The Wright Center for Patient and Community Engagement Appointed Board Directors Three integral employees of The Wright Center for Community Health recently were appointed board directors for The Wright Center for Patient and Community Engagement. Each brings unique backgrounds in patient care or health information technology to the governance table. The Wright Center for Patient and Community Engagement enhances The Wright Center for Community Health’s ability to determine outreach priorities as it continues to meet the healthcare needs of the most vulnerable in the community. Board members provide oversight, direction and support for Wright Center team members and their efforts, offering their unique perspectives on community needs, resources and connections, to develop and maintain active, collaborative relationships with patients and the community at large. Kari Machelli, R.N., serves as Director of Care and Case Management Services for The Wright Center for Community Health. In this leadership role, she oversees the Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence Case Managers, Certified Recovery Specialists and Community Health Workers. Machelli has been with The Wright Center for more than 20 years, starting as an RN Care Manager. She earned her nursing degree from The Pennsylvania State University. Danielle Hennessey is Electronic Medical Records and Health Informatics Manager for The Wright Center. She joined the organization in 2019 as an EMR Application Support and Trainer for the Mid Valley Practice and Ryan White HIV Clinic, and was integral in building the interface that allowed for the exchange of data between two separate electronic health records systems. Hennessey graduated from Valley View High School and attended Lackawanna College and Marywood University. She has a background in information technology, having worked for TMG Health for four years prior to joining The Wright Center. Cheri Lewis-Aulisio is a licensed medical social worker for The Wright Center for Community Health. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Marywood University. Cheri has a background working with diverse patient populations and has practiced in various clinical settings, including nursing homes, in-patient physician rehabilitation facilities and acute hospital-based settings. She has experience in behavioral health services and has worked with homeless women and children and Children & Youth Services. She also is part of the National Association of Community Health Center’s PRAPARE Tiger Team, which trains health centers to be better equipped to address social determinants of health and improve health equity.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Tomorrow, April 20 Lackawanna County is holding a COVID-19 vaccine clinic tomorrow, April 20, at Montage Mountain from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sign up below. UPDATE as of 8:00 p.m. 4/19/21 – No appointment necessary. Clinic is first come, first served. Process information: After completing this form, you will be added to our waiting list.Please note, select “Medicap Olyphant” as the pharmacy location on the form, even though this clinic will be at Montage Mountain. Directions and more information will be provided upon confirmation.The system will automatically send invitations (via text) to the phone number provided.You can then select an appointment time that works best for you.A phone that can receive texts, as well as internet service, will be required to confirm an appointment.For HIPAA compliance, patients will need to enter the birth date provided on the form to access the scheduling. You may also call 211 to sign up via the phone. SIGN UP
What to Know About the Restaurant Revitalization Fund from the SBA 1. Get the program details Get the program details such as eligibility, funding amount, allowable use of funds and more. If you haven’t already, sign up for RRF email updates. All info about RRF 2. How to prepare Currently, SBA is not accepting applications for RRF. However, you can prepare your application by reviewing the sample application, program guide and cross-program eligibility chart on SBA COVID-19 relief options. You will be able to apply through SBA-recognized Point of Sale Restaurant Partners or directly via SBA in a forthcoming online application portal. Registration with SAM.gov is not required. DUNS or CAGE identifiers are also not required. Prepare now 3. When to apply The official application launch date will be announced shortly. Ahead of the application launch and over the next two weeks, the SBA will establish a seven-day pilot period for the RRF application portal and conduct extensive outreach and training on how to apply, application requirements and where to apply. Participants in this pilot will be randomly selected from existing PPP borrowers in priority groups for RRF and will not receive funds until the application portal is open to the public. Following the pilot, the application portal will be opened to the public. For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize reviewing applications from small businesses owned by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Following the 21-day period, all eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications. Learn more
