Misericordia University
Robert J. Gronauer, Misericordia (SUBMITTED)
Mary Kolessar, Misericordia (SUBMITTED)
Kris Jones, Misericordia (SUBMITTED)
Mary Ann Dillon, R.S.M., Misericordia (SUBMITTED)
The university has appointed four new members to its board of trustees: Robert J. “Bob” Gronauer, Esq., Mary T. Kolessar, Kris Jones and Mary Ann Dillon, R.S.M., Ph.D.
Gronauer, a 1991 graduate of College Misericordia, is a partner at Kaempfer Crowell in Las Vegas, where he specializes in land use and zoning law. Recognized nationally by Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA, he has extensive experience in government relations, zoning and community planning. He brings to the board strategic legal expertise, leadership in governance and a strong alumni connection to the university.
Kolessar, a 2007 graduate of Misericordia with a master’s degree in education, serves as executive director of DiscoverNEPA, where she promotes regional growth and community engagement. She previously held leadership roles in education and finance. Kolessar contributes experience in strategic planning, fundraising and civic partnership building, along with a deep commitment to advancing education and regional development.
Jones, a returning trustee, is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. He founded PepperJam, an internet marketing agency acquired by eBay, as well as LSEO.com, a digital marketing agency, and Legacy Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm. In 2025, Jones published his fourth book, “The Entrepreneur’s Exit Playbook,” a practical guide that helps founders maximize value, avoid mistakes and confidently navigate the process of selling their business. He brings to the board expertise in entrepreneurship, digital marketing and investment, as well as a broad professional network to support the university’s strategic goals.
Dillon returns to the board as an active voting member. She previously served on the board until 2015 when she earned trustee emerita status. She is a former president of Mount Aloysius College and senior vice president for mission and sponsorship at Mercy Health System. A Sister of Mercy and a 1968 graduate of College Misericordia, she has a distinguished career in higher education and health care leadership. She provides the board with deep mission alignment, and experience in governance and planning.
The appointments of Gronauer, Kolessar, Jones and Dillon reflect Misericordia’s commitment to drawing leaders from diverse professional fields to guide the university’s mission of academic excellence, service and community engagement.
Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company
Rose Mahler, Peoples Security (SUBMITTED)
The bank announced the addition of two experienced mortgage loan originators to its Luzerne County market. Rose Mahler has joined as mortgage loan originator/team leader, and Ellen Leighton has joined as vice president, mortgage loan originator.
Mahler has more than 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry. She specializes in conventional, FHA, VA, rural housing and first-time homebuyer programs, while also leading and mentoring a team of loan originators to ensure compliance and customer satisfaction.
Before joining PSBT, Mahler served as mortgage originator/regional sales manager at Luzerne Bank and previously worked at Northwest Bank. Mahler earned a Bachelor of Science degree from King’s College and has been recognized with the PHFA Originator Award for her outstanding work in affordable housing lending.
She has also been active in the community, previously serving on the YMCA Wilkes-Barre Community Board, graduating from Leadership Wilkes-Barre and participating as a member of the Junior League of Wilkes-Barre.
Leighton brings more than 40 years of experience in the mortgage industry. In her role as vice president/mortgage loan officer, she will provide financing solutions tailored to the needs of local clients and partner with area real estate agents to deliver programs that best fit each customer’s situation. Her focus is on helping individuals and families finance their dream homes.
Prior to joining PSBT, Leighton held mortgage lending positions at Luzerne Bank and Landmark Community Bank and also served as a partner in a mortgage company. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her sales performance, customer service and ability to build lasting relationships. In 2024, she earned the Top Producing Mortgage Originator Award from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency for her work in affordable housing lending.
A graduate of Bishop Hannan High School and Lackawanna College, Leighton is also active in the community. She serves on the fundraising committee for Coffee Inclusive, an initiative that supports employment opportunities for individuals with special needs.
Wright Center
Brian Ebersole, vice president of academic affairs and associate designated institutional official for the Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, was recently selected for City & State Pennsylvania’s “Forty in their 40s” list. The list celebrates Pennsylvania’s most influential and accomplished leaders across nonprofits, government, business and media, honoring their exceptional achievements, visionary leadership, advocacy, philanthropic contributions, and deep commitment to bettering lives and championing progress throughout the commonwealth.
The multimedia news organization selected Ebersole in recognition of his visionary leadership in transforming health care workforce development through innovative, community-rooted graduate medical education models that are expanding opportunities, addressing physician shortages and improving health equity across the nation.
A founding member of the American Association of Teaching Health Centers, he rejoined the organization’s executive committee as treasurer in 2023. He also serves on the institute’s Health and Health Care Task Force and is actively involved with several community-based nonprofits.
A native of Duncannon, Ebersole earned a Bachelor of Arts in politics and education from Ursinus College in Collegeville. He resides in Old Forge.
Three standout employees from the Wright Center for Community Health received statewide recognition from the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers during its Annual Conference and Clinical Summit in Lancaster.
Each year, PACHC recognizes the outstanding efforts of dedicated individuals and teams who work in and volunteer for community health centers throughout the state with their Awards for Primary Care Excellence, commonly referred to as the APEX awards.
This year, PACHC recognized Dr. William Dempsey, a longtime family physician at the Wright Center for Community Health Clarks Summit, with the Outstanding Primary Care Clinician Award. In addition to his clinical role, Dempsey serves as the Wright Center’s chief population health value-based care officer. He was selected for his unwavering dedication to expanding access to affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary health services, particularly for vulnerable populations. The award also highlights his collaborative approach to patient care, which has improved screenings, follow-ups and outcomes, especially for patients managing mental health challenges, substance use disorders and chronic conditions.
PACHC presented Catherine “Catie” Nealon, associate vice president of clinical program development, population health, and the 340B Program at the Wright Center, with its Innovation Award. The award honors initiatives that lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced health disparities, increased patient satisfaction, or greater efficiency and effectiveness in delivering primary care. Nealon was recognized for spearheading several projects that have strengthened the Wright Center’s ability to set and achieve measurable improvement goals. Her leadership has advanced the integration of innovative software that tracks clinical quality measures —ensuring patients receive appropriate and timely screenings, follow-up care, referrals and other essential services that enhance overall health outcomes.
Nicole Sekelsky, the director of needs-responsive outreach engagement and enrollment at the Wright Center, was recognized by PACHC with the Coverage Champion Award. She was selected for her tireless efforts to help individuals and families across Northeast Pennsylvania gain access to health insurance. Through Sekelsky’s leadership, the Wright Center expanded its presence at community outreach events and developed new opportunities to connect with those in need of coverage. As a result, the Wright Center assisted more than 1,000 people with health insurance inquiries in fiscal year 2025 — a 200% increase over the previous year.
PACHC represents and supports the largest network of primary health care providers in Pennsylvania. Since 1981, PACHC programs and services have supported community health centers in their mission to improve access to quality, affordable primary care for all.