Wright Center: Prioritize Quality of Life Needs in 2026 It is officially 2026, marking the start of a new year and a fresh beginning. As the saying goes, a new year brings new opportunities—especially when it comes to placing a greater emphasis on health. Dr. Erin McFadden January is recognized as International Quality of Life Month, a time to prioritize overall well-being—physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially—by adopting healthier daily habits. Improving quality of life can take many forms. Simple steps include focusing on a healthier diet by prioritizing whole foods and reducing or eliminating stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Regular exercise is also important, as physical activity can lower blood pressure, boost endorphins, and improve mood. Whether through joining a gym, walking, or running a few times a week, consistent movement makes a difference. Quality sleep is another essential factor. Chronic fatigue can negatively affect overall well-being and increase anxiety and depression, making it important to establish a calming bedtime routine and limit screen time before sleep. Finding time for rest and relaxation is equally valuable. In today’s fast-paced world, incorporating meditation, mindfulness, or simply moments of stillness into a daily routine can significantly reduce stress. Managing time effectively can also improve quality of life. Overloading a daily schedule can feel overwhelming, so prioritizing essential tasks before smaller items can help create balance. Making room for leisure activities—such as hobbies, movies, concerts, social gatherings, or sporting events—can provide joy and a healthy escape from everyday stress. Open communication plays a critical role in mental well-being. Talking through challenges with a trusted family member, friend, colleague, or licensed therapist can be one of the most effective ways to reduce stress. Seeking help when needed is an important step toward maintaining mental health. Even making one or two of these changes can lead to noticeable improvements in how a person feels. At The Wright Center, these principles are incorporated through Lifestyle Medicine. The Lifestyle Medicine care team works with patients and families to improve health and quality of life through strategies such as stress management, tobacco cessation, improved nutrition, increased physical activity, stronger social connections, and better sleep habits. Clinicians trained in both conventional and lifestyle medicine develop personalized, sustainable self-care plans designed for long-term success. For individuals facing weight-related challenges, The Wright Center also offers non-surgical obesity management. Obesity affects millions of Americans and can contribute to chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and stroke. Board-certified obesity medicine physicians take a comprehensive approach, considering environmental, genetic, behavioral, and nutritional factors to provide evidence-based, safe, and effective weight management solutions. Achieving a healthy weight can reduce the risk of illness and significantly enhance overall quality of life. Ultimately, quality of life is a key driver of long-term health. Making it a priority in 2026 can set the foundation for a healthier future. Erin McFadden, M.D., is a senior vice president and chief medical officer at The Wright Center for Community Health. Board-certified in internal medicine, Dr. McFadden is the clinical leader for all outpatient, inpatient, and specialty services. She sees adult patients at our Scranton Counseling Center, North Scranton, and Scranton health centers. To make an appointment, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Wright Center Doctors Earn Board Certification The Wright Center for Community Health continues to strengthen its commitment to preventive care as two more doctors earn board certification in lifestyle medicine, equipping them to help patients prevent, manage, and even reverse chronic disease through sustainable lifestyle change. Dr. Ivan Cvorovic, FACP, CPE, and Dr. Kristina Tanovic, FACP, joined The Wright Center in 2020. The Wright Center’s Lifestyle Medicine program focuses on the six pillars of health: nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, relationships, and the avoidance of risky substances. “This training enhances the care we provide today, giving our patients more evidence‑based tools and support,” Dr. Cvorovic said. “It also allows us to offer patients a more holistic, empowering approach to their health.” There’s a clear need for lifestyle medicine services locally and nationwide. In 2023, for example, 76.4% of American adults – about 194 million – reported having at least one chronic condition, and 51.4% of U.S. adults, or about 130 million, reported having more than one chronic condition, according to a report that was published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in April 2025. Chronic conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity, can lead to more serious conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, some cancers, and arthritis. The CDC report shows that many chronic conditions are influenced by lifestyle risk factors, including excessive alcohol use, tobacco use, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition. As part of its commitment to provide whole-person primary and preventive health services to people of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses, The Wright Center offers lifestyle medicine at its 13 community health centers across Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. The Wright Center’s physicians and clinicians conduct a thorough patient assessment of current health habits and then introduce and empower individualized treatment plans based on specific risk factors. Treatment plans can include improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, managing stress, eliminating tobacco use, and moderating alcohol consumption. “Earning this certification strengthens what we can offer patients, aligns with our values, and supports The Wright Center’s mission to build healthier communities,” Dr. Cvorovic said. Dr. Cvorovic is also a board-certified internal medicine hospitalist and certified physician executive at The Wright Center for Community Health. He serves as director of hospital services and the internal medicine residency hospitalist faculty for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. Dr. Tanovic is also board-certified in internal medicine and obesity medicine and serves as associate program director, a teaching hospitalist, and core faculty of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency Program. Both doctors graduated from the University of Belgrade School of Medicine and completed their internal medicine residencies at Icahn School of Medicine at James J. Peters VA Medical Center, a Mount Sinai School of Medicine-affiliated facility in the Bronx, New York. Drs. Cvorovic and Tanovic are each accepting new patients at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave. In fiscal year 2024-25, The Wright Center served about 38,300 unique patients at its growing network of community health