The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, in partnership with Lackawanna Valley Dermatology Associates and the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, will offer free skin cancer screenings on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with over 5 million cases diagnosed annually. Early detection through regular screenings can significantly increase survival rates. To register for a screening, go to bit.ly/TWCSkinScreening.

That message includes the importance of using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, which reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50%. Early detection is key, too. The estimated five-year survival rate for U.S. patients whose melanoma is detected early is about 99%.

“I’m eager to see our volunteer providers interact with attendees and convey reassuring messages that skin cancer is preventable and that cure rates are highly favorable if the cancer is detected early,” Dr. Younan said. “And I’m certainly looking forward to educating more people about the importance of sunscreen ahead of sunburn season.”

Dr. Jignesh Sheth, senior vice president and chief medical and information officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, has been appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to serve as a member of the state’s newly formed Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Related Disorders Advisory Committee.

“I am honored to serve on this advisory committee and contribute to Governor Shapiro’s bold and compassionate vision to better support Pennsylvanians living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and related disorders,” said Dr. Sheth, who is dually board-certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine and sees adult patients at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley in Jermyn. “These conditions deeply affect patients, as well as their families, caregivers, and communities, and require thoughtful, compassionate, and coordinated responses at every level of care. I look forward to collaborating with state leaders and fellow committee members to help shape a responsive, person-centered approach that meets the growing needs of our aging population with dignity, data-driven insight, and hope.”

Dr. Sheth’s appointment exemplifies The Wright Center’s ongoing commitment to public health innovation, interprofessional health care workforce development, and service to the most vulnerable communities throughout Northeast Pennsylvania and the commonwealth.

“With more than 6 million Americans and 282,000 Pennsylvanians living with Alzheimer’s disease, the collective, mission-driven efforts of communities to build and nurture Age Friendly health systems are vital. We are fortunate to have Dr. Jignesh Sheth ably leading our Age Friendly efforts at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. His clinical, educational, executive, and technological expertise will bring unique and meaningful contributions to the important work of the Pennsylvania Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Related Disorders Advisory Committee,” said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “We are grateful to Governor Shapiro for Dr. Sheth’s appointment, and we are confident he will exceed expectations. Dr. Sheth brings a deep understanding of both the science and humanity required to responsibly and compassionately address the impact of these complex conditions on patients, families, and communities. We are proud that The Wright Center will be contributing to this historic and critical effort ignited by our Governor.”

Dr. Sheth received his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery with honors in biochemistry, medicine, and public health in 2004 from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Wardha, India. He earned his Master’s in Public Health with a specialization in health promotion in 2006 from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

After completing his internal medicine residency in 2009 through the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, now The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, Dr. Sheth joined The Wright Center as an internal medicine primary care physician and lead physician for population management and reporting.

His pioneering and innovative approaches that have significantly improved patient wellness and health care delivery have earned him several promotions at The Wright Center, including vice president for patient safety and quality in 2013, culminating in his current role as senior vice president and chief medical and information officer, a position he has held since 2018.

In 2024, Dr. Sheth was recognized nationally and statewide for his visionary leadership and impact on community health. He received the Outstanding Primary Care Clinician Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers and the Innovative Research in Primary Care Award from the National Association of Community Health Centers, honoring his contributions to clinical innovation, care coordination, and public health. He was also named a 2024 Trailblazer in Building and Infrastructure by City & State Pennsylvania for transforming 10 facilities across three counties into The Wright Center’s state-of-the-art primary health care centers – dramatically improving access and outcomes for patients and medically underserved communities.

The Wright Center for Community Health, in partnership with Penn State Extension, will begin offering free classes aimed at helping families and individuals who receive food assistance eat healthier while stretching their food budgets.

The series – which will be taught in English and Spanish – begins at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton Auditorium, 501 S. Washington Ave. Classes will continue at the same time and location every Tuesday through June 24.

