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Mount Nittany Health’s Sleep Lab Receives Five-Year Accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Posted on by Chamber of Business & Industry Centre County

Mount Nittany Health is pleased to announce that its Sleep Lab, located within the Sieg Neuroscience Center, was recently awarded a five-year accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). This prestigious recognition acknowledges the Sleep Lab’s commitment to excellence in patient care, and adherence to rigorous quality standards.

Accreditation by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine represents the gold standard for sleep medicine programs, signifying their dedication to providing the highest level of care to patients with sleep disorders.

“The process for accreditation is intense,” said Gregory Ruff, MD, Pulmonary Medicine, Sleep Medicine, and Critical Care, Mount Nittany Health. “The criteria is extremely strict. Many labs that apply have to revise their application several times, and they may only be approved on a provisional status. I am proud that we accomplished the approval on the first attempt.”

This impressive recognition highlights the Sleep Lab’s commitment to maintaining exceptional standards in all aspects of sleep medicine, including clinical care, staffing, and testing protocols. The accreditation process evaluates the lab’s compliance with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s Standards for Accreditation, which cover a comprehensive range of areas such as patient safety, equipment, facilities, policies, procedures, and quality assurance.

Mount Nittany Health’s Sleep Lab consistently demonstrated its dedication to patient well-being and the advancement of sleep medicine. The lab is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of experts, including board-certified sleep medicine providers, registered sleep technologists, and skilled support staff. Equipped with modern diagnostic tools and a patient-centered approach, the Sleep Lab provides personalized treatment plans for a wide range of sleep disorders.

To schedule an appointment with one of our sleep specialists, call 814.231.7277. Current Mount Nittany Health patients may also request an appointment online at MyMountNittanyHealth.com.

Grand-Opening Celebration of Stuckey Mitsubishi Super Centre

Posted on by Chamber of Business & Industry Centre County

Stuckey Automotive, the largest and fastest-growing automotive group in Central Pennsylvania, recently relocated its Stuckey Mitsubishi dealership from 150 Shiloh Road to 3400 East College Avenue, the former headquarters of the Centre Daily Times, in State College. The group also publicized that the dealership will be known as the Stuckey Mitsubishi Super Centre.

The dealership hosted a Chamber Business After Hours event and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening and to showcase its brand-new state-of-the-art sales and service operations.

The 40,000 square-foot building has been transformed into a stunning facility featuring a vast showroom with industrial finishes, conference rooms, employee areas, and a cutting-edge service center equipped with 13 two-post vehicle lifts, an alignment lift, and an onsite car wash. Stuckey Mitsubishi prioritized working with locally owned businesses throughout the renovation process.

“Stuckey Automotive’s collaboration with local businesses throughout the project showcases the importance of supporting one another and the company’s commitment to fostering growth and opportunity in our region,” said Greg Scott, president & CEO, Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County. “The Chamber is proud to call Stuckey Automotive a member, and we look forward to their continued success in Centre County.”

“We purchased the Centre Daily Times building in the summer of 2021 and started construction the following March. Throughout the highs and lows of construction, one date kept us going – April 20, 2023, the date we planned to host the Chamber’s Business After Hours event and the grand opening of the Stuckey Mitsubishi Super Centre,” added Matt Stuckey, president, Stuckey Automotive. “The Centre County business community has embraced our team and this project from the beginning. We’re overwhelmed by the compliments and heartfelt support.”

Stuckey Mitsubishi Super Centre’s service center operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The sales center, which offers an extensive inventory of new and used Mitsubishi models, as well as preowned vehicles, is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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To learn more about Stuckey Mitsubishi Super Center, visit www.stuckeymitsubishi.com.

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Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County Hosts 2023 National Civics Bee

Posted on by Chamber of Business & Industry Centre County
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The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, hosted the 2023 National Civics Bee on April 17 at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub in State College.

The Bee is a statewide initiative to encourage middle-school students to showcase and grow their understanding of, and appreciation for, the rights and duties of American citizenship.

Five other local chambers from across Pennsylvania are also engaged with the Bee. Middle-school students from across Centre County were invited by the Chamber to write essays about how they would use their knowledge of civics to solve a problem facing their communities. Twenty students advanced to the live-quiz event and competed in two rounds of multiple-choice questions about the Constitution, the branches of government and more.

Five finalists then answered questions about their essays from a panel of judges comprised of state Rep. Paul Takac (D-82nd District), state Sen. Cris Dush (R-25th District) and U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-15th District), Carolyn Donaldson of Kish Bank, and Charima Young of Penn State.

