The Wright Center Announces Monthly ‘Walk with a Doc’ Events The Wright Center for Community Health invites residents of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wayne counties to put on their walking shoes and take a step towards improved health by joining one of the three regional, monthly Walk with a Doc events. This doctor-led initiative brings health care providers and community members together for an invigorating walk with doctors and other health care professionals. Participants will have the opportunity to exercise, engage with health care professionals, and connect with new people. The Walk with a Doc event in Lackawanna County is held on the first Saturday of each month at 9 a.m., now at its new location at Nay Aug Park, 500 Arthur Ave., Scranton. Walkers should gather at the park’s main entrance. The upcoming event is on Aug. 3. In Wayne County, the Walk with a Doc event takes place on the second Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Lacawac Sanctuary, 94 Sanctuary Road, Lake Ariel. All walks are a collaboration with Lacawac Sanctuary and AllOne Foundation & Charities. The next event is on Aug. 10. The Luzerne County Walk with a Doc event is scheduled for the third Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. at Kirby Park, 280 Market St., Kingston. The next event is on Aug. 17, with walkers meeting at the park’s main entrance. These doctor-led group walks are open to the community, accommodating people of all ages and fitness levels. Participation is free, and 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, and reduce the risk of obesity, enhance mental well-being, and lower the risk of osteoporosis. The Wright Center for Community Health, based in Scranton, operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Their practices provide integrated, whole-person primary health services, offering medical, dental, and behavioral health care, along with community-based addiction treatment and recovery services, all in one location for patient convenience. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s Walk with a Doc program, contact Nicole Lipinski at lipinskin@TheWrightCenter.org or Christine Wysocky at wysockyc@TheWrightCenter.org.
The Wright Center to Open Clinic in Tunkhannock The Wright Center for Community Health is expanding access to comprehensive whole-person primary health services in Wyoming County with the opening of a new health center in the former Tyler Memorial Hospital on Monday, Sept. 9. The Wright Center for Community Health has been providing safety-net primary and preventive care services for underserved populations and communities for decades. Family doctors and advanced care practitioners will offer services for people of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics, at the full-service, family-friendly office at 5950 U.S. Route 6, Suite 401. Based in the Wyoming County Healthcare Center, The Wright Center’s community health center will be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule an appointment, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-591-5299. Primary health services include checkups, physicals, screenings, and treatment of common illnesses and injuries. Addiction and recovery services, including medication-assisted treatment, will also be available. Wyoming County businessman Bill Ruark bought the former Tyler Memorial Hospital through a limited family partnership in 2023 and began developing the building as a nonprofit medical facility called Wyoming County Healthcare Center Inc. “It is critical to have these medical services back in the area,” said Sara Ergott, outreach coordinator for Wyoming County Healthcare Center. “The goal is to make this space a hub for all types of health care services that are not easily accessible for those in our rural region. With the loss of the hospital in 2021 and the retirements of many local health care providers, there is a great need for this building to curb those deficits. The goal is to fill the space with the types of services that are in demand and, in turn, create a happier and healthier community.” The Ruark family approached leadership at The Wright Center in the fall to discuss adding more services at the Wyoming County Healthcare Center. “The Wright Center for Community Health responds to the needs of underserved communities in Northeast Pennsylvania by improving access to nondiscriminatory, comprehensive whole-person primary health services,” said Kathleen Barry, deputy chief operating officer of The Wright Center for Community Health. “The Wright Center is proud to be able to treat patients of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses. No patient is turned away for lack of health insurance or an inability to pay. “Our mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services aligns perfectly with the Ruark family’s goal for their hometown. We are privileged to work on this mission-driven project with the Ruark family and other community partners,” added Barry. The Wright Center for Community Health offers a sliding-fee discount program. Based on a family’s size and income level, the program reduces barriers to care and ensures everyone has access to affordable, whole-person primary health services. With the opening of the Tunkhannock location, The Wright Center for Community Health now has 12 locations in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. The Wright Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike with a growing network of community health centers throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. More than 31.5 million people across the nation receive affordable, high-quality health care each year at community health centers like The Wright Center, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). The community health center initiative, founded by leaders of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, was envisioned as a way to deliver care in underserved areas such as low-income urban neighborhoods and rural settings. Promoters saw it as a means to improve people’s health while also empowering communities and reducing poverty, as health centers offer access to low-cost or no-cost services as well as family-sustaining employment opportunities. Today, there are more than 1,400 community health centers and look-alike organizations in the U.S., according to NACHC. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s integrated whole-person primary health services or for the nearest location, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-591-5299.
