The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Welcomes 47 New Resident Physicians on Match Day The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education welcomed 47 new resident physicians into residency programs on National Match Day for aspiring doctors on March 21. The National Resident Matching Program’s Match Day is held annually on the third Friday of March. Medical students nation- and worldwide simultaneously learn at which U.S. residency program they will train for the next three to seven years. It is one of the most important and competitive processes in the medical school experience. On March 21, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education staff celebrated National Match Day, marking the exciting moment when medical students discover their residency placements. Joining the festivities were Michelle Grochowski, Eileen Howells, Lisa Mann, Russell Day, Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, Meagan Coleman-Derenick, Dr. Jumee Barooah, Brian Ebersole, Najla Figueroa, and Xiomara Smith, who shared in the excitement of welcoming the incoming residents. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education looks forward to Match Day each year as it learns which medical school graduates will continue their training in its Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited residency programs. The Wright Center is one of the largest U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Consortiums in the country, with more than 190 physicians in training. The Wright Center matched residents in the following regional programs: Internal Medicine Residency (32) and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency (9). Two resident physicians were also welcomed into the new Internal Medicine-Geriatrics Integrated Residency and Fellowship Pathway, commonly known as the Combined Med-Geri Pathway, and four residents will join the new Family Medicine – HealthSource of Ohio Residency Program, a collaboration between The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education and HealthSource of Ohio in Hillsboro. The Wright Center is one of 14 training sites across the country approved by ACGME to offer the unique Med-Geri Pathway Program, which provides an alternative route for training geriatricians by integrating the clinical experiences and competencies required of a geriatrics fellowship across the internal medicine residency. The innovative Family Medicine – HealthSource of Ohio Residency Program focuses on training family medicine physicians in rural settings with an emphasis on caring for underserved populations. Residents will gain hands-on experience in patient care at Ohio’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center, which serves more than 85,000 patients annually. Through this immersive training, the program aims to strengthen the rural health care workforce and improve access to high-quality whole-person primary health services. The Wright Center will also retain three physicians in training who will complete the Geriatrics Fellowship Program in June. They will join the Internal Medicine Residency Program. The new resident physicians will begin their program on July 1. All together, incoming residents hail from 12 countries: 15 from the United States, 15 from Pakistan, four from Egypt, four from India, two from Canada, and one each from Georgia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The Wright Center received 5,835 applications and interviewed 433 candidates, or about 7.42% of the applicants. The National Resident Matching Program makes residency matches, using a mathematical algorithm to pair graduating medical students with open training positions at teaching health centers, educational consortia, hospitals, and other institutions across the U.S. The model considers the top choices of both students and residency programs. “Match Day is one of the most exciting days of the academic year and a celebration to welcome our new residents,” said Jumee Barooah, M.D., senior vice president and designated institutional official at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. “For the residents, the day represents the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance that began at an early age. “For The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, it marks another milestone in meeting 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.” The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education was established in 1976 as the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, a community-based internal medicine residency. Today, The Wright Center is one of the nation’s largest HRSA-funded Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortiums. Together with consortium stakeholders, The Wright Center trains residents and fellows in a community-based, community-needs-responsive workforce development model to advance their shared mission to provide whole-person primary health services to everyone, regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. To date, The Wright Center has trained 1,056 graduates. The Wright Center offers ACGME-accredited residencies in four disciplines – internal medicine, family medicine, physical medicine & rehabilitation, and the combined med-geri pathway – as well as fellowships in cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, and geriatrics. For more information about The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
The Wright Center Resident Physician Earns National Award for Advocacy Work A resident physician in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency Program received a national award for his advocacy work in Washington, D.C. Dr. Usman Rana accepted the National Association of Community Health Centers’ (NACHC) 2025 Elizabeth K. Cooke Advocacy MVP Award at the association’s Policy & Issues Forum held Feb. 5-8 in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes efforts to educate federal and state legislators about community health centers and to establish and expand grassroots advocacy efforts at health centers across the country. Dr. Rana, a 40-year-old resident physician from Pakistan, became interested in advocacy efforts after a federal policy change prevented him from completing his geriatrics fellowship at The Wright Center in 2022. Observing leadership’s efforts at The Wright Center to support him and other affected fellows inspired him deeply. While the fellowship path shifted, prompting Dr. Rana to join The Wright Center’s Internal Medicine Residency Program, the experience sparked his commitment to advocacy work. “I had no idea what was happening in Washington, D.C., or how it affected health care here in Scranton or across the country,” he said. “I realized that being a voice for your community, colleagues, and patients can work miracles.” For the past two years, Dr. Rana has been involved in The Wright Center’s Advocacy Team, first as a resident leader and now as the resident chief. In addition to educating his colleagues about issues, Dr. Rana has participated in several advocacy opportunities on Capitol Hill. He focuses on several topics, including the need for long-term reauthorization of the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program, increased funding for