Berks county Archives - Page 10 of 23

Reading Hospital offers 10 full tuition scholarships for surgical technology students

Reading Hospital is offering 10 full tuition scholarships for surgical technology students this year.

The selected students, who will study at Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences, will commit to working for three years at Reading Hospital in exchange for the approximately $17,800 tuition coverage. Program fees of $2,500 will be paid by the students.

The hospital said the current class of four students were also provided a prorated two-year scholarship.

Surgical technologists are allied healthcare professionals who provide direct patient care during surgery, the hospital said. They work side by side with surgeons, registered nurses, anesthesia care providers, and other multi-disciplinary healthcare team members to provide quality patient care in the operating room.

“Students in our Surgical Technology program participate in traditional classroom instruction, develop their clinical skills in our state-of-the-art simulation skills lab, and complete more than 900 hours of clinical practice during their enrollment at Reading Hospital,” said Debbie Rahn, director, Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences. “Our graduates are prepared for their careers and for more than 10 years our students have had a 100% pass rate of the Surgical Technologist National Certification Exam.”

The Surgical Technology program is a cooperative degree program between Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences and Alvernia University. Upon completion of the 20-month program, students graduate with an Associate Degree in Science and a Diploma in Surgical Technology.

Students also earn Da Vinci Robotic certification during the program.

Graduates of the Surgical Technology program are eligible to sit for the Surgical Technologist National Certification Exam from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) upon completion of the program.

The Surgical Technology Program at Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences was established in 1969 and has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) since 1997.

Dr. Charles Barbera, Reading Hospital president and CEO said, “For more than 130 years the Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences has been providing superior educational programs. Reading Hospital is proud to provide this unique scholarship opportunity to our incoming students who, in turn, will become our colleagues at the hospital to help fulfill our mission of providing high-quality healthcare to our communities.”

A Conversation with: Philip Leinbach, president of AEM Architects in Reading

LVB: AEM provides architectural services for a wide variety of industries. Which ones are keeping you the busiest right now?

Leinbach: Our mainstay has been K-12 educational facilities since our company’s inception in 1974. That continues today and makes up about 85% of our current workload. We also have ongoing projects for higher education and commercial clients as well. We pretty much cover all areas of design except for the residential market.

LVB: Trends in architecture are always changing. What are the latest trends?

Leinbach: With respect to education, flexible use spaces are increasing in demand. Classrooms and learning spaces must be readily adaptable to different types of instruction and activities. Mobile desks (tables that nest or can be arranged in several configurations), mobile chairs, and flexible teaching areas are a must. Coupled with ever-changing technology, there is a move away from dedicated workstations to one-to-one programs at all grade levels. Tablets and laptops that provide interactive use with classroom displays are increasing. Classroom projectors are being replaced with large screen displays as they are becoming more affordable.

LVB: Is green building still popular?

Leinbach: There is still a draw for “green” design, but this varies based on the client. Many green practices have become more mainstream and are now inherent in design to comply with codes or simply because the “green” technology has now become more affordable (necessity is still the mother of invention) and sensible.

LVB: Has the pandemic impacted design?

Leinbach: Demands for improved air quality, the ability to have better separated personal space (social distancing), and the limiting of touch points are back at the forefront of good design practices. Better filtration and air quality are fairly simple to incorporate in new systems. Renovations are sometimes more difficult but often

have ready solutions. Having the space to social distance in classroom spaces is more readily accommodated with flexible design solutions for new construction. Existing facilities sometimes face challenges with established class sizes and the efficient footprint (smaller) classroom sizes.

LVB: Has the rising price of materials impacted decisions made in the design process?

Leinbach: Absolutely. We are trying to make decisions early in the design process regarding the selection of structural systems/members, building envelope, mechanical equipment, etc. Many of these items have long lead times and therefore are subject to increasing inflationary pressures that place a premium on cost and time on bid day.

The rising cost of fuel is one of the biggest pressures we are facing. The cost of transporting material, equipment, and labor to the construction site simply cannot be avoided. Additionally, petroleum-based products are common across all trades from asphalt paving, piping, to wire insulation. These costs are changing constantly making it difficult to estimate and receive solid bid day pricing.

Wolf touts state investment in new Berks formula manufacturer

Young mother Isabella Torres talks about the difficulty of finding infant formula with the current shortage. –

Governor Tom Wolf and a number of other state officials were in Reading Wednesday to promote the state’s investment in the new ByHeart infant formula manufacturing facility that opened there in March.

