Benefactors, scholarship recipients meet to discuss students’ futures as local doctors

SCRANTON – Members of a group that supports Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s mission to keep promising young, local doctors practicing right here recently met with medical students benefiting from their financial aid.

Since 2009, the Taylor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Health and Wellness Fund of the Luzerne Foundation (TNR) Scholarship has encouraged qualified medical students from Avoca, Dupont, Duryea, Moosic, Old Forge or Taylor to remain in the region and serve their neighbors.

The event brought together members of the Taylor Long Term Care Center Board of Directors and scholarship recipients Aaron Piavis of Wapwallopen and Jude Polit-Moran of West Pittston to discuss the students’ experiences in medical school and their career plans. 

“I was delighted to introduce the board members to our current scholarship recipients,” said Jane Kanyock, MBA, CFRE, director of major gifts at Geisinger Commonwealth. “Our School of Medicine is grateful for the longstanding partnership we enjoy with TNR. Their generosity has already placed several of our graduates in local hospitals and clinics working to improve the well-being of our communities, with many more in residency training who intend to do the same.”

In 2009, TNR provided two scholarships to the inaugural class of 2013. Since 2014, TNR’s philanthropic gifts have provided annual scholarships.  

Past recipients include: 
• Alexander Anzelmi, MD, Class of 2021
• Frank Anzelmi, MD, Class of 2017
• Sabrina Brunozzi, MD, Class of 2019
• Jordan Chu, MD, Class of 2019
• Eric Drago, MD, Class of 2017
• Cassandra Graeff, MD, Class of 2017
• Jason Homza, MD, Class of 2020
• Nicole Marianelli, MD, Class of 2019
• Bhumi Patel, MD, Class of 2017 

The scholarship, based on need, merit and involvement in community activities, is prioritized to Geisinger Commonwealth students who intend to practice in northeastern Pennsylvania. It’s awarded by the board of directors of the Taylor Long Term Care Center to benefit natives of the geographic area that the nursing facility serves.

About Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) is a member of the Geisinger family. GCSOM offers a community-based model of medical education with campuses in Danville, Lewistown, Scranton, Sayre and Wilkes-Barre. Geisinger Commonwealth offers Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a portfolio of graduate degrees. The school’s innovative curriculum, focused on caring for people in the context of their lives and their community, attracts the next generation of physicians and scientists from within its region, as well as from across the state and the nation. Geisinger Commonwealth is committed to non-discrimination in all employment and educational opportunities. Visit www.geisinger.edu/gcsom.