Wright Center: Making Healthy Living New Year’s Resolutions The holiday season is here and in full swing, but the new year is lurking just around the corner. For many people, that means making a new set of resolutions for 2026. There’s nothing wrong with that, as these goals often help with the pursuit of genuine self-improvement, especially when it comes to health and well-being. Dr. Barooah, as a physician, applauds this approach. However, it’s important not to be overly ambitious at the start. Dr. Barooah’s advice: set small, manageable goals that can evolve into sustainable lifestyle changes over time. Those steady improvements are what ultimately lead to a healthier version. With that in mind, here are a few potential health-focused resolutions to consider for the coming year: Improve diet by choosing more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and cutting back on red meat, sweets, and ultra-processed foods. Moderate alcohol consumption, as there is more information being presented about its significant long-term health impacts. Stay well hydrated by using water as the preferred beverage. Move more – through a gym membership, a running routine, or simply regular walks around the neighborhood. Whatever fits the lifestyle of the person is the right place to start. Prioritize sleep, which plays a major role in overall quality of life. Practice self-care by resisting self-criticism, investing in therapy, enjoying hobbies, trying mindfulness or meditation, or simply carving out personal, daily time. Volunteer with a local organization or nonprofit – doing good for others often boosts self-happiness. Limit social media and screen time, freeing up precious hours for more meaningful activities. Make time for family and friends, because while material achievements are nice, strong personal relationships are what truly enrich people’s lives. The Wright Center for Community Health are deeply committed to improving long-term health through their Lifestyle Medicine initiative. This approach recognizes that less desirable lifestyle choices drive most of the chronic illnesses affecting Americans. Lifestyle medicine helps patients and their families enhance their health and quality of life through long-term behavioral changes such as eliminating tobacco use, improving diet, managing stress, increasing physical activity, strengthening personal relationships, and optimizing sleep for better, more restorative rest. The team is trained in both conventional and lifestyle medicine, and they collaborate closely with patients to create personalized self-care plans that are realistic and sustainable. These lifestyle modifications can significantly help prevent or manage chronic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, coronary artery disease, lifestyle-associated cancers (including prostate and breast), osteoarthritis, chronic pain, chronic autoimmune diseases, and chronic psychological stress. Most importantly, it’s about the choices made in order to feel better. There’s nothing magical about it – adopting positive daily routines naturally leads to a healthier lifestyle, a longer life, and greater happiness. So, if planning to make lifestyle improvement the driving force behind 2026 New Year’s resolutions, Dr. Barooah wholeheartedly supports the healthy living goals. Happy holidays and happy New Year! Jumee Barooah, M.D., FACP, is senior vice president of education and designated institutional official for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. She is quadruple board-certified in internal medicine, addiction medicine, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine. To make an appointment, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Johnson College Enrolling Students in OBDII Emissions Training Course Johnson College is currently enrolling students in its OBDII Emissions Training course. Classes will be held in Ideal Saldi Hall on the College’s Scranton campus on Monday, Dec. 15 through Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Space is limited. The OBDII computer monitors a vehicle’s emission control systems in real time and is capable of informing a motorist or technician of a systemic issue the moment it occurs. The system operates through a series of indicator lights, drive cycles, trouble codes, and readiness monitors. During an inspection, an emission analyzer scan tool plugs into the diagnostic connector that is attached to the OBDII computer and communicates with the vehicle. The OBDII computer relays to the scan tool whether it has discovered errors in the emission control systems. The emission analyzer then determines whether the vehicle is being operated in compliance with emission standards. To register or learn more, visit johnson.edu/obd, email the WAVE Team at wave@johnson.edu, or call 570-702-8979.
