University of Scranton’s Weiss Hall Earns Prestigious LEED Gold Certification The nation’s leading organization for sustainable building practices recently awarded one of its highest ratings to The University of Scranton’s newest facility, as the U.S. Green Building Council recognized Robert S. ’68 and Marilyn A. Weiss Hall with LEED Gold certification. Opened at the start of the 2025-26 academic year, Weiss Hall is Scranton’s fourth building to achieve LEED certification. The Loyola Science Center is also Gold, while Edward R. Leahy Jr. Hall and the Patrick and Margaret DeNaples Center are Silver. According to James L. Caffrey, DBA, associate vice president for facilities management, Weiss Hall was initially targeted to achieve LEED Silver certification. He described the Gold designation as coming with both “a profound sense of pride and a deep sense of responsibility,” as the University is currently engaged in a seven-year process to become designated by the Vatican as a Laudato Si’ University. Among the major elements that helped Weiss Hall achieve LEED Gold certification are: Mass timber construction: Weiss Hall was built using a sustainable wood product that significantly reduces the building’s carbon footprint. Solar power: Rooftop solar panels generate clean electricity. Natural light design: Large glass windows and walls bring more daylight into the building, reducing the need for artificial lighting. Energy-saving climate systems: High-efficiency heating, cooling and ventilation systems automatically adjust temperatures to reduce energy use. Water conservation: Low-flow fixtures reduce lessen demand on municipal water supplies. “Earning the LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council represents a major milestone for The University of Scranton,” Dr. Caffrey said. “It signifies that Weiss Hall exceeds industry standards for sustainable design, energy efficiency, reduced water use and environmentally conscious construction.” Weiss Hall is a four-story, nearly 90,000 square-foot facility on Madison Avenue. It houses more than 30 offices/research spaces, 12 study rooms, 11 classrooms, six exam rooms, two large seminar rooms and two rooftop terraces. It was built to support both institutional and community excellence, serving as the home for the University’s Small Business Development Center, the University of Success, Student Health Services and the Center for Health, Education and Wellness, as well as the Departments of Cybercrime and Homeland Security and Psychology. Weiss Hall also has a first-floor IDEA Center, which is equipped with cutting-edge equipment for production of various means. LEED certification stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and is recognized worldwide as a marker for achievement and leadership in sustainability.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives $4,000 BK5K Youth Fund Grant to Support Year-Round Food Program The Greater Scranton YMCA has been awarded a $4,000 grant from BK5K Fund of the Winona Community Foundation to support its Year-Round Food Program, which provides daily meals and snacks to children enrolled in the Y’s Early Learning Centers, Before and After School Program, and Summer Scholars at no additional cost to families. The BK5K Youth Fund of the Winona Community Foundation, organized in connection with the annual BK5K Road Race honoring Bob Kierlin, founder of Fastenal Company, distributes proceeds to youthserving organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to positive youth development. Grant funds will be applied directly to the cost of food. The Greater Scranton YMCA’s Year-Round Food Program serves 352 children each year across its Dunmore and Olyphant Early Learning Centers, YPALS preschool, Before and After School Care, and Summer Scholars program. Meals are prepared onsite daily and follow nutritional guidelines established through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a federally funded initiative that sets and monitors meal pattern standards to ensure children receive nutritious, age-appropriate food. “At the Y, we believe every child deserves access to a nutritious meal, no matter their family’s circumstances,” said Rich Surridge, President and CEO of the Greater Scranton YMCA. “Support from our community, like the generous grant awarded by the BK5K Fund of the Winona Community Foundation is instrumental in allowing us to continue to run the Food Program and serve the children in our care.” The Greater Scranton YMCA has operated the Year-Round Food Program since 2019. Enrollment in the Y’s early childhood education programs has grown significantly in that time, including the 2024 opening of the Olyphant Early Learning Center and the 2025 addition of three new classrooms at the Dunmore Early Learning Center. That growth has increased demand on the food program and, alongside rising food costs, created a persistent gap between program expenses and secured revenue. For more information about the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Year-Round Food Program or early childhoodeducation programs, contact Tressa Capoccia, Senior Director of Education, at tcapoccia@gsymca.orgor 570-795-4563
