The Wright Center Receives Grant to Expand Dental Services The Wright Center for Community Health has received a $148,400 grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation to expand dental services at its health center in Wilkes-Barre. The Wright Center will use the grant to purchase three dental chairs and related equipment. The health center at 169 North Pennsylvania Ave., continues to expand dental and whole-person primary health services to meet the needs of Luzerne County residents. The Wright Center provides affordable, nondiscriminatory, comprehensive dental services, including routine check-ups and cleanings, fluoride treatments, fillings, X-rays, oral cancer screenings, extractions, emergency services, and denture care. “We are deeply honored to partner with the Moses Taylor Foundation and most grateful for its trust and investment in The Wright Center,” said Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “This generous grant will enhance our regional efforts to expand affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory oral health services to people of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses. “The Moses Taylor Foundation is one of our most cherished, mission-driven community partners. This most welcomed contribution supports our 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.” The Wright Center began offering weekly dental services at the downtown Wilkes-Barre health center in July 2023 and will begin providing daily dental care from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday starting on Monday, August 5. Expansion work continues at the 34,460-square-foot Wilkes-Barre health center with plans to house 45 medical examination rooms, 30 behavioral health rooms, 10 dental operatories, and more. When completed, the 10 dental operatories will significantly increase much-needed access to dental care, reduce wait times, and accommodate the growing demand for oral care services in Luzerne County. “The Wright Center will be able to offer a comprehensive suite of whole-person primary and dental services under one roof, promote holistic patient well-being, and provide an expanded training ground for future dentists and allied health care professionals, contributing to a skilled health care workforce,” said Kimberly McGoff, The Wright Center’s director of dental operations. To ensure high-quality oral care is available to everyone, The Wright Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike and safety-net provider, accepts most dental insurances and offers a sliding-fee discount program to those who qualify based on federal poverty guidelines that take family size and income into account. No patient is turned away because of an inability to pay. The Wright Center for Community Health, headquartered in Scranton, operates 10 health centers in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. Its locations offer whole-person primary health services. Patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Wright Center Physician Selected as an Emerging Leader Institute Scholar Claudine Nwadiozor, D.O., a resident physician in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s National Family Medicine Residency, was selected as an American Academy of Family Physicians’ (AAFP) Emerging Leader Institute Scholar, which helps grow the family medicine specialty and provides scholars with valuable leadership experience. Dr. Nwadiozor is one of 30 select resident physicians and medical students selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend the AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students from Aug. 1-4, in Kansas City, Missouri, where they will learn more about family medicine, explore residency programs, make connections, and learn about leadership opportunities with the Student and Resident Congress. The scholars then continue learning and networking after the conference by attending the Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute’s in-depth workshops in one of three leadership tracks: Policy & Public Health, Personal & Practice, and Philanthropic & Mission-Driven. The weekend concludes with a Project Management session. Dr. Nwadiozor has been chosen for the institute’s Philanthropic & Mission-Driven Leadership track. She is training at Unity Health Care in Washington, D.C., a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s National Family Medicine Residency trains community-minded physicians in a unique educational partnership with four FQHCs from coast to coast in Washington, D.C., Ohio, Arizona, and Washington. “Through my work in clinical settings, I have witnessed the impact of access barriers and health disparities on patients’ lives, which motivates me to advocate for systemic change,” Dr. Nwadiozor wrote in her essay. “My medical journey has equipped me with the skills and unique perspectives necessary to address these challenges.” In her essay, Dr. Nwadiozor specifically addresses the importance of training, recruiting, and retaining diverse providers, as well as the role mentorship plays in recruiting underrepresented pre-medical and medical students. “While deeply passionate about dismantling barriers to care and advancing health equity, I recognize that I cannot do it alone,” added Dr. Nwadiozor, a Nigerian American. “I embrace lifelong learning and am committed to engaging with viewpoints that challenge my assumptions and broaden my understanding of health care issues. I believe in creating spaces where individuals feel empowered to voice their opinions and contribute their unique insights, fostering a culture of inclusivity and intellectual exchange.” The scholars will also participate in a yearlong program that focuses on ensuring the future of family medicine by increasing the number of leaders in the field and providing training for this important role. At the program’s conclusion, the leadership projects are evaluated, and an additional $1,000 award is given to select recipients. Winning projects are presented at the next AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students. A Best Leadership Project Award will also be named for each of the three tracks, with recipients receiving an additional $3,000 award for participation. “We’re thrilled to welcome these outstanding residents and medical students into the Emerging Leader Institute family, and I look forward to seeing their contributions to our specialty,” said Tomas Owens, M.D., FAAFP, president of the AAFP Foundation Board of Trustees. “These scholars have shown tremendous leadership potential and embody the core qualities of a family physician: empathy, scholarship, and the ability to do the hard but rewarding work of improving their communities and our health care system.” The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education is one of the nation’s largest U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration-funded Teaching Health Centers. The nonprofit’s Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortium effectively addresses the national shortage and misdistribution of primary care physicians and related health disparities by maximizing the impact of primary care services, physician and interprofessional workforce development, and public health efforts. The Wright Center’s residency and fellowship programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. For more information about The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-866-3017.
