appointments for adults. Dr. Jean Gauvin, who earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, will provide a full range of services to patients via office-based remote appointments five days a week. Additionally, he will work with colleagues across The Wright Center to continue integrating behavioral health and primary health services. “When behavioral health care providers work hand in hand with primary care providers, patients’ health outcomes improve,” said Dr. Jignesh Sheth, senior vice president and chief medical and information officer at The Wright Center. “We know there’s a deep need for behavioral health services in Northeast Pennsylvania, so we’re excited to welcome Dr. Gauvin to The Wright Center as we continue our focus on increasing access to care.” The United States is experiencing a mental health crisis with increased levels of unmet behavioral health needs among people of all ages, according to a November 2024 brief issued by the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration’s (HRSA) Bureau of Health Workforce. In 2023, approximately 59 million U.S. adults, 23% of all U.S. adults, had a mental illness, and nearly half of them did not receive treatment. Behavioral health services can be difficult to access due to behavioral health provider shortages, high out-of-pocket costs, coverage gaps, and other factors. The national average wait time for behavioral health services is 48 days, according to HRSA. Dr. Gauvin and The Wright Center provide office-based remote visits to improve accessibility for individuals in underserved and under-resourced areas, reducing barriers to behavioral health care. Dr. Gauvin completed his residency training at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He has worked as a psychiatrist in several hospitals across Connecticut and at the Connecticut Department of Corrections.
The Wright Center Deputy Medical Director Recognized as ‘Everyday Hero’ A board-certified internal medicine physician and deputy chief medical officer of The Wright Center for Community Health received an Everyday Hero Award from the Pennsylvania Medical Society in March. Dr. Erin McFadden was nominated for the award by colleagues who highlighted her tireless efforts to deliver high-quality whole-person primary health services that are accessible to all and educate the next generation of physicians. “Erin’s unwavering dedication to patient care and medical education exemplifies the very best of our profession,” said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “As an exemplary graduate of our legacy Internal Medicine Residency Program and our noble mission delivered, Erin’s leadership and countless contributions embody The Wright Center’s mission 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.” The Pennsylvania Medical Society’s Everyday Hero Award acknowledges physicians who are often “the unsung heroes of our communities, tirelessly working to improve lives and inspire hope,” according to the organization. Soon after joining The Wright Center as a physician and member of the internal medicine residency program faculty in 2020, Dr. McFadden emerged as a leader. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread, she participated in a statewide effort to assist personal care, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities in Northeast Pennsylvania with pandemic care. She later headed an outpatient infusion center at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, providing monoclonal antibody treatment for patients with severe COVID. Additionally, Dr. McFadden spearheaded the expansion of The Wright Center’s community health centers, including the Scranton Counseling Center location, which opened in April 2021, and the North Scranton location, which opened in July 2023. She serves as the medical director for both The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton and The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton Counseling Center. She’s also been at the forefront of The Wright Center’s efforts to strengthen the physician workforce pipeline, serving as co-regional director of medical education for A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona – a unique program where students spend a year on campus in Mesa, Arizona, and then three years in clinical rotations at The Wright Center and other community health centers across the country. So far, more than 30 doctors have graduated from the program, which began in August 2020. Several of these doctors have chosen to stay in Northeast Pennsylvania to pursue medical residencies with The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. Headquartered in Scranton, The Wright Center’s growing network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, provides affordable, high-quality, whole-person health services to everyone, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. Patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. To learn more, call 570-230-0019 or go to TheWrightCenter.org. The Pennsylvania Medical Society was founded in 1848 by 61 representatives of medical schools and county medical societies across the state to promote community health, relieve suffering, and advance medical knowledge. That goal continues today, as it and its members advocate for physicians and their patients, educate physicians through continuing medical education, and provide expert resources and guidance to help physicians navigate challenges in today’s ever-evolving health care system. Visit www.pamedsoc.org to learn more.
