Healthcare workforce

Gov. Josh Shapiro and state health secretary Dr. Debra Bogen discussed a $5 million investment that launched the Nurse Shortage Assistance Program in the 2025/26 state budget during a visit to Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale. The program provides matching state funds to hospitals to attract nursing staff with student loan repayment assistance.

Pa. Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh announced a new clinical training partnership between Clarks Summit State Hospital and Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s College of Osteopathic Medicine to train future physicians and address the need for health professionals in rural areas.

Geisinger College of Health Sciences expects to welcome students to its Geisinger School of Nursing Scranton location in fall 2027, offering associate degrees in nursing (ADNs).

Students in the University of Scranton’s speech-language pathology master's program helped with inclusive cooking classes at Coffee Inclusive this summer as part of their clinical work.

The Wyoming Valley Nurses Association, a local affiliate of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, represents 240 registered nurses at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. The union and new hospital owner Tenor Health Foundation ratified a new three-year contract Monday.

Tenor Health Foundation purchased the financially struggling Community Health Systems-owned Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Regional Hospital in Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital. Executives are optimistic about the hospitals’ futures three months after the sale.

The Senate Majority Policy Committee, chaired by state Sen. Dave Argall (R-Schuylkill County), convened a public hearing at Benco Dental in Luzerne County to discuss dental workforce shortages and their impact on the state's health.

Pike County residents have long had to travel out of the county and even out-of-state for medical care. Northwell Health on Monday debuted its new medical center in Dingmans Ferry, which will start taking patients in January.

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, or UPMC, started a rural residency program two years ago. The program trains doctors at its Wellsboro and Cole locations in Northcentral Pennsylvania to bolster the rural doctor workforce.

State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski is confident that Regional and Moses Taylor Hospitals in Scranton will remain open and said there are several leads for potential buyers.