Geisinger School of Medicine held its 14th commencement Saturday, graduating 111 new doctors in a ceremony at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre.

In remarks, School of Medicine Dean and Geisinger College of Health Sciences President Julie Byerley, M.D., said the school has a growing impact on Northeast and Central Pennsylvania, from providing the region with more doctors to supporting the local economy.

In particular, the school’s Abigail Geisinger Scholars Program, which provides tuition assistance for graduates who return to practice at Geisinger after residency, is now at full capacity, and the first scholars are coming back to practice locally.

“With the program now enrolling 45 seats per class — and the first primary care scholars returning to work in our clinics — we are fulfilling our founders’ vision,” Byerley said. “I am proud of these new doctors and of every member of the class of 2026. We know they will all be skilled and compassionate physicians.”

Byerley said the medical school was founded by Scranton community members to address a physician shortage.

The highlight of the ceremony was the keynote address delivered by retired Geisinger Health board member Thomas H. Lee, M.D., chief medical officer for Press Ganey Associates Inc.

Lee, an internist and cardiologist, practices primary care at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

In his remarks, Lee urged the graduates to pay special attention to building “social capital.”

“Build your relationships, adopt the right norms, be willing to speak up when someone doesn’t adhere to those norms and welcome feedback when you yourself fall short,” he said. “In short, be like the CFO for social capital, and you will accumulate a type of wealth that money can’t buy.”

The event also included remarks by Geisinger CEO Terry Gilliland, M.D., and Geisinger board Chair Virginia McGregor.

Local graduates are:

Emily Allen, Scott Twp.

Tyler Bielinski, Dunmore

Alexis Blackburn, Moosic

Marena Casey, Scranton

Kristen Denniston, Lords Valley

Grace DiBileo, Scranton

Alexandra Geyfman, Scranton

Emily Harasym, Factoryville

Raeva Mulloth, Clarks Summit

Abigail Norwillo, Duryea

Alivia Roberts, Hazleton

Nathan Rosahac, Jim Thorpe

Emily Scott, Nanticoke

Christina Shaffern, Scranton

Gina Tallo, Dunmore

Jason Tinsley, Clarks Summit

Alexandra Yudiski, Old Forge

Geisinger School of Medicine held its 14th commencement ceremony Saturday, graduating 111 new doctors in a ceremony at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre. (Courtesy Geisinger School of Medicine)Geisinger School of Medicine held its 14th commencement ceremony Saturday, graduating 111 new doctors in a ceremony at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre. (Courtesy Geisinger School of Medicine)
Geisinger School of Medicine Dean and Geisinger College of Health Sciences President Julie Byerley, M.D., speaks Saturday during the School of Medicine's 14th commencement ceremony at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre. (Courtesy Geisinger School of Medicine)Geisinger School of Medicine Dean and Geisinger College of Health Sciences President Julie Byerley, M.D., speaks Saturday during the School of Medicine’s 14th commencement ceremony at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre. (Courtesy Geisinger School of Medicine)