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Month: September 2023

Keller Engineers, Inc. Hires in Transportation and Survey Division

Posted on by Jeannine Lozier

Keller Engineers, Inc., with locations in Hollidaysburg, State College, Gettysburg, PA and Haddonfield, NJ is a full-service engineering firm providing client-focused civil and structural engineering, and surveying services.

Keller Engineers, Inc. is proud to announce the hiring of Martin Biesinger, PLS, in the Survey Division and Nathan Cunningham in the Transportation Division.

Martin is a Professional Land Surveyor with over 30 years of surveying and land planning experience, including but not limited to: Boundary, ALTA, Deformation/Monitoring, AsBuilt, Geodetic, and Hydrographic surveys. He also has prior experience in the construction industry, overseeing daily operations at work sites and coordinating with subcontractors to ensure project completion in an efficient manner. Martin holds an Associate Degree in Surveying Technology from The Pennsylvania State University. In addition to his varied work experience and educational background, he is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving from 1986-1994 as a Boatswains mate on the U.S.S. W.S. Sims (FF1059).

Nathan is a current student at the Pennsylvania College of Technology pursuing an Associate Degree in IT Network & User Support. He joins our Transportation Division with an extensive background in IT and technology. He has experience with numerous network and security programs, as well as advanced programming. Nathan is also a recipient of the Jersey Shore Steel Scholarship which is available to students at Pennsylvania College of Technology who maintain at least a 2.5 minimum GPA and is a family member of a current or former employee at Jersey Shore Steel. He is a 2021 graduate of Altoona Area High School and previously worked in the retail, restaurant, and delivery service industry prior to joining us at Keller Engineers.

Geisinger’s new Addiction Medicine Program welcoming applicants

Posted on by Chamber of Business & Industry Centre County

Training is for physician assistants and nurse practitioners to provide addiction care in primary care settings

 

Geisinger’s Addiction Medicine Program has received a $2.5 million federal grant to support an  Addiction Medicine Advanced Practitioner Training Program for physician assistants (PA-Cs) and certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs).

The goal is to train advanced practitioners to identify and care for patients with substance use disorder and opioid use disorder — especially people living in rural areas where other options for care are limited.

The first training class will launch in January, with new classes beginning each July and January over the course of the five-year grant. Applicants must be board certified and maintain an active Pennsylvania advanced practitioner license. 

“Studies have shown that Pennsylvania communities — particularly those in rural areas — struggle with access to substance use disorder treatment options, putting more strain on our hospitals,” said Margaret Jarvis, M.D., chief, addiction services for Geisinger Addiction Medicine and the Geisinger Neuroscience Institute. “Putting well trained advanced practitioners in primary care sites will provide a stable environment for long-term treatment of addicted patients. Because they’re treated in their communities, it’s easier to help them stay on course.”

The 12-month program includes lectures and in-clinic training. It will focus on mental health and substance use and opioid use disorder services, including the use of medications to treat opioid use disorder.

To receive an application, visit go.geisinger.edu/apaddictiontraining.

Chamber Hosts Healthcare Forum

Posted on by Jeannine Lozier

A sold-out crowd of Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) members gathered to discuss the evolving healthcare landscape in our region.

Speakers included:

  • Kurt Kissinger, Chief Strategy and System Development Officer at Mount Nittany Health
  • Kirk Thomas, Chief Administrative Officer of Geisinger Western Region
  • Heather Franci, MBHA, BSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Penn Highlands Healthcare

The panel addressed pivotal topics in healthcare, including the cost of care, how AI is currently impacting healthcare, investments in access to care, and how they are addressing the healthcare workforce shortage.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor

Lead Sponsors

 

Bronze Sponsors

Don’t miss our next Voice of Business Luncheon: State of the County on Thursday, October 5, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Discovery Garden Kaleidoscope Dedicated

Posted on by Jeannine Lozier

The new interactive kaleidoscope at the Discovery Garden in Holidaysburg, was officially dedicated to the community at a ceremony on Thursday, September 14th.  

