The Wright Center Promotes Lung Cancer Awareness Month By now, we all know the terrible risks smoking poses to your long-term health. But we’re also all too aware of how hard it is for people to kick this most destructive of habits for good. Awareness campaigns like November’s Lung Cancer Awareness Month are certainly a good way to encourage people to be proactive about protecting their lungs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among both men and women, killing more people than colon, breast, and prostate cancer combined. This year will see about 234,580 new cases, and roughly 125,070 people will die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). About 80% of lung cancer deaths are believed to be caused by smoking. Which makes events like the Great American Smokeout another key November awareness event. Held on the third Thursday of November, the Smokeout encourages people across the country to take that first crucial step toward a smoke-free life by providing information on the many resources the ACS has to support those looking to quit. Its mission has helped spur the smoke-free laws of the past few decades that have significantly curtailed smoking-related deaths in the United States. Since the event’s inception in the early 1970s, we’ve significantly reduced the smoking population in the U.S., from about 42% in 1965 to 14% in 2019. Of course, there’s still a long way to go, given about 34 million American adults currently smoke. Smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world, with an estimated 480,000 deaths annually, according to the ACS. Certain populations tend to have larger numbers of smokers, among them people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, those without college degrees, Native Americans, African Americans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, military personnel, and people with behavioral health conditions. That’s why we must continue doing our part to promote the virtues of a tobacco-free life. This improves people’s health immediately and, over the long term, diminishes their chances of cancer and cardiovascular and lung diseases. The path to quitting comes with proven cessation methods, among them prescription medications and counseling. And, of course, lots of support. Here at The Wright Center, we’re doing our best to decrease Northeast Pennsylvania’s smoking population through our promotion of the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking Program. The program focuses on FDA-approved medications that can help people quit, lifestyle changes that can make quitting easier, coping strategies to manage stress and avoid weight gain, and methods to stay tobacco-free permanently. Individual and/or group sessions for the Freedom from Smoking Program are determined by the number of participants at any given time. To learn more about the program, contact Kathleen Doyle, director of patient-centered services, at doylek@TheWrightCenter.org or 570-892-2966. Meanwhile, our Lifestyle Medicine program takes an evidence-based approach to helping individuals and families improve their health and quality of life by adopting and sustaining lifestyle behaviors, including eliminating tobacco use. Our team is trained in both conventional medicine and lifestyle medicine, and we work with patients to create personalized lifestyle self-care plans that are sustainable and can help manage or prevent a number of chronic diseases. Smoking and lung cancer go hand in hand, so let’s continue to do our part to bring down the rates for both.
The Wright Center Geriatricians Recognized for Boosting Vaccination Rates The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) highlighted the accomplishments of two geriatricians with ties to The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education in its recent quarterly publication, AGS News, for their efforts to improve vaccination rates among older adults. Dr. Edward Dzielak, director of The Wright Center’s geriatrics fellowship program, was recognized for his leadership in incorporating the AGS Older Adults Vaccine Initiative into The Wright Center’s geriatrics care service line. The initiative, backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, aims to increase immunization rates among older adults eligible for routine vaccinations in the U.S., with a focus on four key vaccines — COVID-19, influenza, shingles (zoster), and pneumonia. Dr. Muhammad Ishaq, a 2024 graduate of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Geriatrics Fellowship Program and an internal medicine resident physician at Rochester Regional Health’s Unity Hospital in upstate New York, was lauded for spearheading a quality improvement project and initiatives to boost older adults’ vaccination rates at The Wright Center’s primary care community health centers. Along with his colleagues, Dr. Ishaq, who received his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Khyber Medical College in Peshawar, Pakistan, established a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely) goal framework to help seniors take charge of their health and lives, integrated electronic medical record changes to prompt providers about patient vaccination statuses, and increased educational outreach and awareness. A Carbondale native board-certified in internal medicine and geriatrics medicine, Dr. Dzielak, of Greenfield Twp., has dedicated more than four decades of his life to medicine, specifically in internal medicine, critical care, and geriatrics. Following his residency in internal medicine at the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, now called The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, he served as the Residency Program coordinator from 1981 to 2015. He also served as the director of both medicine and the intensive care unit at Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton, from 1982 until his 2017 retirement. He returned to The Wright Center in October 2019 after being asked to serve as the founding geriatric fellowship program director. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Scranton in 1974 and his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1978. Dr. Dzielak accepts patients over the age of 60 at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley Practice, 5 S. Washington Ave. Jermyn. To make an appointment, to schedule a vaccine, or for more information on The Wright Center’s geriatric services line, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call (570) 230-0019. The Wright Center’s geriatric services line has been recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as an Age-Friendly Health System Partner, offering a full range of comprehensive, safety-net primary care and support services for older adults. A cornerstone of the program is the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Clinic, which provides thorough evaluations and testing accessible to all patients, regardless of their primary care provider. Additionally, The Wright Center is one of just 10 health systems nationwide selected to implement the innovative Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program developed by UCLA. Founded in 1942, the AGS is a New York-based nonprofit organization with more than 6,000 members that is dedicated to improving the health, independence, and quality of life of older adults.
