Our Commitment

General goals

What does diversity mean to us? We broadly define it as encompassing (at minimum): racial, ethnic, and cultural heritage; gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation; socioeconomic status; nation of origin; veteran status; disabilities; religious affiliation, beliefs and observance; and scholarly discipline.

We are working to increase the diversity of our incoming classes at all levels, and continuing to grow the diversity of our faculty through both local and global outreach efforts. We envision an environment that thrives on the diversity we cultivate here, and we invite anyone interested to become involved with our efforts.

Our Diversity Action Plan

There are four main tenets of our diversity action plan:

To change the face of academic nursing so that it reflects the diversity of our global society.

To foster a climate that attracts, retains, and promotes diverse faculty members, with a special focus on groups who are traditionally underrepresented in academic nursing.

To make our school a preeminent model of diversity and inclusivity among top-tier institutions.

To support the integration of inclusivity, social justice, gender sensitivity, and cultural knowledge into nursing science, education, and practice.

Diversity and Inclusivity Committee

The Diversity and Inclusivity Committee (DIAC) serves as an advisory committee to the Dean and also as a catalyst for creating an inclusive School of Nursing environment.

Dr. Ross Johnson , Faculty Co-Chair
Practice Associate Professor of Nursing Biobehavioral Health Sciences

Heather Kelley, Staff Co-Chair
Deputy Director, RWJF Future of Nursing Scholars Past Chair, Penn Professional Staff Assembly

Amani Abdallah, Research Staff Representative
Project Manager for Community Engagement

Lucia Dinapoli, Administration Representative
Director of Strategic Initiatives for Administration

Holly Marrone, Ex-officio, Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development

Dr. Lisa Lewis , Ex-officio
Calvin Bland Fellow, Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusivity

LaShauna Connell, Program Coordinator, Office of Diversity & Inclusivity Program Coordinator

Staff and supporters walking down Broad Street at a rally on July 16th.

Hahnemann Hospital Closure - and History of the Midwives Who Worked There

Hahnemann’s Nurse-Midwifery practice was founded by two Penn graduates. Numerous Penn students had the opportunity to learn at Hahnemann, and some joined the practice after graduation.

Penn Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health recognizes the closure of Hahnemann as a major loss in access to reproductive health and choice in Philadelphia, and a devastating example of the priority of profit over the health of the community.

General goals

Our Diversity Action Plan

Diversity and Inclusivity Committee

Recent News:

Hahnemann Hospital Closure - and History of the Midwives Who Worked There