Key Takeaways
- • The Greater Scranton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association renamed a chapter-named nursing program endowment at Penn State Scranton as the Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli Memorial Nursing Program Endowment on Sunday, Oct. 4.
- • The endowment will continue to support students in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing at Penn State Scranton.
- • Sebastianelli, a Jessup native who died May 4 at age 68, spent more than 30 years as director of athletic medicine for Penn State Athletics and medical director of Penn State Sports Medicine.
- • He served 16 years as chief of staff at Mount Nittany Medical Center and Mount Nittany Surgical Center and was head team physician for Penn State football under four head coaches.
- • The event was attended by 14 members of the Sebastianelli family, alumni, and university officials, including Penn State Regional Chancellor Menah Pratt.
Summary
The Greater Scranton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association honored the life and legacy of Wayne J. Sebastianelli on Sunday, Oct. 4, with the formal renaming of an existing chapter-named nursing program endowment at Penn State Scranton. The event took place at the Waldorf Social Club in Dunmore, Pa. The renamed fund, now the Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli Memorial Nursing Program Endowment, will continue to support students enrolled in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing at Penn State Scranton.
Sebastianelli, a Jessup native and Valley View High School graduate, died May 4 at age 68. He spent more than 30 years as director of athletic medicine for Penn State Athletics and medical director of Penn State Sports Medicine, and served as head team physician for Penn State football under four head coaches. He was widely respected for his expertise in preventing and treating athletic injuries, including concussions. He also served as associate dean for clinical affairs at the Penn State College of Medicine's University Park Regional Campus, director of the Sports Medicine Fellowship, and associate chief medical officer for Penn State Health in the State College region. He spent 16 years as chief of staff at Mount Nittany Medical Center and Mount Nittany Surgical Center.
Chapter President Jeffrey Mallas said the renaming reflects the chapter's commitment to supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals and preserves Sebastianelli's connection to Northeastern Pennsylvania and Penn State. Attendees recounted Sebastianelli's role in responding to the 2000 spinal cord injury suffered by former Penn State football standout Adam Taliaferro during a game against Ohio State, where his immediate assessment and continued involvement in recovery became part of a widely followed story. Fourteen members of the Sebastianelli family attended, including his wife, Michele, his mother, Elaine, and his brother, Joe. Penn State Regional Chancellor Menah Pratt, faculty and staff from local campuses, and former Nittany Lion football player J.R. Refice also attended. Chapter members presented a commemorative plaque to the family.
The Penn State Alumni Association presented Sebastianelli with its Honorary Alumni Award in 2023, and he was a generous supporter of the university, including the College of Medicine and Intercollegiate Athletics. Gifts to the endowment support the university's land-grant mission, according to the university's release, which directs readers to raise.psu.edu for more information.
Sebastianelli, a Jessup native and Valley View High School graduate, died May 4 at age 68. He spent more than 30 years as director of athletic medicine for Penn State Athletics and medical director of Penn State Sports Medicine, and served as head team physician for Penn State football under four head coaches. He was widely respected for his expertise in preventing and treating athletic injuries, including concussions. He also served as associate dean for clinical affairs at the Penn State College of Medicine's University Park Regional Campus, director of the Sports Medicine Fellowship, and associate chief medical officer for Penn State Health in the State College region. He spent 16 years as chief of staff at Mount Nittany Medical Center and Mount Nittany Surgical Center.
Chapter President Jeffrey Mallas said the renaming reflects the chapter's commitment to supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals and preserves Sebastianelli's connection to Northeastern Pennsylvania and Penn State. Attendees recounted Sebastianelli's role in responding to the 2000 spinal cord injury suffered by former Penn State football standout Adam Taliaferro during a game against Ohio State, where his immediate assessment and continued involvement in recovery became part of a widely followed story. Fourteen members of the Sebastianelli family attended, including his wife, Michele, his mother, Elaine, and his brother, Joe. Penn State Regional Chancellor Menah Pratt, faculty and staff from local campuses, and former Nittany Lion football player J.R. Refice also attended. Chapter members presented a commemorative plaque to the family.
The Penn State Alumni Association presented Sebastianelli with its Honorary Alumni Award in 2023, and he was a generous supporter of the university, including the College of Medicine and Intercollegiate Athletics. Gifts to the endowment support the university's land-grant mission, according to the university's release, which directs readers to raise.psu.edu for more information.
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