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Penn State Health employees named Inclusion Academy Champions

Nearly 30 Penn State Health employees became Inclusion Academy Champions during fiscal year 2024-2025. Academy programs help employees better understand cultural differences and their impact on health care, so they can deliver culturally responsive care to all patients.

“We congratulate employees who achieved Inclusion Academy supporter, advocate and champion levels last year,” said Hector Ortiz, program manager for Diversity and Inclusion. “We must all commit to creating safer and inclusive environments where individuals feel welcomed, respected and valued without regard to their culture, religion or worldview.”

Participants achieve award levels by attending the academy’s educational programs. They also can earn continuing medical education and nursing credits.

“The series has been an excellent learning opportunity. My clinical standard of care has been enhanced, creating positive change in outcomes for the population I serve,” said Nancy McNally, case manager, Penn State Health Care Partners, and a 2024-2025 Inclusion Champion.

2024-2025 Inclusion Champions are:

  • Carrie Appleby, medical office associate, Penn State Health Medical Group ─ East Pennsboro
  • Chande Bachmann, case manager, Population Care Management
  • Andre Belcher, associate project manager, Information Services
  • Brittney Bogar, quality improvement advisor, Hershey Medical Center
  • Alyson Brooks, administrative assistant, St. Joseph Medical Center Pharmacy
  • Kendra Durdock, case manager, Population Care Management
  • Jordanna Eaby, clinical supervisor, Hershey Medical Center
  • Brenda Eckert, nurse manager, Hershey Medical Center
  • Aimee Fernback, diabetes nurse educator, St. Joseph Medical Center
  • Heather Habig, laboratory quality assurance specialist, Hershey Medical Center
  • Marinda Herring, registered nurse, Employee Health
  • Devon Hoch, project manager, Information Services
  • Karen Lahr, chief sonographer, Vascular Ultrasound, Lancaster Medical Center
  • Stephanie LaMar, project specialist, Virtual Health
  • Ellen McDevitt, compliance coordinator, Human Resources
  • Nancy McNally, case manager, Penn State Health Care Partners
  • Kirsti Miller, professional coder, Hershey Medical Center
  • Jessica Patel, diabetes nurse educator, Hershey Medical Center
  • Mary Piri, case manager, Population Care Management
  • Lisa Platt, triage nurse, Penn State Health Medical Group ─ Fishburn Road
  • Jennifer Quillen, senior administrative assistant, Penn State Health Medical Group
  • Debra Randler, administrative associate, Hershey Medical Center
  • Nancy Seidel, nursing manager, Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute
  • Serdar Ural, obstetrics and gynecology physician, Hershey Medical Center
  • Joel Valvo, transitional care associate, Hershey Medical Center
  • Stacey Walmer, clinical case coordinator, Population Health
  • Stephanie Younger, medical assistant, Penn State Health Medical Group ─ Mount Joy

Champion-level participants attended at least nine culturally responsive care, experiential learning or on-demand sessions and viewed at least four microlearning videos. Recognitions for all three levels may include email signature designation, a certificate, food voucher, pins, tote bag and newsletter recognition.

Last year, the academy provided 77 educational programs that engaged nearly 2,600 participants. Online programs for the current year can be viewed here. Both Penn State Health employees and Penn State College of Medicine faculty, staff and students are invited to participate.

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