Now in operation at a time when the nation is dealing with a significant shortage of infant formal, Wolf told employees of ByHeart that their work was more important than ever.

“This is a new way for nursing children to get what they need at a time when there is a shortage,” he said.

He noted that Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program provided a $1.75 million grant towards the expansion at the facility.

ByHeart is one of only five infant formula manufacturers in the country and is the first new formula manufacture to open in the U.S. in the past 15 years.

ByHeart acquired the facility in 2019 and updated it rather than using a third-party contract manufacturer as is more common in the industry.

Mia Funt, president and co-founder of ByHeart said five years ago her company set out to take ownership of the formula supply chain to create a healthier formula, which is closest to actual breast milk.

But she said she was pleased that besides reaching their goal to create a better formula for infants, they were able to open at a time when there was a critical need to bring more formula to market to make up for the shortages.

“Our commitment was to create a formula closer to breast milk,” Funt said. “Little did we know how important that decision would be today.

Among those speaking at the event was Isabella Torres, a young mother who lives in Reading who will be attending college in the fall.

She said despite her efforts to breast feed her son, ultimately, she chose to feed him infant formula and it’s been a struggle to find the formula he needs.

“They say breast is best, but I say fed is best,” said Torres.

She expressed her gratitude to ByHeart for bringing more formula to market so that mothers can provide for their babies.

Wolf also said the new manufacturing facility is a strong boost to the Berks County and Pennsylvania economy.

“There is no other state in this country that can lay claim to what is going on here,” he said.

Grants awarded to Berks County programs to address health-related issues

The Home Health Care Foundation Fund of Berks County Community Foundation awarded grants to five programs addressing health-related issues in Berks County.

Two meal examples, lemon chicken and salmon, are pictured – PHOTO PROVIDED –

The $143,500 grants are intended to help organizations that help residents recover from illness or disability at home, support preventative health care and provide health-related charity care to residents, the foundation said.

The Home Health Care Foundation Fund has distributed $658,700 in grants since it was established at the Community Foundation in 2020.

The grants for this round of funding:

$40,000 to Berks Encore for its “Medically-Tailored Meal Program.” In this pilot program, 25 individuals will receive two medically tailored meals and one snack per day, seven days per week, for 12 weeks.
$40,000 to Western Berks Ambulance Association for ongoing cardiac monitor replacements.
$30,000 to Opportunity House to turn two storage rooms into bedrooms for shelter residents recovering from illness, replace 75 shelter mattresses, and support the salary of a new social worker who will coordinate a program for at-home testing and recovery from COVID.
$27,000 to the YMCA of Reading & Berks County for the “Blood Pressure SelfMonitoring Program,” which is designed to help adults with hypertension lower and manage their blood pressure by focusing on regular self-monitoring. The grant will cover the cost for 108 participants in the first year of this program, including blood pressure monitors and cuffs for each participant.
$6,500 to John Paul II Center for Special Learning for “Medical and Mental Health Crisis Preparedness.” The center said the pandemic highlighted the center’s need to expand its medical supplies and to train to respond more quickly to medical emergencies and mental health crises.

This fund will accept applications for another round of funding from June 1 until August 15.

Programs that serve Berks County and/or those counties that are contiguous to it are eligible to apply. Berks County organizations receive preference.

The maximum amount available per organization is $40,000. To apply, visit bccf.org and click on “apply for a grant” under “Scholarships + Grants” in the website menu or go to http://bccf.link/grants.

RKL names partner to lead Small Business Services Group

Lancaster-based RKL LLP named one of its partners from Berks County to lead the firm’s Small Business Services Group.

Daniel Nickischer will lead a team of RKL advisors to serve the tax, accounting and financial needs of small business owners and direct firm wide efforts related to quality control, client service and workforce development.

He succeeds James Ostrowski who led the Small Business Services Group for seven years and remains a partner with the firm, RKL said.

“We congratulate Dan Nickischer as he embarks on this opportunity to help shape our firm’s future, advance our strategic objectives and enrich the lives of our team and clients,” said RKL CEO Ed Monborne. “We also acknowledge Jim Ostrowski’s leadership and contributions to the growth and evolution of the Small Business Services Group over the past seven years.”

Nickischer specializes in compiled and reviewed financial statements, employee stock ownership plan accounting, and corporate, partnership and individual tax services, the firm said.

He earned the Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional designation in January 2020. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Construction Financial Management Association.

