DICKSON CITY — The Wright Center for Community Health hosted its third annual Caring Hearts Panel Discussion and Dinner on Saturday, April 6 at Genetti Manor.

The event, which aimed to build a strong community network for patients and families, as well as generate an informative and educational conversation, was chaired by Clemens Schirmer, MD, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, who was joined in a panel discussion by Linda Thomas-Hemak, MD, The Wright Center for Community Health; Lear Von Koch, MD, Lear Von Koch & Associates; Michael Wolk, MD, Allied Services; Uzzal Roy, MD, Geisinger Community Medical Center; Gregory Weiner, MD, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center; and Alessandro Smeraldi, MD, Geisinger Community Medical Center.

Keynote speaker Charlie Hemak shared a patient perspective with event attendees.

Hemak recently experienced what could have been a debilitating and devastating stroke. Fortunately, he received care from Geisinger Wyoming Valley and The Wright Center for Community Health and has made a full recovery.

Through sponsor support, the event raised funds for The Wright Center for Community Health’s “Driving Better Health Initiative” to help patients and their families overcome care gaps, specifically lack of transportation.

Sponsors included Aetna Better Health of PA, Allied Services Integrated Health System, Center City Print, Children’s Service Center, Community Bank, N.A., Everon Electrical Contractors, Inc., Ferrario Real Estate Development, Fidelity Bank, Health Network Laboratories, Harrold’s Pharmacy, Knowles Associates, Lackawanna and Luzerne Medical Societies, Lamar Advertising, Revolution Ice Centre, Sprint Print Marketing Products, Times Shamrock Communications, Traditional Home Health Care, Women Writers in Medicine and Woodforest National Bank.

WVIA will air the Caring Hearts panel discussion on the following dates: Thursday, May 2 at 9 p.m.; Friday, May 3 at 2 p.m.; Sunday, May 5 at 3 p.m.; Thursday, May 16 at 9 p.m.; Friday, May 17 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, May 23 at 8 p.m.; and Friday, May 24 at 1 p,m.

From left, Michael Wolk, MD; Lear Von Koch, MD; Linda Thomas-Hemak,MD; Charlie Hemak; Gregory Weiner, MD; Clemens Schirmer, MD; Alessandro Smeraldi,MD; Uzzal Roy, MD.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_Photo-1-Caring-Hearts-Event.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, Michael Wolk, MD; Lear Von Koch, MD; Linda Thomas-Hemak,MD; Charlie Hemak; Gregory Weiner, MD; Clemens Schirmer, MD; Alessandro Smeraldi,MD; Uzzal Roy, MD. Submitted photo

From left, Michael Wolk, MD; Lear Von Koch, MD; Linda Thomas-Hemak,MD; Clemens Schirmer, MD; Gregory Weiner, MD; Alessandro Smeraldi,MD; Uzzal Roy, MD.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_Photo-2-Caring-Hearts-Event.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, Michael Wolk, MD; Lear Von Koch, MD; Linda Thomas-Hemak,MD; Clemens Schirmer, MD; Gregory Weiner, MD; Alessandro Smeraldi,MD; Uzzal Roy, MD. Submitted photo

Keynote speaker Charlie Hemak and Linda Thomas-Hemak, MD.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_Photo-3-Caring-Hearts-Event.jpg.optimal.jpgKeynote speaker Charlie Hemak and Linda Thomas-Hemak, MD. Submitted photo