Geisinger College of Health Sciences
Bu Jung Kim, Geisinger (SUBMITTED)
Physician, educator and mentor Bu Jung Kim, M.D., was recently awarded the Woloski Family Medicine Chair Award for teaching excellence.
The award recognizes a family medicine doctor and college faculty member who inspires Geisinger learners to excel at providing primary care, a Geisinger priority.
Kim is a regular preceptor at the Kistler Family Medicine Residency, teaches medical students in the classroom at Geisinger School of Medicine and guides several medical student research projects. He also welcomes medical students to his Geisinger Mount Pocono clinic.
Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
Emilie Gebert, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce (SUBMITTED)
Elena Kiernan, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce (SUBMITTED)
The chamber recently welcomed Emilie Gebert and Elena Kiernan to its staff team, further strengthening the organization’s workforce development and administrative operations.
Gebert joins the Chamber as workforce and leadership assistant. In this role, she supports Leadership Lackawanna, Skills in Scranton and the Scranton Plan through administrative coordination, event support, and program operations that strengthen workforce development and community leadership across the region.
Gebert brings nearly two decades of experience in customer relations, sales leadership, team development and operational management through her career in the telecommunications industry.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from West Chester University. Outside of her role at the Chamber, Gebert serves as assistant director of the Montage Ski Patrol, where she helps oversee volunteer coordination and guest safety operations.
Elena Kiernan joins the Chamber as a front desk receptionist, serving as the first point of contact for members, visitors, tenants and guests while supporting daily office operations across the organization.
Kiernan has more than 15 years of experience in administrative support, customer service, event coordination and office management. Her professional background includes positions within the travel and hospitality, legal and finance industries, where she coordinated meetings and events, managed executive schedules and provided administrative support in fast-paced corporate environments.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University and completed additional coursework through New York University.
INNOVOTEX Inc.
The pharmaceutical company advancing a new class of tumor-selective oncology therapeutics known as Macrocycle Drug Conjugates (MDCs) announced the appointment of Dr. Krystle Karoscik to chief executive officer and board director. Karoscik will lead the company’s translational and corporate strategy as INNOVOTEX advances its lead candidate, NOVO-111, through first-in-human clinical trials.
Karoscik previously served as chief operating officer at the company, where she played a central role in shaping the company’s translational development strategy, operational infrastructure and clinical positioning. She has led cross-functional efforts spanning regulatory engagement, preclinical development planning, strategic partnerships, investor relations and corporate operations, positioning the company for its next stage of clinical and organizational growth.
Karoscik is a graduate of Mid Valley Secondary Center and the University of Pennsylvania.
NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania
Mary-Pat Ward, NeighborWorks (SUBMITTED)
The organization announced the appointment of Mary-Pat Ward as its new chief operating officer.
In this role, Ward will oversee day-to-day operations and support the continued growth and strategic initiatives of NeighborWorks across Northeast Pennsylvania. The position was previously held by current president and CEO Shane Powers, who was promoted in 2024.
Ward brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, community development, communications and organizational management. She previously served as director of development and communications for Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center. In this role she was a member of the executive management team and led fundraising, communications, outreach and strategic initiatives.
Prior to her nonprofit leadership work, Ward served as executive director and deputy director of the city of Scranton’s Office of Economic and Community Development, where she oversaw HUD-funded programs, economic development initiatives and community partnerships.
Ward has also served on the NeighborWorks board of directors since 2022.
Pennsylvania Medical Society
The medical society announced the recipients of its annual Top Physicians Under 40 awards, recognizing the most exceptional early-career physicians who are making a profound impact in medicine. Nominated by their peers and carefully selected by a committee of PAMED members, these outstanding professionals embody the future of patient care and medical innovation in Pennsylvania.
Among this year’s honorees are Amatus Legbedion, M.D., family medicine, and Tejas Nimba Nikumbh, M.D., internal medicine, both from Lackawanna County.
To qualify for this recognition, physicians must be PAMED members under the age of 40. Their dedication to advancing healthcare and enriching the lives of patients exemplifies the highest standards of medical excellence, the organization said.
Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers
Vaeda Pontosky, Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers (SUBMITTED)
WMCHC welcomes physician assistant Vaeda Pontosky as the newest dedicated walk-in care provider for its Hamlin center, located at 543 Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel.
Pontosky is well acquainted with the area, having been born and raised in Lake Ariel. She graduated as valedictorian from Western Wayne High School before attending DeSales University in Center Valley, earning a bachelor’s degree in medical studies and a master’s degree in physician assistant studies. Pontosky spent two years at the West Ocean City Injury and Illness Center in Ocean City, Maryland, gaining experience as a PA-C before returning to Wayne County and continuing her career closer to friends and family.
Walk-in services for non-life threatening issues such as colds, earaches, sprains, minor burns, rashes, allergic reactions and more are offered at Hamlin Walk-in Care seven days a week.