New Mural Celebrates Partnership Rooted in Community Health Officials from Scranton Counseling Center and The Wright Center for Community Health celebrated the completion of a vibrant new mural by Allison LaRussa, The Wright Center’s associate vice president of health and wellness. The artwork commemorates the partnership between the two organizations, which began in 2021 when The Wright Center opened a community health center inside Scranton Counseling Center to provide high-quality, whole-person primary and preventive health services for patients of all ages. Featuring a tree with interconnected roots, the mural symbolizes the strength of community, collaboration, and the shared commitment to supporting mental and physical well-being. Staff members from both organizations helped bring the project to life by adding their handprints, creating a lasting tribute to their partnership and the people they serve. Participating in the dedication, from left, are Douglas A. Hein, director of development at Scranton Counseling Center; Jerry Musheno, chair, Scranton Counseling Center Board of Directors; Renee Zehel, chief philanthropy officer and vice president of grants and strategic initiatives at The Wright Center; Dr. Sarah Wodder, president and CEO, Scranton Counseling Center; Kara Seitzinger, director of public affairs and advisor liaison to the president and CEO at The Wright Center; Margaret McNulty, immediate past chair, Scranton Counseling Center Board of Directors; and Allison LaRussa, associate vice president of health and wellness at The Wright Center. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
The Wright Center for Community Health to Celebrate National Health Center Week With Children’s Fair Families are invited to celebrate healthy living and back-to-school season at The Wright Way to Wellness: Kids Edition, a free children’s wellness fair hosted by The Wright Center for Community Health as part of National Health Center Week. The event will take place from 2-5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, in the auditorium at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave. Open to the public, the fair returns for a second consecutive year after drawing several hundred families to its inaugural program. Children and their families can enjoy fitness and art activities, healthy snacks and nutrition demonstrations, a backpack and school supply giveaway, raffles, and interactive exhibits while learning about school physicals, vaccinations, and other health resources. The event will also feature the Lackawanna County Public Library system and community partners, including Marywood University, Build-N-Athlete, and Valley in Motion. The children’s wellness fair is one of several events The Wright Center will host during National Health Center Week, Aug. 2-8, an annual celebration recognizing the essential role community health centers play in improving access to high-quality, comprehensive, whole-person primary health services. Community health centers like The Wright Center serve patients regardless of their income, insurance status, or ability to pay. This year’s National Health Center Week theme, “Community Health Centers: Chemistry for Strong Communities,” highlights the partnerships that strengthen communities and improve health outcomes. In fiscal year 2025-26, The Wright Center served more than 39,000 unique patients in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. Collectively, community health centers provide care to more than 32.5 million people annually – about one in 10 Americans – including many who are uninsured or living below the federal poverty level. “National Health Center Week is a celebration of the vital role community health centers play in keeping our communities healthy and connected,” said Kara Seitzinger, executive director of public affairs and advisor liaison to the president/CEO. “Every day, we provide responsive, whole-person primary and preventive health services to our neighbors who need it most, and we’re excited to celebrate that impact by hosting this children’s wellness fair and several other community events.” The Wright Center is hosting a slate of free activities to celebrate National Health Center Week, including: ● Monday, Aug. 3, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., The Wright Center for Community Health Clarks Summit, 1145 Northern Blvd., South Abington Twp., backpack giveaway. ● Tuesday, Aug. 4, noon-2 p.m., The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn, food giveaway. ● Thursday, Aug. 6, noon-2 p.m., The Wright Center for Community Health North Pocono, 260 Daleville Highway, Suite 103, Covington Township, food giveaway. ● Friday, Aug. 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Wright Center for Community Health North Pocono, 260 Daleville Highway, Suite 103, Covington Township, backpack and school supply giveaway. ● Saturday, Aug. 8, 9-10:30 a.m., Olive Street Trailhead entrance to the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, Scranton, Walk with a Doc. For more information, visit TheWrightCenter.org/events
The Wright Center for Community Health Tunkhannock Launches Dental Services for Children and Adults The Wright Center for Community Health Tunkhannock will begin offering dental services at its community health center in the Wyoming County Healthcare Center. Beginning Monday, Aug. 3, dental services for children and adults will be available between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at The Wright Center for Community Health Tunkhannock, 5950 U.S. Route 6, Suite 401. Appointments can be made now by calling 570-591-5299. Dr. Frank Pagano, a dentist with more than 30 years of experience, will lead the dental clinic. He and other members of The Wright Center for Community Health’s team, including a dental hygienist, will provide affordable, high-quality oral care services, including routine exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, fillings, extractions, restorations, dentures, and other procedures. “We know there is a significant need for dental care in Tunkhannock and throughout Wyoming County, and the response from the community has already been tremendous, with patients calling to schedule appointments,” said Kimberly McGoff, director of dental services at The Wright Center for Community Health. “By expanding access to essential oral health services in this rural community, we are helping remove barriers to care and advancing our mission to improve the health and well-being of the people we serve across the region.” The community health center accepts most dental insurances, including Delta Dental, Guardian, United Concordia, and Medical Assistance (Medicaid). To ensure high-quality oral care is available to everyone, The Wright Center for Community Health offers a sliding-fee discount program for individuals who qualify based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which take into account family size and income. No patient is turned away due to an inability to pay.
