Long time family physician and 20-year hospital executive Dr. Joseph Mussoline, DO, will be presented with the Black Diamond Award at the annual Lansford Alive Christmas dinner.

Bob Silver, president of Lansford Alive, said, “Our annual holiday dinner is a positive, uplifting occasion where residents, volunteers, lay persons and professionals can break bread together in a spirit of community and camaraderie. We also take the opportunity to recognize a person, group, or business that has long been a positive part of the fabric of Lansford.”

The award is given annually to recognize a community business, nonprofit or individual who has made significant contributions to the Lansford community.

Silver said that with Mussoline’s decades of family medical practice in Lansford, and his long tenure as chief of staff at St. Luke’s Miners campus in Coaldale, the group is pleased to present him with the emblem of community recognition.

A graduate of Hazleton High School, Mussoline earned a Bachelor of Science degree from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency training at Richmond Heights Hospital in Ohio.

Following residency, he began his career as a staff physician at Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg.

Mussoline subsequently spent 26 years as a staff physician at St. Luke’s Miners Campus, where he also served as chief of staff for 20 years. In addition to his hospital leadership roles, he maintained a long-standing private practice at Panther Valley Family Practice from 1985 until joining St. Luke’s Physician Group in 2020.

Mussoline and his wife, Janine, are the parents of three children and the grandparents of nine. Their family includes Katie Thompson and her husband, Brian; Justin Lindemuth and his wife, Vanessa; and Marissa Mussoline and her significant other Dylan. Their grandchildren are Aiden, Jameson, Isabella, Kennedy, Jackson, Ava, Shep, Rori and Kora.

Beyond his professional commitments, Mussoline values time spent with his family, particularly attending his grandchildren’s activities and milestones. He and his family enjoy annual trips to Kalahari and vacations in Stone Harbor.

He also continues his family’s Italian culinary traditions, including preparing Easter pies and homemade ravioli. In his leisure time, Dr. Mussoline enjoys hiking with his dog on Quakake Mountain and riding his motorcycle.

The dinner will be held on Dec. 12 at American Legion Post #123, 3 W. Ridge St., Lansford. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a social hour and cash bar. The buffet dinner and award program will follow at 6:15 p.m. Catering will be provided by Capriotti’s of McAdoo.

All members of the community are invited to attend. Seating is limited.

To reserve tickets, contact Lansford Alive board member John Greybosh at Community Bank by visiting the Lansford branch or calling 570-645-3193. Reservations are due by Dec. 4.

Payment accepted by cash or check, with checks payable to “Lansford Alive” and sent to P.O. Box 172, Lansford, PA 18232.

To learn about meetings, events, and membership, visit the Lansford Alive page on Facebook. facebook.com/LansfordAlive.