Scranton Cultural Center Announces Menopause the Musical on November 17 Broadway in Scranton just announced the international hit show Menopause The Musical® is coming to the Scranton Cultural Center for one night only November 17 at 7:30 PM. Menopause The Musical® is a groundbreaking celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived “The Change.” Beginning Monday, August 31 at 10AM, tickets will be available online at BroadwayInScranton.com and in person at the Scranton Cultural Center box office. Box office hours are Monday – Friday 10AM – 5PM and Saturday 10AM – 2PM. Now celebrating 25 years of female empowerment through hilarious musical comedy, Menopause The Musical® has evolved as a “grassroots” movement of women who deal with life adjustments around 40 by embracing each other and the road ahead. What began with 76 women in an Orlando perfume shop-turned-theater laughing, kicklining, and celebrating menopause for the first time became a global movement. The musical shattered the stigma around menopause and turned a once-taboo topic into a badge of honor. Set in a department store, four women meet while shopping for a black lace bra at a lingerie sale. After noticing similarities among one another, the ladies joke about their woeful hot flashes, mood swings, wrinkles, weight gain, and much more. These women form a sisterhood and a unique bond with the entire audience as they rejoice in celebrating that menopause is no longer “The Silent Passage.” It’s the Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change!® Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, playwright Jeanie Linders created Menopause The Musical® to celebrate women at every stage of “The Change.” The laughter-filled 90-minute production gets audience members out of their seats and singing along to parodies from classic pop songs of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. The original Menopause The Musical® debuted in Orlando, Florida, and ran Off-Broadway for four years, performing for more than 1,500 audiences, followed by a U.S. national tour that is still running today. In 2007, it opened internationally in the United Kingdom and has performed in countries including Australia, South Korea, Brazil, France, Slovenia, and many more. It was also the longest-running musical in Las Vegas history. Beloved for 25 years and seen by more than 17 million, Menopause The Musical® has played every state in the continental U.S., more than 500 cities worldwide, and has been translated into nine languages. The production’s Book and Lyrics are by Jeanie Linders. The creative team includes Director Seth Greenleaf, Music Supervisor and Additional Arrangements Alan J. Plado, Assistant Director Kim Simari, Choreography Supervisor Teri Adams, and Assistant Music Supervisor Roberta B. Wall. Columbia Artist Theatricals represents the production. The Menopause The Musical® team invites audiences—both new and returning—to join the party that celebrates you, changes lives, sparks conversations, and — like its sisterhood — shows no signs of slowing down.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Advances New Military Family Housing Development Construction is moving forward on Tobyhanna Army Depot’s new military family housing community, with the Cadence Communities at Tobyhanna project entering its vertical construction phase. First announced in 2023, the development will bring 35 new homes to the installation for military families. After months of site preparation, civil infrastructure and utility work, crews have begun shifting their focus to the construction of the homes. Civil infrastructure work is now substantially complete, and framing has started on two building pads. Additional pads will move into construction as the project progresses. The completed community will include 17 duplex-style buildings with a total of 35 homes. Of those, 19 will feature four bedrooms and 16 will feature three bedrooms. Each residence will have two-and-a-half bathrooms, while one four-bedroom home will be a standalone residence designed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements. The project remains on schedule for completion in the first quarter of 2027. The neighborhood’s roadway, named Radio Way, also reflects Tobyhanna Army Depot’s history and connection to its mission. Depot Commander Col. Benjamin L. Kilgore highlighted the importance of the project as construction moves into a more visible phase. “Seeing this project move from site development into vertical construction is an exciting milestone for Tobyhanna Army Depot,” said Kilgore. “This new housing represents a significant investment in our military families and strengthens our ability to support the warfighters who serve here.” Depot Sgt. Maj. Cory P. Alkire emphasized the role military housing plays in supporting warfighters and their families. “The warfighter on the front lines, whether in garrison, training, or deployed, always depends on the support and structure of the most important investment they fight for: their families,” said Alkire. “Now that vertical construction has begun, we are one step closer to providing our local community with a new, amazing resource their families can enjoy for decades to come.” As framing continues and additional building pads enter construction, the new residential community is becoming increasingly visible. Once completed, the development will provide modern housing while enhancing Tobyhanna Army Depot’s ability to support military families and the warfighters who serve at the installation.
Viking Pest Control Begins Servicing PNC Field, Home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders Viking Pest Control, an award-winning pest control company serving the Mid-Atlantic region, has taken over pest control duties for PNC Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the local minor league baseball team. With more than 45 years of experience, Viking Pest Control brings extensive experience and state-of-the-art treatments and technology to help ensure a comfortable, distraction-free environment for field attendees and staff. Founded in 1980, Viking Pest Control serves homes and businesses across Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The company has been recognized as one of the best pest control companies in the country by major publications, including USA Today and Forbes. Viking Pest currently provides pest control services to other professional sports venues, including the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., home of the New Jersey Devils hockey team, and Penn Medicine Park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, home of the Lancaster Stormers baseball team. “We are honored to take over pest control service for PNC field,” said James McIntyre, President of Viking Pest Control. “As sports fans ourselves, we know how pests can ruin the fun and excitement of a day at the ballpark. It’s our privilege to help protect that experience.”
