Geisinger Health System

Geisinger nurses went on strike in Luzerne County. Officials fought to find a new buyer for three local hospitals after a deal fell through more than a year ago. And communities came together to support their most vulnerable — the aging, uninsured and hungry.

As snow fell and a biting cold settled over Wilkes-Barre last week, Pastor Sam Garnett opened the doors of Calvary Bible Church to anyone needing a warm place to sleep. In Scranton, Catholic Social Services did the same at Weston Field. Both cities have found new partners for the Code Blue Emergency shelter program that was previously run by Keystone Mission.

Scranton City Council voted Tuesday to approve Geisinger’s zoning changes that will allow for its expansion in the city.

Geisinger Health System officials want to build a new five-story building in Scranton's Hill Section and a parking garage. Scranton City Council will host a public hearing this evening on Geisinger’s request for a zoning amendment related to its plans and also could vote on the move during its regular meeting.

Mehmet Oz, also known by his television persona ‘Dr. Oz,' visited Scranton in his role as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator with U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan to talk about federal efforts to address health care shortages and costs. Sen. Dave McCormick, meanwhile, visited the Wyoming County Healthcare Center in Tunkhannock to tour the facility and meet executive leadership.

Geisinger Life Flight 3, based at the Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton International Airport, or AVP, recently celebrated one year at its new hangar, built from the ground up with COVID-19 grants. The team works with Geisinger’s other Life Flight bases across the region to transport more than 400 patients each month by ground and through air.

President Donald Trump announced last week that taking Tylenol during pregnancy can increase a child’s chances of having autism. Local advocates and medical professionals say Trump's remarks aren't supported by science and cause harm to the community.

Mental health professionals from the region provide guidance on gun violence, anxiety and how parents can best talk about the topic with children in the wake of Wednesday's shooting at a Minnesota Catholic school.

Geisinger President and CEO Dr. Terry Gilliland says health plan had a $231 million operating loss last year, and is still struggling.

Geisinger has brought cancer care closer to home for its patients fighting cancer in Lackawanna and surrounding counties. Previously, Geisinger patients would have to travel to Luzerne County for cancer care.