community health centers like The Wright Center, and improved access to health care and prescription medication. In his nomination for the NACHC award, leaders at The Wright Center noted Dr. Rana’s remarkable efforts to continue building a culture of advocacy within the enterprise and the larger community. “Dr. Rana, The Wright Center’s chief resident of advocacy for public health priorities, is a remarkable physician servant leader in support of our work to enact policy change in our nation’s public health policies. In this role, he is a member of the advocacy committee of our governing board and works closely with The Wright Center’s Advocacy Team,” said Jennifer Walsh, Esq., senior vice president and chief legal and governance officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “His passion is helping to elevate the key role that physicians can play in helping to shape federal and state policies to better serve patients, their families, and the communities they serve.” While in Washington, D.C., to accept the NACHC award, Dr. Rana joined several other leaders from The Wright Center in meeting with legislators on Capitol Hill, including freshman U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, who took office in January. He represents Pennsylvania’s 8th District, which includes Lackawanna, Wayne, and Pike counties, as well as most of Luzerne and Monroe counties. Dr. Rana said sharing patient stories with U.S. Representative Bresnahan and other federal, state, and local leaders is an effective way to educate them on the role The Wright Center and other community health centers across the country play – not just in providing affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, whole-person primary health services to everyone, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay, but also as educational powerhouses addressing the growing shortage of primary care physicians nationwide. “Sharing these stories creates an impact that can lead to positive change,” Dr. Rana said. “It’s something that I want to continue to do even after I graduate in June and begin providing medicine, hopefully here in the region.”
The Wright Center for Community Health Clinics Earn National Recognition Two of The Wright Center for Community Health’s clinics received commendations from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. The Wright Center for Community Health Clarks Summit, 1145 Northern Blvd., and The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn, achieved the NCQA’s Patient-Centered Medical Home certificate of recognition. The award recognizes both locations’ commitment to delivering affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, whole-person primary health services using the patient-centered medical home model. In addition to strengthening patient-clinician relationships and enhancing the management of chronic conditions, the patient-centered medical home model also increases staff satisfaction and reduces health care costs. The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave., and The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre, 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave., earned NCQA’s Patient-Centered Medical Home certificates of recognition in September. The Mid Valley location first achieved this distinction in 2011, followed by Clarks Summit in 2014, and both Scranton and Wilkes-Barre in 2021. All four health centers undergo an annual review to maintain compliance with NCQA’s rigorous standards. “Our continued certification as a Patient-Centered Medical Home reaffirms to the communities we serve that our team-based care approach and advanced technology deliver timely, effective care,” said Dr. Jignesh Sheth, senior vice president and chief medical and information officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “This model fosters strong partnerships between patients and clinicians, enabling more responsive and comprehensive health care. We’re honored to receive this recognition once again for our dedication and hard work.” The NCQA, based in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1990 with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. It seeks to improve health care quality through measurement, transparency, and accountability. Headquartered in Scranton, The Wright Center’s growing network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, provides affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory whole-person primary health services to everyone, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. To learn more, call 570-230-0019 or go to TheWrightCenter.org.
Wright Center Doctor, Resident Physicians Named to Northeast Counties Medical Society Board of Directors A board-certified family medicine physician and medical director of The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre was appointed to the Northeast Counties Medical Society’s Board of Directors. Dr. Maureen Litchman joined The Wright Center in 2016. In addition to leading The Wright Center’s health center in Wilkes-Barre, she serves as associate program director of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Regional Family Medicine Residency Program. The Luzerne County native earned her medical degree from what is now Hahnemann University in Philadelphia and completed her medical residency at United Health and Hospital Services in Kingston, now The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Regional Family Medicine Residency Program. “I’m looking forward to becoming involved with the Northeast Counties Medical Society’s Board,” Dr. Litchman said. “This is an opportunity to strengthen relationships across the Northeastern Pennsylvania medical community. The potential to make a positive impact on the future of health care spurred me to seek a position on this board.” Drs. Tejas Nikumbh and Simran Bhimani, resident physicians in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Internal Medicine Residency Program, were also appointed to serve on the Northeast Counties Medical Society’s Board. Dr. Nikumbh, a graduate of Grant Government Medical College in Mumbai, India, and Dr. Bhimani, a graduate of Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan, began training at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Internal Medicine Residency Program in 2023. Both will serve on the Northeast Counties Medical Society’s Board until they graduate in 2026. Dr. Litchman will serve a three-year term on the board. The trio will join more than 20 doctors, resident physicians, and students from across Lackawanna and Luzerne counties on the board. Headquartered in Scranton, The Wright Center’s growing network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, provides affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory whole-person primary health services to everyone, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. To learn more, call 570-230-0019 or go to TheWrightCenter.org. For more than 150 years, county medical societies have represented physicians who live and work in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Their recent merger created the Northeast Counties Medical Society, producing an even stronger partnership with more membership benefits. Visit www.nepams.org to learn more.