The Wright Center’s North Pocono Location Celebrates Two Years In just two years since its opening, The Wright Center’s health center in North Pocono has seamlessly integrated into the community, with its health center and staff becoming essential parts of the region. The Wright Center operates a network of community health centers in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. Its locations offer affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, whole-person primary health services to people of all ages regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. Since opening in April 2022, the staff at the health center in North Pocono has welcomed more than 3,500 patient appointments, including nearly 300 patients who used Medicare, CHIP, or medical assistance. The care team, under the direction of Amanda Turoni, a certified nurse practitioner with a doctorate in nursing degree, includes Jamie Ramos, LPN care coordinator; Samantha Tomala, medical assistant; and Amanda Granville, clinical administrative assistant. In the beginning, Turoni’s vision for the health center was fueled by the declining number of primary care providers in the region. She gathered information, including community demographics, information from health care professionals and social service workers, and surveyed parents about their families’ medical needs. That grassroots effort resulted in a twofold aim: improving the health and welfare of her hometown while also addressing the social determinants of health by holding regular food pantries and clothes closets that provide nutritious foods, seasonal clothing, school supplies, and much more for community members in need. “We knew that access to high-quality, whole-person primary health services remain a barrier for many in the area, especially in the communities that make up North Pocono,” said Turoni, noting that before the North Pocono health center opened, there were only about 12 primary care doctors in the community. “There was a need for timely, affordable treatment to address the larger issues, including chronic diseases, as well as preventive care and overall health.” According to the 2024 County Health Rankings, 19% of Lackawanna County residents report they smoke, 17% say they drink excessively, and 33% are obese. In addition, about 7% of residents do not have health insurance. For every one doctor in the county, there are 1,201 residents. The U.S. Census data adds that about 14.2% of the county’s population lives in poverty. Convinced of the community’s need, leaders at The Wright Center chose a location: a former medical practice that had closed after one provider retired in 2019 and the other relocated in 2021. With the support of a $110,855 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, they initiated efforts to open the health center in North Pocono. Overall, The Wright Center served more than 35,400 unique patients in fiscal year 2023-24, offering an integrated care model that typically allows patients the convenience of going to a single site to receive medical, dental, and behavioral health care, including addiction treatment and recovery support services for substance use disorders, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. Like many patients, Nazer Ali of Covington Township initially chose the health center because it was near his home. He continued as a patient because of the personalized care provided by the care team. “Besides the convenience of the location, Amanda has been terrific,” he said. “She takes the time to listen and ask questions.” Turoni said one of the benefits of a small clinic is that she and her staff can take more time with patients to build relationships. She’s enjoyed watching the clinic’s patient population grow as she and her staff gain the community’s trust, noting that she often bumps into patients as she runs errands and attends community events. “I think we’ve accomplished what I set out to achieve in the community,” she said. “We’re growing steadily, but we still can take our time with each patient to really get to know them.” In addition to offering whole-person primary health services, Turoni is proud of the clinic’s outreach events, which address food insecurity and other essential community needs. She hopes to partner with other community groups to expand those offerings, pointing to an upcoming farmers market organized by The Wright Center with support from state Senator Rosemary Brown’s office. Scheduled for Aug. 17 at the Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Company, the market will feature local farmers and artisans, including beekeepers, bakers, crafters, and more. The market will also offer information booths about local health and social services, demonstrations with the Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Department K-9, and a basket raffle to benefit The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, which organizes food pantries and other community events at the North Pocono health center and across the region. The farmers market, which Turoni and her colleagues hope will become a regular event, is just one of the new ideas the practitioner is exploring as the clinic grows and evolves. “I want to explore the idea of home visits to better meet the needs of our older patients and non-ambulatory patients,” Turoni said. “We want this clinic to be an essential community resource for everyone.” For more information about the health center in North Pocono, call 570-591-5150 or go to TheWrightCenter.org.
