U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. of Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz visited several healthcare institutions in Northeastern Pennsylvania on Wednesday. Their itinerary included tours of Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton, Moses Taylor Hospital, and the Francis S. and Mary Gill Carrozza, R.N. Health Sciences Center at Luzerne County Community College.
During their visit to the Regional Hospital of Scranton, Rep. Bresnahan and Dr. Oz toured the Heart & Vascular Institute, including the Cath Lab and Intensive Care Unit, accompanied by Tenor Health CEO Radha Savitala and hospital leadership. They met with doctors, nurses, support staff, patients—including Lisa Phillips Chervanka—and discussed local healthcare challenges.
“Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital are a cornerstone of healthcare in our region, and our visit showed firsthand the lifesaving work being done right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “Our focus must remain on ensuring long-term stability, expanding access to care, addressing workforce shortages, and delivering the reliable healthcare our communities deserve. I’m grateful to Administrator Oz, CEO Radha Savitala, and all the local leaders who joined our conversation about the future of healthcare in our region.”
Administrator Oz commented on Bresnahan’s efforts: “This hospital would not be open today if it wasn’t for Rep. Bresnahan,” said Administrator Oz. “He recognized how vital it is for Northeastern Pennsylvanians to have access to high quality healthcare, and from the beginning, he did his job and made sure the facility remained open to provide care. I was honored to tour the facility and see how it continues serving its community. I know Rep. Bresnahan will continue to fight for healthcare in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and I look forward to seeing this hospital succeed.”
Following their tour at Regional Hospital of Scranton, Rep. Bresnahan, Administrator Oz, Mrs. Savitala and other stakeholders held a roundtable discussion with hospital leadership as well as representatives from local government and educational institutions. The group addressed topics such as partnerships between schools and hospitals; gaps in pediatric care; continuity of care across Northeastern Pennsylvania; rural health funding; workforce shortages; capital investment needs; working capital needs; federal-state-local collaboration; as well as ways to improve community health outcomes.
Tenor Health CEO Radha Savitala expressed appreciation for continued collaboration: “We were honored to welcome Congressman Rob Bresnahan and Dr. Mehmet Oz to our Scranton hospital facilities this week. It was a great opportunity to showcase the dedicated work of our physicians and staff, and to discuss the important role our hospitals play in serving this community,” said Savitala.“We are grateful for Congressman Bresnahan’s continued support and partnership as we focus on strengthening and growing our hospitals under Tenor Health Foundation.This is an exciting new chapter for our hospitals,and I personally look forward to working with Congressman Rob Bresnahan to help ensure we have the resources necessary to meet both our capital investmentand working capital needs.Together,we are focused on long-term stability,growth,and expanded accessto high-qualitycarefor theregion.”
Later that day,BresnahanandOzvisitedtheHealthScienceCenteratLuzerneCountyCommunityCollegewhere they participatedin hands-on trainingwithstudentsandfaculty.They observedCPRtraining,testedvirtualrealitygogglesdesignedtoteachmedicalprocedures,anddiscussedworkforcepreparationwithcollegeleaders.
“Luzerne County Community College is creating real hands-on opportunities that are preparing students for meaningful careers in healthcare,and it was a privilege tonot onlysee these opportunitiesinaction,buttotryitoutourselves,”saidRep.Bresnahan.“Theinnovativetechnologyandtrainingprogramson displayherearehelpingtobuildthenextgenerationofhealthcareprofessionals.IwasproudtojoinAdministratorOzinhighlightinghowcriticalstrongcommunity-basedtrainingprogramsaretostrengtheningourhealthcareworkforceandensuringfamiliesacrossourregionhaveaccesstoqualitycare.”
AdministratorOzadded:“ThestudentsandfacultyatLuzerneCountyCommunityCollegearetrulyexceptional,anditisinspiringtoseesomanyyoungpeoplesteppinguptoserveinthehealthcarefield.Weknowthatwhennursestraininacommunitytheywilllikelystayinthecommunity.Ourgoalistomakethattrainingmoreaccessibleandachievablesowecanstrengthenandgrowthenursingworkforceincommunitiesacrosstheregion.”
LCCC President John Yudichak also welcomedthevisit:“WewerehonoredtowelcomeDr.OzandCongressmanBresnahantoourHealthScienceCenter.TheirvisithighlightstheincredibleworkourfacultyandstudentsaredoingtoadvancehealthcareeducationinLuzerneCounty.Experienceslikethisinspireourstudentsandstrengthenourcommitmenttocommunity-focusedlearning.”
Dr.Kim Olszewski,LCCC DeanofNursing&HealthSciences,supportedthissentiment:“HavingDr.OzandCongressmanBresnahantouroturHealthScienceCenteroffersauniqueopportunitytoshowcasethehands-oninnovativeprogramswprovide.Ourstudentsarededicated,passionate,andthiskindofrecognitionemphasizesthereal-worldimpactoftheireducation.”
Dr.RussBigus,LCCCVPofAcademicAffairsconcluded:“Visitsliketoday’sremindusofthevitalconnectionbetweenhighereducationandpublichealthinitiatives.It’sexcitingtoshareourprogramsandstudentachievementswithleaderswhounderstandtheimportanceofpreparingthenextgenerationofhealthcareprofessionals.”
