Dempsey
Wright Center employees recognized
Three standout employees from The Wright Center for Community Health received statewide recognition from the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) during its Annual Conference and Clinical Summit in Lancaster.
Each year, PACHC recognizes the efforts of individuals and teams who work in and volunteer for community health centers throughout the state with their Awards for Primary Care Excellence, commonly referred to as the APEX awards.
This year, PACHC recognized Dr. William Dempsey, a longtime family physician at The Wright Center for Community Health Clarks Summit, with the Outstanding Primary Care Clinician Award. In addition to his clinical role, Dr. Dempsey serves as The Wright Center’s chief population health value-based care officer. He was selected for his dedication to expanding access to affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary health services, particularly for vulnerable populations.
PACHC presented Catherine “Catie” Nealon, associate vice president of clinical program development, population health, and the 340B Program at The Wright Center, with its Innovation Award. The award honors initiatives that lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced health disparities, increased patient satisfaction, or greater efficiency and effectiveness in delivering primary care.
Nicole Sekelsky, the director of needs-responsive outreach engagement and enrollment at The Wright Center, was recognized by PACHC with the Coverage Champion Award. She was selected for her efforts to help individuals and families across Northeast Pennsylvania gain access to health insurance. Through Sekelsky’s leadership, The Wright Center expanded its presence at community outreach events and developed new opportunities to connect with those in need of coverage.
Wright Center CEO appointed to board
Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, has been appointed to serve on the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers’ Board of Directors.
PACHC represents the commonwealth’s largest network of primary health care providers that serve nearly 1 million patients annually at more than 475 sites in underserved rural and urban areas in 55 counties.
Its 15-member Board of Directors is made up of community health center CEOs from across Pennsylvania, representing a broad spectrum of expertise that spans finance, clinical care, workforce development, advocacy, policy and regulation, nonprofit health care administration, and human resources.
Wright Center VP honored
Brian Eberole, vice president of academic affairs and associate designated institutional official for The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, was recently selected for City & State Pennsylvania’s “Forty in their 40s” list.
The list celebrates Pennsylvania’s most influential and accomplished leaders across nonprofits, government, business, and media, honoring their achievements, leadership, advocacy, philanthropic contributions, and commitment to bettering lives and championing progress throughout the commonwealth.
The multimedia news organization selected Ebersole in recognition of his leadership in transforming health care workforce development through innovative, community-rooted graduate medical education models that are expanding opportunities, addressing physician shortages, and improving health equity across the nation. To read the list, go to cityandstatepa.com.
Teaching hospitalist, physician joins Wright Center
A teaching hospitalist and physician has joined The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education.
Faiza Hassan will serve as a teaching hospitalist for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency Program, supervising resident physicians in clinical learning environments across Northeast Pennsylvania, including Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and Geisinger Community Health Center.
In this role, Hassan will support program leadership in developing, implementing, and evaluating curriculum for the internal medicine residency program, as well as mentoring resident learners and assessing their progress.
Educator joins Wright Center
An educator with 35 years of experience will provide administrative and programmatic leadership across all educational activities, partnerships, and new educational initiatives for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education.
Michael Mahon will serve as the vice president of academic affairs and associate designated institutional official, overseeing the educational experience of medical residents and fellows and supervising graduate medical education staff.
Each year, nearly 200 physician learners gain hands-on experience in physician-led, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residencies, as well as Internal Medicine-Geriatrics Integrated Pathway, and Cardiovascular Disease, Gastroenterology, and Geriatrics fellowships.
Licensed therapist joins Wright Center
A licensed therapist and University of Scranton professor has been appointed to The Wright Center for Community Health Board of Directors.
Krisy Elrod, a resident of Milford and a patient of The Wright Center, brings a unique set of skills to the board. A marriage and family therapist and a registered play therapist-supervisor, she has more than a decade of experience in delivering whole-person medical care. She represents Pike and Lackawanna counties as a Pennsylvania Association for Play Therapy Board Member.
She supervises clinicians and develops training programs as an assistant professor in the University of Scranton’s counseling and human services department. Elrod also has experience with managing community-based projects and grant-funded initiatives that have raised awareness about mental health and cultural humility.
Foundation president selected for cohort
The Scranton Area Community Foundation announced its president and CEO, Laura Ducceschi, was selected to participate in the 2025–26 cohort of the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) for CEOs, a national program convened by CFLeads, the country’s premier network of community foundations.
The Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) for CEOs is designed to strengthen the strategic leadership of community foundation executives nationwide. Participants engage in peer learning, reflection, and collaboration to advance bold, equity-centered, and community-driven approaches to philanthropy.
Chamber promotion announced
The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce leadership announced the promotion of Mary McDermott to IGNITE Program Manager. IGNITE is The Chamber’s flagship entrepreneurship and business incubator program, dedicated to growing businesses and creating jobs in Lackawanna County.
Mary McDermott, who began her journey with IGNITE as an intern in 2022, brings a wealth of experience in program development, grant writing, and entrepreneurial support to her new role.
As the IGNITE Program Manager, McDermott will oversee all aspects of IGNITE, including programmatic management, mentorship development, funding strategies, marketing initiatives, and special events. She will also provide direct business and technical support to IGNITE clients, offering resources such as business plan development, workforce connections, and funding opportunities.
Chamber specialist to participate in fellowship
The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announced that Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist, has been selected for the 2025–2026 Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Fellowship for Talent Development, a six-month program that empowers chamber professionals to strengthen their communities’ workforce pipelines.
The fellowship, hosted by ACCE, brings together chamber leaders from across the country to address workforce challenges. Over the six months, fellows engage in monthly webinars, participate in an in-person convening, and collaborate with national peers to design a regional action plan. The program blends national best practices with local strategies to help chambers connect businesses, educators, and job seekers, ensuring long-term economic growth.
Chamber director earns designation
The Scranton Area Community Foundation announced that Brittany Pagnotti, director of donor relations & communications, has earned the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation from The American College of Financial Services, and has also been recertified as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) by CFRE International.
The CAP designation provides training in philanthropic planning, charitable gift techniques, and legacy strategies, preparing professionals to help donors align their charitable goals with estate and financial planning objectives. By earning this designation, Pagnotti joins a group of professionals worldwide who are equipped to help individuals and families create an impact through philanthropy.
The CFRE credential is the only globally recognized, accredited certification for fundraising professionals. Pagnotti has held the CFRE certification since 2020.