The Wright Center For Community Health To Hold Monthly “Walk With A Doc” Events In Hawley The Wright Center for Community Health invites the community to take a step toward improved health by joining monthly Walk with a Doc events in Hawley. This physician-led initiative brings healthcare providers and community members together for an invigorating walk with doctors and other healthcare professionals. Participants will have the opportunity to exercise, engage with healthcare professionals, and connect with new people. The “Walk with a Doc” events in Hawley will be held the first Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. at Bingham Park. Walkers should gather at the Bingham Park sign near the playground. The July event is on July 11 due to the holiday. The walks are free and open to the community, accommodating people of all ages and fitness levels. No pre-registration is necessary. “Walk with a Doc” is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring communities through movement and conversation. According to the American Heart Association, walking for just 30 minutes a day can improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels, help maintain a healthy body weight, reduce the risk of obesity, enhance mental well-being, and lower the risk of osteoporosis. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s “Walk with a Doc” program, contact Allison Miller at millera@TheWrightCenter.org.
The Wright Center For Community Health To Host July “Walk With A Doc” Events In Scranton And Jermyn The Wright Center for Community Health invites residents of all ages to lace up their sneakers and join a growing movement toward better health and stronger community connections with its monthly “Walk with a Doc” events in Lackawanna County. Led by local physicians and healthcare professionals, these community walks offer an easy, fun, and social way to get moving while engaging in health-focused conversations. Participants enjoy light exercise, have the opportunity to ask health-related questions, and connect with others in a relaxed, informal setting. The July “Walk with a Doc” in Jermyn will be held on Saturday, July 18, at 9 a.m. at the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Walkers should gather at the Delaware Street Trailhead entrance. The Scranton walk is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, at 9 a.m., also along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, with walkers meeting at the Olive Street entrance. These events are free and open to the public, welcoming individuals of all fitness levels. No pre-registration is required. “Walk with a Doc” is a global nonprofit organization that promotes physical activity and meaningful conversations between physicians and community members. According to the American Heart Association, just 30 minutes of walking per day can improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels, support weight management, boost mental health, and reduce the risk of conditions such as obesity and osteoporosis. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s “Walk with a Doc” program, please contact Melissa Germano-Ryczak at germanom@TheWrightCenter.org.
