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Amos

Boisclair

LUZERNE COUNTY – The Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross hosts community blood drives throughout the month.
Donors who are 16 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in relatively good health may give blood every 56 days.
There is currently a pressing need for O-negative blood. To find out how to donate O-negative blood or to schedule a blood donation, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
A list of area blood donation sites includes:
• Today, noon-6 p.m., American Legion Post 644, 259 Shoemaker St., Swoyersville; 12:30-5:30 p.m., Saxton Medical Pavilion, 468 Northampton St., Edwardsville.
• Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 60 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre.
• Saturday, in memory of Lisa DeSpirito, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Christ United Methodist Church, 175 S. Main Road, Mountain Top. The men’s group will be serving homemade soup and sandwiches and the youth group will be providing a free car wash to all donors. The ladies group will have a bake sale during the drive.
• Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., St. Leo’s Church, 33 Manhattan St., Ashley.
• Monday, 1-6 p.m., Plains American Legion, 101 E. Carey St., Plains Township.
• Sept. 29, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Misericordia University, 301 Lake St., Dallas Township.
• Sept. 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wilkes University, 84 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre.
HAZLETON — The Gunderson Rehabilitation Center at Hazleton General Hospital will hold its annual patient reunion from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday at the hospital. All former patients of the center are invited to celebrate life after rehabilitation. Light refreshments will be served and door prizes will be raffled. To make a reservation, call 501-4632 today. SCRANTON — Leah Rose Amos, a 2-year-old Wilkes-Barre resident, will appear in lights on Broadway on Saturday as part of the National Down Syndrome Society’s video production to demonstrate that people with Down syndrome can be successfully included in community activities, education and employment. The Times Square video production kicks off National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, which includes the 2009 Buddy Walk.
Parents of Down Syndrome NEPA will hold its Buddy Walk at noon on Saturday at Memorial Stadium, 801 Providence Road.
For registration information, visit www.thearcnepa.org/pods.html or call 585-2962.
PITTSTON — Flu shots will be offered from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Monday at Fino’s Pharmacy, 32 N. Main St. The shots are free to patients on Medicare or who have First Priority. All others will be charged $30.
PITTSTON — The Commission on Economic Opportunity, People Helping People is sponsoring free diabetes education sessions from 7-8:30 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the Care and Concern Free Health Clinic, William Street. Topics will include Managing Your Diabetes; Diabetes and Healthy Eating; Monitoring Your Blood Glucose; and Your Journey with Diabetes.
To register, call 826-0510 ext. 305 or 654-9923.
WILKES-BARRE — Maternal and Family Health Services will hold its 38th annual meeting and community luncheon at noon on Oct. 2 at the East Mountain Inn. Secretary Everette James, Pennsylvania Department of Health, will be the featured guest speaker and will help MFHS celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program.
The celebration of service will also include award presentations to leaders and partners who share and support the agency’s mission. Honorees include Sen. Robert P. Casey and the Northeast Pennsylvania Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. In addition, the Rose Allan Tucker Award will be presented to a member of the community who demonstrates a long-term commitment to improving the quality of life in Northeastern Pennsylvania and making a significant positive impact on the health and welfare of women, children and families.
Cost for the luncheon reception is $20. To make a reservation, call 826-1777 or 1-800-367-6347 or visit www.mfhs.org/events.asp by Thursday.
LUZERNE COUNTY — The Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center at Geisinger Wyoming Valley will host the second annual Kayak River Float to Conquer Cancer at 9 a.m. on Oct. 4. The event will begin in Wyoming with a leisurely kayak and canoe trip on the Susquehanna River to Breslau.
Cost to register a personal kayak or canoe is $25. Single kayaks may be rented for $50 and double kayaks for $60. Participants will receive roundtrip transportation from Nesbitt public boat launch in Kingston and lunch will be provided by Subway Restaurant. To reserve a kayak or canoe, visit Susquehanna River Adventures online at www.susqpaddle.org or call The Henry Cancer Center at 808-6153.
HEALTH PEOPLE Dr. Melissa Boisclair recently joined the Geisinger Medical Group–Kistler Clinic as a family medicine physician. Board certified in family medicine, Boisclair earned her medical degree with a special distinction in research from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey — Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She has special interests in women’s health and adolescent care.
As a resident, Boisclair was named Family Medicine Resident of the Year by the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians in 2008. She holds memberships in the American Academy of Family Physicians and American Medical Association. With an intermediate fluency level in Spanish, she is also able to care for Spanish-speaking patients.

Karen M. Murphy, RN, Ph.D., of Clarks Summit, was recently selected as president and CEO of Moses Taylor Health Care System. She will assume her new leadership role in October.
Murphy began her career as a registered nurse at Moses Taylor Hospital in 1977. Holding multiple positions throughout her tenure, she was the founder and CEO of Physicians Health Alliance and vice president of Planning and Managed Care. She has also served as a consultant for local and national health care organizations.
Murphy holds a doctorate degree in business administration from Temple University’s Fox School of Business, with a concentration in Risk, Insurance and Healthcare Management. In addition, she holds a master’s degree in business administration from Marywood University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton.
Murphy graduated as a registered nurse from the Scranton State Hospital School of Nursing, where she received the award for Highest Academic Achievement and Excellence in Medical Surgical Nursing.
Murphy is a senior fellow in the Thomas Jefferson University School of Population Health and is a member of the Academy of Health; Health Information Technology Interest Group Steering Committee; and the Steering Committee for Leapfrog Group Hospital Rewards Program. She also serves on the External Advisory Committee for the University of Scranton MHA Program and Marywood University’s Physicians’ Assistant Program.
She is a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of Scranton, and is a clinical faculty member at The Commonwealth Medical College, as well as a national speaker and author on health industry-related issues.