Geisinger hospitals receive multiple American Heart Association recognitions Four Geisinger hospitals were recently honored by the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association (ASA) for providing high-quality, life-saving heart and stroke care. The hospitals earned Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards, which recognize organizations that demonstrate a commitment to following the latest evidence-based guidelines for treating heart disease and stroke. Adherence to these guidelines helps improve patient outcomes, support recovery and reduce hospital readmissions. Get With The Guidelines® brings together the expertise of the AHA and ASA to help hospitals nationwide align patient care with the most current, science-based treatment recommendations. As participants in the program, Geisinger hospitals qualified for the awards through their sustained commitment to improving the quality of cardiovascular and stroke care. Geisinger hospitals received the following awards for heart and stroke care: Geisinger Community Medical Center Get With The Guidelines®–CAD STEMI Receiving Gold Plus Award with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital Get With The Guidelines®-Rural Stroke Gold Geisinger Lewistown Hospital Get With The Guidelines® – Rural Stroke Gold Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Geisinger Medical Center Commitment to Quality Get With The Guidelines®–CAD STEMI Receiving Gold Plus Award with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Target: Aortic Stenosis™ Honor Roll Geisinger Medical Center Muncy Get With The Guidelines®-Rural Stroke Gold Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Get With The Guidelines®–CAD STEMI Receiving Gold Plus Award with Target: Type 2 Diabetes “We are committed to delivering high-quality care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and continually improving processes to ensure patients receive timely, appropriate care for heart attacks and strokes,” said Alfred Casale, M.D., chief medical officer, surgical services, Geisinger. “The Get With The Guidelines® programs help our teams put proven science into practice every day, leading to better outcomes and helping our patients live longer, healthier lives.” According to the American Heart Association, heart disease and stroke remain the leading and fifth-leading causes of death in the United States, respectively. Studies show that patients often experience better outcomes when care teams consistently follow evidence-based treatment guidelines. For more information about heart and vascular care at Geisinger, visit geisinger.org/heart.
The Wright Centers for Community Health, Graduate Medical Education, Patient & Community Engagement welcome new board members The Wright Centers for Community Health, Graduate Medical Education, and Patient & Community Engagement have appointed eight new members to their governing boards, bringing decades of combined experience in healthcare, business, education, and community service to the nonprofit enterprise. The new board members will help guide The Wright Center’s mission to improve the health and welfare of communities through responsive, whole-person health services for all and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve. Joining The Wright Center for Community Health’s Board of Directors are: ● Marie Beggin, the CEO of Penn East Federal Credit Union. A current patient of The Wright Center for Community Health, Beggin brings nearly 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. She also serves on the boards of Metro Action, Leadership Lackawanna, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council. ● Jill Durkin, Esq., of Factoryville, Pennsylvania, an attorney with a longstanding career in civil law. Durkin is active in community service through her work on several regional boards, including Meals on Wheels NEPA, Widener University Commonwealth Law School Advisory Board, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. ● Kirsten Smith of Clifford Township, Pennsylvania, director of career services at Fortis Institute. Formerly director of grants and education at WVIA, Smith has extensive experience in education, workforce development, grant and program management, and community partnerships. She also serves on the boards of Meals on Wheels NEPA and WRC (formerly the Women’s Resource Center) in Scranton. ● Adrian Wilck Summa, O.D., of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, a retired optometrist with more than 30 years of experience in clinical and hospital settings across New York. A patient of The Wright Center for Community Health, she brings extensive expertise in clinical care, healthcare delivery, and managed care. Joining The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Board of Directors are: ● Michael Clark, Pittston, Pennsylvania, the CEO of Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. With more than 30 years of healthcare leadership experience, Clark brings a deep understanding of hospital operations, physician engagement, and performance improvement to the board. Before joining Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, he served as division president at LifePoint Health, a nationally recognized healthcare system. ● Peter Cognetti, M.D., of Waverly, Pennsylvania, director of medical education at Regional Hospital in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He has