The Wright Center Partners with Friendship House The Wright Center for Community Health is partnering with Friendship House to improve access to responsive and inclusive whole-person primary health services, especially for individuals with complex mental health and/or substance use disorder needs. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, The Wright Center will offer primary health services at Friendship House’s new Whole Person Care Center, 200 Wyoming Ave., Suite 250, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The new location will begin by opening from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, providing a range of services such as checkups, physicals, screenings, and treatment for common illnesses and injuries. These services will be available to individuals of all ages, regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. Patients do not need to be clients of Friendship House to receive care at The Wright Center’s new location. “We are grateful and deeply honored to collaborate with Friendship House at its new state-of-the-art Whole Person Care Center,” said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “We specifically thank Alex Hazzouri, president and CEO, and his team, as well as the governing board, for their vision to promote unprecedented collaboration that led to our welcomed invitation to be part of this wonderful development for our community in the heart of downtown Scranton. “This exciting and important partnership allows The Wright Center to enrich and extend the delivery of our noble mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve. By improving access to essential primary health care services for individuals who come to Friendship House, we will continue to enhance the overall health and well-being of our shared community.” Friendship House provides support to children, adolescents, and adults facing developmental disabilities, emotional or behavioral challenges, or the effects of trauma from loss, abuse, or neglect. In March 2022, the nonprofit acquired the two-story, 22,000-square-foot facility, which spans the Davidow Building at 200-216 Wyoming Ave., and the former Murray Building at 413-415 Biden St. The new center’s goal is to integrate mental health, substance use disorder, and physical health services, improving health outcomes while optimizing the use of resources. Along with The Wright Center’s primary health services, Friendship House will offer mental health and substance use disorder services, and The Prescription Center will provide pharmacy services. “This integrated model will enhance care coordination and improve patient care outcomes, especially in terms of chronic medical condition management,” said Kathleen Barry, deputy chief operating officer of The Wright Center for Community Health. “We’re thrilled to be able to work closely with Friendship House, one of our great community partners, and enhance our ability to address the complex health and social needs of patients in our communities.” Hazzouri noted that his organization has been in discussions with The Wright Center for several years about a collaboration. The Wright Center and Friendship House treat patients of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses. “Thousands of people live, work, and study in downtown Scranton every day,” Hazzouri said, noting that 17 of the county’s 22 bus routes pass by the new Whole Person Care Center. “The accessibility will help make the center integral to a healthy Scranton and a healthy Lackawanna County.” At a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the new facility on Friday, Oct. 24, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright presented Hazzouri and Dr. Thomas-Hemak with a certificate of Congressional recognition for opening the Whole Person Care Center. “Every person in the community deserves access to health care,” he said. “Thank you for removing barriers to access. I applaud your collaborative efforts.”
