Health and Health Care
Mission
To improve the quality of life and standard of living for the residents of northeastern Pennsylvania through examination of health status, health care delivery, healthcare costs and insurance.
Purpose
The task force is comprised of diverse groups of professionals to convene and participate in creating policy solutions based on evidence and best practices that have the potential to impact legislation and beyond. With Institute support, the task force will examine a variety of issues related to provider reimbursement, access, and other issues included in the health care reform act.Key data and trends concerning reimbursement, competition, and uncompensated care will be examined and policy statements will be developed as appropriate.Research may include both primary and secondary work.
The task force will provide insight into the health and healthcare indicators as appropriate to ensure a comprehensive, high quality set of benchmarks of health and healthcare status. The task force will work with staff to generate funding for a market study of patients and their appraisal of health care and providers in northeastern Pennsylvania to assess why millions of dollars are spent o n accessing healthcare outside the region on an annual basis.
Health and Health Care Research
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Institute Research
Task Force Members
- Dr. Julie Byerley, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine – Chair
- Karen Baker, Senior Advancement Director, Johnson College
- Danielle Breslin, President & CEO, Moses Taylor Foundation
- William Conaboy, President & CEO, Allied Services
- Laura Ducceschi, President & CEO, Scranton Area Foundation
- Joseph Hollander, Executive Director, Scranton Primary Health Care Center
- Tiffany Jaskulski, Chief Operating Officer, The Wright Center
- Maria Montoro Edwards, President & CEO, Maternal & Family Health Services
- Ben Payavis, Chief Content Officer, WVIA
- Raymond E. Petren, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Human Development & Family Studies, Penn State Scranton
- Paul Rushton, Esq., Partner, Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald LLP
- Anthony Salva, LCSW, BCN, Integrative Mind and Body Services
- Bette Saxton, Community Member
- Jignesh Y. Sheth, MD, Chief Medical Officer, The Wright Center
- Laura Toole, Executive Vice President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute
Dr. Jolene Carey-Pace joined The Institute Team in 2021 as a Research Analyst. In 2023, she was named Senior Research & Policy Analyst. 
Sarah, a former Institute intern, joined The Institute in April 2021 as a Research Assistant. She started her new role as a Research Analyst in January 2024.
In 2026, Ooms will serve as an advisor to the President & CEO, provide staff professional development, provide support services and participate in some research, and serve as a board member.
Jill Avery-Stoss, MBA is President and CEO of The Institute, a nonprofit organization offering community-based research and analytics in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Since joining the team in 2018, she has assumed various executive leadership duties. She was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2022, assumed the role of President in January 2025, and acquired CEO responsibilities in January 2026. Jill is also an Aspen Institute Workforce Leadership Fellow.