‘This
is something that I love.’
Lewisburg native grateful to provide cancer care to community, neighbors
As Gisela Dreese, RN, and her colleagues at Geisinger Cancer Center Lewisburg prepare to move into a larger facility later this year, she’s anticipating all the enhancements the new center will offer her team. But most of all, she’s thrilled to keep providing advanced cancer care to the people of Union County and beyond — right in her hometown.
“I drive by the construction site on purpose just so I can see the updates on the project,” Ms. Dreese says. “It’s not far away. That’s another thing I’m excited about: We didn’t have to move too far. It reassures our patients that we’ll always be here.”
Keeping the cancer center local is important because, as a Lewisburg native, her patients are often people she knows personally. It’s why her passion for being an oncology nurse — a career she’s held at Geisinger for more than 26 years — is so strong.
“The most rewarding part of my job is when I go into the clinic and I take care of my high school friends, their families, people who’ve known my family since before I was born,” Ms. Dreese says. “They get so excited that I’m there, because then they’re not so scared. It’s hard to describe, but that’s why I’m there.”
When she enrolled at Misericordia University in 1994, Ms. Dreese wasn’t set on her career path yet. But when her grandfather was diagnosed with leukemia, she was impressed by the compassionate care he received. She decided to pursue nursing.
“I just felt like I was led by the Lord. I’m good at taking care of people and I have a soft spot in my heart for our patients. This is something that I love,” she says.
After her training, she knew she wanted to return to Union County. She loves the region’s slower pace, as well as being part of a team that provides exceptional care to her community.
“I’m grateful to work for Geisinger,” Ms. Dreese says. “We have trials, studies and some of the best surgeons and oncologists right here. It’s amazing that we live in such a rural area and have access to all of this.”
Geisinger’s Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program
Do you dream of a career that’s rewarding, helps your community and offers opportunities for advancement?
Geisinger’s Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program offers financial, educational and professional support for anyone who hopes to pursue a career in nursing or health sciences:
• Inpatient registered nurse:
$40,000 for a 3-year inpatient work commitment
» $20,000 education loan + $20,000 recruitment bonus
• Respiratory therapist:
$30,000 for a 3-year work commitment
» $15,000 education loan + $15,000 incremental recruitment bonus
• Surgical technologist:
$22,500 total paid with a 2.5-year work commitment
» $15,000 education loan + $7,500 incremental recruitment bonus
• Inpatient licensed practical nurse:
$20,000 for a 2.5-year inpatient work commitment
» $10,000 educational loan + $10,000 incremental recruitment bonus
• Certified medical assistant:
$7,000 total paid with a 2-year work commitment
» $4,000 education loan + $3,000 incremental recruitment bonus
How do I qualify?
• Apply for any position at Geisinger.
• You qualify starting day one of employment.
• Admissions are rolling — apply anytime.
• Geisinger School of Nursing students are also eligible (even if not a Geisinger employee).
Ready to learn more?
Scan the QR code or visit geisinger.org/nursingscholars1.
Every path leads to purpose: The journey to nursing at Geisinger
Becoming a nurse isn’t just about reaching a destination, it’s about the journey along the way. And at Geisinger, that journey can take many forms.
In their own words, Geisinger nurses reflect on their career journeys that led them to where they are today. Each has taken a unique path — shaped by personal goals, life experiences and the support of Geisinger career development opportunities — to find the route that was right for them. Those pathways include:
Geisinger’s Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program (GNHSSP)
Provides financial assistance and professional support for employees pursuing education to become registered nurses, respiratory therapists, surgical technologists, licensed practical nurses or certified medical assistants
Geisinger School of Nursing (SON)
Offers hands-on clinical experience and a high-quality education, preparing students to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing and begin a rewarding nursing career in as little as 2 years
Co-op program
A paid opportunity for high schoolers to step into a real healthcare work environment, gain hands-on experience and work alongside experienced professionals
Nurse externships and internships
A paid program that allows nursing students to practice hands-on patient care and develop their professional nursing skills
See what our nurses had to say when we asked:
“What motivated you most on your journey to become a nurse, and how does that influence how you care now?”
“As I reflect on my journey to become a nurse, my greatest source of motivation came from my parents, who are also nurses. Their consistent prayers, encouragement and support, both financially and emotionally, gave me the strength and ability to take steps toward becoming a nurse. The heart they put into caring for their patients and their advocacy have made a great impact on how I care for patients today."
– Isaac Schuler, Inpatient RN, Geisinger Medical Center • SON, • GNHSSP
“I worked in the hospital while I was still in school. I started in foodservice and quickly realized how much I loved interacting with patients, which led me to become a nursing assistant on the unit that is now my home. Working there through all 4 years of nursing school and then transitioning into my RN role allowed me to grow alongside my team and truly understand patient-centered care. My grandmother, who recently retired from being a nurse, has always been my biggest inspiration. Her dedication reminds me daily to care compassionately and thoughtfully for each patient.”
– Lyla Lewczyk, Inpatient RN, Geisinger Medical Center • GNHSSP
“Growing up and still residing in the community I now serve, as well as attending the School of Nursing, made nursing feel both personal and purposeful from the very beginning. Starting as a co-op student and participating in the nurse extern program gave me early confidence and a deep respect for the impact nurses have during life’s hardest moments. The opportunity to progress through multiple clinical and leadership roles has shaped how I care and lead today by keeping me grounded in bedside realities and focused on the patient and family experience.”