Nickischer holds a B.S. in Accounting from West Chester University and a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Pittsburgh. He resides in Amity Township, Berks County, with his wife and daughter.

The Rodale Institute selected to receive federal money for agricultural sustainability

The Rodale Institute, Berks County, is one of 23 projects across the state to receive a federal grant intended to grow markets and increase the quality, safety and sustainability of the state’s specialty crops.

Pennsylvania’s Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding PHOTO/PROVIDED

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture today announced more than $2.45 million in federal grants for the state’s vegetable, fruit, nut and nursery specialty crops.

Rodale will receive $159,800 to evaluate yield and nutrient levels carried over and accumulated in soil, bean and broccoli crops in cropping systems that will include cereal crops. Rodale will disseminate results to stakeholders at grower meetings and field days.

“Pennsylvania specialty crops feed our state, our nation and our planet,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “These grants increase profits and sustainability by increasing quality, protecting crops from pest, disease and climate threats, and helping growers attract and train the workforce they need to keep producing healthy, high-quality crops to feed the world.”

Federal Specialty Crop Block Grants are funded by the federal Farm Bill and awarded in a competitive process administered by the department, according to the Department of Agriculture. The federal definition of specialty crops includes horticultural products such as fruit, vegetables, tree nuts, culinary herbs and spices, medicinal plants and nursery crops.

The 23 projects funded include those that will grow the state’s agriculture industry by improving food safety; battling disease, pest and climate threats; expanding farm markets in urban areas; assessing economics of growing hops to meet demands of the state’s booming craft brew industry; protecting pollinators the state’s agriculture industry relies on; harnessing the talents of youth and recruiting and retaining a culturally and ethnically diverse workforce, the department said.

A Conversation With: Lori Lentz, director of extended learning at Kutztown University

LVB: Kutztown is looking to study the workforce needs of Berks County for programming to begin in the fall. Tell me about what you’re working on.

Lentz: The Office of Extended and Lifelong Learning at Kutztown University is developing training for employers in Berks and Lehigh counties who are interested in providing opportunities to their employees for upskilling and career advancement. Adults who are curious about college but not sure if they are ready to commit to a degree program can admit into certificate programs, which are about 3 to 4 classes. We are also facilitating Senior Scholars, which is a program for the 50+ age group and will offer non-credit, short topics such as wine-tasting events, photography, etc. beginning in summer.

LVB: Are there particular industries you’re concentrating on?

Lentz: We are working with KU’s SBDC to offer training on WEDnet, which is government funded. We are focused on developing training that can assist employees and employers in local industry.

LVB: What are the biggest workforce needs that you see in Berks County?

Lentz: We are currently canvassing local industry to determine needs. Soft skills such as communication, leadership, critical thinking, and the ability to work in a team are in demand. Training in computer programming, problem solving and analytical skills, and software is also in demand.

LVB: How do you think that Kutztown can help?

Lentz: KU can help in several ways. Employees can increase their marketability for in-demand careers with a certificate. KU also offers many certification options in Education. KU can help with accelerated degree pathways by offering summer and winter online courses, awarding credit for prior learning, or pursuing a completion program. KU also offers online and hybrid degrees.

LVB: How can employers get involved with Kutztown’s workforce training efforts?

Lentz: Employers, employees, and nontraditional students may access KU’s workforce training and extended learning at https://www.kutztown.edu/about-ku/administrative-offices/extended-and-lifelong-learning.html or they may call me at 610-683-4478.

Berks County firm among nine to receive PIDA low-interest loans

Heading up the fifth generation at F.M. Brown’s and Sons Inc. in Sinking Spring are Sue Brown, left, her sister Marianne Brown Egolf, and in back Cecil Campbell, left, and John Harrison. – Brian Pedersen

F.M. Brown’s Sons Inc. of Sinking Spring received a Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority low-interest loan to purchase processing equipment, Governor Tom Wolf said today.

The company received one of nine loans to support business growth that Wolf said will help create and maintain more than 375 jobs across the state.

“The PIDA loans approved today provide the support needed for nine businesses to expand and succeed,” said Wolf. “Through the acquisition of new property, the expansion of existing buildings, and the purchase of new equipment, this funding ensures these businesses can grow their operations right here in Pennsylvania.”

F.M. Brown’s Sons, through the Greater Berks Development Fund, was approved for a 10-year $700,000 loan at a 2.5 percent fixed interest rate to purchase processing and packing equipment for its 205 Woodrow Avenue, Sinking Spring, Berks County facility.