2025 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient Announced The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D., FACP, FAAP, the president and chief executive officer of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, is the 2025 ATHENA Leadership Award recipient. The ATHENA Award, sponsored locally by Michael A. Barbetti LLC Certified Public Accountants, honors an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. Dr. Thomas-Hemak embodies these characteristics wholeheartedly. Dr. Thomas-Hemak joined The Wright Center in 2001, became president in 2007, and CEO in 2012. Concurrent with her responsibilities as an executive, Dr. Thomas-Hemak is also quintuple board-certified in internal medicine, pediatrics, addiction medicine, obesity medicine, and nutrition and remains a healer at heart. “It is a true privilege to recognize Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak as the 2025 Athena Award recipient,” said Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber. “Her relentless commitment to her patients, hands-on leadership style, and deep dedication to the community set her apart as an exceptional individual. We are proud to honor Dr. Thomas-Hemak for the profound and lasting impact she has made on both healthcare and our community. Congratulations, Dr. Thomas-Hemak!” In the community, Dr. Thomas-Hemak is actively involved in multiple organizations, countless committees, nonprofit boards and workgroups aimed at benefiting the community, generating efficiencies in healthcare delivery, and promoting primary healthcare workforce development, both regionally and nationally. Additionally, she is a founding board member of the Scranton-based Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. Dr. Thomas-Hemak promotes the advancement of women by leading boldly and strategically, fostering inclusive opportunities and career advancement, and mentoring opportunities for female leaders to pursue meaningful, transformative careers in health care. The ATHENA Award will be presented to Dr. Thomas-Hemak at The Chamber’s International Women’s Day Breakfast, sponsored by The Honesdale National Bank, on Friday, March 7. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ScrantonChamber.com. The ATHENA Award was first presented in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan, and has grown to include presentations to more than 5,000 individuals in hundreds of cities in the United States as well as in Canada, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom. The award takes the form of a hand-cast bronze sculpture, symbolizing the strength, courage, and wisdom of the recipient. The ATHENA Award® Program is nationally underwritten by General Motors and National City Bank.
The Wright Center Recognizes National Salute to Veterans Here in Northeast Pennsylvania, we hold our military veterans in the highest regard – and rightfully so, given their immense sacrifices for our nation. Like any other group, veterans face a wide array of health challenges that require exceptional care. Highlighting this vital issue is the mission of the annual National Salute to Veteran Patients, observed this year from Feb. 9-15. This weeklong tribute honors the millions of veterans who receive care at Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities while raising awareness about the critical role these centers play and encouraging more people to visit and volunteer. The National Salute to Veteran Patients began in 1974, initiated by the humanitarian organization No Greater Love, Inc., and was later adopted by the VA in 1978. Today, the VA’s Center for Development and Civic Engagement organizes local events and activities at VA medical facilities across the country, recognizing the contributions of both hospitalized and outpatient veterans. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 100,000 veterans visit VA medical centers each day, about 9 million annually. These centers, operated by the Veterans Health Administration, form the largest integrated health care system in the country. They provide a wide range of essential services, including orthopedics, mental health care, surgery, critical care, radiology, pharmacy, physical therapy, speech pathology, and neurology. At The Wright Center, we are proud to play a role in this vital work. Many of our resident and fellow physicians gain invaluable experience at the VA Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, where they learn firsthand the rewards of providing high-quality medical care to those who have served our country. The opportunity to care for veterans – whose selfless service has ensured our safety and freedoms – is deeply fulfilling for our physicians. Just like our resident and fellow physicians, you can be of service to our vets, too, by becoming more engaged in the volunteer and philanthropic efforts of the VA. There are a number of ways to give your time, from greeting veterans at the main entrance of the VA Medical Center to visiting them in their rooms to becoming a Volunteer Transportation Network driver. You can also donate items or make a financial contribution to support food banks, homeless veteran programs, and other worthwhile endeavors. As part of National Salute to Veteran Patients Week, the VA is inviting individuals and organizations to send Valentine’s Day cards to veteran patients at its medical centers. The cards are meant to express appreciation for their service, and provide encouragement as they continue their health care journey. Interested in getting involved? Contact the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center at 570-821-7237 and tell them you want to help out. Veterans represent the best and bravest amongst us, so we owe it to them to support their health care needs in any way we can. So, if you can, make a visit to the VA and salute a veteran patient – you’ll brighten their day and feel enriched by the experience. Stephanie A. Gill, M.D., MPH, is a board-certified family medicine physician at The Wright Center for Community Health and the program director and physician faculty member of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Regional Family Medicine Residency Program. For more information about The Wright Center, go to TheWrightCenter.org.