Wright Center Dentist Named To State Advisory Board Dr. Caitlin McCarthy, local site director of the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education and a practicing dentist dedicated to expanding access to oral health care in Northeast Pennsylvania, has been selected to serve on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Oral Health Program Oral Health Plan Advisory Group. Dr. McCarthy was appointed to a two-year term from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, and will represent Pennsylvania’s provider sector. She was selected to help guide the implementation of the Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan 2020-2030, a statewide framework focused on improving oral health outcomes, reducing disparities, strengthening the oral health workforce, and expanding access to preventive and restorative dental care. The Oral Health Plan Advisory Group provides recommendations to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Oral Health Program regarding priorities for implementing the state’s oral health plan and champions initiatives designed to improve oral health across the commonwealth. The advisory group includes representatives from multiple sectors involved in oral health promotion, education, policy, clinical care, and public health. “I am honored to serve on the Oral Health Plan Advisory Group and contribute to efforts that improve oral health across Pennsylvania,” said Dr. McCarthy, of Jenkins Twp. “Every patient deserves access to high-quality oral health care, regardless of where they live or their circumstances. I look forward to working with colleagues from across the commonwealth to help advance solutions that strengthen our dental workforce, expand access to care, and improve health outcomes for all Pennsylvanians.” A Scranton native and West Scranton High School graduate, Dr. McCarthy received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and completed a General Practice Residency at Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Muhlenberg Hospital. She earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Scranton, graduating with dual majors in biology and biomathematics while also completing minors in biochemistry and English. During her undergraduate years, she was inducted into five honor societies, consistently earned dean’s list recognition, and participated in an international service trip to Guyana. Building her career around serving the communities that shaped her, Dr. McCarthy joined The Wright Center in 2019 and played a key role in launching dental services at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, located in South Side at 501 S. Washington Ave., Suite 1000. Since then, she has provided comprehensive dental care to a diverse patient population, including many individuals and families who face barriers to accessing routine oral health services. Her daily work gives her firsthand insight into issues that remain significant challenges throughout Pennsylvania, including workforce shortages, affordability concerns, access barriers for Medicaid recipients, and disparities in oral health outcomes among underserved populations. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Dr. McCarthy also serves as local site director of The Wright Center’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program, offered through a partnership with New York University Langone Health Dental Medicine. In this role, she helps train and mentor future dentists while supporting community-based dental education and workforce development initiatives throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. Her leadership reflects The Wright Center’s integrated approach to improving community health by simultaneously expanding access to high-quality oral health services and strengthening the future dental workforce through community-based training. “Dr. McCarthy’s selection to the Oral Health Plan Advisory Group is both a well-deserved recognition of her expertise and a reflection of the meaningful contributions she continues to make to oral health care in our region,” said Kimberly McGoff, director of dental operations at The Wright Center. “As an exceptional clinician, respected educator, and dedicated advocate for accessible, patient-centered care, she understands firsthand the opportunities and challenges facing both patients and dental professionals. Through her leadership in clinical practice and dental residency education, she has helped improve access to care while shaping the next generation of oral health providers. Her experience, insight, and unwavering commitment to service will make her a tremendous asset to this important statewide effort to strengthen oral health outcomes for all Pennsylvanians.”
The Wright Center, Scranton Resident Dreams Of Becoming Kidney Doctor While Hoping For Life-Saving Transplant Patrick Gallagher dreams of finding ways to improve kidney transplants or pioneering medical breakthroughs to help people with kidney disease. He just needs a kidney first. The 21-year-old Scranton resident’s kidney troubles began in the womb. He was diagnosed with posterior urethral valves, which occurs when abnormal flaps of tissue in the urethra block the flow of urine out of the bladder. This causes urine to back up, leading to swollen kidneys, a damaged bladder, and potential kidney failure. Two decades later, after countless hospital stays, a kidney transplant at age 5, and nine years of dialysis treatments, he is hoping for another miracle. He’s on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) kidney transplant waiting list. However, Patrick and his parents, Roxane and William Gallagher, are hoping to find a living donor to increase the chances that his transplant will be a success. While the family waits, Jennifer Kalinowski, a board-certified registered nurse family practitioner at The Wright Center for Community Health North Scranton, and