The Wright Center Expanding Access to Whole-Person Primary Health Services The Wright Center for Community Health will open a new health center in Dickson City on Tuesday, Sept. 3 as part of its efforts to expand access to responsive and inclusive whole-person primary health services across the region. Drs. Supriana Bhandol and Ajit Pannu will lead the new location at 312 Boulevard Ave., Dickson City. Both are 2023 graduates of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Regional Family Medicine Residency and currently treat patients at The Wright Center’s Teaching Health Center in Scranton. The Wright Center for Community Health has provided safety-net primary and preventive care services across the region for decades. The Dickson City location will be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and offer whole-person primary health services for people of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics. In addition to primary care services, including checkups, physicals, screenings, and treatment of common illnesses and injuries, the new community health center will offer community-based addiction treatment and recovery services, including medication-assisted treatment. To make an appointment, call 570-489-4567 or visit TheWrightCenter.org. The location is the former medical offices of Drs. Cynthia M. Oleski and Giovanni Ramos. After deciding to relocate, the doctors contacted The Wright Center about stepping in so patients would not experience care interruptions. “Opening an office in Dickson City is another example of how we are fulfilling our mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services,” said Marianne Linko, deputy chief operating officer at The Wright Center. “It’s also a great opportunity for two of our Regional Family Medicine Residency graduates to take on a larger role as physicians in the community.” The Dickson City location is one of two new health centers The Wright Center will launch in September. On Monday, Sept. 9, The Wright Center’s first health center in Wyoming County will open at the former Tyler Memorial Hospital, 5950 U.S. Route 6, Suite 401, Tunkhannock. The location will be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and offer a full slate of primary care services as well as addiction treatment and recovery services, including medication-assisted treatment. With these new locations, The Wright Center has 12 community health centers, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, serving patients of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses in Northeast Pennsylvania. The Wright Center treated more than 35,400 unique patients in fiscal year 2023-24. The Wright Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike with a growing network of community health centers throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. More than 31.5 million people across the nation receive affordable, high-quality health care each year at community health centers like The Wright Center, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). The community health center initiative, founded by leaders of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, was envisioned as a way to deliver care in underserved areas such as low-income urban neighborhoods and rural settings. Promoters saw it as a means to improve people’s health while also empowering communities and reducing poverty, as health centers offer access to low-cost or no-cost services as well as family-sustaining employment opportunities. Today, there are more than 1,400 community health centers and look-alike organizations in the U.S., according to NACHC. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s integrated whole-person primary health services or for the nearest location, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-489-4567.
The Wright Center Announces Monthly ‘Walk with a Doc’ Events The Wright Center for Community Health invites residents of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wayne counties to put on their walking shoes and take a step towards improved health by joining one of the three regional, monthly Walk with a Doc events. This doctor-led initiative brings health care providers and community members together for an invigorating walk with doctors and other health care professionals. Participants will have the opportunity to exercise, engage with health care professionals, and connect with new people. The Walk with a Doc event in Lackawanna County is held on the first Saturday of each month at 9 a.m., now at its new location at Nay Aug Park, 500 Arthur Ave., Scranton. Walkers should gather at the park’s main entrance. The upcoming event is on Aug. 3. In Wayne County, the Walk with a Doc event takes place on the second Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Lacawac Sanctuary, 94 Sanctuary Road, Lake Ariel. All walks are a collaboration with Lacawac Sanctuary and AllOne Foundation & Charities. The next event is on Aug. 10. The Luzerne County Walk with a Doc event is scheduled for the third Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. at Kirby Park, 280 Market St., Kingston. The next event is on Aug. 17, with walkers meeting at the park’s main entrance. These doctor-led group walks are open to the community, accommodating people of all ages and fitness levels. Participation is free, and no pre-registration is necessary. Walk with a Doc is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring communities through movement and conversation. According to the American Heart Association, walking for just 30 minutes a day can improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels, help maintain a healthy body weight, and reduce the risk of obesity, enhance mental well-being, and lower the risk of osteoporosis. The Wright Center for Community Health, based in Scranton, operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Their practices provide integrated, whole-person primary health services, offering medical, dental, and behavioral health care, along with community-based addiction treatment and recovery services, all in one location for patient convenience. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s Walk with a Doc program, contact Nicole Lipinski at lipinskin@TheWrightCenter.org or Christine Wysocky at wysockyc@TheWrightCenter.org.
