Geisinger Donates to Local Organizations During Challenging Times

To help provide support where it’s needed most for people potentially impacted by the federal government shutdown, Geisinger is contributing $275,000 to a network of Pennsylvania food banks that distribute resources to local food pantries and cupboards throughout the surrounding communities. That includes Central Pennsylvania Food Bank serving the central, north-central and western regions, and CEO Weinberg Food Bank serving the northeast region.

At Geisinger, being the best means caring for one another and for the communities we serve,” said Terry Gilliland, M.D., president and CEO of Geisinger. “These are particularly challenging times for many of our community members, so Geisinger is doing its best to help take care of our patients, members and communities.”

If an individual or someone they know is in need of assistance, NeighborlyPA.com offers a directory of resources to connect people with food pantries, mobile distributions, community meals, utility and heating assistance, and other services across Pennsylvania. The Neighborly app is available for download on Apple and Android devices.

Geisinger can also connect patients who might need assistance with social workers who can help.

Geisinger Gala Raises $400K for Health, Education

The Geisinger Health Foundation is proud to announce that they raised more than $400,000 during their recent 2025 Geisinger Gala. These funds will benefit medical student scholarships at Geisinger School of Medicine and to support vital programs and services at Geisinger’s Heart and Vascular Institute.

Geisinger President and CEO Terry Gilliland, MD addresses the importance of philanthropy to the future of healthcare at Geisinger during the 2025 Geisinger Gala.

The event, held on September 20, brought together donors, community partners and team members to celebrate philanthropy’s powerful role in advancing health and education throughout Geisinger’s service region. Guests enjoyed an evening of inspiration and gratitude as the Foundation recognized two honorees for their outstanding contributions.

  • Geisinger College of Health Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award: Matt Mullen, MD ’13, cardiothoracic and general surgeon at Geisinger, honored for his clinical excellence and dedication to teaching and mentoring the next generation of physicians, and honoring the intent of the philanthropic student scholarship he received.
  • Geisinger Health Foundation Community Impact Award: Marion and the late Richard Pearsall, recognized for their generous philanthropic leadership and unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of their community.
Marion Pearsall (center) accepted the Geisinger Health Foundation Community Impact Award given to her and her late husband Richard at the 2025 Geisinger Gala. She attended with her grandson Richard Eckman (left) and daughter Tamara Pearsall (right).

“The remarkable success of this year’s Gala demonstrates the generosity and shared purpose of our Geisinger family,” said Nancy Lawton-Kluck, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Geisinger Foundation. “Every dollar raised supports the education of tomorrow’s healthcare leaders and advances the innovative care that defines Geisinger. Together, we’re shaping the future of healthcare right here in our communities.”

The 2025 Geisinger Gala underscored the Geisinger Foundation’s ongoing commitment to enhancing community health and fostering innovation that will have a lasting impact for generations to come. Through the continued partnership of its supporters and donors, the Foundation remains dedicated to ensuring access to exceptional care, education and opportunity throughout Geisinger’s service area.

Geisinger Cuts Ribbon on New Cancer Center in Dickinson City

Standalone facility expands care close to home for Lackawanna County

Geisinger officials, employees and community partners gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 19, to celebrate the impending opening of a new state-of-the-art cancer center. Geisinger Cancer Center Dickson City, expected to see its first patients on June 23, will expand cancer services, offer more appointments in the community and keep care closer to home for the residents of Lackawanna County.

Planning for the cancer center was driven by research that showed cancer-related visits are expected to increase in Geisinger’s northeast region by 7% between 2022 and 2032, and demand for chemotherapy is expected to grow by more than 9% between 2022 and 2027.

“Every program expansion we complete at Geisinger is driven by the needs of the communities we serve,” said Ron Beer, chief administrative officer of Geisinger’s northeast region. “Lackawanna County and surrounding communities deserve a cancer center of this caliber, where all of the specialty care and supportive care they need can be delivered in one modern facility.”

Geisinger Cancer Center Dickson City is 61,000 square feet and home to 22 infusion bays, a hematology and oncology clinic with 17 exam rooms, and dedicated spaces for multidisciplinary care and palliative care. It will also provide radiation oncology — a first for Geisinger in Lackawanna County — as well as a pharmacy and laboratory services. The campus features a variety of patient amenities, including food services, and a courtyard with gardens and natural views.

The cancer center was designed with a focus on patient experience. The infusion area, for example, was built around a circular garden that provides a serene view for anyone receiving infusion therapy.

“This facility is our commitment to making sure our patients never have to leave Lackawanna County to receive outstanding care during one of the most difficult times of their life,” said Rajiv Panikkar, M.D., chair of the Geisinger Cancer Institute. “This new cancer center and our team of exceptional providers, in partnership with our comprehensive care teams, allow us to offer our patients leading-edge treatment, advanced technologies and access to a variety of clinical trials.”

The opening of the cancer center reinforces Geisinger’s pledge to offer the best quality care to everyone it serves. It complements the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, where there is also an inpatient unit for treatment of more complex cancers.

“Geisinger Cancer Center Dickson City continues our legacy of investing in our communities so their residents can live their best, healthiest lives, said Terry Gilliland, M.D., president and CEO of Geisinger. Because we do more than treat patients — we treat people, families and communities. And we’ll continue to do so for decades to come.”

Geisinger Cancer Center Dickson City is at 703 Martin F. Gibbons Blvd., at the north end of Viewmont Drive, near Dickson City Crossings, Viewmont Mall and Interstate 81.

To learn more about cancer care in Lackawanna County, visit geisinger.org/cancerinstitute.