centers. As a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike and safety-net provider, it serves everyone, from pediatrics to geriatrics. No patient is turned away due to an inability to pay. The Wright Center accepts all insurance plans and offers a sliding-fee discount program to ensure whole-person primary and preventive health services are affordable for everyone. For more information, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Wright Center Health Centers Receive National Certification The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recently awarded The Wright Center for Community Health’s Clarks Summit and Jermyn locations with Patient-Centered Medical Home certificates for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. The Wright Center for Community Health Clarks Summit, 1145 Northern Blvd., South Abington Township, and The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn, each again achieved this special recognition, acknowledging that they have the tools, systems, and resources to provide patients with the right care at the right time. Four of The Wright Center’s community health centers have retained the NCQA voluntary accreditation in recent months. In October, The Wright Center’s community health centers in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre were notified that they had successfully retained the recognition seal. Every year, The Wright Center’s community health centers undergo a formal review to ensure compliance with the Washington, D.C.-based organization’s high standards. NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. Its Patient-Centered Medical Home program reflects input from the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Osteopathic Association, and others. It was developed to assess whether health centers are functioning as medical homes and to recognize their efforts. The Patient-Centered Medical Home model is designed to enable patients and their care teams to foster stronger relationships, help patients manage chronic conditions more effectively, and enhance the overall patient experience. The model has been shown to increase staff satisfaction and reduce health care costs. It also increases patient satisfaction by offering open access to health care services and extended hours. For the public, NCQA accreditation signals that The Wright Center for Community Health maintains a focus on quality improvement and has key processes in place to help patients prioritize their health. “We are proud to retain this recognition seal at our community health centers,” said Dr. Jignesh Sheth, senior vice president and enterprise chief operations and strategy officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “The NCQA seal communicates to the public that we are fully committed to prioritizing patient-centered care, including offering morning, evening, and weekend hours to allow patients to access care when it is convenient for them and expanding behavioral health and dental services to truly offer a team-based approach to care.” Mid Valley’s certification carries an additional NCQA distinction in behavioral health integration. This recognition demonstrates that recipients have the resources, evidence-based protocols, standardized tools, and quality measures to meet patients’ needs, according to NCQA. “Many times, primary care physicians will be the first to identify a health issue that requires behavioral health services,” Dr. Sheth said. “Offering affordable, high-quality behavioral health services where patients are already receiving whole-person primary health services eliminates barriers and helps improve patient health overall.” For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Wright Center: January Is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month The Wright Center is deeply committed to expanding awareness of their women’s health services, particularly in response to the complex and evolving challenges faced by female patients. One critical area of focus is cervical health. January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about cervical cancer and emphasizing the importance of early detection through routine screenings. Each year, more than 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, and more than 4,000 die from the disease, according to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC). Encouragingly, significant progress has been made in recent years, including advances in screening and treatment and the widespread availability of the HPV vaccine. As a result, cervical cancer is now considered the most preventable of all female cancers, and the World Health Organization estimates it could become the first cancer to be eliminated altogether. Cervical cancer most often develops during midlife and is commonly diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44. It is rare in women younger than 20, and more than 15% of cases occur in women older than 65 – typically among those who have not received regular screenings. Prevention begins early with HPV vaccination. Human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection, affects more than 40 million people in the United States, most of them adolescents and young adults. HPV is responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine protects against high-risk strains linked to cervical cancer, as well as low-risk strains that cause genital warts. The vaccine is recommended for all boys and girls at ages 11 or 12, when the immune response is strongest. Two doses are required for those vaccinated before age 15; individuals 15 and older need a three-dose series. Routine screening remains a cornerstone of early detection. Women ages 21 to 29 should receive a Pap smear every three years to identify cancer or precancerous cell changes. Women ages 30 to 65 should undergo cervical cancer screening every five years. Women’s health is a year-round priority at The Wright Center, with comprehensive services designed to support women in maintaining their health while balancing the demands of daily life. These services include cervical cancer screenings, Pap smears, and HPV testing, routine gynecological care, pelvic and breast exams, well-women visits, bone density testing, age-appropriate immunizations, STI testing and treatment, and hormonal testing. The Wright Center accepts all insurances, including Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and most private plans. For uninsured patients, their enrollment assisters provide guidance on coverage options and enrollment, and their sliding-fee discount program ensures high-quality, affordable care for all. During Cervical Health Awareness Month, all women are encouraged to take time to prioritize their health and well-being – this month and throughout the year. Amatus Legbedion, M.D., is a board-certified family medicine physician. She completed her residency training at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Regional Family Medicine Program, serving as chief resident. She is accepting patients of all ages at The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre. Visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-491-0126 to make an appointment.
