Multicultural employee groups seek new members
Penn State Health’s Multicultural Business and Employee Resource Groups (BERGs) have expanded to all regions and are looking for new members to help promote cultural awareness.
The next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 11, noon to 1 p.m., and will take place virtually. Contact Hector Ortiz, program manager for diversity and inclusion, to join the discussion.
Shifting demographics
The demographics for Penn State Health’s employee and patient populations are changing. The U.S. Census Bureau has reported that individuals who identify as white and non-Hispanic in the United States declined from 63.7% in 2010 to less than 58% in 2020. By 2044, populations currently classified as racial ethnic minorities (Asian, Black and Native American/Alaskan Native) will collectively represent the majority of our country, and by 2065, there will no longer be a single racial/ethnic majority group.
These demographic changes provide the backdrop for the establishment of the Penn State Health Multicultural BERGs. They were created to promote cultural awareness within the workforce, provide networking and professional development opportunities for racial/ethnic background employees, and provide support for increasing racial/ethnic diversity by participating in recruitment and retention events and building a strong presence in minority communities.
Join the discussion
A Multicultural BERG is now available in every region of the health system, each with its own leader and executive liaison. All of the groups are looking for employees to get involved.
Dauphin Region
The Dauphin Region group is led by Carey Brevard, director of environmental and linen services at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Brevard has led the organization since 2020, following Dr. Thyagarajan Subramanian of Neurology. The group has hosted events such as a conversation with the Derry Township police chief that focused on creating positive community relations with minority communities and a symposium for increasing minority participation in clinical research. It also co-hosted a Diwali celebration with the Dauphin Region Interfaith BERG.
Lancaster Region
Madeline Feliciano-Weiser, clinical nurse coordinator at Penn State Cancer Institute, has embraced the leadership role for the Lancaster Multicultural BERG. “The Lancaster Region Multicultural Business and Employee Resource Group allows individuals to engage in meaningful and applicable opportunities of learning and understanding toward the richly diverse communities of Lancaster County.”
This group, one of the newest, is seeking employees to help identify what projects and initiatives can be put into place to support employees at Lime Spring Outpatient Center, Lancaster-based Medical Group practices and the future Lancaster Medical Center.
West Shore/Cumberland Region
Erica Wilkins, clinic lead for Penn State Health Endocrinology at Holy Spirit, leads the West Shore/Cumberland Multicultural BERG. This group will include all of the medical practices in this region.
Berks Region
Jennifer Rios, medical office supervisor at Penn State Health Medical Group ─ Muhlenberg, will lead the Berks Region Multicultural BERG. Employees in any medical care environment in the Berks Region are encouraged to attend.
All multicultural group monthly meetings are one hour long and virtual to maximize opportunities for employees to actively participate. Interested employees can join a group any time throughout the year by contacting Hector Ortiz.
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