This loan will allow the company to purchase packaging equipment, holding bins, warehouse pallet racking, and conveyors required to fill their pet food bags at scale. The total project cost is $1,400,000 and the company has committed to creating ten new, full-time jobs and retaining 89 jobs within three years, a Wolf administration press release said.

To date in 2022, PIDA has approved $8,845,000 in low-interest loans that have resulted in $16,170,748 in private investment and supported 269 created and retained full-time jobs. Since 2015, PIDA has approved $361,778,277 in low-interest loans that have resulted in $727,981,169 in private investment and supported 14,765 created and retained full-time jobs.

New craft beer a collaboration of two Reading businesses

Justin Spannuth, COO of Unique Snacks, holds cans of Split Face with Rajavel Jagadesan, owner of Chatty Monks Brewing, in front of the bar at Chatty Monks. PHOTO/PROVIDED –

Chatty Monks Brewery and Unique Snacks, two Reading craft businesses, have partnered to create Split Face, an Amber Lager featuring a savory hint of pretzel.

Unique Snacks, a sixth-generation, 100-year-old pretzel bakery, partnered with the owners of Chatty Monks Brewing Company, a family business that features the finer delicacies of an Indian/American fusion experience, to collaborate on establishing a savory pretzel flavored craft beer for National Pretzel Day, celebrated April 26.

Chatty Monks’ brew master, John Stemler, infused Split Face with Unique Snacks’ Original Splits pretzels to create a flavorful and refreshing lager featuring 5.3% alcohol by volume and a subtle pretzel flavor that is quickly becoming a favorite at Chatty Monks, Unique Snacks said.

Split Face was introduced by Chatty Monks and Unique Snacks at the West Reading Craft Pretzel and Beer Fest on Saturday, April 22nd. The initial batch of Split Face will be available at Chatty Monks Pub in West Reading and select other locations.

Chatty Monks has already started planning to brew additional batches of Split Face and expand its availability.

“Reading has a thriving craft beer scene, and we are pleased to partner with a long-standing family-operated craft pretzel business in the community to create something unique to our region,” said Rajavel Jagadesan, owner of Chatty Monks Brewing.

Justin Spannuth, COO of Unique Snacks added, “There’s no better combination than pretzels and beer. It’s rewarding to collaborate with another local business to introduce something new that we could not accomplish individually. There has been a wonderful response to Split Face, so only time will tell what could be next.”

Walking tour of Reading celebrates Small Business Week

Celebrating Small Business Week, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Acting Secretary Neil Weaver toured downtown Reading today to highlight the importance of small businesses in the commonwealth.

Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Acting Secretary Neil Weaver PHOTO/PROVIDED –

The celebration is taking place May 1-7, as proclaimed by Governor Tom Wolf and Weaver encouraged Pennsylvanians to support their favorite local shops.

“The commonwealth is home to more than one million small businesses that employ about 2.5 million workers, and we are celebrating them during this special week,” Weaver said.

“I encourage every Pennsylvanian to take Small Business Week as an opportunity to support their favorite local businesses by visiting, shopping online, providing positive online reviews and recommendations, and tagging them on social media,” he said. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, so let’s do all that we can to support them this week, and every week.”

The tour celebrated the diversity and impact of small businesses on Pennsylvania’s economy and communities. Weaver outlined them as:

39.4 percent of small business owners are women

16.6 percent are racial minorities
4.2 percent are Hispanic/Latino
6.3 percent are veterans
13,690, or 88.2 percent, of Pennsylvania firms that exported goods in 2019 were small businesses – and small firms exported goods worth $12.5 billion
For every $100 spent at a small business, $48 goes back into the local economy in which the business is located

Weaver was joined by Mayor Eddie Moran and others on the walking tour that highlighted:

New Heightz Grocery Store – a bodega
The Great American Creamery – a micro creamery that makes soft serve and hand-dipped ice cream cones, sundaes, milkshakes and specialty frozen desserts
La Casa Del Chimi Restaurant – a Latin American restaurant
Juice Bar – a maker of healthy juices, smoothies, and bowls

American Barber and Beauty Academy – a beauty school that develops leading industry professionals

“Undoubtedly, we have a history of entrepreneurial excellence that has long lived in our city for decades. Small businesses allow our economy to progress — they are the heart and soul of our community,” Moran said, adding he is proud of the city’s small businesses. Their diversity, creativity, and resilience are remarkable, he said.