The Wright Center Names VP of Population Health The Wright Center for Community Health created a new position that will focus on improving patients’ health and well-being by ensuring they have access to integrated, whole-person primary health services, inclusive of medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Kelli Zimmerman, the new vice president of population health and practice transformation, has more than 16 years of experience as a health care professional, focusing on operations management, strategic planning, value-based care, and staff development. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business and health care administration and a master of health leadership degree from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is also a licensed practical nurse. In the new role, Zimmerman will serve as a key leader for The Wright Center’s population health strategy. As part of The Wright Center’s mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services, she will work to implement and monitor a continuity of care structure to ensure patients receive the treatment they need – from annual well-visits and preventive care to chronic care management and integrated, specialized health services. She will also assure and monitor the completion of population health screenings and social determinants of health assessments and, based on findings, ensure patients’ timely access to primary care, behavioral health, dental, addiction and recovery services, and basic needs, including food, clothing, and transportation to and from medical appointments. In addition, Zimmerman will focus on improving physician efficiency and satisfaction and utilize information technology and data analytics to drive The Wright Center’s strategies and tactical plans. Before joining The Wright Center, Zimmerman was the director of operations for primary and urgent care at Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. She also served as the regional manager for health and wellness at Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pennsylvania. The Wright Center, headquartered in Scranton, operates 10 health centers in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. The locations offer affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, whole-person primary health services to people of all ages regardless of their insurance status, ZIP Code, or ability to pay. For more information, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
The Wright Center Announces ‘Walk with a Doc’ The Wright Center for Community Health invites residents of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wayne Counties to lace up their sneakers and take a step toward better health by participating in one of three regional Walk with a Doc programs. The doctor-led initiative brings health care providers and members of the community together to enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating walk with doctors and other health care professionals, who will provide participants with an opportunity to get some exercise, interact with health care professionals, and meet new people. The Wright Center’s Walk with a Doc in Lackawanna County is on the first Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. at the David P. Maslar Memorial Park in Archbald. Walkers should meet at the Laurel Street Trailhead. The next event is on July 6. Walk with a Doc in Wayne County is on the second Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. at the Lacawac Sanctuary, 94 Sanctuary Road, Lake Ariel. The next event is July 13 and is made possible through a collaboration with Lacawac Sanctuary and AllOne Foundation & Charities. The Wright Center’s Walk with a Doc program in Luzerne County is held on the third Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. at Kirby Park. The next event is July 20. Walkers should meet at the park’s main entrance. The doctor-led group walks are open to the community and people of all ages and fitness levels. Participation is free, and pre-registration is not required. Walk with a Doc is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire communities through movement and conversation. Walking as little as 30 minutes a day can improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels, help maintain a healthy body weight and lower the risk of obesity, enhance mental well-being, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, according to the American Heart Association. The Wright Center for Community Health, headquartered in Scranton, operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its practices offer integrated whole-person primary health services, meaning patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s Walk with a Doc program, contact Nicole Lipinski at lipinskin@TheWrightCenter.org or Christine Wysocky at wysockyc@TheWrightCenter.org
The Wright Center Expanding Healthy MOMS Program The Wright Center for Community Health received a $62,000 grant from the Wilkes-Barre City Health Department to expand a program that helps moms and their babies build a solid foundation to begin their lives in recovery from opioid use disorder. The Wright Center’s Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support (Healthy MOMS) program will receive funding through a two-year grant. The grant is provided by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Services block grant, which the state allocated to the city’s health department for distribution. Members of the Michael Steiner American Legion Jessup Post 411 Ladies Auxiliary recently presented a $2,000 check to representatives of The Wright Center for Community Health’s Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support (Healthy MOMS) program. The Healthy MOMS program is a multi-agency effort that The Wright Center co-founded in 2018 to help combat the opioid crisis. It was launched in Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties but has grown to serve women and their families throughout much of Northeast Pennsylvania. The program is modeled after a program of the same name in Ohio and aims to help pregnant women and new mothers achieve and maintain sobriety. To date, it has supported more than 500 mothers and 282 babies, including 137 mothers in Luzerne County. “When I started working with Healthy MOMS in 2020, we had five moms in Luzerne County. Now, just four years later, we have 38 active moms,” said Marcella Bicksler, the lead program manager for the Healthy MOMS program. “We know there’s a huge need. Our goal is to help 50 Luzerne County mothers this year, and this grant will make that goal achievable.” To expand the Healthy MOMS program in Luzerne County, The Wright Center will leverage its existing behavioral health services and its state-designated Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence (COE) to provide extensive community outreach, education, prevention efforts, and opioid pregnancy recovery and medication-assisted treatment services. The program provides access to prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum care and access to certified recovery specialists, psychiatrists, board-certified addiction medicine physicians, licensed social workers, and licensed clinical social workers. “We’re uniquely qualified to lead these initiatives,” said Maria Kolcharno, The Wright Center’s Healthy MOMS program manager and director of addictions services. “Our work helps dismantle the stigma frequently linked to addiction and boosts mothers’ self-esteem during and after pregnancy, aiming to enroll them in recovery support services for two years to prevent relapse.” Kolcharno said the program’s success can be attributed to The Wright Center’s approach to delivering whole-person primary health services and connecting Healthy MOMS clients with a variety of wraparound services — from help with housing and utility bills to access to food pantries, clothing supply closets, and many other social services — that encourage healthy behaviors for the mothers and babies. Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown said he looks forward to seeing the work The Wright Center will do in the future to help build strong families. “We are pleased to be a community partner with The Wright Center to provide a much-needed service for moms-to-be and their babies,” said Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown. “This program provides a core foundation for all aspects of a healthy mom and baby so they can thrive successfully in our community.” For more information about the Healthy MOMS program, visit healthymoms.org.
