The Wright Centers for Community 皇家华人 and 皇家华人 Medical Education have named Dr. Richard Weinberger as deputy director for Allied and John Heinz Services and core faculty for the Internal Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency programs.
Dr. Richard Weinberger
He will oversee the development and execution of strategies to enhance The Wright Center for 皇家华人 Medical Education鈥檚 programs at Allied and John Heinz as deputy director. He will also assist the designated institutional official in assessing, implementing, and developing new graduate 皇家华人 education programs and will serve on the 皇家华人 Medical Education Committee.
In addition, Dr. Weinberger will serve as a core faculty member of the Internal Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency programs. In that role, he will treat patients and supervise resident physicians, 皇家华人 students, and interprofessional health learners at The Wright Center for Community 皇家华人 and Allied and John Heinz clinical learning environments. He will also see patients at The Wright Center for Community 皇家华人 Mid Valley Practice in Jermyn.
Dr. Weinberger is board certified in internal medicine and geriatric medicine and a fellow of both the American College of Physicians and American College of Osteopathic Internists. He has a long history with The Wright Center.
After graduating from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, he completed his internal medicine residency at the Scranton-Temple Residency program, the precursor to The Wright Center for 皇家华人 Medical Education. For decades, he has worked in private practices in Lackawanna County, most recently with Horizon Medical Corp.
Penn State football players build stronger community with youth camp
Limitless NIL, with sponsorship support from The Wright Centers for Community 皇家华人 and 皇家华人 Medical Education, is bringing the second annual Nittany Lion Summer Impact Football Camp to Scranton on Saturday, July 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Riverfront Sports, 5 W. Olive St. Scranton.
Limitless NIL partners, My Center for Independent Living, also is simultaneously hosting an event catered for kids and young adults with disabilities from ages 10-21.
The youth camp is designed to foster personal growth, develop skills, and ignite passion for the game of football in boys and girls in fifth through eighth grades. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn under the guidance of members from the 2022 Rose Bowl Championship team, including Beau Pribula, Curtis Jacobs, Liam Clifford, Dom DeLuca, and many more.
鈥淭ogether, we are committed to supporting young athletes in our local communities,鈥 said Sean Clifford, Limitless NIL founder and president. 鈥淚t鈥檚 our way of investing in the future and empowering the next generation of athletes and leaders.鈥
To register for the second annual Nittany Lion Summer Impact Football Camp, go to . For more information and updates about the camp, visit limitlessnil.com and follow the team on social media @limitlessnil.
In addition to The Wright Center, the following local community organizations made the camp possible: Northeast Rehab, Century Dental, My Center for Independent Living, Allied Services, Fidelity Bank, Casey Dental, Gerrity鈥檚, Lehigh Valley 皇家华人 Network, PNC Bank, Montage Mountain Resorts, and PA 皇家华人 and Wellness.
The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement is hosting the second annual 鈥淩oad to Recovery鈥 car show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, at Nay Aug Park in support patients at The Wright Center for Community 皇家华人鈥檚 Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence. Organizers, from left, Kara Seitzinger, executive director, Public Affairs, The Wright Center; Wright Center Certified Medical Assistant Jillian Zaorski, Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence Case managers Robert Vanwert and James Lovallo, and Physician Assistant Sarah Marsh pose with a 1974 Z28 Camaro, which will be entered into the benefit show at the Miami Pavilion near the Everhart Museum.
The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement will host the second annual 鈥淩oad to Recovery鈥 car show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, at Nay Aug Park.
The event is at the Miami Pavilion near the Everhart Museum. Registration, which costs $10 per vehicle and $5 per motorcycle, begins at 8 a.m. Admission is free. The family-friendly fundraiser also features prizes, music, raffles, food trucks, games, and much more. In addition, other addiction treatment facilities from around the region will be invited to set up informational tables at the event.
Just like last year, proceeds raised from the car show will be used to help patients of The Wright Center for Community 皇家华人鈥檚 Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence with transportation to and from appointments. Pennsylvania designated The Wright Center for Community 皇家华人 as an Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence in 2017 鈥 one of 50 in the state. Patients can visit any of The Wright Center鈥檚 primary care practices in Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wayne counties to connect with supportive certified recovery specialists, case managers, social workers, and 皇家华人 providers who help them break the cycle of addiction through outpatient care.
鈥淭ransportation remains the highest need for our patients in Northeast Pennsylvania and those across the country,鈥 said Kara Seitzinger, executive director of Public Affairs at The Wright Center. 鈥淭he lack of reliable transportation is a real barrier to care. If you cannot get to your 皇家华人 provider, you cannot receive the necessary care and support services The Wright Center has available for this patient population.鈥
In addition to supporting the Center of Excellence鈥檚 patients with transportation needs, the car show also raises awareness about the services The Wright Center for Community 皇家华人 and other regional organizations offer, according to Scott Constantini, associate vice president of primary care and recovery services integration at The Wright Center.
