Geisinger
Chris Beck, an experienced government affairs leader at the state, federal and health system level, will serve as the organization’s vice president of government relations.
Beck joins the health system from DeBrunner & Associates, a Harrisburg firm where he spent the last five years as director of state government relations.
After starting his career as an aide to U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, Beck moved into government affairs roles with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Penn Medicine and Vertex Pharmaceuticals before returning to Penn Medicine in 2017 to serve as its director of public affairs for more than three years.
In his new role, based in Harrisburg, Beck will collaborate with the health system’s leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure legislative and regulatory priorities and community benefit activities are aligned with the organization’s strategic vision and goals.
Beck has a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Drexel University.
Luzerne County Community College
The college announced that Rich Charneski, college videographer, has been awarded a Gold distinction in the Digital Special Video (Over 2 Minutes) category at the 13th annual Education Digital Marketing Awards. Charneski earned the honor for his production, “Luzerne County Community College EMS Training to Save Lives.”
The Education Digital Marketing Awards recognize outstanding achievement in digital marketing across universities, colleges, and secondary schools nationwide. Entries were judged by a national panel of higher education marketing professionals, advertising creative directors, and industry experts.
Charneski’s award-winning video showcases LCCC’s Emergency Medical Services training program and highlights how the College prepares first responders to save lives in their communities.
Before joining LCCC, Charneski spent more than 30 years in the sports department at WBRE-TV, where he established himself as a respected visual journalist and creative producer. Since coming to the college, he has played a key role in advancing LCCC’s digital outreach and multimedia engagement.
Amber Joseph of Blakely, has been awarded the Dr. Paul Sable Scholarship in the amount of $3,000 from Alpha Sigma Lambda, the premier national honor society for adult learners. This marks the first time in many years that an LCCC student has earned this prestigious recognition, making the honor even more meaningful for the College community.
Joseph, who has worked as a dental assistant for more than 13 years, is currently pursuing her degree in Dental Hygiene at LCCC. She says her return to school has been both challenging and rewarding, and the scholarship will make a lasting impact on her journey.
As an adult learner balancing academics with family responsibilities, Joseph says her children motivate her to push through challenges.
Joseph adds that receiving the scholarship not only eases financial pressures but also reinforces her belief in perseverance.
Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers
Shristi Kharel, MD has accepted a position as the newest pediatrician at the Honesdale Pediatric Center. The center is one of four pediatric offices managed by WMCHC across Wayne and Pike counties.
Kharel offers comprehensive health care for children of all ages, from newborn up to age 18. She acts as a child’s primary care provider by offering well visits, sick care, developmental screenings, immunizations and management of chronic conditions.
Kharel brings over five years of pediatric experience — both internationally and in the U.S. — to WMCHC patients. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree in pediatrics from Nepalgunj Medical College, Kathmandu University in Nepal. She completed her U.S. pediatric residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Elmhurst, N.Y., and also attended the Boston University School of Medicine where she studied pediatric nutrition. Kharel is passionate about her work and looks forward to calling Northeastern Pennsylvania her new home.
Nicholas Ahn, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician, has joined the Hamlin Family Health Center. Ahn will be providing comprehensive primary care services to adult patients at the center located at 543 Easton Turnpike in Lake Ariel.
Ahn has been practicing medicine since 2018. He earned his Doctor of Medicine Degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, Mich., and completed an internal medicine residency at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Ill. He was most recently employed by the Physicians Health Alliance in Dunmore, PA where he was an outpatient clinic physician for nearly a year-and-a-half.
Ahn is treating existing patients of the Hamlin Family Health Center as well as accepting new patients.
Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner Scott Tiberi has joined the staff of the health center’s largest primary care office — the Highland Physicians Family Health Center. Tiberi sees patients from age 18 and up at the 1839 Fair Ave. location. However, his qualifications and clinical experience as an AGPCNP, will particularly benefit the practice’s geriatric population.
Tiberi’s health care career spans over 12 years. He began working as an EMT/paramedic for six years before attending nursing school. His nursing experience includes six years as an CVICU RN, specializing in cardiovascular disease, heart failure and open-heart surgery. He is also a certified critical-care registered nurse along with an additional cardiac medicine certification (CCRN-CMC). Tiberi served in these roles at local facilities such as CHS-Regional Hospital of Scranton and Lehigh Valley Health Network-Cedar Crest.
He holds a Master of Science degree in nursing from Maryville University, Saint Louis, Mo., and Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Chamberlain University, Downers Grove, Ill. After completing requirements for the AGPCNP program, Tiberi has set his sights on transitioning from inpatient to outpatient primary care as an advanced care practitioner at WMCHC.
Mary “Katie” Waldrep, CRNP, FNP-C, has joined as an advanced practice provider at its Tafton office. While new to the practice, Waldrep is no stranger to the community, having served patients for the last 10 years as a registered nurse.
During the past decade she worked in a variety of health care settings including ICU, OR, and labor and delivery on the inpatient side to health center director at a summer camp in Equinunk. She most recently served as a labor and delivery nurse at the New Beginnings Birthing Suite at Wayne Memorial Hospital, a clinical affiliate of WMCHC.
Waldrep earned a Master of Science degree in nursing as a family nurse practitioner from Misericordia University, Dallas, and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of West Florida, Pensacola, Fla. She completed most of her clinical rotations while studying to become an FNP at WMCHC facilities, giving her a behind the scenes look at the offices and mission of the organization itself.
Scott Tiberi, Wayne Memorial (SUBMITTED)
Katie Waldrep, Wayne Memorial (SUBMITTED)
Emma Connolly, Wayne Memorial (SUBMITTED)
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Scott Tiberi, Wayne Memorial (SUBMITTED)
Emma Connolly, PA-C, is Highland Physicians Family Health Center’s newest advanced practice provider. As a physician assistant, Connolly treats patients of all ages for both acute and chronic conditions at the center’s primary care site located at 1839 Fair Ave. in Honesdale.
Connolly earned a Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies from Marywood University, Scranton, graduating first in a class of 48 students. She also received the Didactic Excellence Award for the highest overall GPA. Connolly completed her undergraduate degree in health professions from Temple University, Philadelphia.
Connolly’s duties at Highland Physicians Family Health Center include conducting patient assessments, diagnosing and treating illnesses, developing patient management plans and prescribing medications.
Chris Beck, Geisinger (SUBMITTED)
Amber Joseph, Luzerne County Community College (SUBMITTED)
Shristi Kharel, Wayne Memorial (SUBMITTED)
Nicholas Ahn, Wayne Memorial (SUBMITTED)
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Chris Beck, Geisinger (SUBMITTED)