Category Archives: March 2017

Marywood Academic Director Earns National Distinction

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abigail-davis-pa-cAbigail Davis of Dunmore, MPAS, PA-C, academic director in the Physician Assistant (PA) Program at Marywood University, was recently selected by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) for earning a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ).

Ms. Davis was recognized for earning a CAQ in Emergency Medicine, a distinction earned by meeting licensure, education and experience requirements and then passing a national exam in the specialty. She is one of 26 physician assistants in Pennsylvania to earn a CAQ in Emergency Medicine since the program’s inception in 2011.

According to the NCCPA’s news release, “Certified PAs are prepared and proven providers who contribute real value to the healthcare of this nation,” says Dawn Morton-Rias, Ed.D., PA-C, president and CEO of NCCPA. “They graduate from demanding master’s-level programs, pass a rigorous certification exam, and maintain certification at the highest level through continuing medical education programs and retesting throughout their careers. Certified PAs increase access to care for patients in every specialty and clinical setting, including those that are historically under served,” she continued.

CAQs are offered to certified PAs in seven specialties: cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, emergency medicine, hospital medicine, orthopedic surgery, nephrology, pediatrics and psychiatry.

Ms. Davis joined the Physician Assistant Program at Marywood University in 2014 as clinical coordinator. She currently also works part-time at Emergency Services P.C. at Geisinger Community Medical Center. She earned both her bachelor’s degree in medical science and her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Marywood University.

For additional information about the Physician Assistant Program at Marywood University, go online  or call (570) 348-6298.

 

Ash Wednesday Begins Season of Lent

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ashToday, Ash Wednesday, March 1, will mark the start of the solemn 40-day season of Lent. Parishes throughout the 11-county Diocese of Scranton will distribute ashes as a sign of penance and to remind individuals of Lent’s call to a more complete gospel lifestyle.

At the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton, ashes will be distributed during the 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 12:10 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Masses. The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, will be the principal celebrant of the 12:10 p.m. Pontifical Mass. CTV: Catholic Television will broadcast the Mass.

Ash Wednesday commemorates the ancient rite of placing the sign of the cross on the forehead with the reminder “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Lent’s invitation to repentance and conversion may also be found in the optional words of this rite: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” These ashes are gathered from the burned branches of palm carried the previous year in the Palm Sunday procession.

The Office for Parish Life is conducting an Ash Wednesday Retreat from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 330 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton. All are welcome. To register, call the Office at 570-207-2213.

Since, the Church encourages us to make confession a regular part of our spiritual life, especially during the holy season of Lent, parishes are participating in a Lenten initiative called The Light Is On for You, which means that every Monday evening during the Lenten season, beginning on the first Monday of Lent, March 6, and continuing through Monday of the last full week of Lent, April 3, confessions will be heard in every parish from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Diocesan website contains a variety of resources to help parishes extend the invitation to The Light Is On for You, and to help penitents prepare for and participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. See www.dioceseofscranton.org (Parish Life Office menu tab, then The Light Is On for You). The site also includes a Parish Directory listing parishes by location. Note: In parishes with multiple worship sites, call the parish office to confirm the site where the Monday evening confessions will be heard. Also check the specific parish bulletins or websites for details.

During Lent the Cathedral of Saint Peter will offer several ways in which the faithful can deepen their relationship with Jesus and come to know him in a more intimate way.

On Fridays the Stations of the Cross will be prayed following the 12:10 p.m. Mass and Novena to St. John Neumann. The Stations will air on CTV live on March 3 after the 12:10 p.m. Mass on that day and then on succeeding Fridays at 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

On Sundays, March 5, 12, 19 and 26; April 2 and 9, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will begin at the conclusion of the 5 p.m. Sunday Mass. Evening Prayer and Benediction begin at 6:30 p.m.

                                                                                                      

 

Dunmorean of the Month: Alison Boga

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dunmorean-of-the-month-alison-bogaBy Steve Svetovich

Alison Boga has always had an affection for senior citizens.

So it is not surprising when she accepted the position of executive director at the Dunmore Senior Center, 1414 Monroe Ave., Dunmore, this past December.

And the transition has been an easy one.

Daughter of Alice and the late William Boga, Alison succeeded long time Dunmore Senior Center executive director Jeanne Hugenbruch.

Boga worked under the highly respected Hugenbruch as activities coordinator at the Dunmore Senior Center from 2002 to 2007. She was an active volunteer at the Dunmore Senior Center until her recent appointment as executive director.

Boga, who graduated from West Scranton High School and attended Penn State University, has always found it rewarding working with senior citizens.

She worked as administrator of Amos Towers, Scranton, from 1995 to 2002.

“I have always gravitated towards senior citizens,” she said. “They are a lot of fun. I love to hear their stories and about what they did when they were young.”

Boga, who was a member of the marching band and orchestra in high school, worked as a financial assistant administrator for the Girl Scouts of America from 2007 through 2016 until her recent appointment.

She sees both old and new faces at the Dunmore Senior Center, also known as the Dunmore Activity Hub. “It is fun to be back here. A lot of people, sadly, are no longer with us. However, I do see a lot of familiar faces. I do love the new people and already feel like I formed a bond with them. It’s nice.”

The new executive director said she has many hobbies, including reading, gardening, the environment and running. She completed three straight Steamtown Marathons from 1999-2001. She also participated in numerous 5K runs.

She was co-chairperson of Scranton’s First Night in 2007. She ran the Senior Bingo in the second annual First Night and was an active volunteer from that point until the final First Night in 2016.

Boga was selected as Northeast Woman in November 2008.

She is looking forward to upcoming events at the Dunmore Senior Center, including the second annual Weekend of Arts Festival to be held October 13-14. The big event will be preceded by Purse Bingo October 1.

Another big event, said Boga, is the annual Pasta Dinner, May 11.

“The Weekend of Arts Festival was very successful last year and we are looking forward to it again.”

She is also looking forward to Summer Demo Days at the Dunmore Senior Center. “Members can try a number of different classes for free. They can try classes like Tai Chi or Oil Painting. There will be many options.”

She talked about the future of the Dunmore Senior Center. “The Baby Boomers are coming and they have a lot to offer. We want this to be the go to place for seniors. It is for seniors who want to learn and be innovative and progressive.”

There are currently 350 paid members of the Dunmore Senior Center.

Alison, who enjoys all kinds of music except country, said she always has been around seniors.

“I was always with my parents and around older people. It is just natural for me to be with older people. And I always found them interesting. I feel a certain bond with them. I honestly love being around them.”