“I was originally going to college with the mindset of becoming a physician. I was doing my shadow at Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital for school when a nurse who was my coassignee changed my mind — how she spoke to patients, how kind she was and overall how much time she was able to spend with patients. That was what I wanted to do with my career and my life. I wanted to help those people out on their worst day.”
– Jordan Karlovich, RN, Administrative Team Coordinator, Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital • Co-op
–
Colby Faust, RN,
Associate
Vice President of Nursing • Co-op, • SON, • Externship
“The desire to care for people during some of the vulnerable moments of their lives motivated me. I believe nursing is about compassion, respect and treating every patient with dignity. As a nurse, you care for everyone, regardless of where they come from, the color of their skin or whether they are rich or poor. That belief continues to guide me on how I approach every patient and reminds me to provide equitable, patient-centered care every day."
– Andrew Makanjira, Inpatient LPN, Geisinger Medical Center • GNHSSP
When caring becomes a calling: Thank you, nurses
A message from Kim Gummel, chief nursing officer for Geisinger’s central region
Nursing is often described as a profession, a skill or a career path. But those descriptions fall short of what nurses actually do — especially when the work is hardest and the needs are greatest.
Because nursing, at its core, is a calling.
It’s a calling reflected in quiet assessments and difficult conversations. At the bedside long after the shift should have ended. In decisions made with clinical precision and deep humanity. It’s evident in the way nurses anticipate needs before they’re voiced, advocate fiercely for patients who can’t advocate for themselves and make time to teach and train the next generation.
Every day, I see nurses across our region answer that calling to care. It’s what makes me so incredibly proud to lead this team, and proud to be a nurse myself.
But really, there’s so much to be proud of. We’ve achieved Magnet® designation — the highest national honor for nursing practice — at Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital. Our Nurse Residency Program earned Accreditation with Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. We hosted the Geisinger Nurses Interventional Endoscopy Course 2025, welcoming 190 healthcare professionals from 12 states. And our Nursing Professional Development Team’s training center was among the first in the nation to earn American Heart Association All-Star Recognition.
Together, these accomplishments reflect our nurses’ commitment to excellence, education and the communities we serve. As we recognize National Nurses Week, I offer my sincere thanks to our nurses, whose dedication and compassion define the very best of healthcare. Your calling makes a difference — every day, for every patient, in every setting.
Love caring for others? You’d be a perfect fit at Geisinger.
You’re hardworking, collaborative — and above all, kind. We’re fair, dependable and team-based, so you never feel like you’re on your own. It’s a match made in Pennsylvania.
• Inpatient registered nurse
– Up to $26,000 hiring incentive
• Licensed practical nurse
– Up to $10,000 hiring incentive
• Respiratory therapist – $15,000 hiring incentive
• Surgical technologist – $7,500 hiring incentive
• Certified medical assistant – $3,000 hiring incentive
• Patient care technician
– $1,500 hiring incentive
We’d love to have you join the team. Because our patients deserve you.
Find your fit: jobs.geisinger.org/nursing
Safer, more connected care
Nursing turns innovation into impact with new virtual technology
Delivering high-quality patient care takes teamwork — across disciplines, locations and beyond the bedside. At Geisinger, we’re continuing to explore new ways to support our patients, families and care teams through thoughtfully designed technology that enhances care without replacing the human connection at its heart.
Last summer, select nursing units at Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital and Geisinger Medical Center partnered with Geisinger’s Digital Transformation Office and VirtualCare+ to pilot an AI-enabled virtual care platform that adds an extra layer of support in patient rooms. Why? Virtual care is a tool that can strengthen safety, communication and the patient experience while also helping our care teams do their best work.
All hands on deck
This new capability transforms patient rooms into a connected care environment that supports nursing observation, rounding, patient education and transitions such as admission and discharge. Using secure, AI-enabled tools, the platform helps care teams stay aware of patient needs in real time and respond more quickly.
“The technology identifies high-risk patients and delivers real-time feedback,” says Rachel Toter, RN, operations manager at Geisinger Medical Center. “Combined with the great nursing care our teams provide every day, it’s helped us keep patients safe while they’re being monitored. I’m confident we’ll continue to see positive outcomes as our teams explore its capabilities.”
For patients, virtual care means greater peace of mind. Their clinicians have more tools to monitor their well-being, even when caring for multiple other patients across a unit. And for families, it’s reassuring to know their loved ones are getting the watchful attention they deserve.
Better care at the bedside
The technology is designed to work quietly in the background, allowing nurses and care team members to focus their time and expertise where it matters most: at the bedside. By supporting routine monitoring and communication, virtual care helps clinicians dedicate
more attention to meaningful patient interactions, clinical decision-making and education.
“The technology has been a great addition to our unit,” adds Kaitlin Barrett, RN, administrative team coordinator at Geisinger Medical Center. “With virtual nurses completing admissions, bedside nurses have more time to get patients comfortably settled, streamlining our workflow and easing time pressures. Early alerts for patients trying to get out of bed without using the call light have also helped staff intervene sooner and prevent potential falls.”
This approach aligns with Geisinger’s efforts to empower nurses to practice at the top of their license while staying focused on patient-centered care and safety.
Expanding access across our communities
Following the initial pilot, the virtual care technology will expand to more medical-surgical rooms at Geisinger Medical Center, supported in part by funding from a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant. Soon, the platform will be available in more than 550 beds across the health system, extending its benefits to more patients and communities.
As healthcare continues to evolve, Geisinger is using technology in more purposeful ways — supporting caregivers, strengthening care delivery and making sure patients feel seen, supported and safe throughout their care journey.