Volunteers in Medicine, Leadership Northeast Team Hold Ribbon-Cutting

Wilkes-Barre Volunteers in Medicine welcomed community members, partners, and supporters for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of a transformative wellness initiative created by the Leadership Northeast team, Warriors in Wellness.

The event marked the official unveiling of several new patient-centered wellness enhancements at the no-cost clinic, made possible through more than $5,200 in monetary and in-kind donations raised through grassroots fundraising and partnerships with local businesses.

The Warriors in Wellness team designed the initiative after conducting a patient surveyto better understand barriers to health and wellness. The findings underscored the needfor accessible hydration, opportunities for connection, and simple wellness resources.

“These insights made it clear that health goes beyond clinical care,” said Kelly Ranieli, executive director of Wilkes-Barre VIM. “This project reflects what our patients told us they needed most: connection, hydration, and support. We are grateful to the Warriors in Wellness team for listening and responding with compassion and creativity.”

During the ribbon-cutting, attendees toured the new wellness features, which include a hydration station; reusable wellness kits containing water bottles, tote bags, and supportive health resources; and new socialization and wellness activities designed to reduce isolation and foster community.

“This project is a testament to what happens when community members come together with purpose,” said Chloe Guerra, Warriors in Wellness team member and administrative fellow at Geisinger. “The Warriors in Wellness team is proud to support this invaluable program for so many patients and families.”

Warriors in Wellness team members include Alysha Davis, WellSpan Health; Kyra Fauerbach, King’s College; Chloe Guerra, Geisinger; David Kale, Family Services Association of NEPA; Lisa Malarkey, Luzerne County Head Start; Amanda Nicotra, UGI; and Patricia Wilmot, Peoples Security Bank and Trust.