Wright Center: Importance of Flu Vaccines As the holiday season rapidly approaches, it is important to remember that this time of year also marks the peak season for respiratory illnesses such as RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and influenza, commonly known as the flu. Henry Novroski, D.O., family medicine physician According to projections by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2025-26 flu season will likely be moderate across all age groups, based on historical trends and expert analysis. The previous season was classified as a high-severity season across all ages — the first time that’s happened since 2017-18. Flu season typically begins around late September or early October, which is generally considered the ideal time to get vaccinated. From there, cases increasingly accelerate until hitting peak flu between December and February. Some years, infections can occur as late as May. Flu symptoms typically appear within a few days and may include fever, chills, dry cough, body aches, headaches, nasal congestion or runny nose, shortness of breath, and fatigue. The most effective way to protect against the flu — and to reduce the severity of symptoms if infection occurs — is to receive the annual flu vaccine, which helps the body develop protective antibodies within two weeks of vaccination. This season, all flu vaccines in the United States are trivalent (three-component) vaccines, which are designed to protect against three main groups of circulating flu Type A and B viruses: an A(H1N1) virus, an A(H3N2) virus, and a B/Victoria lineage virus. The flu vaccine is available to anyone ages 6 months and older, and CDC studies have shown that vaccination reduces the risk of contracting the illness by about 40 to 60 percent among the general public. For certain vulnerable populations, vaccination is particularly crucial given the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and even death. That list includes pregnant women, young children, adults ages 65 and older, and those with serious health conditions like cancer, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, asthma, and kidney disease. Every year, thousands of children are hospitalized with severe flu, according to the CDC. The Wright Center places great importance on flu vaccinations and offers flu shots at all of its locations throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. To schedule an office visit that includes a vaccination, call 570-230-0019 or go online to use the express scheduling system at TheWrightCenter.org. Meanwhile, numerous local pharmacies offer free flu shots to customers with health insurance, and a number of local employers provide flu vaccinations as a free service to their workers. It is important to emphasize that flu vaccines are safe and effective in protecting individuals and their loved ones from the most severe effects of the illness. As an early holiday gift to oneself, receiving a flu shot as soon as possible is strongly encouraged.
Wright Center, Tinnitus Tips and Treatments from Dr. Gail Brenner Dr. Gail Brenner, a board-certified audiologist and founder of the Tinnitus Treatment Center of Philadelphia, will be a guest speaker at the Tinnitus Support Group of Northeast Pennsylvania meeting on Friday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn. Dr. Brenner has dedicated over 40 years to helping patients with hearing loss and tinnitus and specializes in Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), a treatment based on the Neurophysiological Model of Tinnitus developed by Dr. Pawel Jastreboff. Dr. Brenner has extensive experience in diagnostic testing, hearing aid fitting, and tinnitus therapy. Most recently, she completed training to provide the FDA-approved Lenire Tinnitus Treatment Device, the topic of her presentation. She has lectured nationally and internationally on tinnitus and hearing care and teaches advanced tinnitus courses to audiologists and ENT residents. Dr. Brenner holds a clinical doctorate in audiology from the University of Florida and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, a member of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, and board-certified by the American Board of Audiology. The Tinnitus support group welcomes individuals living with tinnitus, their loved ones, and anyone interested in learning more about this complex audiological and neurological condition. Participants can connect, share their experiences, and explore coping strategies in a compassionate and supportive environment. New participants are always welcome. Virtual meeting options are available for those unable to attend in person. The support group meets on the first Friday of each month from 2-3 p.m. 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: Lifestyle Changes Important in Curtailing Diabetes Diabetes is so prevalent that it is rare not to know a family member or close friend living with the condition. Fortunately, with the help of modern medicine and healthy lifestyle choices, individuals can lead full, active, and healthy lives while effectively managing the disease. Melissa Germano-Ryczak, M.S., RD, LDN Awareness efforts such as National Diabetes Month, observed each November, play a vital role in spreading timely and relevant information about diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 38 million Americans currently live with diabetes, while an estimated 88 million adults – more than one in three – have prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Alarmingly, 80% of those with prediabetes are unaware of their condition. In response to these concerning statistics, The Wright Center for Community Health is working to combat diabetes locally through its primary care services and its Lifestyle Medicine initiative, available at most of its health centers throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. While medications and advanced treatments play an important role in maintaining long-term health, The Wright Center emphasizes the importance of a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to wellness. Through Lifestyle Medicine, individuals and families receive guidance to improve their overall health and quality of life by adopting and sustaining beneficial habits such as eliminating tobacco use, improving diet, managing stress, increasing physical activity, fostering personal relationships and social connections, and establishing healthy sleep routines for more restorative rest. Earlier this year, The Wright Center partnered with the Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center and Quality Insights, a West Virginia-based leader in health care quality improvement, to offer the free, 26-session National Diabetes Prevention Program. This program helps individuals with prediabetes lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Eligibility requirements included being 18 or older, having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher (23 or higher for Asian American participants), no prior diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes or end-stage kidney disease, and not being pregnant. Developed by the CDC, the National Diabetes Prevention Program has been shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% for adults aged 18–59 and by 71% for those aged 60 and older. Led by a trained lifestyle coach, the program guided participants in improving diet, increasing physical activity, and managing stress. Both The Wright Center and Quality Insights were pleased with the program’s outcomes, and The Wright Center received recognition from Quality Insights for its efforts and its annual review of diabetes and prediabetes care. Additionally, The Wright Center recently earned a Gold Award from the American Heart Association (AHA) for improving care quality for patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors through the Target: Type 2 Diabetes program. This initiative addresses heart disease and stroke risks in patients with type 2 diabetes and leverages the AHA’s expertise to help health care organizations nationwide align patient care with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines.