Numerous civic leaders, volunteers, and garden enthusiasts took part in the festivities, as live music, refreshments, and door prizes greeted all in attendance.  The fete took place during the garden’s anniversary week, marking 23 years since one parcel of the Legion Park property transformed into the Discovery Garden. 

The Blair County Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30pm.  Chamber ambassadors and staff joined volunteers from the Discovery Garden, the Women’s Club of Altoona, Skills of Central Pa staff members, and the Mayor, for a grand photo opportunity in front of the kaleidoscope.   

When the public reception at began at 5:30pm, Holidaysburg Mayor Joe Dodson was first at the microphone to welcome the community to the garden.  Next, were remarks and expressions of gratitude from JoAnn Propcheck, representing both the Women’s Club of Altoona and the Blair Garden Club, and Skills of Central Pa CEO Val Barner.  Finally, Leslie Smith, of the Discovery Garden Committee, dedicated the kaleidoscope to the community.   

The kaleidoscope was designed and constructed by R.L. Anderson, one of the world’s most renowned kaleidoscope artists.  As a permanent fixture now residing the in the Discovery Garden, visitors of all ages can enjoy the merging of nature and physics at the Discovery Garden all Spring, Summer, and Fall. 

Throughout the party, Sophie Kahn delivered beautiful music from her concert harp.  The young harpist is supported by Skills of Central Pa’s Employment Services division. 

About The Garden: 

The Discovery Garden, a project of the Skills Foundation, is an award-winning public garden located in Legion Park, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, adjacent to the Kids’ Kingdom Play Park, at 1501 N Juniata St., Hollidaysburg.  For more information, visit www.discoverygardenpa.com 

Since its opening in 2000, the Garden has become a community and regional sightseeing and gathering destination. This beautiful and peaceful place is dedicated to the memory of Courtney Leigh Claton.  In 2008, Discovery Garden earned the Community Greening Award presented by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Alliance; the award recognizes the creation and maintenance of a public green space that enhances the community. The Discovery Garden is handicapped accessible and includes a Horticultural Therapy Garden maintained by individuals from Skills of Central PA.    

Other specialty gardens in this inviting botanical space include the Cottage Garden, which earned the 2016 “Garden of Distinction” blue ribbon from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; the Time Garden, which contains one of the largest horizontal sundials on the East Coast; and the Children’s Garden, which includes a potting shed, a rabbit hole tunnel and a rainbow garden. The Discovery Garden also contains the Planting Garden, comprised of raised beds planted in the spring by local elementary school students. Dedicated volunteers maintain this community garden; they work every Thursday morning from April through mid-October.  

GET Solar Communities Centre Region

Posted on by Jeannine Lozier

With the quickly rising cost of electricity and the new federal incentives available for those going solar, now is the time to explore how going solar on your own property can save you money. Many Pennsylvanian companies and organizations have saved thousands to millions of dollars in energy costs over the life of their solar systems, with many more expected to go solar in the next few years.

That’s why a local group of community leaders have partnered with the PA Solar Center (a statewide nonprofit) to form GET Solar Centre Region. GET Solar Centre Region will provide businesses, nonprofits, and community property owners with free technical assistance and financial guidance on going solar – namely, how it can save them money.

For example locally, University Mennonite Church installed their 27.75 kW solar array in June 2023. The 75 solar modules are designed to offset 100% of the church’s annual electricity consumption. This will save them an estimated $96,000 in energy costs over the next 25 years.

Want to know how your company or organization can do the same? Plan to attend one of the free informational meetings scheduled at noon on September 19th, and 20th over Zoom.
We will be teaching some creative ways organizations like yours could reap the benefits of solar energy. You can expect to learn more about the following:

  • Tax credits
  • Grant programs
  • CPACE
  • Technical assistance
  • USDA REAP program grants and loans

The PA Solar Center will even offer a free assessment of your company’s solar potential and can issue RFPs for estimates from qualified solar developers. The PA Solar Center will review the bids with you and help you make sense of them — serving as your unbiased guide through the whole process.


If you are interested in attending, please register here: GET Solar Centre Region (pasolarcenter.org). Can’t attend but are interested in learning more? Contact Pam Adams at Centre Region COG, padams@crcog.net.