The Wright Center Welcomes Medical Students The Wright Center welcomed four medical students from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), who will complete rotations at The Wright Center’s community health centers and other locations throughout the region. This year marks the launch of the partnership between The Wright Center and LECOM, which is open to third- and fourth-year medical students. “The goal is to train these medical students in underserved communities, and hopefully, they will stay in Northeast Pennsylvania to complete their medical residencies after graduation,” said Carla Blakeslee, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s clerkships coordinator. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine students, from left, are Sulav Shrestha, Tazeen Malik, Katherine Weir, and Elena Myalo.
The Wright Center Welcomes New Workers The Wright Center for Community Health and residents of Northeast Pennsylvania are offering two new community health workers (CHWs) with specialized services to patients, thanks to a unique program through the National Health Corps (NHC). Harry Yanoshak of Plains Township to work with The Wright Center’s geriatric care teams and Kristin Zaorski of Covington Township will collaborate with The Wright Center’s behavioral health teams. Both CHWs are funded through the NHC’s Community Health Fellowship, a grassroots community health service program that trains local community residents as CHWs. The new employees are committed to addressing the unmet needs of underserved populations and honing their skills as community health leaders. The Wright Center employs CHWs to help connect patients and community members to various resources. In addition to connecting them to food pantries and helping them find safe, affordable housing, CHWs can also help patients address utility bills, transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, health insurance applications, and a variety of other needs. “They bridge the gap,” said Kathleen Doyle, director of patient-centered services at The Wright Center. “They help address basic needs so patients can focus on their health and medical needs. This ties in directly to The Wright Center’s mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services.” The NHC program funds CHWs to work in specialized areas to facilitate integration with The Wright Center for Community Health’s whole-person primary health services. “This is one more step in offering whole-person, integrated care,” said Lou Strazzeri, community and agency referrals coordinator for The Wright Center. “We can now offer a CHW who can focus specifically on what a patient being seen by our geriatric care team might need or what one of our behavioral health patients may need.” Nicole Lipinski, director of The Wright Center’s Geriatric Service Line, looks forward to the unique resources and support Yanoshak will be able to offer to patients and their families. “We are able to help this vulnerable population navigate through the care continuum as they age in place or require additional assistance with care in facilities,” she said. “Having a CHW will only enhance what we can offer.” CHWs are one of the fastest-growing occupations in today’s health care field, with a projected 12% increase in jobs between 2021 and 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Participants in the AmeriCorps-funded NHC program must complete 1,700 hours of service within a term spanning 42-46 weeks. They also must complete a CHW training course offered by the Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center. They receive a living stipend and are eligible for food and child care assistance, tuition reimbursement, and access to health insurance, including medical, vision, and dental. The Wright Center, headquartered in Scranton, operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its locations offer integrated whole-person primary health services, meaning patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
The Wright Center Encourages Men to be Proactive The Wright Center believes stereotypes aside, it’s safe to say that men often tend to be less proactive about their health than women. That’s why public health campaigns like Men’s Health Month in June play an admirable role. The annual monthlong observance raises awareness on the many ways in which males – boys and adults – need to take charge of their health care. June is also home to International Men’s Health Week, which took place last week, and June 14’s Wear Blue Day, which is sponsored by the Men’s Health Network and encourages individuals, organizations, and employers to wear blue and host awareness and/or fundraising events on behalf of the cause. If we’re being honest, society hasn’t done the greatest job of promoting proactive health care among males, no matter the age group. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average life expectancy for men in the United States is 5.4 years less than it is for women. Meanwhile, males are at a higher risk for a number of serious diseases, among them heart disease, lung cancer, and HIV, and experience illnesses completely unique to the gender, such as prostate cancer. And for men from underrepresented groups, the numbers are even worse. So, it’s a good thing that for this year’s Men’s Health Month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) is focused on bettering health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) men through its theme, “Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections.” The initiative aims to understand better how the unique environments, cultures, histories, and circumstances – the social determinants of health or SDOH – of minority men impact their overall health. OMH has committed to working with public health and community-based partners to provide racial and ethnic minority and AI/AN men and boys with high-quality medical care and services that are “responsive to diverse cultural health beliefs and practices, preferred languages, economic and environmental circumstances, and health literacy levels.” The thinking is that when patients are provided with culturally and linguistically appropriate information, they’ll ultimately have healthier outcomes for themselves, their families, and their communities as a whole. And by communities, we can certainly include our own right here in Northeast Pennsylvania. With encouragement from health care professionals, as well as family members and friends, there’s no reason why men can’t adopt more healthful practices, whether it’s improving their diet and getting a gym membership or better managing their stress levels through yoga, meditation, or therapy. That also includes making a long-term investment in their medical care, from annual visits to their primary care physician to receiving regular prostate testing and colonoscopies, or Cologuard stool testing, to reduce the chance of metastatic prostate or colorectal cancer. Health education should also start at a very young age so families can instill the importance of lifelong healthy habits in their boys. Most people do not seem to appreciate exercise’s profound impact on reducing the risk of most diseases and even slowing the aging process. Thirty minutes of exercise can prevent decline and decay for both men and women. Let’s all do our part to promote better men’s health by encouraging the important men in our lives – fathers, husbands, sons, friends, coworkers, etc. – to take their long-term health seriously. Douglas Klamp, M.D., is a board-certified internal medicine physician who serves as senior vice president, chief medical education officer, and physician chair of resident and fellow talent acquisition of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, as well as program director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Klamp is accepting adult patients at The Wright Center for Community Health – Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave.
The Wright Center and NE PA AHEC Workshop Collaboration Nevena Barjaktarovic, M.D., a dually board-certified physician in internal medicine and rheumatology at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, will present a free educational session on lupus for Northeast Pennsylvania primary care and emergency room doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. The Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center (NE PA AHEC) is sponsoring the internal medicine didactic session, which will be held from 8-10 a.m., Wednesday, July 31, in The Wright Center for Community Health – Scranton Auditorium, 501 S. Washington Ave. Participation is limited and registration is required by Friday, July 19. To register, visit bit.ly/3QRJqTf. Participants may join in person or virtually through Webex video conferencing. The video conferencing link will be provided after registration. The session is a part of the American College of Rheumatology Rural Health Outreach Project, aimed at improving lupus referral, diagnosis, and treatment in underserved communities. It also will help raise awareness among health care providers of lupus signs and symptoms, what to do if lupus is suspected, and when to consider lupus in the differential diagnosis for individuals at high risk. About 1.5 million Americans have a form of lupus, 90% of whom are women, with about 16,000 new cases annually, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. Lupus is two to three times more prevalent among Black, Hispanic/Latina, Asian American, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander women than white women. Those with lupus can experience significant symptoms, including pain, extreme fatigue, hair loss, cognitive issues, and physical impairments that affect every facet of their lives. Many suffer from cardiovascular disease, strokes, disfiguring rashes, and painful joints. For others, there may be no visible symptoms. Dr. Barjaktarovic specializes in diagnosing and treating a broad spectrum of rheumatic and inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, back pain, connective tissue disease, fibromyalgia, gout, joint pain, osteoporosis, psoriasis, and lupus. She also serves as a physician-faculty member at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, where she mentors residents and fellows. A Clarks Summit resident, Dr. Barjaktarovic joined The Wright Centers in 2020 and earned her medical degree from the Medical School of Belgrade University, Serbia. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at James J. Peters VA Medical Center, affiliated with Mount Sinai School of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, and her rheumatology fellowship training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, also in the Bronx.