The Wright Center to Open Clinic in Tunkhannock The Wright Center for Community Health is expanding access to comprehensive whole-person primary health services in Wyoming County with the opening of a new health center in the former Tyler Memorial Hospital on Monday, Sept. 9. The Wright Center for Community Health has been providing safety-net primary and preventive care services for underserved populations and communities for decades. Family doctors and advanced care practitioners will offer services for people of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics, at the full-service, family-friendly office at 5950 U.S. Route 6, Suite 401. Based in the Wyoming County Healthcare Center, The Wright Center’s community health center will be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule an appointment, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-591-5299. Primary health services include checkups, physicals, screenings, and treatment of common illnesses and injuries. Addiction and recovery services, including medication-assisted treatment, will also be available. Wyoming County businessman Bill Ruark bought the former Tyler Memorial Hospital through a limited family partnership in 2023 and began developing the building as a nonprofit medical facility called Wyoming County Healthcare Center Inc. “It is critical to have these medical services back in the area,” said Sara Ergott, outreach coordinator for Wyoming County Healthcare Center. “The goal is to make this space a hub for all types of health care services that are not easily accessible for those in our rural region. With the loss of the hospital in 2021 and the retirements of many local health care providers, there is a great need for this building to curb those deficits. The goal is to fill the space with the types of services that are in demand and, in turn, create a happier and healthier community.” The Ruark family approached leadership at The Wright Center in the fall to discuss adding more services at the Wyoming County Healthcare Center. “The Wright Center for Community Health responds to the needs of underserved communities in Northeast Pennsylvania by improving access to nondiscriminatory, comprehensive whole-person primary health services,” said Kathleen Barry, deputy chief operating officer of The Wright Center for Community Health. “The Wright Center is proud to be able to treat patients of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses. No patient is turned away for lack of health insurance or an inability to pay. “Our mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services aligns perfectly with the Ruark family’s goal for their hometown. We are privileged to work on this mission-driven project with the Ruark family and other community partners,” added Barry. The Wright Center for Community Health offers a sliding-fee discount program. Based on a family’s size and income level, the program reduces barriers to care and ensures everyone has access to affordable, whole-person primary health services. With the opening of the Tunkhannock location, The Wright Center for Community Health now has 12 locations in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. The Wright Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike with a growing network of community health centers throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. More than 31.5 million people across the nation receive affordable, high-quality health care each year at community health centers like The Wright Center, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). The community health center initiative, founded by leaders of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, was envisioned as a way to deliver care in underserved areas such as low-income urban neighborhoods and rural settings. Promoters saw it as a means to improve people’s health while also empowering communities and reducing poverty, as health centers offer access to low-cost or no-cost services as well as family-sustaining employment opportunities. Today, there are more than 1,400 community health centers and look-alike organizations in the U.S., according to NACHC. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s integrated whole-person primary health services or for the nearest location, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-591-5299.