Gerrity’s Ace Hardware Now Open America’s most celebrated “helpful place” is celebrating its grand opening in Scranton. The new Gerrity’s Ace Hardware store, located in the Keyser-Oak Shopping Center, will bring the company’s knowledgeable and helpful service paired with the best brands to help Scranton residents succeed with their everyday home maintenance projects. The grand opening was held last weekend. This is the second Ace Hardware store opened by local residents and owners, the Fasula Family, who also own Gerrity’s Supermarkets. The new store has been designed to reflect the needs of Scranton and the surrounding community, including solutions to everyday home maintenance needs, as well as an extensive array of high-quality products in categories such as paint, lawn and garden, grilling, power tools and outdoor living. “Our mission is to provide customers with the neighborly advice and assistance they have come to expect from Ace,” said Joe Fasula, owner of Gerrity’s Ace. “We look forward to becoming a helpful and valuable neighbor to the community, both inside and outside the walls of our store.” The 10,000 square foot store is packed with thousands of essential products and supplies, including best brand like Stihl, Craftsman, Yeti, Weber, Traeger, Big Green Egg, Benjamin Moore and Scotts to help people take care of their homes. Key product offerings include paint, lawn and garden, hardware, electrical, plumbing, automotive and home décor. Gerrity’s Ace Hardware Store Information: Store Hours: Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.1726 N. Keyser Ave., Scranton, PA 18508 Phone: 570-207-5290Store Management: Jonathon W., Store Manager; Jack W., Assistant Manager
CANPACK Group to Host On-Site Job Fair at New Olyphant Facility The CANPACK Group will host its very first on-site job fair Friday, April 16, and Saturday, April 17, just outside its currently under-construction 908,000 square-foot facility at 1400 E. Lackawanna Ave. in Olyphant. With plant operations set to begin in September, CANPACK is offering more than 400 career opportunities in a cutting-edge manufacturing environment supplying a host of innovative products to some of the biggest brand names in the world. We are actively seeking individuals with previous experience in manufacturing, production, machine operation, electrical work, maintenance, mechanics, processing, or engineering. CANPACK is among the market leaders in the packaging industry, which is experiencing unprecedented growth, making this the perfect time to join us as we embark on our new and exciting journey. Whether you have years of experience in the industry or have never considered a career in manufacturing, CANPACK careers are uniquely rewarding because we create more than just packaging – we help brands grow, businesses thrive, and people get more enjoyment out of life.Come and start your new career with CANPACK, where you will feel empowered and be part of a team in an exciting, supportive workplace. Join us April 16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and April 17 from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. Facebook Link for Friday 4/16/2021: https://fb.me/e/2gC9WBvjAFacebook Link for Saturday 4/17/2021: https://fb.me/e/3izCEFKErLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6783228584157937664
Golden Technologies Voted Gold Winner as Best Mobility Manufacturer Golden Technologies is a Gold Winner in the Times Leader Media Group’s Best of the Best 2021 Reader’s Choice Award for Best Mobility Manufacturer. Readers of the Times Leader newspaper were invited to nominate their favorite local businesses in Northeast Pennsylvania in more than 100 categories. Top nominees advanced to the voting phase and Golden was selected by readers as the Gold Winner in the Best Mobility Manufacturer category. “Congratulations to all Golden Team members. This award is a total team effort. We should all be extremely proud of this recognition,” said Rich Golden, President & CEO. “We manufacture the highest quality and most innovative scooters and power wheelchairs in the industry and back them up with superior customer service. None of this is possible without the hard work, dedication and passion from every employee, as well as our vendors and fantastic retailers throughout the USA and abroad. Thank you to everyone who voted for us,” he added. Winners will be showcased in an upcoming video presentation hosted on timesleader.com. The Times Leader contest received a record breaking 180,000+ votes this year. Visit www.goldentech.com for more information.
Marywood University to Hold Virtual Spring Undergraduate Open House Marywood University will hold a virtual undergraduate open house on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at 10 a.m. The virtual event is free and open to high school sophomores and juniors. Prospective students can register online at marywood.edu/openhouse. High school students and their parents can register for the live virtual event with staff, current students, faculty, and coaches. Students and parents can then participate at their convenience in additional online open house experiences. For more information about Marywood University’s virtual spring undergraduate open house event, please visit marywood.edu/admissions, or call the Office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6234.