“Food costs are on the rise, which is putting a strain on many families throughout the area,” said Melissa Germano, a registered dietitian and director of lifestyle modification and preventive medicine at The Wright Center. “Partnering with Penn State Extension’s Nutrition Links Program is a perfect opportunity to give families the tools they need to eat healthy and keep their food costs under control.”

Materials used in the classes are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, which is supported by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. 

Headquartered in Scranton, The Wright Center’s growing network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, provides affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary health services to everyone, regardless of their insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. 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 about The Wright Center for Community Health, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-209-0019. To learn more about Penn State Extension’s Nutrition Links Program, visit extension.psu.edu/nutrition-links. 

A $25,000 grant from AllOne Charities will help The Wright Center for Community Health provide dental services and oral health education to children enrolled in Head Start locations in Lackawanna, Monroe, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties.

The Head Start Program is primarily federally funded and provides education, health, and social services to families with children ages 3 through 5. Children who attend develop academic and social skills that prepare them for school and life.

In 2023, The Wright Center began offering dental care to some children at local Head Start locations. As a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike, The Wright Center recognizes the importance of providing oral hygiene screening exams and cleanings and educating children about the benefits of good dental hygiene.

“Studies show that good oral hygiene is especially important for children in this age group, as it helps establish healthy habits that last a lifetime and prevent future oral health issues,” said Dr. Caitlin McCarthy, a dentist at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton who has led the Healthy Smiles Program at local Head Start locations. “This project reaches a vulnerable, underserved, and diverse population.”

The grant will allow The Wright Center’s dental staff to make dozens of trips to Head Start locations across the five counties and provide dental care for hundreds of children. Care will be provided aboard Driving Better Health, the 34-foot medical and dental unit that delivers care where patients live, work, study, and play.

Grant funds will partially cover a dental hygienist’s salary and travel expenses, along with operational expenses for Driving Better Health and dental supplies. Additionally, funds will support the distribution of oral hygiene kits for children, which include toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste.

AllOne Foundation & Charities, based in Wilkes-Barre, works independently or collectively to enhance the health care delivery system of Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania and is innovative, creative, and collaborative in crafting new ways of improving the health and welfare of people in the region.

An AllOne Charities grant will help The Wright Center for Community Health deliver dental services and oral health education aboard Driving Better Health to children enrolled in Head Start. Participating in the ceremonial check presentation, from left, are Christine Wysocky, a nurse practitioner at The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre; Nora Kern, program officer at AllOne Charities; Mary Carroll Donahoe, chief program officer at AllOne Charities; John W. Cosgrove, chief executive officer at AllOne Charities; Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education; Kimeth Robinson, manager at The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre; Maria Oberto-Jacoby, director of operations at The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre; and Anthony Beltran, certified medical assistant at The Wright Center for Community Health.

The Wright Center for Community Health has expanded its psychiatry services with the addition of an experienced psychiatrist, who is now offering office-based remote appointments for adults.

Dr. Jean Gauvin, who earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, will provide a full range of services to patients via office-based remote appointments five days a week. Additionally, he will work with colleagues across The Wright Center to continue integrating behavioral health and primary health services.

Dr. Gauvin completed his residency training at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He has worked as a psychiatrist in several hospitals across Connecticut and at the Connecticut Department of Corrections.

A second dentist who completed the postdoctoral residency training program at The Wright Center for Community Health has joined the nonprofit and is now accepting new patients at The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre.

The Wright Center, the NYU Langone Health AEGD Program’s sole Pennsylvania affiliate, has hosted two dental residents each academic year since becoming a program partner in 2021. The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) recently approved The Wright Center’s expansion of the dental residency program to three AEGD residents, starting in July. Both Dr. Regan and Dr. Taylor will supervise and mentor AEGD residents as part of their duties.

To ensure high-quality oral care is available to everyone, The Wright Center accepts all dental insurance plans and offers a sliding-fee discount program to individuals who qualify based on Federal Poverty Guidelines. No patient is turned away due to an inability to pay.

The dental clinic in Wilkes-Barre is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To make an appointment, call 570-491-0126.