The Wright Center for Community Health accepting Pfizer and Moderna booster shot appointments for adults

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Scranton, Pa. (Nov. 23, 2021) – The Wright Center for Community Health is now administering booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for all adults. Anyone 18 and older who received their Pfizer or Moderna primary vaccine at least six months ago or received a Johnson & Johnson dose at least two months ago can make an appointment following Friday’s decisions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration

“Vaccine providers across Pennsylvania have supplies of the safe and effective vaccines to administer booster shots,” said acting Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Alison Beam. “I am impressed by the tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians who are stepping up every day to get their first, second or third dose of vaccine to protect themselves, their loved ones and their neighbors against COVID-19.”

Adults seeking a Pfizer booster can make an appointment at The Wright Center for Community Health’s Mid Valley Practice, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn. Moderna boosters are available at all other Wright Center locations, including, Clarks Summit Practice, 1145 Northern Blvd., South Abington Township; Hawley Practice, 103 Spruce St., Hawley; Kingston Practice, 2 Sharpe St., Kingston; Scranton Counseling Center, 329 Cherry St., Scranton; Scranton Practice, 501 S. Washington Ave., Scranton; South Franklin Street Practice, Wilkes-Barre, and West Scranton Intermediate School-Based Health, 1401 Fellows St., Scranton.

Dr. Jignesh Sheth

To make an appointment, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019. 

“This federal decision enables us to get more shots into arms at a very important time, as people will be spending more time indoors with family and friends because of the colder weather and holiday season,” said Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, chief medical officer and senior vice president for The Wright Center for Community Health. “The approved COVID-19 vaccinations for adults and children remain our best defense against serious illness and hospitalization.”

The latest decision by the CDC follows its unanimous decision on Nov. 2 to authorize pediatric doses of the Pfizer vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds. That decision made about 28 million children in the new age group eligible for vaccination. The Wright Center for Community Health has administered 157 doses of the pediatric vaccine since it was authorized.

The CDC approved third-dose boosters of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine on Oct. 22 for certain age groups. The Wright Center for Community Health has been administering third doses and booster shots of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to eligible age groups since Oct. 22. People should talk to their health care provider about their medical condition and whether or not getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.

The regulatory agencies have not begun to consider booster shots for teenagers.

The Wright Center names LaMaster associate vice president of development and Patient & Community Engagement

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Scranton, Pa. (Nov. 17, 2021) – The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education recently named Laurie LaMaster as associate vice president of development and Patient & Community Engagement.

A veteran of the regional media market, LaMaster spent 12 years as vice president of promotion and marketing at WNEP-TV 16. Most recently, she was director of marketing and promotion at KMTV-3 News Now in Omaha, Nebraska, where she oversaw marketing, advertising, promotion, public relations and creative services.

“I am excited to work collaboratively with my colleagues and members of the community to ensure everyone has access to health care so they can live their life to the fullest,” said LaMaster. “Our efforts will raise community awareness and also raise the necessary funds to deliver preventive and primary care to the communities that need it most.”

At The Wright Center, LaMaster will pilot a proactive model of community fundraising and awareness, and create and implement a fundraising and community engagement strategic plan to increase awareness of the organization and grow revenue. She will identify, create, launch and execute fundraising opportunities and special events with oversight from the Patient & Community Engagement board.

Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement board is comprised of resident physicians, physician faculty, administration and staff. Members focus on improving access to health care while addressing the negative social and economic determinants of health, such as food and housing insecurity, poverty and access to education that negatively affect the overall well-being of people. Volunteers provide oversight, direction and support for Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement team members.

“We are excited to welcome Ms. LaMaster to our team and community,” said William Waters, co-chair of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement board. “Her familiarity and knowledge of the region will benefit our growing network of community health centers and resident physician learners that are dedicated to providing comprehensive primary and preventive health care to the citizens who need it most in Northeast Pennsylvania.”  

Overall, LaMaster’s role will support the regional nonprofit’s mission and vision to improve the health and welfare of the community through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce of physicians.

The Wright Center for Community Health offering holiday pictures with Santa Claus and COVID-19 vaccinations for a healthy holiday season

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Scranton, Pa. (Nov. 17, 2021) – The Wright Center for Community Health is combining holiday tradition and spirit with an important public health initiative in December to ensure every family member in Northeast Pennsylvania can safely celebrate the joyous holiday season.

“Pictures with Santa,” will enable children of all ages to carefully recite their wish list to the jolly old elf, as parents snap pictures of the treasured moment and participate in one of the vaccine clinics. The Wright Center will be offering the pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children, ages 5-11, with their parent’s permission, and vaccines for adults.