Peoples Security Donates $10,000, Supporting Lancaster-Area Nonprofits Following the grand opening of its new Manheim Township branch at The Shoppes at Landis Valley, Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company (“PSBT”) announced $5,000 donations to two organizations making a powerful impact in the Lancaster community — Bench Mark Program and Power Packs Project. The contributions celebrate PSBT’s official entry into Lancaster County and reflect the Bank’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the communities where its employees and customers live and work. “Supporting organizations that help families and young people thrive is central to who we are,” said Kevin Boland, SVP, Market Executive at Peoples Security Bank & Trust. “Bench Mark and Power Packs Project are doing life-changing work—helping local youth develop leadership skills and ensuring families have access to nutritious meals. We’re proud to help them continue their mission.” Left to right: Stephanie Brown, VP, Community Banking Manager, Peoples Security Bank & Trust; Kevin Boland, SVP, Market Executive, Peoples Security Bank & Trust; Neal Koplin, SEVP, Chief Banking Officer, Peoples Security Bank & Trust; Will Kiefer, Founder/Executive Director, Bench Mark Program; and Gerard Champi, CEO, Peoples Security Bank & Trust. Left to right: Stephanie Brown, VP, Community Banking Manager, Peoples Security Bank & Trust; Kevin Boland, SVP, Market Executive, Peoples Security Bank & Trust; Neal Koplin, SEVP, Chief Banking Officer, Peoples Security Bank & Trust; Brad Peterson, Executive Director, Power Packs Project; and Gerard Champi, CEO, Peoples Security Bank & Trust.
SACF Supported by Minooka Subaru’s Share the Love Minooka Subaru recently presented the Scranton Area Community Foundation with a $46,470 check from their most recent Subaru Share the Love® event, continuing a six-year partnership that is making a meaningful impact throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. This year’s contribution brings Minooka Subaru’s total giving to the Foundation to more than $250,000, raised through Share the Love® since first selecting the Scranton Area Community Foundation as their hometown charity partner six years ago. Funds contribute to the Minooka Subaru Fund of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, which provides charitable support to strengthen community programs and nonprofit organizations throughout the region. “We are incredibly grateful for Minooka Subaru’s longstanding partnership and generosity,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “Their commitment allows us to continue supporting initiatives that help build a vibrant, thriving community here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.” As Minooka Subaru launches the 2025 Subaru Share the Love® Event, which runs through January 2, 2026, customers once again have the opportunity to direct a portion of vehicle purchases to support the Foundation and local impact. For more information about the Minooka Subaru Fund of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, please contact Mary Joyce, Communications Manager at the Scranton Area Community Foundation. mary@safdn.org Minooka Subaru presents a check to the Scranton Area Community Foundation as part of the Subaru Share the Love® event, bringing total contributions to more than $250,000 over six years. (from left to right): Pat Corbett (Minooka Subaru); Joe Corbett (Minooka Subaru); Brittany Pagnotti, Director of Donor Relations & Communications (Scranton Area Community Foundation); Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO (Scranton Area Community Foundation).
SACF: Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Honored The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation has been recognized with the Outstanding Foundation Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter at the annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon held on Friday, November 21, 2025, at The Woodlands Inn & Resort. This prestigious award celebrates the Foundation’s extraordinary leadership, strategic philanthropy, and deep commitment to advancing the health and well-being of Northeastern Pennsylvanians. The Board of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation accepts the Outstanding Foundation Award at AFP NEPA’s National Philanthropy Day Luncheon on November 21, 2025. (L–R: Kerry O’Grady, Dr. Chris Dressel, James Clemente, Michael Clemente, Marie Roke Thomas, Laura Ducceschi, Dr. Peter Cognetti, Michele McGowan, Jason Woloski, M.D., Cathy Mihalick, Hon. Terrence R. Nealon.) Established from the sale of Mercy Hospital, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation has continued to uphold its mission: reducing health disparities, improving access to care, and fostering collaboration across Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties. Since its inception, the Foundation has invested millions in programs that address both immediate health needs and long-term, systemic change, always through a lens of equity and community partnership. “The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation is an extraordinary force for good in our region,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “Beyond its generosity, the Foundation is a true convener—listening deeply, responding compassionately, and leading collaboratively to strengthen the healthcare system for everyone in our community. We were honored to nominate them for this well-deserved recognition.” A defining pillar of the Foundation’s impact is its highly successful Careers in Care initiative, designed to address critical workforce shortages across the health care economy. Since 2020, the Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program has awarded over $975,000 in scholarship funding to 131 individuals, many of whom are now employed in local healthcare settings. The initiative expands opportunities for underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students to pursue family-sustaining careers in nursing and the health professions—creating long-term benefits for the region’s workforce and patients alike. The Foundation also established the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Scholars Program at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM), a multi-year $3.2 million commitment that has supported 20 medical students from the tri-county region who are dedicated to practicing medicine in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These investments strengthen the long-term physician pipeline and ensure access to high-quality care for future generations. “The Foundation’s leadership has been especially crucial during the ongoing hospital crisis in Lackawanna County. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation partnered with regional philanthropic organizations to provide emergency support, sustain critical services, and advocate for solutions that prioritize community well-being. This timely and strategic response exemplifies what community-centered philanthropy looks like in action,” Ducceschi added. Beyond workforce development and crisis response, the Foundation has made targeted investments in youth mental health, nonprofit capacity building, rural health access, and community collaboration, uplifting innovation and directing resources where they are most urgently needed. “This award reflects the Board’s integrity, compassion, and unwavering belief that meaningful change happens when we work together,” Ducceschi added. “Their impact is felt in classrooms, hospitals, clinics, and communities throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.” For more information about the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, visit nepahealthcarefoundation.org.
