Engaging Our Community

The third annual Caring Hearts program was held in Spring 2019 and featured a panel discussion on effectively navigating the health care system and adopting strategies for staying heart-healthy. Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak — whose father-in-law Charlie Hemak, a stroke survivor, delivered the keynote address — led the conversation with a group of cardiac experts that included Drs. Clemens Schirmer, Lear Von Koch, Michael Wolk, Uzzal Roy, Alessandro Smeraldi and Gregory Weiner.

Longtime employee Gerri McAndrew, who transitioned from leading our Auxiliary to being named Director of Community Outreach and Engagement, led several initiatives to extend The Wright Center’s imprint in the communities we serve. Her team bookended 2019 with “Bags of Warmth” and “Rack of Warmth” projects, aiming to provide hats, gloves and scarves to community members in need during the coldest times of year. They also hosted a packed house for the annual Purse Bingo in May 2019 and provided more than 200 backpacks filled with school supplies in August. They joined forces with our Patient Engagement Council to provide lunch giveaways in the summer and hosted a Trunk ‘N’ Treat in October. All funds raised throughout the year — from raffles, donations and events — are used to build the “Angel Fund” to assist patients and community members.

Marah Lettieri joined the team as Director of Patient Outreach and Engagement, a complementary role to Gerri McAndrew that allows The Wright Center for Community Health to better target education and prevention initiatives in our community. Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak and Scott Constantini presented the risks, choices, myths and facts facing today’s youth to students and parents at Scranton Preparatory School. Certified Recovery Specialist Jason McConnell shared his deeply personal story of finding hope and resilience through recovery with more than 600 teens in attendance.

In March 2019, Dr. Jacques Amja, Dr. Ritika Paul and Dr. Rajaram Pattar visited two Wilkes-Barre Area Pre-K classrooms. The doctors shared healthy habits and the importance of hard work while encouraging the children to dream big.

Hundreds of children attended September’s Fall into Health Fair, enjoying pumpkin decorating, face painting, yoga, raffles and an obstacle course, all against the backdrop of health and wellness screenings and a blood drive.

Dr . Mark Madhok Takes on Expanded Role at St . John’s

Aloysius Mark Madhok, M .D ., Ph .D ., a member of the core faculty of our Internal Medicine Residency Program, graciously joined the Care and Concern Ministry free clinic at St . John the Evangelist Church in Pittston, and is expected to expand its scope in the years to come . His selfless work in this capacity earned him the honorary title of Medical Director at the clinic .

Gloria Adonizio Blandina, clinic director, explained that Dr . Madhok stands out among the providers — and not just because of his trademark bow ties .

“The clinic is very fortunate Dr . Madhok decided to lend a helping hand . His medical expertise, compassion and kindness gave new energy and hope to all around him, staff and patients alike,” she said . The work at the clinic has been an eyeopening experience for the doctors serving there, Dr . Madhok shared .

“Faculty and residents who have been volunteering at this site have found this experience overwhelmingly satisfying, clinically and humanistically speaking, in seeing the undocumented, poor and homeless of Luzerne County helped. From our experience over the last year of volunteering, we have seen an adequate volume of patients and encountered diverse pathologies, required for their training. I believe this will enrich our student learners’ clinical exposure.” Dr . Mark Madhok