Wright Center’s Dr. Decker Named ACP Fellow Dr. Mary Louise Decker, the infectious diseases medical director at The Wright Center for Community Health, has been accepted as a fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP). Dr. Decker, a board-certified infectious disease physician, leads The Wright Center’s Ryan White HIV and Infectious Disease/HEP C Clinic. Dr. Decker is accepting new adult patients at our community health centers in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. She earned her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., where she completed her residency in internal medicine and fellowship in infectious diseases. ACP fellows are a distinguished group of doctors dedicated to continuing education in medical practice, teaching, and research. More than 31,000 physicians have earned this mark of distinction since 1975, according to the ACP. Dr. Decker may now use the letters “FACP” after her name in recognition of this honor. This is not Dr. Decker’s first fellowship. In 2022, she was one of 175 physicians worldwide elected as a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Fellowship in IDSA is one of the highest honors in infectious diseases, conferred on those who have demonstrated professional excellence and provided significant service to the profession. The largest medical specialty organization and the second-largest physician group in the United States, ACP has more than 143,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. For more information about ACP, go to acponline.org. The Wright Center, based in Scranton, Pennsylvania, offers affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary health services at its growing network of 13 community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. For more information about its integrated medical, dental, mental and behavioral health, addiction and recovery, and Ryan White HIV services, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Wright Center’s Dr. Walborn-Sterantino Presenting at January Tinnitus Meeting The Tinnitus Support Group of Northeast Pennsylvania will meet on Friday, Jan. 2, at 2 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn. Virtual meeting options are available for those unable to attend in person. The support group welcomes individuals living with tinnitus, their loved ones, and anyone interested in learning more about this complex audiological and neurological condition. Participants will have the opportunity to connect, share their experiences, and explore coping strategies in a compassionate and supportive environment. At the January meeting, Dr. Erin Walborn-Sterantino, a licensed audiologist with nearly 30 years of clinical experience, certified in Tinnitus Management (CH–TM), will explore how the brain processes sound and stress, offering insight into the neural and emotional pathways that influence why tinnitus affects people differently. Attendees will also learn about a range of evidence-based treatment options, including sound therapy, cognitive and mindfulness-based approaches, and Lenire®, the first FDA-approved bimodal neuromodulation device for tinnitus. The session will highlight how these approaches can be personalized to support long-term habituation, reduce distress, and promote lasting relief. Recognizing that tinnitus affects people in deeply personal and varied ways — from mild annoyance to significant daily disruption — Dr. Walborn-Sterantino has dedicated her career to improving how patients are understood, supported, and treated. Her commitment extends beyond the clinic to national advocacy, professional education, and research advancement. She currently serves as secretary of the American Tinnitus Association, the nation’s only nonprofit dedicated exclusively to improving the lives of individuals affected by tinnitus and funding innovative research to advance treatments and possible cures. For more information or to obtain the virtual meeting link, contact Nicole Flynn, director of the geriatrics service line at The Wright Center for Community Health, at flynnn@TheWrightCenter.org or 570-230-0019.