The Wright Center Adds Milford Therapist to Board A licensed therapist and University of Scranton professor has been appointed to The Wright Center for Community Health Board of Directors. Krisy Elrod, Ph.D., LMFT, RPT-S, a resident of Milford and a patient of The Wright Center, brings a unique set of skills to the board. A marriage and family therapist and a registered play therapist-supervisor, she has more than a decade of experience in delivering whole-person medical care. She represents Pike and Lackawanna counties as a Pennsylvania Association for Play Therapy Board Member. She supervises clinicians and develops training programs as an assistant professor in the University of Scranton’s counseling and human services department. Elrod also has experience with managing community-based projects and grant-funded initiatives that have raised awareness about mental health and cultural humility. As a breast cancer survivor, she has a deep passion for advocating for trauma-informed health care and working with organizations that champion integrated, compassionate health services. Elrod’s interest in developing integrated behavioral health services and increasing access to affordable, high-quality, whole-person health services aligns with The Wright Center’s mission. “Joining The Wright Center for Community Health Board of Directors offers an important opportunity for me to contribute meaningfully to a community-focused health care organization that reflects my values,” she said. “I am excited to collaborate with fellow board members and community partners to promote innovations in care delivery and improve the well-being of patients and clinicians.” For more information, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
The Wright Center Donates Bombas Socks to Boys & Girls Club The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement teamed up with the Captain James R. Minicozzi Memorial Race, through the UNICO Scranton Chapter, to donate 200 pairs of Bombas socks to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania for the children’s Christmas party in December. Participating in the program, from left, are Jessica Burton, member coordinator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania; Mary Marrara, co-chair of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement Board of Directors and secretary of The Wright Center for Community Health Board of Directors; Leslie Minicozzi Galacci, race director and chairperson for the UNICO Scranton Chapter; and Holly Przasnyski, director of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement and board coordinator for The Wright Center for Community Health and The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement.
Wright Center Employees Earn Statewide Recognition Three standout employees from The Wright Center for Community Health received statewide recognition from the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) during its Annual Conference and Clinical Summit in Lancaster. Each year, PACHC recognizes the outstanding efforts of dedicated individuals and teams who work in and volunteer for community health centers throughout the state with their Awards for Primary Care Excellence, commonly referred to as the APEX awards. Dr. William Dempsey This year, PACHC recognized Dr. William Dempsey, a longtime family physician at The Wright Center for Community Health Clarks Summit, with the Outstanding Primary Care Clinician Award. In addition to his clinical role, Dr. Dempsey serves as The Wright Center’s chief population health value-based care officer. He was selected for his unwavering dedication to expanding access to affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary health services, particularly for vulnerable populations. The award also highlights his collaborative approach to patient care, which has improved screenings, follow-ups, and outcomes, especially for patients managing mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and chronic conditions. Catherine Nealon PACHC presented Catherine “Catie” Nealon, associate vice president of clinical program development, population health, and the 340B Program at The Wright Center, with its Innovation Award. The award honors initiatives that lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced health disparities, increased patient satisfaction, or greater efficiency and effectiveness in delivering primary care. Nealon was recognized for spearheading several projects that have strengthened The Wright Center’s ability to set and achieve measurable improvement goals. Her leadership has advanced the integration of innovative software that tracks clinical quality measures – ensuring patients receive appropriate and timely screenings, follow-up care, referrals, and other essential services that enhance overall health outcomes. Nicole Sekelsky Nicole Sekelsky, the director of needs-responsive outreach engagement and enrollment at The Wright Center, was recognized by PACHC with the Coverage Champion Award. She was selected for her tireless efforts to help individuals and families across Northeast Pennsylvania gain access to health insurance. Through Sekelsky’s leadership, The Wright Center expanded its presence at community outreach events and developed new opportunities to connect with those in need of coverage. As a result, The Wright Center assisted more than 1,000 people with health insurance inquiries in fiscal year 2025 – a 200% increase over the previous year. For more information about The Wright Center, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Wright Center for Community Health’s CEO Elected to State Health Board Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, has been appointed to serve on the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers’ (PACHC’s) Board of Directors. PACHC represents the commonwealth’s largest network of primary health care providers that serve nearly 1 million patients annually at more than 475 sites in underserved rural and urban areas in 55 counties. Its 15-member Board of Directors is made up of community health center CEOs from across Pennsylvania, representing a broad spectrum of expertise that spans finance, clinical care, workforce development, advocacy, policy and regulation, nonprofit health care administration, and human resources. “I am deeply honored and profoundly grateful to join the reputable Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers. I am excited for the opportunity to collaborate with dedicated and talented colleagues from across our state as we work together to advance access, affordability, and excellence in community-based primary and preventive health services for all Pennsylvanians,” said Dr. Thomas-Hemak. “Together, we will continue to strengthen the mission-driven voice of community health centers to ensure that the