This week, staff writer Laura Rysz talks with Kate Andrews about a free virtual session with Dr. Jignesh Sheth, chief medical officer at the Wright Center for Community Health.
Name: Kate Andrews
Residence: South Abington Twp.
Professional background: Assistant to the director at Abington Community Library, Clarks Summit, since July 2019
Title: Organizer
Q: What inspired this event?
A: The inspiration for the event actually came when Carol Rubel, board president of Abington Community Library, read an opinion piece in the Scranton Times-Tribune on Dec. 2 by guest columnist Cory Franklin. The article, titled “Vaccine messaging as crucial as shots,” drives home the point that health officials must regain public trust by improving their efforts to communicate with the public regarding COVID-19 and, most importantly, in providing information on the approved vaccines.
Q: Tell us about the Wright Center for Community Health.
A: The Wright Center for Community Health aims to provide accessible, integrated primary health services to patients of all ages across Northeast Pennsylvania, regardless of insured status or ability to pay. They are a well-respected pipeline for recruiting and retaining compassionate, competent physicians, training nearly 800 physicians since inception in 1976. The Wright Center is a community-owned and governed nonprofit asset, actively cultivating a workforce development pipeline and positively impacting the communities served. The mission of the Wright Center for Community Health and its affiliated entity, the Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, is to improve the health and welfare of our community through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve.
Q: What will be covered in the session?
A: The session is geared toward answering questions that are most likely to be on everyone’s minds, such as, “How do vaccines work in the immune system,” “Why do vaccines help reach herd immunity” and “How are mRNA vaccines different” plus efficacy and what it means to the average person, risk vs. the benefit of immunization, vaccine timeframe for different populations, potential local sites for obtaining the vaccine, side effects,and putting myths and inaccurate information to rest.
Q: How do you participate?
A: Patrons may register for this presentation by emailing kandrews@albright.org, and as it is virtual, anyone in need of information may attend.
Q: Why is this event unique?
A: This program will be presented by Jignesh Sheth, M.D., chief medical officer at the Wright Center for Community Health, and it is unique not only because it has a wide reach in providing crucial information, but unlike printed information, it provides the opportunity for people to ask questions of a medical professional in real time and hear answers to questions posed by others that they might not have thought to ask.
To participate
Laura Rysz is the features copy editor and calendar editor at The Times-Tribune and runs the Talk of the Times column, which focuses on local fundraisers and other events. She also writes Chef’s Table that profiles restaurants around the region. Additionally, Laura curates events online on AccessNEPA.com. Laura is involved in the special Mother’s Day edition and curates occasional features Marry Memories and Times Travelers. She is a graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School, New Jersey, and earned an English professional writing degree with a minor in mass communications from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre. She also earned a certificate in Social Media Marketing from Rutgers Business School. Contact: lrysz@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5228.