Wright Center Welcomes Seven Doctors to Fellowship Programs The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education welcomed seven new doctors into fellowship programs as part of its mission to improve the health and welfare of communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education (GME) welcomed seven new doctors into its fellowship programs during the annual Specialties Matching Service Fellowship Match Program on Dec. 3. Participating in the program, first row from left, are Dr. Jumee Barooah, senior vice president and designated institutional official; Brian Ebersole, vice president; Nathan Cardona, director of scholarly activity, institutional research, and IRB administration; standing, Natasha Hazzouri, GME specialist; Tyler Wilson, GME evaluations and outcomes specialist; Russell Day, GME workforce operations, training, & development specialist; Sara Dombroski, executive administrative assistant; Lisa Mann, GME specialist; Lisa Krucar, GME specialist; Michael Mahon, VP, academic affairs and associate DIO; and Jenna Ferraraccio-Diehl, GME administrative assistant. The Wright Center offers three fellowship programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education: cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, and geriatrics. Fellows train in community-based settings, learning essential, specialized skills to deliver critically needed care in Northeast Pennsylvania. On Match Day, The Wright Center filled one position in its gastroenterology fellowship program and one in its geriatric fellowship through the Specialties Matching Service Fellowship Match Program. The program encompasses multiple fellowship matches representing more than 70 subspecialties, with applicants worldwide learning simultaneously at noon, where they are matched each year. Before the match announcement, The Wright Center filled three fellowship positions in its cardiovascular disease program and two in its geriatrics program. One of the new cardiovascular disease fellows and two of the geriatric fellows will graduate from The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency Program in June and chose to continue learning and serving in the region. Fellows will begin training at The Wright Center on July 1, 2026. “We are excited to welcome our new fellows to Northeast Pennsylvania, where they will live our mission and core values as they train to be the next generation of physicians,” said Dr. Jumee Barooah, senior vice president of education and designated institutional official for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. “Match Day is an exciting time in the medical profession, especially for those of us who are focused on improving the health of our communities.” For information about The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-866-3017.
Wright Center: Making Healthy Living New Year’s Resolutions The holiday season is here and in full swing, but the new year is lurking just around the corner. For many people, that means making a new set of resolutions for 2026. There’s nothing wrong with that, as these goals often help with the pursuit of genuine self-improvement, especially when it comes to health and well-being. Dr. Barooah, as a physician, applauds this approach. However, it’s important not to be overly ambitious at the start. Dr. Barooah’s advice: set small, manageable goals that can evolve into sustainable lifestyle changes over time. Those steady improvements are what ultimately lead to a healthier version. With that in mind, here are a few potential health-focused resolutions to consider for the coming year: Improve diet by choosing more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and cutting back on red meat, sweets, and ultra-processed foods. Moderate alcohol consumption, as there is more information being presented about its significant long-term health impacts. Stay well hydrated by using water as the preferred beverage. Move more – through a gym membership, a running routine, or simply regular walks around the neighborhood. Whatever fits the lifestyle of the person is the right place to start. Prioritize sleep, which plays a major role in overall quality of life. Practice self-care by resisting self-criticism, investing in therapy, enjoying hobbies, trying mindfulness or meditation, or simply carving out personal, daily time. Volunteer with a local organization or nonprofit – doing good for others often boosts self-happiness. Limit social media and screen time, freeing up precious hours for more meaningful activities. Make time for family and friends, because while material achievements are nice, strong personal relationships are what truly enrich people’s lives. The Wright Center for Community Health are deeply committed to improving long-term health through their Lifestyle Medicine initiative. This approach recognizes that less desirable lifestyle choices drive most of the chronic illnesses affecting Americans. Lifestyle medicine helps patients and their families enhance their health and quality of life through long-term behavioral changes such as eliminating tobacco use, improving diet, managing stress, increasing physical activity, strengthening personal relationships, and optimizing sleep for better, more restorative rest. The team is trained in both conventional and lifestyle medicine, and they collaborate closely with patients to create personalized self-care plans that are realistic and sustainable. These lifestyle modifications can significantly help prevent or manage chronic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, coronary artery disease, lifestyle-associated cancers (including prostate and breast), osteoarthritis, chronic pain, chronic autoimmune diseases, and chronic psychological stress. Most importantly, it’s about the choices made in order to feel better. There’s nothing magical about it – adopting positive daily routines naturally leads to a healthier lifestyle, a longer life, and greater happiness. So, if planning to make lifestyle improvement the driving force behind 2026 New Year’s resolutions, Dr. Barooah wholeheartedly supports the healthy living goals. Happy holidays and happy New Year! Jumee Barooah, M.D., FACP, is senior vice president of education and designated institutional official for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. She is quadruple board-certified in internal medicine, addiction medicine, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine. To make an appointment, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Wright Center Planning North Scranton Expansion The Wright Center for Community Health has begun a $5 million project to build a community health center in North Scranton, expanding access to primary care, behavioral health, and dental services across Lackawanna County. The new, two-story community health center will be located at 1727-1729 N. Main St., next door