Johnson College to Welcome More Students Back to Campus Johnson College will welcome more students back to campus for in-person classes and labs for the 2021-22 academic year starting with its summer session on June 28, 2021. Through its enhanced course offerings, the College is committed to delivering its mission of providing students with real-world, hands-on learning in a caring and safe environment. Students will be able to choose either in-person or virtual classes for their general education and program theory courses, which have only been offered virtually since March 2020. Labs and lab-related coursework will continue to be delivered in-person, on the Johnson College campus, or at one of our industry partner lab locations. CDC guidelines will be adhered to at all locations. Throughout the 2021-2022 academic year, Johnson College will continue to: Divide campus by zones to ensure contact tracing. Masks will be provided and social distancing guidelines enforced.The Facilities Department is following all CDC cleaning guidelines for the campus.The student Café will not operate as normal. Students will be allowed to bring their food and use the dining area. Tables and chairs will be set up within social distancing guidelines. “Grab and go” items will be available to students as well.Congregating and events will be limited.Housing will not be available for the foreseeable future. Students who need housing should contact the Office of Student Engagement for other options. This plan is subject to change pending guidelines set forth by local, state, and national government officials and appropriate health agencies. “As we move forward from this past academic year, the Johnson College community is thrilled to be able to welcome our students, some for the first time, back on campus, with even more flexible options for their education,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO, Johnson College. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Scranton Chamber Participates in Geisinger Meals in Spring Program supports local restaurants hit hard by pandemic Geisinger partnered with eight local chambers of commerce to launch Meals in Spring and give back to the restaurants in the community hit hard by the pandemic. As part of the program, more than 23,000 Geisinger employees can redeem a $10 meal voucher at more than 250 participating restaurants across 12 counties through June 30. “Our local chambers of commerce were among the first organizations that came to us during the early days of the pandemic offering help,” said John Grabusky, senior director of community relations. “They collected N95 masks and gloves, organized sewing groups for homemade masks and they were behind many donations of pizzas, sandwiches, coffees and snacks that started to flow into our facilities. Now, it’s our turn to help them by supporting our local restaurants with Meals in Spring.” Studies have shown that for every $100 spent at locally owned businesses, $68 stays within the community. By patronizing local restaurants, Geisinger employees are contributing to the local economy, which benefits their friends, neighbors, school districts and nonprofit organizations in their communities. Participating chambers of commerce include Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, Greater Wyoming Chamber of Commerce, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce, Clinton County Economic Partnership & Visitors Bureau, and Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.
The University of Scranton Plans for Return to Fully In-Person Classes in Fall The University of Scranton announced plans to return to fully in-person classes for the fall semester and will begin to open the campus to in-person camps and conferences beginning this summer. The University will adhere to capacity limits established by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and will continue to follow other health and safety requirements, which include social distancing and mask wearing. The campus will remain closed to the general public through the summer. “Since the pandemic began, the University planned and adapted based on state and federal guidance and directives, the best available scientific advice, and circumstances within our campus and surrounding community,” said Jeff Gingerich, Ph.D., acting president, noting the University’s planning placed “the health and safety of our community at the center of our decisions.” “We have succeeded thus far in responding to the pandemic because our care and concern for each other has inspired personal responsibility and sacrifice,” said Dr. Gingerich in an announcement sent to the University community announcing plans for the fall and summer. “I am confident that our love for each other and for the University will continue to inspire the best in us as we strive to remain Royals Safe Together.” The University plans to offer undergraduate and graduate classes fully in-person in the fall 2021 semester, which begins August 30. The University will continue to offer graduate programs online that have been traditionally offered in that format. An in-person Fall Welcome Weekend is being planned for Saturday and Sunday, August 28 and 29, and in-person summer orientation sessions are being planned for the Class of 2025. This summer, the University will offer some in-person classes and laboratories, University-sponsored summer programs, and conferences and camps conducted by outside community groups and organizations. On-campus admissions tours will continue to be offered. Additional information will be shared in the coming weeks, with more details about campus safety requirements as adaptions are made to the University’s Royals Safe Together Plan to follow updated guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The Royals Safe Together plan will continue to updated in the months ahead as the situation related to the pandemic continues to develop.