The holiday-themed events will be available free to the public at The Wright Center for Community Health’s Scranton Practice, 501 S. Washington Ave., Scranton, on Friday Dec. 3 from 2-5:30 p.m., and Mid Valley Practice, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn, on Sunday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The pediatric Pfizer vaccine will be available at both vaccination clinics. The Moderna vaccine will be administered at the Scranton Practice and the Mid Valley Practice will have the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for people who are 12 and older.

To schedule a vaccine appointment at the Scranton or Mid Valley practices, go to 

Schedule an Appointment | The Wright Center for Community Health (medentmobile.com).

The vaccine clinic will be available simultaneously at both locations during “Pictures with Santa.” Parents can choose to have their children vaccinated before visiting Santa or after the annual tradition. The special event enables children and their families to participate in the holiday festivities in a safe and socially-distanced manner and meet Santa for a picture. Guests are invited to capture the special moments with their personal cameras. 

COVID-19 masking will be required for everyone who participates in the event. 

“Vaccination is the best tool to keep ourselves and our children safe from COVID-19,” said Geraldine McAndrew, the director of Patient & Community Engagement “We carry our mission directly into the communities we serve, and hope to take the opportunity to encourage children and families to get vaccinated.”To reserve a time for a photo with Santa, please call McAndrew at 570-267-4199 or email her at McAndrewG@TheWrightCenter.org.

AllOne Charities’ Giving Tuesday supports Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement’s efforts to provide lifestyle smartwatches to patients

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Scranton, Pa. (Nov. 15, 2021) – The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement is launching a new high-tech program with the support of AllOne Charities’ annual Giving Tuesday on Tuesday, Nov. 30 that will provide long-term benefits for patients with chronic health conditions.

Held annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, AllOne Charities is sponsoring Giving Tuesday to incentivize supporters of regional nonprofit organizations and agencies to support their favorite charities through this special fundraising effort. AllOne Charities boosts fundraising efforts by matching the first $1,000 raised by each participating charitable organization and also offering an additional incentive of $1,000 each for the organization that raises the most money and secures the most unique donors.

Donations can be made in support of Giving Tuesday beginning Thanksgiving Day. All donations made from Nov. 30 until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 1 will be eligible for the bonuses from AllOne Charities.

The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement is purchasing the Fitpolo H709 smartwatch for patients who could not otherwise afford them. The smartwatch uses built-in features to track and monitor key aspects of the user’s life for a personalized health care data experience. The mobile technology features full touch screen capabilities that can also be accessed via a smart mobile app. The smartwatch’s life assistant monitors in real-time the user’s heart rate, steps, blood pressure and more. The watch collects data and transfers it to the patient’s electronic health records with the assistance of Humhealth technology that features 4G, Bluetooth integration. 

The overall goal of the smartwatch program is to improve patient education, understanding, engagement and implementation of a healthy lifestyle. With remote patient monitoring, primary care providers are able to see how their suggestions have had a positive impact on their patients’ overall health, according to Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, The Wright Center for Community Health’s chief medical officer and senior vice president. 

Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth

“Gathering data in real time and compiling it is beneficial for our providers and residents as the entire empanelment team will have access to their medical data in between visits instead of just monitoring them at their office visits,” Sheth explained. “With the help of technology, we, as care providers, will be able to remotely monitor patients’ activity level, calorie intake and other vital data necessary for effective lifestyle change.”

The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement serves patients in a five-county region through The Wright Center for Community Health’s eight primary care practices in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties. The fundraising effort for Giving Tuesday will benefit the new Lifestyle Medicine program’s initiative to provide select patients who have chronic illnesses with healthy lifestyle smartwatches. 

To support the new initiative on Giving Tuesday, go to allonefoundations.org, scroll down and click on the Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement logo.

“By donating to The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, and contributing to our smartwatch campaign, you’ll be helping some of our patients to manage chronic diseases, like diabetes and high blood pressure,” said Laurie LaMaster, associate vice president of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, “and provide our care teams with the data they need to serve our patients more effectively.”

The smartwatches program is part of The Wright Center for Community Health’s Lifestyle Medicine program that was introduced in 2020. The initiative works to prevent and reverse chronic debilitating diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension, by focusing on healthy lifestyles based on the six pillars of health: nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, relationships and the avoidance of risky substances.   

For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s Lifestyle Medicine Program, call the Scranton Practice at 570-941-0630 or go to thewrightcenter.org/services.

Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education student physicians present scholarly work at regional Society of Hospital Medicine Conference

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Scranton, Pa. (Nov. 3, 2021) – Resident physicians at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education recently presented their scholarly research abstracts at the Society of Hospital Medicine’s Central Pennsylvania Virtual Conference.

The Society of Hospital Medicine’s regional conferences enable global hospitalists to present their research in the scientific abstract competition. Overall, the state conference accepted five abstracts for presentation from Wright Center of Graduate Medical Education student physicians in the internal medicine program. The abstracts are:

Dr. Brihant Sharma presented, “Lemierre’s Syndrome: The Forgotten Disease.” 

“A Case of COVID-19 Pneumonia Superimposed by Stubborn Burkholderia” was presented by Dr. Viren Raheja. 

Dr. Mohammed Musa Najmuddin offered his work, “Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism Following Paper Wasp Bite in an Adult Male.”

Dr. Omar Syed presented, “Internal Jugular Vein Thrombus in the Setting of Prothrombin Deficiency.”

“Myasthenia Gravis Masquerading Cranial Nerve Deficits: A Diagnostic Challenge” was presented by Dr. Peter Iskander.

Overall, resident physicians in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education have had 71 scholarly abstracts, written on a wide array of topics in medicine, accepted for presentation at professional conferences since the beginning of the 2021-22 academic year.

Dr. Brihant Sharma
Dr. Viren Raheja
Dr. Mohammed Musa Najmuddin
Dr. Omar Syed
Dr. Peter Iskander

Wright Center receives national recognition for patient-centered approach

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Scranton, Pa. (Nov. 5, 2021) – The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recently announced The Wright Center for Community Health’s Kingston and Scranton practices have received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated, team-based care within a network with long-term, participative relationships.

The Kingston and Scranton practices join The Wright Center for Community Health’s Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington St., Jermyn, and Clarks Summit, 1145 Northern Blvd., South Abington Township, practices in earning the recognition seal. The Mid Valley and Clarks Summit practices continue with annual formal review to meet the highest standards of the designation.

“Through the hard work of our employees and especially Catie Nealon, The Wright Center has received two important patient-centered medical home achievements for the Scranton and Kingston practices,” said Tiffany Jaskulski, chief operating officer of The Wright Center. “This distinction lets the community know these sites will be open to accommodate their primary care needs outside normal hours of operation; that they will be treated by an empaneled care team, and all of their clinical care coordination needs will be handled by highly-qualified clinical staff. 

“As our clinical compliance and population health manager, Catie deserves to be recognized for her hard work on this project and for demonstrating The Wright Center’s core values through her daily work,” Jaskulski added.

The NCQA’s PCMH is a model of primary health care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve delivery and coordination of care; experience of care by patients, families and care teams, and enhances affordability with reduced cost of care and waste. The program was developed in 2008 to identify medical practices that have invested in a care model that empowers patients at the forefront, while nurturing a culture of continuous improvement. The NCQA’s recognition program is the most widely adopted PCMH evaluation program in the country. 

Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak
Catie Nealon

In order to be considered for PCMH recognition, health care practices must meet key standards in six important areas: Team based care and practice organization, care management and support, know and manage patients, care coordination and care transitions, patient-centered access and continuity, and continued performance measurement and quality improvement. Since its inception, more than 10,000 practice sites and 50,000 clinicians have earned the NCQA PCMH recognition seal.

“We are extremely proud that a national organization has affirmed The Wright Center for Community Health’s commitment to improving the health and welfare of the communities we serve through a patient-centered medical home model approach,” said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and chief executive officer of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “This model of care allows us to honor and keep patients at the forefront of everything we do and makes continuous quality improvement our priority.”

The Wright Center for Community Health’s Kingston Practice at 2 Sharpe St., is located in First Hospital. A full-service primary and pediatric care office, family doctors, pediatricians and advanced practitioners provide checkups, physicals, screenings, treatment of common illnesses and injuries, as well as behavioral health, addiction and recovery services, sports medicine and hepatitis C and infectious disease services. Please go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-491-0126 to make an appointment.

The Wright Center for Community Health’s Scranton Practice at 501 S. Washington Ave., is a full-service primary and pediatric care office that also offers dental services as well as rheumatology, sports medicine and infectious disease specialists, including the Ryan White HIV Clinic. Family doctors and advanced practitioners provide checkups, physicals, screenings, treatment of common illnesses and injuries as well as behavioral health and recovery services. To make an appointment, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-941-0630.