The Wright Center for Community Health Staff Selected to Serve on State HIV Advisory Group Two employees of The Wright Center for Community Health’s Ryan White Clinic will join an advisory group collaborating with the state Department of Health, including its Division of HIV Health and Bureau of Communicable Diseases, as well as the University of Pittsburgh. Sharon Whitebread Deanna DiGiapaolo Sharon Whitebread, manager of medical case management at the Ryan White Clinic, and Deanna DiGiampaolo, the clinic’s outreach and prevention education coordinator, have been appointed to three-year terms on the HIV Planning Group. The advisory group panel brings together stakeholders from across the state to coordinate efforts in HIV care and prevention planning. “The HIV Planning Group envisions a future where everyone living with HIV, as well as those most vulnerable to the disease, have access to the latest prevention methods, treatment, care, support, and services,” Whitebread said. “We will offer guidance to the Pennsylvania Department of Health on HIV-related care, prevention, testing, and the state’s progress in achieving the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.” Whitebread, who holds a degree in human services and a certificate of specialization in criminal justice, has been with The Wright Center for nearly five years and has worked in the HIV field since 2001. Throughout her career, the Luzerne County resident has been an HIV testing counselor for the state Department of Health, an HIV/AIDS instructor and instructor trainer for the American Red Cross, an HIV intervention specialist, and an educator and outreach professional in the field. DiGiampaolo has a diverse clinical background, working in emergency rooms, laboratories, and pharmacies. The Wayne County resident has a public health degree with a concentration in communicable diseases and a biology degree. Membership in the HIV Planning Group is by invitation only. Whitebread and DiGiampaolo, chosen for their unique backgrounds, will join 23 other representatives from across the Commonwealth. The Wright Center has been a federally designated Ryan White provider since 2003. It delivers comprehensive HIV primary medical care, essential support services, and medications to individuals living with HIV, including the uninsured and underserved, across seven counties in Northeast Pennsylvania. Currently, The Wright Center serves nearly 500 patients through its Ryan White clinical program, provides specialty health care, and has about 300 clients through its medical case management program. Some individuals are enrolled in both services. To learn more, visit TheWrightCenter.org/services/ryan-white-hiv-clinic/ or call 570.941.0630.
The Wright Center Hosts Tinnitus Support Group The Tinnitus Support Group of Northeast Pennsylvania will meet on Friday, Feb. 14, 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 understanding 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 February meeting, guest speaker Dr. Erin Walborn-Sterantino will continue the discussion from the January meeting on the neurophysiological model of tinnitus, the role and proper use of sound therapy, and more. Dr. Walborn-Sterantino is an audiology doctor specializing in treating tinnitus and sound sensitivity disorders. Over the course of her nearly 30-year career, she has dedicated herself to helping patients reclaim their quality of life through innovative, compassionate care and evidence-based practices. She has studied under many of the field’s leading researchers, including Dr. Pawel Jastreboff, the pioneer of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. She integrates this evidence-based approach with a holistic, mind-body perspective, tailoring treatment to each individual’s needs. Dr. Walborn-Sterantino is also a qualified teacher of mindfulness-based stress reduction. Dr. Walborn-Sterantino emphasizes empowering patients through education, mindfulness techniques, and comprehensive sound therapy, reflecting her belief that effective tinnitus care addresses both the auditory and emotional dimensions of the condition. 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.