Moises Abreu, owner of New Heightz Grocery Store said being a business owner for the last nine years in the City of Reading has taught him a lot about himself. “It has developed a hidden gift from within me, which has been the compassion of the community. The success in my business is due to the community. So, when the question comes up of why I chose Reading to open up my business, I say Reading chose me!”

“We live here, work here, and play here,” said Lucine Sihelnik, owner, Great American Creamery. “We know that Reading is Ready – Reading is ready for entrepreneurs & investors; Reading is ready to host visitors for world-class entertainment; Reading is ready for a larger, more diverse workforce and industry; Reading is ready to grow into its role as the fourth largest city in the commonwealth.”

In addition to Reading, DCED will be visiting local businesses in several cities across the commonwealth as part of Small Business Week: Philadelphia (May 2); Bedford (May 3); Scranton (May 4); Erie (May 5); and Zelienople (May 6).

Tower Health names chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Reading Hospital

Reading-based Tower Health named Dr. Fernando Garcia chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Reading Hospital and medical director, Pathology Service Line for Tower Health.

Dr. Fernando Garcia joins Tower Health and Reading Hospital. PHOTO/PROVIDED

Garcia, who took the role in late February, is responsible for providing medical leadership and program development for the department, as well as integrating and evolving pathology services across Tower Health.

Prior to joining Reading Hospital, Garcia served as chair of Pathology at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Philadelphia. He served as chair of the Cancer Committee, overseeing the effort that achieved Accreditation with Commendation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center from the Commission on Cancer, Tower Health said.

He also spent 19 years at Drexel University College of Medicine, where he was a professor of Pathology, medical director of Immunopathology Laboratory, medical director of the Image Analysis Laboratory and medical director of Tissue Procurement Facility. He was later named the regional director Anatomic Pathology and medical director and service chief of Hahnemann University Hospital.

Garcia is a member of the American Society of Cytopathology, American Association for Cancer Research, The Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology, United and Canadian Academy of Pathology, the Peruvian National Academy of Medicine, and the American Society of Urologic Pathologists.

ByHeart celebrates FDA registration of Reading formula facility

ByHeart Manufacturing Facility in Reading, PHOTO/SUBMITTED –

ByHeart, a baby nutrition company, officially announced the FDA registration of its Reading manufacturing facility, becoming only the fourth vertically integrated U.S. infant formula brand to have full oversight of their production, supply chain and R&D.

The company said this enables it to rewrite the formula recipe from scratch and have control over every step of the process, from farm to formula – something no new infant formula entrant has accomplished in more than 15 years.

Pennsylvania government officials including State Senator Judith Schwank and Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding attended a ribbon cutting to support the $21.6M manufacturing investment ByHeart made to create the facility and infant nutrition center of excellence.

The company said it expects the new ByHeart facility will have meaningful impact nationwide. It noted that there are supply issues with infant formula in the current market, with retail stores across the US reaching nearly 30% out of stock inventory on infant formula last month.

ByHeart said its registration strengthens the fragile U.S. infant nutrition supply chain and seeks to mitigate the risk of formula shortages in the future.

ByHeart was awarded a $1.75 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant on behalf of the State of Pennsylvania for investments in ByHeart’s Reading facility.

“I’m thrilled to invest in innovation in the infant nutrition industry with $1.75 million in state support,” said Gov. Tom Wolf. “In addition to supporting good health from birth, this investment in ByHeart will create good jobs, economic impact, and support for agriculture in the commonwealth and indeed the entire country currently suffering from shortages in this supply – it’s an all-around win.”

In 2019, ByHeart acquired and updated the manufacturing facility in Reading rather than using a third-party contract manufacturer as is more common in the industry.

Work the company has done on the facility includes enhancements in preventative food safety measures to convert the plant from toddler food production to infant formula capability.

“We spent 2 years auditing infant formula plants around the world,” explained ByHeart CEO and Co-Founder, Ron Belldegrun. “We chose the commonwealth as our home base because of local expertise, rich agricultural heritage, and a commitment to furthering value-add Dairy, which – together with our expertise in infant nutrition innovation – has the potential to transform Reading into a national and global hub for the export of the most fundamental and vital food in the world.”

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Tag: Berks county

A Conversation with: Philip Leinbach, president of AEM Architects in Reading

Wolf touts state investment in new Berks formula manufacturer

A Conversation With: Lori Lentz, director of extended learning at Kutztown University

ByHeart celebrates FDA registration of Reading formula facility