The Wright Center Pediatrician Appointed to Statewide Board Dr. Manju Mary Thomas, a pediatrician and deputy chief medical officer and medical director of pediatrics and school- and community-based medical home services at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, has been appointed to the Pennsylvania School-Based Health Alliance (PSBHA) Board of Directors. The Philadelphia-based PSBHA advocates for school-based health centers by promoting the development of innovative, scalable care systems that address the key medical and academic challenges caused by limited access to high-quality health care and wellness education. Dr. Thomas, board-certified in pediatrics and obesity medicine, provides care for infants, children, and adolescents at The Wright Center’s Mid Valley Practice in Jermyn. She also leads The Wright Center’s School-Based Practice at West Scranton Intermediate School and is a physician faculty member for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Regional Family Medicine Residency Pediatrics Program. “As a pediatrician and advocate for children’s health, I am honored to join the Pennsylvania School-Based Health Alliance Board of Directors,” said Dr. Thomas, whose career spans over two decades. “School-based health centers are essential in addressing both medical and academic challenges faced by students who lack access to quality care. By offering comprehensive, accessible services, we not only support students’ physical and mental well-being but also enhance their ability to thrive academically. The growing need for these centers is clear, and I am excited to work with the PSBHA to champion innovative solutions that bring high-quality care directly to our schools where it is most needed.” She joins Robin Rosencrans, executive administrative assistant at The Wright Center, who serves as secretary on the PSBHA board of directors. Dr. Thomas is also co-leading the recent relaunch of Lackawanna County’s Reach Out and Read, a nonprofit national program that distributes books to children during their regular pediatric visits to promote early literacy and health through pediatric care. She earned her medical degree from St. John’s Medical College in Bangalore, India, and completed her pediatrics residency at Brookdale University Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Before joining The Wright Center in 2021, she was an attending pediatrician at Lehigh Valley Health Network. Dr. Thomas resides in Palmer Twp., Pennsylvania, with her husband, Dr. Mahesh Krishnamurthy.
The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Resident Appointed as AMA Delegate Dr. Urvashi “Urvi” Pandit, a resident physician in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s National Family Medicine Residency Program, was appointed to represent the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) as a delegate to the American Medical Association (AMA) Medical Resident Section. Dr. Pandit, who is completing the third and final year of her residency at Unity Health Care in Washington, D.C., will serve in this role through Sept. 30, 2025. During that time, she will work with members of the AAFP staff and attend the AMA Interim Meeting in November in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and the annual meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in June in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Pandit was inspired to apply for the position after attending the AMA Annual Meeting in June 2024 as a resident representative of the Medical Society of the District of Columbia, where she now also serves as co-chair of the Early Career Physicians Section. “I look forward to serving as the collective voice of family medicine residents and advocating for the specialty in this new role,” she said. “I am applying for a postgraduate fellowship in health policy and plan to use my training in a teaching health center and public health and research, and my experiences at the AMA to help inform any future work I may do in the graduate medical education space and, more broadly, in advocating for primary care.” Her appointment was recommended by the AAFP Commission on Education and confirmed by the Board of Directors. AAFP’s mission is to improve the health of patients, families, and communities by serving members’ needs with professionalism and creativity. “The faculty and I are very proud of Dr. Pandit for stepping into a national leadership role to represent family medicine and her resident colleagues at the American Medical Association,” said Dr. Lawrence LeBeau, program director of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s National Family Medicine Residency Program. “It’s another great example of how our residents are fulfilling the mission of The Wright Center and our National Family Medicine Residency Program by being strong advocates for their profession and the communities they serve.”