The Wright Center’s North Pocono Location Celebrates Two Years In just two years since its opening, The Wright Center’s health center in North Pocono has seamlessly integrated into the community, with its health center and staff becoming essential parts of the region. The Wright Center operates a network of community health centers in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. Its locations offer affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, whole-person primary health services to people of all ages regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. Since opening in April 2022, the staff at the health center in North Pocono has welcomed more than 3,500 patient appointments, including nearly 300 patients who used Medicare, CHIP, or medical assistance. The care team, under the direction of Amanda Turoni, a certified nurse practitioner with a doctorate in nursing degree, includes Jamie Ramos, LPN care coordinator; Samantha Tomala, medical assistant; and Amanda Granville, clinical administrative assistant. In the beginning, Turoni’s vision for the health center was fueled by the declining number of primary care providers in the region. She gathered information, including community demographics, information from health care professionals and social service workers, and surveyed parents about their families’ medical needs. That grassroots effort resulted in a twofold aim: improving the health and welfare of her hometown while also addressing the social determinants of health by holding regular food pantries and clothes closets that provide nutritious foods, seasonal clothing, school supplies, and much more for community members in need. “We knew that access to high-quality, whole-person primary health services remain a barrier for many in the area, especially in the communities that make up North Pocono,” said Turoni, noting that before the North Pocono health center opened, there were only about 12 primary care doctors in the community. “There was a need for timely, affordable treatment to address the larger issues, including chronic diseases, as well as preventive care and overall health.” According to the 2024 County Health Rankings, 19% of Lackawanna County residents report they smoke, 17% say they drink excessively, and 33% are obese. In addition, about 7% of residents do not have health insurance. For every one doctor in the county, there are 1,201 residents. The U.S. Census data adds that about 14.2% of the county’s population lives in poverty. Convinced of the community’s need, leaders at The Wright Center chose a location: a former medical practice that had closed after one provider retired in 2019 and the other relocated in 2021. With the support of a $110,855 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, they initiated efforts to open the health center in North Pocono. Overall, The Wright Center served more than 35,400 unique patients in fiscal year 2023-24, offering an integrated care model that typically allows patients the convenience of going to a single site to receive medical, dental, and behavioral health care, including addiction treatment and recovery support services for substance use disorders, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. Like many patients, Nazer Ali of Covington Township initially chose the health center because it was near his home. He continued as a patient because of the personalized care provided by the care team. “Besides the convenience of the location, Amanda has been terrific,” he said. “She takes the time to listen and ask questions.” Turoni said one of the benefits of a small clinic is that she and her staff can take more time with patients to build relationships. She’s enjoyed watching the clinic’s patient population grow as she and her staff gain the community’s trust, noting that she often bumps into patients as she runs errands and attends community events. “I think we’ve accomplished what I set out to achieve in the community,” she said. “We’re growing steadily, but we still can take our time with each patient to really get to know them.” In addition to offering whole-person primary health services, Turoni is proud of the clinic’s outreach events, which address food insecurity and other essential community needs. She hopes to partner with other community groups to expand those offerings, pointing to an upcoming farmers market organized by The Wright Center with support from state Senator Rosemary Brown’s office. Scheduled for Aug. 17 at the Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Company, the market will feature local farmers and artisans, including beekeepers, bakers, crafters, and more. The market will also offer information booths about local health and social services, demonstrations with the Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Department K-9, and a basket raffle to benefit The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, which organizes food pantries and other community events at the North Pocono health center and across the region. The farmers market, which Turoni and her colleagues hope will become a regular event, is just one of the new ideas the practitioner is exploring as the clinic grows and evolves. “I want to explore the idea of home visits to better meet the needs of our older patients and non-ambulatory patients,” Turoni said. “We want this clinic to be an essential community resource for everyone.” For more information about the health center in North Pocono, call 570-591-5150 or go to TheWrightCenter.org.
The Wright Center Names VP of Population Health The Wright Center for Community Health created a new position that will focus on improving patients’ health and well-being by ensuring they have access to integrated, whole-person primary health services, inclusive of medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Kelli Zimmerman, the new vice president of population health and practice transformation, has more than 16 years of experience as a health care professional, focusing on operations management, strategic planning, value-based care, and staff development. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business and health care administration and a master of health leadership degree from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is also a licensed practical nurse. In the new role, Zimmerman will serve as a key leader for The Wright Center’s population health strategy. As part of The Wright Center’s mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services, she will work to implement and monitor a continuity of care structure to ensure patients receive the treatment they need – from annual well-visits and preventive care to chronic care management and integrated, specialized health services. She will also assure and monitor the completion of population health screenings and social determinants of health assessments and, based on findings, ensure patients’ timely access to primary care, behavioral health, dental, addiction and recovery services, and basic needs, including food, clothing, and transportation to and from medical appointments. In addition, Zimmerman will focus on improving physician efficiency and satisfaction and utilize information technology and data analytics to drive The Wright Center’s strategies and tactical plans. Before joining The Wright Center, Zimmerman was the director of operations for primary and urgent care at Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. She also served as the regional manager for health and wellness at Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pennsylvania. The Wright Center, headquartered in Scranton, operates 10 health centers in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health. The locations offer affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, whole-person primary health services to people of all ages regardless of their insurance status, ZIP Code, or ability to pay. For more information, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