WBRE/WYOU Launch “12 Days of Streaming” for Free App WBRE and WYOU announced the launch of “The 12 Days of Streaming,” a special campaign to introduce the region’s newest free streaming platform, 28/22 Now. The campaign will showcase available programming daily across WBRE and WYOU’s social media platforms and include a sweepstakes offering prizes such as a $1,500 ShurSave gift card and deluxe carpet cleaning from NEPA Cleaning Pros. The 28/22 Now streaming app is completely free to download and use, offering unlimited access to all local 28/22 newscasts, Future Alert Weather, 28/22 Sports, Pa Live, and entertainment programming. Available on Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV with no subscription required, the app keeps viewers connected to breaking news, severe weather updates, and live coverage 24/7, making it perfect for cord cutters who want local news and programming. “We are thrilled to bring the 28/22 Now streaming app to Northeast Pennsylvania,” said Andrew Wyatt, Vice President and General Manager of WBRE-TV. “This app provides free access to live newscasts and quality entertainment anywhere in the United States. Whether you’re home in NEPA or traveling, you can stay connected to what’s happening in our community.” In addition to the holiday campaign, WBRE/WYOU are excited to announce a new partnership with the Ryan Leckey Show, which will now be available on the 28/22 Now streaming app. This collaboration brings Ryan’s signature energy and engaging content to viewers, further expanding the app’s lineup of local programming. To participate in the 12 DAYS OF STREAMING sweepstakes, viewers must download the free streaming app and enter on the 28/22 Now streaming app. Sweepstakes details, including prize information and official rules, are available in the 28/22 Now app. For more information about THE 12 DAYS OF STREAMING, visit 2822news.com or download the 28/22 Now streaming app on any Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV device.
SCC Announces The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple and Magic City Productions will present The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA on February 3 at 7:00 PM. The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA, produced by 21st Century Artists, has shared the ultimate tribute show throughout North America for over 20 years. The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA continues to be the top ABBA Tribute group in the world, dazzling all who see their fantastic performance while playing the band’s most iconic hits, including “Mamma Mia,” “S.O.S.,” “Money, Money, Money,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “Waterloo,” “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme,” “Dancing Queen,” and more. Audiences and the press all agree, “this is the closest to ABBA you’ll ever get!” The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA will take place in the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre, located on the building’s first floor, with doors opening for bar and concessions at 6:00 PM. Tickets start at $58.05 (includes fees), and will be available for purchase beginning Friday, December 12 at 10 AM at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. For more information or to view a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org. WHO: The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple and Magic City Productions WHAT: The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA WHEN: February 3 at 7:00 PM WHERE: Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple; Weinberg Theatre, First Floor 420 N. Washington Avenue – Scranton, PA 18503 PRICES: Starting at $58.05 (includes fees)
Tobyhanna’s Technical Publications Team Essential Behind the Scenes When a new military system reaches the hands of the nation’s warfighters, one essential component often goes unnoticed: the manual that teaches them how to use, maintain, and troubleshoot it. At Tobyhanna Army Depot, a small but highly specialized team ensures those instructions are accurate, reliable, and ready for the battlefield. Tobyhanna’s Technical Publications Branch has been developing the technical manuals that accompany military systems, ranging from large tactical shelters and radar platforms to handheld radios and communications headsets, for multiple decades. Tobyhanna’s Technical Publications Branch has been developing the technical manuals that accompany military systems, ranging from large tactical shelters and radar platforms to handheld radios and communications headsets, for multiple decades. These manuals are not what the average consumer would expect to find in a new television set or cell phone, for example. These “tech manuals” are large, complex documents, often hundreds or even thousands of pages long that must follow strict standards set by the Department of War. “We’re taking complex engineering data and turning it into something a soldier can use in an austere environment,” said Technical Publications Branch Supervisor Peter Moore. Soldiers are often depending on these manuals in extreme weather, life-or-death situations where they may have limited background on the systems. Technical Writer-Editor Kevin Slater said everything is written with that context in mind. “Never assume the reader has time to guess. Assume they’re cold and holding a 20-pound wrench,” said Slater. The branch’s workforce is as diverse as its mission. Engineers, technicians, illustrators, drafters, and journalists all contribute