The Wright Center Hosts Breast Cancer Support Program The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement is hosting a special Wonderful Women Breast Cancer Support program on Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 5-7 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health’s primary care community health center in Wilkes-Barre, 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with keynote speaker Dr. Lisa Thomas of Hematology & Oncology Associates of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Julie Rutkowski of the Strong and Coura’Jess Foundation will also talk about the foundation that helps women with terminal illnesses connect with resources that can help their mental, spiritual, and physical health during treatment. The nonprofit foundation is named in honor of her daughter Jessica Rutkowski, a mother of three who died in 2021 from stage 4 triple negative breast cancer. The program is free, but reservations are requested by calling Holly Przasnyski at 570-209-3275 or emailing her at przasnyskih@TheWrightCenter.org. For more information about The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, go to TheWrightCenter.org/patient-and-community-engagement. Committee organizers include, from left, Karen Case, Helayna Szescila, deputy chief governance officer, The Wright Center; Kimeth Robinson, manager, The Wright Center for Community Health in Wilkes-Barre; Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO, The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, and co-chair, The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement Board of Directors; Kara Seitzinger, executive director, public affairs/advisor liaison to the president and CEO, The Wright Center; Mary Marrara, co-chair, The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement Board of Directors; Lorraine Lupini, board member, The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement Board of Directors; and Ellen Walko, secretary, The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement Board of Directors. Missing from photo are Geraldine McAndrew, director of development and relations for community outreach, The Wright Center; Holly Przasnyski, director, The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement; and Kathleen Doyle, director, patient-centered services, The Wright Center.
The Wright Center – Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a Time to Tout Preventive Measures October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there is much to acknowledge in the progress made over recent years to combat this highly treatable disease. Raising awareness remains crucial, as breast cancer continues to affect alarming numbers of people. Aside from skin cancer, it is the most common cancer among American women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 240,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and 42,000 die from it. While men are much less at risk, about 1 in 100 breast cancer diagnoses still occur in males. Though breast cancer primarily impacts women over the age of 40, many younger women are also affected. Chances are, someone among your family, friends, or colleagues has faced or is currently battling the disease. Thankfully, advancements in early detection and genetic testing for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have dramatically improved how breast cancer is treated. And we can’t forget the enormous contributions of countless nonprofit organizations, raising awareness, securing funding, and providing support services. When it comes to prevention, self-exams and regular mammograms are still the best methods for early detection, catching the cancer when it’s smaller, more manageable, and before it spreads. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the five-year relative survival rate for localized breast cancer is 99%. You can also reduce your own risk by maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, limiting alcohol intake, and breastfeeding your children if possible. At The Wright Center, we are doing our part to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the year, we partner with Lackawanna Mobile X-Ray to offer mammogram screenings at various locations across Northeast Pennsylvania. The mobile mammogram unit will be at The Wright Center’s Teaching Health Center in Wilkes-Barre, 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave., on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 12, from 1-4 p.m. Additional appointments are available at The Wright Center’s Teaching Health Centers in Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave., and Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn, on the first Wednesday of each month. Screenings will be available in Scranton from 9 a.m. to noon and in Jermyn from 1:30-5 p.m. this month on Oct. 2. To schedule an appointment, please call 570-230-0019. In addition, The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement will host a Wonderful Women Breast Cancer Support program on Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 5-7 p.m. at Teaching Health Center in Wilkes-Barre. Dr. Lisa Thomas from Hematology & Oncology Associates of Northeastern Pennsylvania will deliver the keynote address, and Julie Rutkowski from the Strong and Coura’Jess Foundation will share the foundation’s mission of supporting women with terminal illnesses. The foundation was named in honor of Julie’s daughter, Jessica Rutkowski, a mother of three who passed away in 2021 from stage 4 triple-negative breast cancer. Admission to the event is free, though reservations are encouraged. Please contact Holly Przasnyski at 570-209-3275 or email her at przasnyskih@thewrightcenter.org. This promises to be a meaningful event and reflects our ongoing dedication to women’s health. At The Wright Center, women have access to a wide range of health services, including preventive cancer screenings, well-woman visits, bone density tests, immunizations, Pap smears, HPV testing, STI services, and hormonal testing. “I want to emphasize once again that breast cancer is far from a death sentence, but it’s vital to promote the preventive services that can make a life-saving difference.” Kristina Tanovic, M.D., FACP, is board-certified in internal medicine and obesity medicine. Dr. Tanovic is accepting new patients of all ages at The Wright Center for Community Health’s primary care center in the Scranton Counseling Center, 329 Cherry St. Please call 570-591-5250 to make an appointment.