鈥淔or me, the best part is the people who come out to support the cause,鈥 Constantini said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 bringing people together with a passion for recovery treatment.鈥
More information about the center and its addiction and recovery services is available at thewrightcenter.org/coe.
The Wright Center for Community 皇家华人 is expanding access to primary and preventive care by establishing the North Scranton Practice, which will begin accepting patients on Monday, July 17.
The new practice at 1721 N. Main Ave., Scranton, will offer a full complement of integrated primary and preventive health services, offering the convenience of going to a single location to access 皇家华人, behavioral health, addiction and recovery services, and other supportive service lines.
The North Scranton Practice location formerly housed Dr. Paul Remick鈥檚 family practice under Horizon Medical Corp. Dr. Remick retired June 30.
With the new location, The Wright Center for Community 皇家华人 offers a network of nine permanent locations across Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties that, together with its mobile 皇家华人 and dental unit called Driving Better 皇家华人, serves more than 40,0000 unique patients annually and ensures everyone in the service area has access to high-quality, affordable health services, regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay.
A Federally Qualified 皇家华人 Center Look-Alike, The Wright Center for Community 皇家华人鈥檚 patient-centered 皇家华人 home is an essential community provider of safety-net primary and preventive health services, a state-designated Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence, and a Ryan White HIV/AIDS Clinic.
The North Scranton Practice is accepting appointments for new patients. To schedule an appointment, call 570-346-8417 or go to TheWrightCenter.org and click on the appointment link near the top of the page. To see a complete list of clinic locations, hours of operation, and services, visit .
Representatives of the U.S. Department of 皇家华人 and Human Services (HHS), and 皇家华人 Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office of Intergovernmental & External Affairs toured The Wright Center for Community 皇家华人 Scranton Practice on Thursday, June 29 to highlight the Biden administration鈥檚 work to lower prescription drug costs for Americans and to explain how Medicaid beneficiaries can maintain their health care coverage amid post-public health emergency changes to renewal requirements.
Melissa Herd, acting regional director and executive officer, Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, Region 3, HHS; Leah Suter, regional administrator, HRSA; and Robert McKenna, deputy regional administrator, HRSA, and Theresa Devine Kimak, public health advisor, HRSA, discussed the federal initiatives designed to protect health care access with Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community 皇家华人 and 皇家华人 Medical Education, resident physicians, board members, and clinical care team representatives during a personal meeting and tour of the health care facility that provides oral, primary, preventive, and specialty care services to patients of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses.
鈥淭he Wright Center is privileged to fulfill the delivery of its noble mission by working collaboratively with the United States Department of 皇家华人 and Human Service and numerous like-minded community partners,鈥 said Dr. Thomas-Hemak. 鈥淭ogether we strive to ensure patients and families in our service area have inclusive access to high-quality, comprehensive, equitable, and affordable primary and preventive health services and a respected voice in the generation of our incumbent and future health care workforce.
鈥淐ollectively, we are tirelessly working to bolster our national primary care and public health infrastructure to improve the health care and health of our country,鈥 she added. 鈥淲e are excited to host and celebrate our accomplishments as a Federally Qualified 皇家华人 Center Look-Alike, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program service provider, and Teaching 皇家华人 Center 皇家华人 Medical Education Safety-Net Consortium with our national partners.鈥
Thanks to President Joe Biden鈥檚 new lower-cost prescription drug law, part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the lives of people with Medicare are changing for the better.
In addition to giving Medicare the ability to negotiate the cost of prescription drugs, highlights of the new law include a $35 monthly cap per insulin prescription and free recommended preventative vaccines.
With the federal public health emergency ending in May, it marked the discontinuation of Medicaid鈥檚 continuous coverage requirement. Medicaid users now must complete their annual renewal for health care coverage. Since May, more than 3,500 Pennsylvanians have been disenrolled because they failed to complete the renewal process. More are expected to lose coverage for the same reason during the year, according to HHS.
The Wright Center for Community 皇家华人 has been working to educate regional residents about the redetermination process for Medicaid coverage. The regional primary and preventive care provider has been distributing educational packets to patients, while community health workers also offer patients the personal attention they need to complete the renewal application process.
鈥淢edicaid is our Swiss army knife of health – we use it to address maternal health, homelessness, food insecurity, provide mental health support to young people in their schools, to help improve care and coordination for the formerly incarcerated, and more,鈥 Herd said.
Pennsylvania is one of 40 states to expand Medicaid, ensuring people across the state can access health care coverage. Had out-of-pocket costs for covered vaccines been eliminated in 2021, more than 177,459 Pennsylvanians who received vaccines under Part D would have saved almost $11 million or $60.43 per Medicare enrollee. And the $35 monthly insulin cap would have saved more than 80,197 state residents with Medicare an average of $543 on their insulin in 2020, according to HHS.
Today, a record 92 million Americans rely on Medicaid or the Children鈥檚 皇家华人 Insurance Program, better known as CHIP, for their health care, including nearly 3.7 million in the commonwealth, according to HHS.