to producing a complete manual. The work they perform goes far beyond sitting at a desk and typing away. It truly is part technical, part mechanical, and a part design role. Tobyhanna’s Technical Publications team estimated that approximately 95 percent of the branch’s workload comes from outside the depot. The team supports Army program offices nationwide, the Marine Corps, and occasionally the Navy and Air Force. When a contractor doesn’t have its own writers or when a program office needs an authoritative military manual, they often turn to Tobyhanna. Creating a manual is a deeply hands-on process. Writers and engineers frequently travel to units or manufacturers to examine equipment firsthand, take reference photos, perform operational steps, and work side-by-side with soldiers and subject-matter experts. Provisioners research every part used in a system, ensuring it’s available for the entire 20 to 30-year life cycle of a system, documented, and supported and then compile that data into detailed parts lists soldiers use to order replacements. “Our job is to make sure every piece of equipment can be operated and maintained safely for its entire life cycle,” said Technical Writer-Editor Jacob Crawford. Each manual concludes with a verification event in which a user follows the instructions step-by-step to ensure accuracy before the system can be fielded. The work of Tobyhanna’s Technical Publications Branch is complex, meticulous, and sometimes invisible to the public, but its impact is felt on the battlefield when soldiers desperately need it. “Every system needs a book,” said Configuration Management Specialist Carleton Henning. “And we make sure that book works for the soldier who needs it most.” This illustration depicts a power supply and labels each item a user will need to be able to identify when removing or installing it.
Wright Center Planning North Scranton Expansion The Wright Center for Community Health has begun a $5 million project to build a community health center in North Scranton, expanding access to primary care, behavioral health, and dental services across Lackawanna County. The new, two-story community health center will be located at 1727-1729 N. Main St., next door to The Wright Center for Community Health North Scranton’s current location at 1721 N. Main Ave. The building was the longtime office of Dr. Paul Remick. The Wright Center began offering primary care services there when Dr. Remick retired in 2023 to minimize disruption for his longtime patients and to expand access to affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary health services for patients of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses. The Wright Center purchased the property at 1727-1729 N. Main St. in February 2025 because the demand for health care services outpaced the available space in the existing building. The existing location also needs additional parking spots and infrastructure improvements. “We’ve seen a growing demand for health care services since we opened our community health center in North Scranton more than two years ago,” said Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, senior vice president and enterprise chief operations and strategy officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “We did not have the capacity to continue our growth in our existing primary care office building. We’re privileged to be able to invest in the long-term health and welfare of the North Scranton community to ensure residents’ current and future health care needs are satisfied.” The construction project will create a nearly 8,000-square-foot, two-story community health center offering primary care, behavioral health care, and dental services. In addition to 10 exam rooms on the first floor and four dental operatories and four behavioral health treatment rooms on the second floor, the building will also have a space for lab services. The Wright Center plans to break ground on the project in the spring with a tentative completion date of fall/winter 2026. A Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant of $984,585 will fund part of this project. While construction is underway, Wright Center staff will continue to treat patients at the existing community health center. Once construction of the new building is complete, the clinic will move into the new, expanded space, and the clinic at 1721 N. Main Ave. will be razed. The Wright Center recently completed a similar expansion project in Wilkes-Barre, albeit on a much larger scale. The Luzerne County project won a Pride of Place Award from the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce last month. The award recognizes The Wright Center’s thoughtful, intentional design for the present and future health care needs in Luzerne County. Read more about that project at TheWrightCenter.org/news. “We’re really excited for this opportunity to invest in the community of North Scranton and the greater Scranton area. Northeast Pennsylvania continues to have an unmet need for our integrated model of providing whole-person primary health care, behavioral health care, and dental services at one location,” Dr. Sheth said. “Our projects in Wilkes-Barre and North Scranton are being built from the ground up as part of our 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.” As a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike, commonly known as an FQLA, The Wright Center operates a network of 13 community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-209-0019