The Wright Center Earns National Recognition for Blood Pressure Control American Heart Association and American Medical Association present Target: BP Silver Award for commitment to prioritizing blood press control The Wright Center for Community Health has been recognized by the American Heart Association and American Medical Association for its commitment to improving blood pressure (BP) control rates, earning Silver-level recognition as part of Target: BP. The Silver Award recognizes practices that have demonstrated a commitment to improving blood pressure control through measurement accuracy. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, and preventable death in the U.S. There are 122.4 million U.S. adults living with hypertension, nearly half of all adults in the country. Unfortunately, just a quarter of them have their BP under control, making both diagnosis and effective management critical. In the U.S., heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death, and stroke is a leading cause of disability. “Optimal blood pressure management is key for better cardiovascular health and critical today, when heart disease and stroke continue to be leading causes of death for adults in the U.S.,” said Jignesh Y. Sheth, M.D., FACP, MPH, senior vice president and chief medical and information officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “High blood pressure is a leading risk factor of heart disease and stroke that can often be prevented or managed if diagnosed and treated properly.” Target: BP is a national initiative formed by the American Heart Association and American Medical Association in response to the high prevalence of uncontrolled blood pressure, the initiative aims to help health care organizations and care teams, at no cost, improve blood pressure control rates through an evidence-based quality improvement program and recognizes organizations, such as The Wright Center for Community Health, that are committed to improving blood pressure control. “By committing to helping more people in Northeast Pennsylvania control their blood pressure and reduce their risks for future heart disease and stroke, The Wright Center for Community Health is taking a key step to helping more people live longer, healthier lives,” said Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, Ph.D., MHS, RN, FAHA, Target: BP advisory group volunteer and associate professor at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. “The Wright Center for Community Health’s participation in the Target: BP initiative shows its dedication to turning clinical guidelines into lifelines for patients and their families.” To learn more about the initiative, go to TargetBP.org.
The Wright Center Receives Donation from UNICO UNICO supports The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement’s mission. The UNICO National Scranton Chapter recently donated $200 to The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement’s (TWCPCE) food pantry program. It’s the fifth year UNICO has donated to TWCPCE, which helps many of the most under-resourced individuals and families in Northeast Pennsylvania, including those experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, social isolation, poverty, or other hardships. Participating in the presentation at The Wright Center for Community Health’s primary care community health center in Jermyn, from left, are Kara Seitzinger, The Wright Center’s executive director of public affairs and advisor liaison to the president/CEO; Amy Yando, president of UNICO Ladies Auxiliary; Mary Mararra, co-chair of TWCPCE; and Helayna Szescila, The Wright Center’s deputy chief governance officer.
Wright Center hires Doctor for Patient Care/Medical Education Dr. Stephen S. Long Jr., an internal medicine-pediatrics (Med-Peds) physician, recently joined The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. He is now accepting patients of all ages at two of The Wright Center for Community Health’s primary care community health centers. Dr. Long is available for appointments at The Wright Center for Community Health’s Clarks Summit primary care center at 1145 Northern Blvd. in South Abington Township on Mondays and Tuesdays and the Mid Valley primary care center at 5 S. Washington Ave. in Jermyn, from Wednesdays through Fridays. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Long, visit TheWrightCenter.org or specifically call the Clarks Summit location at 570-585-1300 or the Mid Valley location at 570-230-0019. A member of the American College of Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, and National Med-Peds Resident Association, Dr. Long received his medical degree from the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. He returned to Northeast Pennsylvania after completing his Med-Peds residency at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland. A Bethlehem, Pennsylvania native, he earned his Bachelor of Science in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and philosophy from the University of Scranton. Dr. Long has also embraced an institutional academic leadership role in faculty development which will allow him to thoughtfully guide and contribute to the professional growth and development of his physician colleagues, while fostering an environment of continuous lifelong learning and improvement. Dr. Long lives in Moscow with his wife, Juliette Meyers, an Archbald native recently hired by The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education as an art therapist. A Valley View High School graduate, she received a master’s degree in art therapy and a bachelor’s degree in communications and media studies from Marywood University.
