Chappell Williams to retire from Penn State Health
Lynette Chappell Williams, vice president and chief diversity officer of Penn State Health, has announced her retirement from Penn State Health, effective Friday, Nov. 29.
Chappell Williams joined Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health in November 2015 as their first chief diversity officer and associate dean for diversity and inclusion, and was named the health system’s inaugural vice president and chief diversity officer in 2020.
“Lynette has been responsible for significant milestones in creating a more diverse and inclusive environment at our health system,” said Deborah Addo, interim chief executive officer, president and chief operating officer of Penn State Health. “As a result of her work, she has helped broaden gender, racial and ethnic diversity among senior leadership, established partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities, and developed protocols to prevent bias toward patients.”
Her work to prevent bias toward patients was among the first of its kind in the nation and was featured in the Wall Street Journal.
Chappell Williams’ success and contributions are underscored by Penn State Health’s recognitions as a best employer for diversity by Forbes, Military Times, the Human Rights Campaign and Disability Index. In addition, she has been acknowledged locally and nationally for her work, including recognition as Latino Connection’s workforce diversity champion, inclusion in the 2023 Power of Diversity: 100 Women and, for the last three years, being among Becker’s Hospital Review “Hospital & Health System Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer to Know.” Most recently, she received the Lancaster NAACP Health Equity Award.
Upon Chappell Williams’ retirement, oversight of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team will shift to Wesley Payne McClendon, vice president and chief learning and organizational development officer for Penn State Health.
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