her team make sure Patrick and his parents remain as healthy as possible. “I always say that I’m the exception to every rule,” Patrick said with a laugh as he and his parents talked about his lifelong medical battle. “Maybe this time we’ll get good news.” Patrick is no stranger to hospital rooms. Two days after he was born, he was flown to Hershey Medical Center for his first surgery. Complication after complication and infection after infection followed, his parents said. In 2010, when Patrick was 5, his doctors put him on the UNOS waiting list. There are currently over 90,000 people on that list for a lifesaving kidney transplant in the United States, according to UNOS. Kidneys are by far the most in-demand organ, making up more than 86% of the entire national transplant waiting list. Within two days of Patrick being listed, a kidney was found. The Gallagher family rushed to Hershey Medical Center, where Patrick underwent the transplant. “I don’t remember too much about that time,” Patrick said, adding that his strongest memories from that year were the family’s trip to Disney World three months later, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “What I remember most is that I was too scared to go on the Haunted Mansion Ride.” When they returned from Disney, Patrick went right back to Hershey Medical Center for more care. Years of complications continued, including a month-long coma when he was in third grade. About nine years ago, doctors decided the donated kidney had reached the end of its usefulness, and Patrick had to begin dialysis. At first, he underwent a nightly procedure done at home called peritoneal dialysis. When infections and scar tissue became too much of a problem, Patrick had to switch to hemodialysis at a DaVita clinic in Scranton three times a week. The process leaves Patrick feeling fatigued and foggy. It’s impossible for him to have a job or go to college. He became a patient at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 2024, and the family travels to the Iron City several times a year to see specialists. Back at home, Kalinowski and her team at The Wright Center for Community Health North Scranton are doing what they can to keep Patrick and his parents healthy. While Patrick has a strong support system as he battles his chronic illness, not all patients are so lucky, the nurse practitioner said. “We’re a community health center, so part of our role is to advocate for our patients,” Kalinowski said. “In addition to providing whole-person primary health services, we want to make sure our patients are connected with the right specialists, that they’re getting their tests, going to their appointments, and that they feel heard about what’s going on in their lives.” Patrick has been put back on the transplant list, but it will be harder to find a match this time, according to Roxanne Gallagher. That’s why the Gallaghers are hoping to find a living kidney donor, which would increase the chances of a successful transplant. There were 6,521 kidney transplants from living donors in the U.S. in 2025, according to UNOS, roughly 24% of the 27,573 total kidney transplants performed that year. For more information, visit Patrick’s Kidney Place on Facebook or visit UPMC.com/LivingDonorKidney. While he waited for news, Patrick spent a week in June serving as a counselor at Camp Kydnie, a sleepaway camp especially for kids with kidney disease in Millville, Pennsylvania. Patrick has been attending the camp since 2013 and says it’s a rare chance to be around other children battling different kinds of kidney disease. “We do archery and arts and crafts and, before I had the dialysis port, I would go swimming,” he said, adding later that working with kids just like him is a goal he’s had since he was young. “My dream job is a pediatric nephrologist, or maybe doing medical research about kidney disease. It’s something I’ve been saying since I was 5, or maybe even younger.”
Wright Center Names First Philanthropy Officer A Marywood University and Misericordia University alumna who has spent the last two decades advocating for and securing investments to support higher education has joined The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education as its first chief philanthropy officer and vice president of grants and strategic initiatives. Renée Gregori Zehel, Ph.D., worked in business development in the health care industry for seven years before she returned to Northeast Pennsylvania in 1998 to serve in leadership roles at Misericordia and Marywood universities. There, she led transformative advancement initiatives, helping secure significant philanthropic investments that increased educational access and strengthened institutional sustainability. Most recently, she was vice president of university advancement at Marywood, where she led the successful completion of a $30 million campaign to expand health sciences programs, which will help strengthen the regional health care workforce and broaden educational opportunities. At The Wright Center, Zehel will spearhead the development of a new philanthropic foundation and guide its related endeavors. She will design overarching fundraising strategies and direct philanthropic events to build community support. She will also be responsible for driving grant development efforts across the organization. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication arts from then-Marywood College and a Master of Science degree in education from then-College Misericordia, she completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree in human development at Marywood University. Across the region, Zehel has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the African Sisters Education Collaborative and the Patient Safety Council at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Dickson City. She and her husband, Shawn Zehel, reside in Scranton and have two adult children.
