The Wright Center for Community Health and Allied Services celebrated the opening of a new primary care clinic for adult patients with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Oct. 23.

The Wright Center for Community Health and Allied Services celebrated the opening of a new primary care clinic inside Allied Services Rehabilitation Hospital at the Luger Scranton Rehab Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Oct. 23.

The primary care office at 475 Morgan Highway opened Oct. 16, expanding access to affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary and preventive health services for adults throughout the region, including checkups, physicals, screenings, and treatment for common illnesses and injuries. Patients do not need to be Allied Services patients to receive care at the new location.

The Wright Center has locations in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties that provide care to individuals and family members of all ages, including a mobile medical and dental unit, Driving Better Health, that delivers care where individuals live, work, play, and study. To make an appointment, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-591-5285.

The Wright Center for Community Health and Allied Services celebrated the opening of a new primary care clinic inside Allied Services Rehabilitation Hospital at the Luger Scranton Rehab Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Oct. 23.

The primary care office at 475 Morgan Highway opened Oct. 16, expanding access to affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary and preventive health services for adults throughout the region, including checkups, physicals, screenings, and treatment for common illnesses and injuries. Patients do not need to be Allied Services patients to receive care at the new location.

The Wright Center has locations in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties that provide care to individuals and family members of all ages, including a mobile medical and dental unit, Driving Better Health, that delivers care where individuals live, work, play, and study. To make an appointment, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-591-5285.

Howells, who joined The Wright Center in 2015, serves as administrator for ACGME-accredited residency programs in internal medicine, family medicine, and physical medicine & rehabilitation; the internal medicine-geriatrics integrated residency and fellowship pathway; and fellowship programs in cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, and geriatrics.

“Eileen’s certification reflects her commitment to professional excellence and the specialized knowledge required to support our graduate medical education programs,” said Dr. Jumee Barooah, senior vice president of education and designated institutional official at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. “Her expertise helps ensure our programs meet rigorous accreditation standards and provide residents and fellows with a high-quality educational experience.”

For the second year in a row, The Wright Center for Community Health has earned three American Heart Association (AHA) achievement awards recognizing its commitment to helping patients manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes, key risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Nearly half of U.S. adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. High blood pressure, cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of serious complications, but early diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient education can help people manage these conditions and improve their long-term health.

“We are honored to receive recognition from the American Heart Association for our commitment to the management and care of patients with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. Erin McFadden, chief medical officer at The Wright Center for Community Health. “With early diagnosis and evidence-based treatment, these serious conditions can be effectively managed, helping patients improve their health, reduce the risk of complications, and enjoy longer, healthier lives.”

This year, The Wright Center again earned:

● Target: BP Gold+ – The highest level of recognition in the Target: BP program, honoring organizations that follow evidence-based practices for blood pressure measurement and treatment and achieve blood pressure control in at least 70% of their adult patients with hypertension.

● Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol Gold Achievement Award – Recognizes healthcare organizations that implement evidence-based practices to help patients understand, monitor, and manage their cholesterol levels.

● Target: Type 2 Diabetes Gold Achievement Award – Recognizes healthcare organizations that meet established thresholds for selected clinical measures related to diabetes management and cardiovascular disease risk factors, including hypertension and high cholesterol.

“Heart disease and stroke remain the leading causes of death for Americans, and addressing type 2 diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure management is key for better cardiovascular health,” said Dr. Kevin Hwang, volunteer chair of the AHA’s Outpatient Quality Improvement Advisory Group. “The American Heart Association is pleased to recognize The Wright Center for its commitment to managing patient risk factors related to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.”

The Wright Center for Community Health will open a new primary care clinic inside Allied Services Rehabilitation Hospital at the Luger Scranton Rehab Center on Friday, Oct. 16, expanding access to affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary and preventive health services for adults in the region.

The full-service primary care office at 475 Morgan Highway will provide a range of services, including checkups, physicals, screenings, and treatment of common illnesses and injuries. Patients do not need to be Allied Services patients to receive care at the new clinic.

The Wright Center’s 16th location, including the mobile medical and dental unit, Driving Better Health, reinforces its commitment to making care accessible and convenient to all individuals and families throughout the region. To make an appointment, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-591-5285.

The Wright Center and Allied Services will celebrate the new clinic with a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 5-6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23. The event will include tours of the new location and remarks from leaders of both organizations. The community is invited to attend.

“Everyone deserves convenient access to high-quality primary care,” said Dr. Erin McFadden, senior vice president and chief medical officer at The Wright Center for Community Health. “Our partnership with Allied Services allows us to meet people where they are and connect more individuals and families with the comprehensive care they need to live healthier lives.”

The new clinic builds on the ongoing partnership between The Wright Center and Allied Services, two organizations committed to strengthening access to comprehensive care and support services throughout Northeast Pennsylvania.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with The Wright Center,” said Robert Cole, Ph.D., senior vice president and chief analytics officer at Allied Services. “Our two organizations share the same values and commitment to our community, and The Wright Center bringing primary care services to our campus will be a tremendous benefit to the patients and families that we collectively serve.”

Allied Services provides comprehensive rehabilitation and support services to more than 1,200 children and thousands of adults through outpatient clinics, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, long-term care centers, residential services, vocational programs, and hospice and palliative care across Northeast Pennsylvania.

