Edward J. Dzielak, DO, FACP
(Eastern Region)

Edward J. Dzielak, D.O., FACP, is a dual board-certified physician in internal medicine and geriatric medicine. He serves as the program director for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Geriatrics Fellowship Program and provides care to patients over the age of 65 at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley Practice in Jermyn, Pennsylvania.

He has spent more than four decades contributing to the fields of geriatrics, medical education, and critical care.

Dr. Dzielak earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Scranton and his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Following his residency in internal medicine at the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, now The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, he became a cornerstone of the program.

He served as the coordinator of the Scranton Temple-Residency Program from 1981-2015, moderating grand rounds, guiding morning report attending, and overseeing the EBM Journal Club. As the geriatrics subspecialty chief from 1988 to 2017 and the critical care subspecialty chief from 1989 to 2009, Dr. Dzielak played a pivotal role in shaping the training and careers of countless medical residents and fellows.

Dr. Dzielak came out of retirement to serve as the founding geriatrics fellowship program director at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. His leadership and mentorship have been instrumental in the success of The Wright Center’s geriatrics service line and fellowship program. Dr. Dzielak’s efforts have resulted in the center being designated as an Age-Friendly Health System and the introduction of an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care program, modeled after an award-winning initiative from UCLA.

He has also held several significant positions outside of The Wright Center. Dr. Dzielak served as director of medicine and director of the intensive care unit at Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton for 35 years, where he established the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) that assists hospitalized older adults in recognizing, preventing, and treating delirium.

Dr. Dzielak was the recipient of the Bost Award. It recognizes a community leader who most demonstrates inspiration, guidance, and support for The Wright Center’s mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve.

In addition, Dr. Dzielak serves as a faculty member and student mentor at The Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Scranton. His extensive contributions to medical literature include publications in the Archives of Internal Medicine, now called JAMA Internal Medicine, and the Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis. His pioneering work on geriatric care and low molecular weight heparin dosing in the elderly highlights his focus on practical, impactful research that directly benefits patient care.

His involvement in projects and initiatives such as NICHE ACE (Nurses Improving Care to the Hospitalized Elderly Acute Care Elder Unit), and the Memory Clinic, both a Moses Taylor Hospital, and the Elder Abuse Task Force of Lackawanna County has improved the quality of care for elderly patients.