The Wright Center Physican Named “Well-being Champion” by National Organization Dr. Stephen S. Long Jr., an internal medicine-pediatrics (Med-Peds) physician at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, has been selected to serve a three-year term as an American College of Physicians (ACP) 2025 Well-being Champion for the Pennsylvania Chapter’s Eastern Region. The ACP Well-being Champion Program was launched in 2015 to address physician burnout and improve well-being, professional satisfaction, and practice efficiency amid health care challenges. Its goals include promoting individual and community well-being, advocating for systems change, and improving the work environment to enhance physician engagement, quality of care, and patient satisfaction. As a trained ACP Well-being Champion, Dr. Long joins a network of over 250 ACP Well-being Champions who are committed to improving the culture and practice of internal medicine by leading efforts to enhance physician well-being and foster a culture of professional satisfaction. “I am truly privileged to be selected as an ACP Well-being Champion,” said Dr. Long, a Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, native who is board-certified in internal medicine and pediatrics. “Physician well-being is critical to providers’ health and the quality of care we deliver to our patients. I am committed to working alongside my colleagues to foster a supportive, sustainable work environment that prioritizes both professional fulfillment and patient-centered care.” As the nation’s largest medical specialty organization, the ACP is dedicated to advancing health care quality and effectiveness by promoting excellence and professionalism in medicine. It advocates for quality patient care, education, and career fulfillment within internal medicine and its subspecialties. Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Center, serves as the governor of the ACP’s Pennsylvania Chapter, Eastern Region. A University of Scranton graduate, Dr. Long earned his medical degree from the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and completed his Med-Peds residency at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland before returning to Northeast Pennsylvania. Dr. Long is available for appointments with patients of all ages at The Wright Center for Community Health Clarks Summit, 1145 Northern Blvd., South Abington Township, on Mondays and Tuesdays and The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn, from Wednesdays through Fridays. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Long, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call the Clarks Summit location at 570-585-1300 or the Mid Valley location at 570-230-0019. Dr. Long is married to Juliette Meyers, an Archbald native and art therapist at The Wright Center.
The Wright Center: Give blood – it saves lives! As we settle into 2025 and leave the holiday rush behind, you might find your schedule has a little more breathing room. If so, consider making a difference by donating blood at a local blood drive. Early in the year, blood supplies often dip to critically low levels nationwide and locally. Several factors contribute to this: donations decline during the busy holiday season, many people are sidelined by seasonal illnesses like the flu or COVID-19, and inclement weather frequently disrupts scheduled blood drives. It’s fitting, then, that January is National Blood Donor Month – a time to spotlight the urgent need for blood donations. This marks the 55th annual observance of National Blood Donor Month, first proclaimed in January 1970 by President Richard Nixon and supported by a U.S. Senate resolution. Decades later, raising awareness remains as important as ever. According to the Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood or platelets every two seconds – for surgeries, cancer treatments, traumatic injuries, and more. A single blood donation can save up to three lives. Each year, about 6.8 million Americans donate blood, resulting in the collection of approximately 13.6 million units of whole blood and red blood cells. However, only about 3% of the eligible population participates. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, especially those with type O blood, which is most frequently used by hospitals. In Northeast Pennsylvania, there are many opportunities to give blood. The local Red Cross chapter hosts regular blood drives, and is Bloodmobile frequently travels across the region. The requirements to donate are straightforward: you must be at least 16 years old, in good health, and weigh over 110 pounds. The Wright Center is proud to partner with the Red Cross and other community organizations throughout the year to host blood drives. These events have a significant impact. During the 2023-24 fiscal year, donations at our blood drives saved up to 582 lives. Our next event, the “Students Save Lives” blood drive, will take place on Monday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at our community health center at 501 S. Washington Ave. In collaboration with students from Scranton Preparatory School, this drive will support area cancer patients undergoing treatment. You can sign up to donate at RedCross.org. Beyond donating, the Red Cross also welcomes volunteers to serve as blood donor ambassadors. These individuals greet and register donors, answer questions, and provide support at the refreshment table, helping ensure a positive experience that encourages repeat donations. Other volunteers act as transportation specialists, delivering lifesaving blood products to hospitals. Please consider using some of your free time to donate blood or volunteer at a drive. It’s easy, virtually painless, and immensely rewarding. Plus, there’s the added bonus of a free cookie! Maura Longstreet, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC, is certified registered nurse practitioner at The Wright Center for Community Health North Scranton, 1721 N. Main Ave. She is accepting new patients of all ages.