The Wright Center Announces ‘Walk with a Doc’ The Wright Center for Community Health invites residents of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wayne Counties to lace up their sneakers and take a step toward better health by participating in one of three regional Walk with a Doc programs. The doctor-led initiative brings health care providers and members of the community together to enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating walk with doctors and other health care professionals, who will provide participants with an opportunity to get some exercise, interact with health care professionals, and meet new people. The Wright Center’s Walk with a Doc in Lackawanna County is on the first Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. at the David P. Maslar Memorial Park in Archbald. Walkers should meet at the Laurel Street Trailhead. The next event is on July 6. Walk with a Doc in Wayne County is on the second Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. at the Lacawac Sanctuary, 94 Sanctuary Road, Lake Ariel. The next event is July 13 and is made possible through a collaboration with Lacawac Sanctuary and AllOne Foundation & Charities. The Wright Center’s Walk with a Doc program in Luzerne County is held on the third Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. at Kirby Park. The next event is July 20. Walkers should meet at the park’s main entrance. The doctor-led group walks are open to the community and people of all ages and fitness levels. Participation is free, and pre-registration is not required. Walk with a Doc is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire communities through movement and conversation. Walking as little as 30 minutes a day can improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels, help maintain a healthy body weight and lower the risk of obesity, enhance mental well-being, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, according to the American Heart Association. The Wright Center for Community Health, headquartered in Scranton, operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its practices offer integrated whole-person primary health services, meaning patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s Walk with a Doc program, contact Nicole Lipinski at lipinskin@TheWrightCenter.org or Christine Wysocky at wysockyc@TheWrightCenter.org
The Wright Center Expanding Healthy MOMS Program The Wright Center for Community Health received a $62,000 grant from the Wilkes-Barre City Health Department to expand a program that helps moms and their babies build a solid foundation to begin their lives in recovery from opioid use disorder. The Wright Center’s Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support (Healthy MOMS) program will receive funding through a two-year grant. The grant is provided by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Services block grant, which the state allocated to the city’s health department for distribution. Members of the Michael Steiner American Legion Jessup Post 411 Ladies Auxiliary recently presented a $2,000 check to representatives of The Wright Center for Community Health’s Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support (Healthy MOMS) program. The Healthy MOMS program is a multi-agency effort that The Wright Center co-founded in 2018 to help combat the opioid crisis. It was launched in Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties but has grown to serve women and their families throughout much of Northeast Pennsylvania. The program is modeled after a program of the same name in Ohio and aims to help pregnant women and new mothers achieve and maintain sobriety. To date, it has supported more than 500 mothers and 282 babies, including 137 mothers in Luzerne County. “When I started working with Healthy MOMS in 2020, we had five moms in Luzerne County. Now, just four years later, we have 38 active moms,” said Marcella Bicksler, the lead program manager for the Healthy MOMS program. “We know there’s a huge need. Our goal is to help 50 Luzerne County mothers this year, and this grant will make that goal achievable.” To expand the Healthy MOMS program in Luzerne County, The Wright Center will leverage its existing behavioral health services and its state-designated Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence (COE) to provide extensive community outreach, education, prevention efforts, and opioid pregnancy recovery and medication-assisted treatment services. The program provides access to prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum care and access to certified recovery specialists, psychiatrists, board-certified addiction medicine physicians, licensed social workers, and licensed clinical social workers. “We’re uniquely qualified to lead these initiatives,” said Maria Kolcharno, The Wright Center’s Healthy MOMS program manager and director of addictions services. “Our work helps dismantle the stigma frequently linked to addiction and boosts mothers’ self-esteem during and after pregnancy, aiming to enroll them in recovery support services for two years to prevent relapse.” Kolcharno said the program’s success can be attributed to The Wright Center’s approach to delivering whole-person primary health services and connecting Healthy MOMS clients with a variety of wraparound services — from help with housing and utility bills to access to food pantries, clothing supply closets, and many other social services — that encourage healthy behaviors for the mothers and babies. Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown said he looks forward to seeing the work The Wright Center will do in the future to help build strong families. “We are pleased to be a community partner with The Wright Center to provide a much-needed service for moms-to-be and their babies,” said Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown. “This program provides a core foundation for all aspects of a healthy mom and baby so they can thrive successfully in our community.” For more information about the Healthy MOMS program, visit healthymoms.org.
The Wright Center Welcomes Medical Students The Wright Center welcomed four medical students from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), who will complete rotations at The Wright Center’s community health centers and other locations throughout the region. This year marks the launch of the partnership between The Wright Center and LECOM, which is open to third- and fourth-year medical students. “The goal is to train these medical students in underserved communities, and hopefully, they will stay in Northeast Pennsylvania to complete their medical residencies after graduation,” said Carla Blakeslee, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s clerkships coordinator. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine students, from left, are Sulav Shrestha, Tazeen Malik, Katherine Weir, and Elena Myalo.