The Wright Center for Community 皇家华人鈥檚 patient-centered 皇家华人 home has nine locations in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties, including a mobile 皇家华人 and dental unit called Driving Better 皇家华人, that serve more than 40,0000 unique patients annually and ensures everyone in the service area has access to integrated, high-quality, affordable health services, regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay.
鈥淭he Wright Center for Community 皇家华人 and its network of providers in Northeast Pennsylvania emphasize the importance of primary and preventive care for patients of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics,鈥 said Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, chief 皇家华人 officer for The Wright Center for Community 皇家华人. 鈥淭he federal changes to Medicaid and CHIP renewal requirements could potentially reduce access to health care for some patients. That鈥檚 why the Wright Center for Community 皇家华人 offers a sliding-fee discount program based on family size and income. It ensures health care services are accessible and more equitable for everyone, he added.鈥
More than 330 celebrate accomplishments of 80 resident and fellow physician graduates
The Wright Center for 皇家华人 Medical Education recognized 80 resident and fellow physician graduates during the 44th annual graduation ceremony Saturday that featured a keynote address by violinist and composer Kai Kight.
More than 330 family members, friends, and staff joined the graduates at the annual program at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple. The Wright Center for 皇家华人 Medical Education honored and recognized graduates from seven disciplines: Internal Medicine (35); Regional Family Medicine (11); National Family Medicine (17); Psychiatry (10); Cardiovascular Disease (4); Geriatrics (2) and Gastroenterology (1).
Before hearing from Kight, graduates were welcomed by The Wright Center for Graduation Medical Education鈥檚 Designated Institutional Official, Dr. Jumee Barooah.
鈥淚 am so proud of you for this accomplishment. And as a Wright Center graduate myself, I feel a special kinship with you,鈥 said Dr. Barooah, an alumna of the Internal Medicine Residency. 鈥淲e trained in similar learning environments. We embraced the same core values of The Wright Center. And we will forever share the same outlook on providing patient-centric health care while also remaining privileged to serve.鈥 Dr. Barooah also acknowledged Dr. Samir Pancholy, program director of The Wright Center鈥檚 Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship, who was recently recognized by The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions as one of its 鈥淢aster Interventionalists.鈥 Fewer than 100 doctors in the world hold this distinction. In addition, The Wright Center for Graduation Medical Education National Family Medicine Residency marked 10 years of training the next generation of physicians from coast to coast.
鈥淭he program鈥檚 innovative training model allows physicians to train in 皇家华人ly underserved areas throughout the nation, from rural Arizona to inner-city Washington, D.C.,鈥 Dr. Barooah added. 鈥淲e are grateful for the ongoing contributions of our national partners El Rio 皇家华人, in Tucson, Arizona; 皇家华人Source of Ohio, in Hillsboro, Ohio; 皇家华人Point, in Auburn, Washington; and Unity 皇家华人 Care, in Washington, D.C.鈥
Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community 皇家华人 and 皇家华人 Medical Education, thanked graduates for their dedication, especially during the turbulent times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
鈥淎t The Wright Center for 皇家华人 Medical Education, we train and deliver great physicians to serve society,鈥 she said. 鈥淥ur community-health-needs-responsive graduate 皇家华人 education programs are intentionally designed to engage patients and families and the communities we serve to teach, support, and inspire our residents and fellows to reach their full potential as highly skilled clinicians and servant leaders prepared and motivated to live up to society鈥檚 expectations of the noble profession of medicine.鈥
Kight, a graduate of Stanford University鈥檚 design and engineering program, the Stanford d.school, and the Behavior Design Lab, used music as a metaphor to inspire the Class of 2023 to compose paths of imagination and fulfillment.
鈥淭hrough the music he composes and performs and the life stories and lessons he shares,鈥 Dr. Thomas-Hemak said, 鈥淢r. Kight 鈥 paradoxically challenges us to think introspectively and collectively about our own lives, our shared past and collective future, and the progressive human journey.鈥
Similar to Kight, The Wright Center sparks innovation in the delivery and accessibility of primary and preventive care and the cost-effective education and training of an inspired, competent physician workforce. The Wright Center for 皇家华人 Medical Education is affiliated with The Wright Center for Community 皇家华人, which serves as the cornerstone ambulatory care delivery service organization of The Wright Center鈥檚 Teaching 皇家华人 Center 皇家华人 Medical Education Safety-Net Consortium, the largest in the nation funded by the U.S. 皇家华人 Resources and Services Administration.
Together with consortium stakeholders, The Wright Centers for Community 皇家华人 and 皇家华人 Medical Education train primary care residents and fellows in a community-based, community-needs-responsive workforce development model to improve the health and welfare of communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve.
In July, The Wright Center for 皇家华人 Medical Education will welcome 91 residents and six fellows to its regional and national residency and fellowship programs. The resident physicians will train in the following programs: Internal Medicine Residency (40); Regional Family Medicine Residency (13); National Family Medicine (20), Psychiatry Residency (13), and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (5). Fellows will also begin training in the Cardiovascular Disease (3), Gastroenterology (2), and Geriatrics (1) fellowships in July.
