Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with Pride event

Left: Admiral Rachel Levine, MD, assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, delivered the keynote address. Right: Don McKenna, president of Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, shows his support for Lynette Chappell Williams, vice president and chief diversity officer for Penn State Health.

Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine marked LGBTQ+ History Month with a vibrant Pride event on Oct. 10, bringing together staff, leaders and community members in a show of unity and support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Lynette Chappell Williams, vice president and chief diversity officer for the health system, opened the event by talking about Penn State Health’s progress toward health care equity for the LGBTQ+ community.

Admiral Rachel Levine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and former professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at Penn State College of Medicine, delivered the keynote address. She discussed the importance of health equity for all, emphasizing the need to value everyone equally and eliminate health disparities.

Leaders from Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine were recognized for their contributions in advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality. Dr. Hannah Wenger, Amy Keisling and Jess Schrodel of Community Health Equity and Engagement highlighted the services available at the health system and Penn State College of Medicine.

Bill Krenz, a founding leader of the LGBTQ+ and Allies Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) at Penn State Health, reflected on the group’s beginnings and evolution. Other BERG leaders, including Brad Mikitko, Jamie Jones and Lorie Fisher, shared stories of the group’s perseverance and growth over the years.

Local community organizations such as Alder Health and the LGBT Center of Central PA provided resources and connection with Pride event attendees. Entertainment included performances by Lizzie Beaumont, a former Penn State Health nurse, and the Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus.

“This Pride event was a powerful reminder of Penn State Health’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and a recognition of the rich history and ongoing contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to the health system,” Chappell Williams said.

The Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s LGBTQ+ and Allies BERG hosted the event.

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