The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education received a grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation to help patients in need with transportation, hygiene supplies, and household items. Participating in the ceremonial check presentation, from left, are Cathy Fitzpatrick, vice president of grants & scholarships of the Scranton Area Community Foundation; Renee Zehel, chief philanthropy officer and VP of grants and strategic initiatives at The Wright Center; Maria Kolcharno, director of addiction services at The Wright Center; and Frank Caputo, grants & scholarships senior manager at the Scranton Area Community Foundation.

Getting to doctors’ appointments will be a little easier for some patients in need, thanks to The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education and a grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation.

The $18,750 grant will be used to buy bus passes, transportation vouchers, and gas cards for patients enrolled in The Wright Center for Community Health’s Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support (Healthy MOMS) Program and patients being helped by The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s new street medicine program to get to and from appointments at The Wright Center for Community Health’s network of community health centers and at community partners across the region.

The grant will also help The Wright Center provide hygiene supplies and essential household items to patients receiving care at its Ryan White HIV/AIDS Clinic.

Healthy MOMS focuses on helping mothers-to-be and mothers with substance use disorder, bringing together healthcare, legal, housing, and social services organizations from more than seven counties in Northeast Pennsylvania. Participants can join before giving birth and remain in the program until the child turns 2. An assigned case manager helps with a range of support services, including medications for opioid use disorder, counseling, primary and OB-GYN care, parenting tips, legal advice, and more. Since its launch in August 2018, the program has helped more than 654 mothers and welcomed 355 babies.

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s new street medicine team, composed of medical assistants, community health workers, addiction recovery specialists, resident physicians, and more, visits the Community Intervention Center in Scranton twice a week. Since it launched in January, the team has completed more than 547 medical exams aboard the 34-foot mobile medical and dental unit known as Driving Better Health. Often, care provided by The Wright Center’s street medicine team leads to referrals for follow-up care, either at The Wright Center’s community health center in Scranton or with other providers who can assist them.

“Transportation assistance is essential to help patients access critical services and reduce barriers to care,” said Dr. Douglas Klamp, who leads the street medicine team and serves as The Wright Center’s senior vice president, chief medical education officer, and physician chair of resident and fellow talent acquisition. “By improving transportation access, patients will be better able to attend appointments, adhere to treatment, and remain engaged in care, especially if they are experiencing financial difficulties, housing insecurity, or other challenges.”

As a U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration-designated provider since 2002, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Clinic has provided whole-person primary and preventive health services to patients living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS. In 2008, the clinic expanded its offerings to include critical supportive services to help patients navigate their medical and support needs. Available ancillary services include housing assistance, medical nutrition therapy, emergency financial assistance, and more. Today, the Ryan White Clinic provides care to nearly 500 patients annually from Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. More than 95% of the clinic’s patients have undetectable viral loads, meaning they cannot transmit HIV to others.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is on a mission to enhance the quality of life for all people in Northeastern Pennsylvania through the development of organized philanthropy. With over $120 million in assets under management and more than 450 charitable funds, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served as a steward, grantmaker, charitable resource, and catalyst for change since 1954. The Foundation leads various initiatives, including Women in Philanthropy, the Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence, NEPA Moves, NEPA Thrives, and the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative. Additionally, the Foundation hosts and facilitates NEPA Gives and the NEPA Learning Conference.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization confirmed in compliance with the National Standards of U.S. Community Foundations. More information about the Scranton Area Community Foundation can be found at www.safdn.org.

The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement received a grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation to help patients of The Wright Center for Community Health experiencing financial hardship pay their electric utility bills. Participating in the ceremonial check presentation, from left, are Laura Ducceschi, president and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation (SACF); Cathy Fitzpatrick, vice president of grants & scholarships; Renee Zehel, chief philanthropy officer and VP of grants and strategic initiatives at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education; and Frank Caputo, grants & scholarships senior manager.

The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement will help patients of The Wright Center for Community Health experiencing financial hardship pay their electric utility bills through a $15,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation. The funding will provide direct assistance to eligible patients of The Wright Center, easing financial strain, supporting housing stability, and promoting better health.

The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement advances the mission of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education by connecting people with the resources that address social drivers of health, including poverty, homelessness, food and housing insecurity, social isolation, and other challenges. Working alongside clinical care teams, community health workers can connect patients experiencing hardships to a variety of resources. In fiscal year 2025-26, screenings showed that 1,733 patients at The Wright Center faced utility bill-related hardships.

Community health workers identify patients who may need assistance through the Patient Community Resource Tool. Eligible individuals may receive up to $150 paid directly to their utility provider.

“This grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation is an investment not only in the individuals and families we serve, but in the health and well-being of our communities,” said Holly Przasnyski, director of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement. “By helping neighbors who are struggling to keep up with their utility bills, we can address barriers that can stand between people and better health.”

Scranton Area Community Foundation has served as administrator of the Robert H. Spitz Foundation since 2016. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation is a tax-exempt, private foundation that supports initiatives and programs serving the residents of Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Formed in 2015 through Spitz’s estate, the foundation supports an array of projects and programs that improve Northeastern Pennsylvania. To date, the Robert H. Spitz Foundation has provided over $6 million in funding to the community. More information about the Scranton Area Community Foundation can be found at safdn.org/foundation/robert-spitz-foundation/.