more than 40 years of experience providing patient care and mentoring future physicians. ● Himani Mongia, M.D., an Internal Medicine Resident physician at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, where she serves as president of the Housestaff Council and chief resident for advocacy. Prior to beginning her residency, Dr. Mongia worked in the humanitarian sector with Doctors Without Borders in India and served on the board of directors for Doctors Without Borders South Asia. Joining The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement Board is: ● Syeda Neha Aamer, M.D., an Internal Medicine Resident physician at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education and a graduate of Federal Medical and Dental College in Pakistan. A third-generation physician, Dr. Aamer’s commitment to medicine is rooted in a longstanding family tradition of service. She will serve as the resident leader liaison to the board, which supports programs and initiatives that assist under-resourced individuals and families in Northeast Pennsylvania, including those experiencing food and housing insecurity, social isolation, poverty, or other hardships
Serving Seniors marks support for older adults, honors Judge Vito Geroulo Serving Seniors, Inc., a nonprofit leader in advocating for and protecting vulnerable older adults in Northeastern Pennsylvania, will hold its annual dinner September 25 honoring Lackawanna County Judge Vito Geroulo with its Legacy of Care Award. As Senior Judge, Geroulo served on Orphans Court, presiding over cases involving guardianships, estates, trusts, adoptions, and matters affecting vulnerable older adults and families. In a career spanning five decades, Geroulo served as assistant public defender and chief public defender and began a leader in the legal profession prior to his election to Lackawanna Court of Common Pleas where he heard a range of criminal, civil and family law matters. “Orphans Court is not a very high-profile court, but it is enormously consequential to those with matters beforeit,” said Serving Seniors Inc. Executive Director David Falchek. “Judge Geroulo brought a deep understanding of the law, thoughtful judgement and compassion to the bench in matters involving older adults,” The Annual Dinner will bring together community partners, volunteers, and supporters to reflect on the organization’s impact and renew its commitment to protecting and uplifting the aging population in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Tickets for the event are available at https://ticketstripe.com/ServingSeniors. For sponsorship opportunities or more information, visit https://servingseniorsnepa.org or call (570) 574-4045.
Fall at the Furnaces Brings Four Arts and Cultural Events to Scranton’s Historic Iron Furnaces This fall, one of Scranton’s most distinctive historic landmarks will become a destination for live music, theater, visual art, and performance as Valley In Motion (VIM) presents Fall at the Furnaces, a four-event series at the Scranton IronFurnaces, 159 Cedar Avenue. Presented in partnership with Good Things Are Happening! Fest, Scranton Shakespeare Festival, Scranton Fringe Festival, and the Anthracite Heritage Museum, Fall at the Furnaces celebrates Northeastern Pennsylvania’s creativity, culture, and community while bringing new activity to one of the city’s most significant historicpublic spaces. Four events. One historic destination. “Fall at the Furnaces activates an incredible place in our community,” said Gus Fahey, President of Valley In Motion. “The Iron Furnaces are an important part of Scranton’s founding story. This series brings new experiences to the community, creating memories through music, theater, and art.” Fall at the Furnaces 2026 Schedule Saturday, September 12 at 12:00 p.m. — Good Things Are Happening! Fest A day of music, art, food, drink, and vendors. goodthingsfestpa.com Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. — Scranton Shakespeare Festival’s “September Serenades”A family-friendly evening of Broadway music performed by vocalists and an orchestra.scrantonshakes.com Thursday, October 1, 5:00–10:00 p.m. & Friday, October 2, 5:00–9:00 p.m. — ScrantonFringe Festival Launch EventDynamic performances and immersive 3D projection art installations transform thehistoric site. scrantonfringe.org
Commonwealth Health’s Moses Taylor Hospital Reopens Pharmacy, Launches Meds-to-Beds Program Moses Taylor Hospital is taking another step in its campus revitalization with the reopening of its hospital pharmacy, The Apothecary, and launch of a new Meds-to-Beds program. The program allows eligible patients to have their prescriptions filled before leaving the hospital, providing greater convenience and helping ensure they have the medications they need when they return home. “Reopening our pharmacy and launching Meds-to-Beds is another meaningful investment in our patients and our campus,” said Patrick D. Conaboy MD, CEO, Regional Hospital of Scranton. “It’s about making healthcare more convenient while continuing to build momentum for the future of Commonwealth Health’s Scranton hospitals.” The pharmacy and Meds-to-Beds program are part of a broader effort to revitalize the Moses Taylor campus, enhance the patient experience, and strengthen healthcare services for the Scranton community. The Meds-to-Beds program is available at Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital.