David Price of the Rock Institute at Penn State served as emcee.

​The Torron Group was the sponsor of the Civics Bee.

Katie Tyworth, an eighth grader at Mount Nittany Middle School in State College, won first place and a $1,000 cash prize. Sol Lee, also a student at Mount Nittany Middle School, took home the second-place cash prize of $500, and Starlyn Gearhart of Philipsburg-Osceola Middle School walked away with a third place trophy and a $250 cash prize.

​All three students now have the opportunity to represent Centre County at the statewide National Civics Bee to be held in Harrisburg in June.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Sounds Alarm on Civics-Education Crisis

Posted on by Chamber of Business & Industry Centre County

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) just handed out the Nation’s Report Card on Civics and U.S. History for eighth graders. The results are an alarming wakeup call.

Nearly 80 percent of 8th-graders are NOT proficient in civics – the largest decline in scores since 1998.

In addition, public trust in government is at an all-time low of 18 percent. Forty-seven percent of Americans can’t name the three branches of government, and 52 percent of young people think democracy has failed or is in trouble.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation President Carolyn Cawley issued a statement on the release of the 2022 NAEP U.S. history and civics results, also known as the Nation’s Report Card.

Read the full statement here.

Key takeaways of results from the Nation’s Report Card include:

  • A larger percentage of students (79 percent) perform below proficient in civics, compared to 2018 (76 percent).
  • Only 49 percent of students report taking a class mainly focused on civics. Those who do take a civics-focused class in eighth grade score higher than those who do not.
  • The results underscore the need for immediate action: Civics education must become a national priority, both inside and outside the classroom.

The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County is teaming with the U.S Chamber of Commerce Foundation to elevate civics as a national priority and educate Americans about the critical link between democracy and capitalism. We know informed and active citizens make for a strong country, a strong economy and a strong workforce.

Our vision is for every American to have the knowledge, skills and disposition to ensure our continued prosperity and long-term competitiveness.

Our first major initiative is the National Civics Bee – a competition to encourage young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Participating middle schoolers flex their civics knowledge for a chance to earn recognition, win prizes and educate others along the way.

The Chamber recently hosted the Centre County 2023 National Civics Bee – one of 50 competitions across nine states.

Meet the winners and see photos of the Bee here.

Businesses of all sizes in the Centre region can help bridge the civics gap and support our schools through civics-learning initiatives like the Centre County National Civics Bee, which the Chamber will host again in 2024.

Be sure to keep up to date by visiting our website at www.cbicc.org and take the quiz to test your own civics knowledge.

Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County Appoints Todd Dolbin as Vice President of Economic Development

Posted on by Chamber of Business & Industry Centre County

The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County proudly announces the appointment of Todd Dolbin as its new Vice President of Economic Development. As a Centre County native, Dolbin brings with him 18 years of experience in economic and workforce development, international business expansion, and community development.

“Appointing Todd underscores the Chamber’s dedication to fostering smart, sustainable growth for Centre County. Todd’s extensive experience and deep local roots will be invaluable in enhancing the region’s economic vitality,” says Greg Scott, President & CEO of the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County.

Dolbin previously served as the Deputy Director for Baltimore County’s Department of Economic and Workforce Development. He managed performance operations and executed the County’s economic development, workforce development, and tourism divisions. He also held leadership positions in the Baltimore City Government, directing tax incentive programs and Foreign Trade Zones.

“I am honored to return home and join the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with local businesses and community leaders to stimulate economic growth, generate jobs, and maintain a thriving business community,” Dolbin said.
In his new role, Dolbin will spearhead the establishment of an economic development council, oversee the development of a county-based economic strategic plan, and oversee business engagement, workforce development, international business expansion, and community development initiatives for the Chamber.

After graduating from Penn State, Dolbin spent two years teaching English in Kanazawa, Japan. Upon his return to the United States, he served as an International Business Consultant at Saint Francis University Small Business Development Center, leading trade missions to Australia, Ukraine, and Argentina.

Dolbin earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and International Business, minors in Economics and International Studies from Penn State, an MBA from Towson University, and a Certified Global Business Professional certificate. He is an avid skier and outdoor enthusiast, enjoying live music, kayaking, camping, and hiking.

Todd and his wife, Emily, both Centre County natives and State College Area High School graduates, are relocating with their two young daughters from Towson, MD, to State College. Todd began his tenure with the Chamber on May 15, 2023.  
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For more information about the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County and its commitment to economic development, please visit our website at www.cbicc.org.