to The Wright Center for Community Health North Scranton’s current location at 1721 N. Main Ave. The building was the longtime office of Dr. Paul Remick. The Wright Center began offering primary care services there when Dr. Remick retired in 2023 to minimize disruption for his longtime patients and to expand access to affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary health services for patients of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses. The Wright Center purchased the property at 1727-1729 N. Main St. in February 2025 because the demand for health care services outpaced the available space in the existing building. The existing location also needs additional parking spots and infrastructure improvements. “We’ve seen a growing demand for health care services since we opened our community health center in North Scranton more than two years ago,” said Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, senior vice president and enterprise chief operations and strategy officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “We did not have the capacity to continue our growth in our existing primary care office building. We’re privileged to be able to invest in the long-term health and welfare of the North Scranton community to ensure residents’ current and future health care needs are satisfied.” The construction project will create a nearly 8,000-square-foot, two-story community health center offering primary care, behavioral health care, and dental services. In addition to 10 exam rooms on the first floor and four dental operatories and four behavioral health treatment rooms on the second floor, the building will also have a space for lab services. The Wright Center plans to break ground on the project in the spring with a tentative completion date of fall/winter 2026. A Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant of $984,585 will fund part of this project. While construction is underway, Wright Center staff will continue to treat patients at the existing community health center. Once construction of the new building is complete, the clinic will move into the new, expanded space, and the clinic at 1721 N. Main Ave. will be razed. The Wright Center recently completed a similar expansion project in Wilkes-Barre, albeit on a much larger scale. The Luzerne County project won a Pride of Place Award from the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce last month. The award recognizes The Wright Center’s thoughtful, intentional design for the present and future health care needs in Luzerne County. Read more about that project at TheWrightCenter.org/news. “We’re really excited for this opportunity to invest in the community of North Scranton and the greater Scranton area. Northeast Pennsylvania continues to have an unmet need for our integrated model of providing whole-person primary health care, behavioral health care, and dental services at one location,” Dr. Sheth said. “Our projects in Wilkes-Barre and North Scranton are being built from the ground up as part of our mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through responsive, whole-person health services for all and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve.” As a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike, commonly known as an FQLA, The Wright Center operates a network of 13 community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-209-0019
Wright Center’s Ryan White Clinic Leading HIV/AIDS Care Each year on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day offers an important moment to recognize the resilience of people living with HIV, honor the lives of those we’ve lost, and reaffirm our ongoing commitment to equitable, compassionate, and evidence-based care. Mary Louise Decker, M.D., FACP, FIDSA With consistent access to health care, people living with HIV can thrive, age in good health, and build lives that reflect their goals, relationships, and aspirations. At The Wright Center for Community Health’s Ryan White Clinic, they are proud to support their patients with the services and care that make these outcomes possible. The Ryan White Clinic operates within the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre community health centers and has been a regional leader in HIV care since 2002. Guided by a comprehensive approach to care, the clinic team focuses on improving both health outcomes and overall quality of life through personal and culturally responsive services. Earlier this year, the clinic received more than $1 million in federal funding through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Early Intervention Services Program, administered by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The three-year grant supports comprehensive HIV primary health services, education, treatment adherence counseling, and referrals for additional services when needed. The clinic has a dedicated, passionate staff who provide testing and continuous coordinated care for patients diagnosed with or at risk of contracting HIV. This care includes prescribing critical daily medication regimens, as well as important vaccinations, specialized care for hepatitis B and C, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and referrals to specialists for advanced care when needed. Thanks to continued progress in medication adherence, more than 95% of the clinic’s patients have achieved undetectable viral loads, meaning they cannot transmit the virus to others. In addition, the clinic staff offers behavioral health counseling, dental care, medical nutrition therapy, and addiction and recovery services, as well as ancillary services such as housing assistance, transportation, emergency financial aid, a food bank, home-delivered and congregate meals, nutritional supplements, support for durable medical equipment purchases, help with lab and medical bills, and psychosocial support. The clinic welcomes all patients, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Patients range from age 18 to over 80, with more than 60% 50 or older – a reflection of the success seen in extending both lifespan and quality of life for those living with HIV. Their ongoing commitment is to ensure that every person seeking care receives the dignified, comprehensive, and person-centered support they deserve. The Ryan White Clinic will continue to strengthen access to high-quality medical care, expand supportive services, and promote the overall health and well-being of individuals living with or affected by HIV throughout the local community. To learn more about the Ryan White Clinic, visit thewrightcenter.org/services/ryan-white-hiv-clinic/ Dr. Mary Louise Decker is a board-certified infectious diseases physician and Infectious Disease Medical Director for The Wright Center for Community Health. Dr. Decker leads The Wright Center’s Ryan White HIV and Infectious Disease/Hep C Clinic.
