Strengthening Community Health Through Experienced Leadership
The Wright Centers for Community Health, Graduate Medical Education, and Patient & Community Engagement have recently appointed eight distinguished individuals to their governing boards, collectively bringing decades of invaluable experience across various sectors including healthcare, business, education, and community service. This strategic move aims to further bolster The Wright Center’s mission of enhancing the health and welfare of local communities through comprehensive, whole-person health services. The initiative is also focused on cultivating a sustainable workforce that is well-equipped to meet the diverse health needs of the population they serve.
Among the newly appointed members joining The Wright Center for Community Health’s board of directors is Marie Beggin, the CEO of Penn East Federal Credit Union. With nearly 40 years of experience in the financial services industry, Beggin is not only a current patient of The Wright Center but also an active participant on several boards, including Metro Action and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council. Alongside her, Jill Durkin, a civil law attorney from Factoryville, brings her extensive knowledge and community service experience, having worked with numerous regional boards including Meals on Wheels NEPA and the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
Further enhancing the board is Kirsten Smith, director of career services at Fortis Institute, whose background in education and workforce development is complemented by her roles on the boards of Meals on Wheels NEPA and WRC in Scranton. Adrian Wilck Summa, O.D., a retired optometrist from Clarks Summit, adds over 30 years of clinical experience to the board, emphasizing the importance of healthcare delivery and managed care.
New Faces in Graduate Medical Education and Patient Engagement
On the Graduate Medical Education side, Michael Clark, CEO of Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, brings a wealth of experience in hospital operations and physician engagement, essential for guiding the board’s strategic direction. Joining him is Peter Cognetti, M.D., director of medical education at Regional Hospital in Scranton, whose four decades of experience in patient care will be instrumental in shaping the educational framework of the organization.
Dr. Himani Mongia, an internal medicine resident physician at The Wright Center, is also stepping into a leadership role, advocating for her peers while drawing from her humanitarian work with Doctors Without Borders. Additionally, the board welcomes Syeda Neha Aamer, M.D., who will represent the interests of residents and support initiatives aimed at assisting under-resourced families in Northeast Pennsylvania.
The Wright Center is not only celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026 but is also reinforcing its commitment to community healthcare through these new appointments. With nearly 680 professionals, including 200 resident and fellow physicians, the organization plays a crucial role in training future healthcare leaders. Recent additions to the healthcare team include Dr. Sandra Rabat, who has returned to provide comprehensive care while facilitating the training of new physicians, and Dr. Carlos Luis Oberto Araujo, a bilingual pediatrician offering extensive services for pediatric patients at the Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre.
Through the appointment of these qualified individuals, The Wright Center continues to position itself as a cornerstone of healthcare in the region, dedicated to improving community health outcomes and fostering a new generation of healthcare professionals.
As reported by thetimes-tribune.com.