Wright Center Participates in Pilot Program Addressing Naloxone The Wright Center for Community Health has partnered with health care technology company to test a new digital platform that promotes naloxone readiness and empowers individuals to respond to overdoses. Contingency Management Innovations (CMI), a division of Q2i, developed the groundbreaking digital platform, NALCAM, which combines mobile technology with behavior reinforcement and public health education to strengthen community overdose response capacity. CMI contacted The Wright Center, which has worked with the company on another project, to test the new platform. In all, seven patients involved in The Wright Center’s state-designated Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence participated in the recently completed research pilot. “We know that Narcan prevents overdose deaths,” said Scott Constantini, associate vice president of primary care and recovery services integration at The Wright Center for Community Health. “The Wright Center is always looking for ways to innovate, so when programs like this are developed, we want to participate.” Through the NALCAM app, participants who register their naloxone kits will receive digital check-ins and brief learning modules to ensure they carry their kits and know how to use them. Completing check-ins and modules provides participants with small rewards to motivate them to carry naloxone and stay ready to use it. The approach is rooted in evidence-based contingency management principles, a behavioral science model proven to improve engagement and retention across a range of backgrounds, according to CMI. “NALCAM demonstrates how digital contingency management can drive measurable public health outcomes,” said Steven Jenkins, CEO of Q2i. “By rewarding proactive, life-saving behaviors like naloxone carriage and overdose education, we’re helping states, counties, and health care organizations build scalable, data-informed programs.” The Wright Center for Community Health, a Scranton-based provider of whole-person primary health services, is committed to helping individuals with substance use disorder. The Wright Center became a state-designated Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence in 2016. Since then, it has provided outpatient addiction treatment and recovery services, including medication-assisted treatment, to thousands of people in Northeast Pennsylvania. The Wright Center is one of many approved, community-based distribution sites, officially known as “recognized entities,” that receive naloxone kits through the Pennsylvania Overdose Prevention Program. The program was launched in 2023 as a joint initiative between the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Anyone can pick up a free naloxone kit at any of The Wright Center’s 13 community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. For a list of locations and hours, visit TheWrightCenter.org/locations. To learn more about the services available through the Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence, call 570-230-0019 or visit TheWrightCenter.org/services/coe. For more information on NALCAM, visit nalcam.com.
Wright Center for Community Health’s CEO Elected to State Health Board Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, has been appointed to serve on the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers’ (PACHC’s) Board of Directors. PACHC represents the commonwealth’s largest network of primary health care providers that serve nearly 1 million patients annually at more than 475 sites in underserved rural and urban areas in 55 counties. Its 15-member Board of Directors is made up of community health center CEOs from across Pennsylvania, representing a broad spectrum of expertise that spans finance, clinical care, workforce development, advocacy, policy and regulation, nonprofit health care administration, and human resources. “I am deeply honored and profoundly grateful to join the reputable Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers. I am excited for the opportunity to collaborate with dedicated and talented colleagues from across our state as we work together to advance access, affordability, and excellence in community-based primary and preventive health services for all Pennsylvanians,” said Dr. Thomas-Hemak. “Together, we will continue to strengthen the mission-driven voice of community health centers to ensure that the patients, families, and communities we are privileged to serve remain at the forefront of health care conversations and strategies.” Dr. Thomas-Hemak is a quintuple board-certified primary care physician in internal medicine, pediatrics, addiction medicine, obesity medicine, and nutrition. Alongside her executive leadership, she continues to care for multigenerational families at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley in Jermyn, her hometown. She has earned national recognition for advancing innovative community-based primary care delivery models, expanding access to essential health services, and cultivating the current and future interprofessional health care workforce. A proud graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and the University of Scranton, Dr. Thomas-Hemak went on to earn her medical degree as a Michael DeBakey Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, followed by completing Harvard’s Combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Residency Program in Boston. Guided by a profound sense of service to her community roots, she returned to Northeast Pennsylvania to practice primary care. She joined The Wright Center in 2001, became its president in 2007, and assumed the role of CEO in 2012. She and her husband, Mark, have three children, Mason, Maya, and Antoinette. Dr. Thomas-Hemak is the daughter of Johanna Cavalieri Thomas, who lives in Archbald, and the late William Thomas. For more information about The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