patients, families, and communities we are privileged to serve remain at the forefront of health care conversations and strategies.” Dr. Thomas-Hemak is a quintuple board-certified primary care physician in internal medicine, pediatrics, addiction medicine, obesity medicine, and nutrition. Alongside her executive leadership, she continues to care for multigenerational families at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley in Jermyn, her hometown. She has earned national recognition for advancing innovative community-based primary care delivery models, expanding access to essential health services, and cultivating the current and future interprofessional health care workforce. A proud graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and the University of Scranton, Dr. Thomas-Hemak went on to earn her medical degree as a Michael DeBakey Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, followed by completing Harvard’s Combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Residency Program in Boston. Guided by a profound sense of service to her community roots, she returned to Northeast Pennsylvania to practice primary care. She joined The Wright Center in 2001, became its president in 2007, and assumed the role of CEO in 2012. She and her husband, Mark, have three children, Mason, Maya, and Antoinette. Dr. Thomas-Hemak is the daughter of Johanna Cavalieri Thomas, who lives in Archbald, and the late William Thomas. For more information about The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
The Wright Center Welcomes Michael Mahon An educator with 35 years of experience will provide administrative and programmatic leadership across all educational activities, partnerships, and new educational initiatives for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. Michael Mahon, Ph.D., M.B.A., will serve as the vice president of academic affairs and associate designated institutional official, overseeing the educational experience of medical residents and fellows and supervising graduate medical education staff. Each year, nearly 200 physician learners gain hands-on experience in physician-led, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residencies, as well as Internal Medicine-Geriatrics Integrated Pathway, and Cardiovascular Disease, Gastroenterology, and Geriatrics fellowships. Mahon, a Clarks Summit resident, earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s in school administration from the University of Scranton. After earning a doctorate in human development from Marywood University, he went on to complete a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Before joining The Wright Center, Mahon served as superintendent of the Southern Lehigh School District in Center Valley beginning in 2021. Prior to that, he led the Abington Heights School District as superintendent for 17 years. He began his career in education in 1990 as a science teacher at Scranton Preparatory School. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-866-3017.
The Wright Center Launches Free Monthly Newsletter The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education is excited to announce the launch of The Wright Source, a brand-new, free monthly electronic newsletter. The Wright Source will keep patients and community partners informed, inspired, and connected to the health and wellness landscape of Northeast Pennsylvania. Each issue will be filled with valuable insights, local updates, and uplifting stories, including: Practical health and wellness tips you can use every day Community events and activities for all ages Delicious, healthy recipes to try at home Introductions to our newest clinicians and their specialties Updates on new service lines and programs And much more to help improve the health and well-being of our communities across Northeast Pennsylvania To subscribe to The Wright Source, visit bit.ly/WrightSource and enter your name and email address to get started.
The Wright Center for Community Health Earns First Accreditation The Wright Center for Community Health’s case management services recently earned a three-year accreditation from an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. Following a site visit in August 2025, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International granted The Wright Center’s case management services accreditation through Aug. 31, 2028 – the highest level possible. Founded in 1966, CARF International’s mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process. “This achievement is an indication of your organization’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of patients served,” according to CARF International’s accreditation letter to The Wright Center. “There is strong evidence that patients are benefiting from the services they receive from The Wright Center, as evidenced by their own words, reviews of individual records, and a variety of other reviews and reports.” The Wright Center sought accreditation through CARF International for its case management services at its Ryan White HIV Clinic and Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence, according to officials. Case management is a process in which clinicians assess patients and develop a team-based treatment plan tailored to each person’s specific needs. The patient is regularly monitored and assessed to make sure they are progressing as expected. CARF officials visited several of The Wright Center’s community health centers, including Clarks Summit, Mid Valley, North Scranton, and Scranton, to interview staff and patients, and review records. They also examined records from The Wright Center’s community health centers in Hawley, North Pocono, Tunkhannock, Wayne, and Wilkes-Barre. An accreditation report issued by CARF praised The Wright Center’s excellent technology planning and implementation, as well as its exceptional knowledge and use of a variety of data gathering, measurement, analysis, and reporting activities. They also noted The Wright Center’s deep focus on expanding services to meet community needs, as well as its commitment to whole-person primary health services for patients of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses. “This accreditation shows that The Wright Center is providing the highest standard of evidence-based care,” said Louis Strazzeri, director of behavioral health integration, social, and case management services. “We are honored that CARF has validated what we have long understood – that our patients receive exceptional, team-based care that empowers them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.” Click here for information about The Wright Center’s case management services at its Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence Click here for information about its case management services at its Ryan White HIV Clinic
