OUR 2021 Keynote Speakers
Dr. Ada-Nkem Emuwa, MD, MPH, FAAFP
University of Pennsylvania - Lancaster General Health
Dr. Ada-Nkem Emuwa, MD, MPH, FAAFP
University of Pennsylvania - Lancaster General Health
Dr. Ada Emuwa, MD, MPH, FAAFP is a Family Physician, Diversity and Inclusion advisor, The University of Pennsylvania - Lancaster General Health
Race based discussions can arise in the work place and have an effect on well-being, therefore it is important to acknowledge and understand how to address them.
KEYNOTE SUBJECT: Race based discussions in the work place
With an interest in preventive medicine and community health, Dr. Ada-Nkem Emuwa has worked as the Head of HIV Programs, as the Medical Director of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and as a Director of Public Health Initiatives at health centers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Dr. Emuwa pursued a career in Medicine at Yale University, obtained a Master’s in Public Health degree at Harvard University and completed her residency training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia in Family Medicine. She has been honored as a Fellow with the American Academy of Family Physicians. She currently works at The University of Pennsylvania - Lancaster General Health system as a Family Physician and a Diversity and Inclusion advisor. She is also involved in leadership with The Wheel of Hope Initiative that globally provides programs in education, health and economic empowerment to women and children in underserved communities.
Adrian Shanker
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
Adrian Shanker
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians experience health disparities pervasively. This keynote will include both data and healthcare consumer narratives to address barriers to care head-on.
KEYNOTE SUBJECT: LGBTQ – needs assessment & health disparities: Barriers to Care
Adrian Shanker is editor of Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health and executive director of Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown, PA. A specialist in LGBT health policy, he developed leading-edge health promotion campaigns to advance health equity through behavioral, clinical, and policy changes. Adrian administered data collection for the 2015, 2018, and 2020 Pennsylvania LGBT Health Needs Assessments. Adrian serves as Commissioner and health committee co-chair on the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs.
THE 2021 Event Speakers
Geoffrey M Roche
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Geoffrey M Roche
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Geoffrey M Roche, MPA is the Executive Director of Strategic Healthcare Initiatives and Partnerships, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
An overview of why both the social determinants of health and the political determinants of health are both vital if we are to advance a more equitable Commonwealth.
Geoffrey has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Moravian College and a Master’s in Public Administration from East Stroudsburg University. He has also been certified through various leadership development programs including Crucial Conversations, LeaderShape, and as a fellow with the National Rural Health Association. Geoffrey currently serves on the President’s Cabinet at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology where he leads all healthcare business development, healthcare relationships, and clinical partnerships as Executive Director, Strategic Healthcare Initiatives and Partnerships.
Joseph A. Troncale, MD MFA DFASAM
WellSpan/ Philhaven START program CCBHC
Joseph A. Troncale, MD MFA DFASAM
WellSpan/ Philhaven START program CCBHC
Joseph Troncale, MD MFA DFASAM is an attending physician in the WellSpan/ Philhaven START program CCBHC in York.
The treatment of substance use disorders requires an understanding of the physiology and psychology of the individual. There are many complicating factors involved in moving individuals from compulsive use of chemicals to a place of safety and healing. This presentation attempts to cover the salient features of the physiology and psychology of comprehensive treatment.
Andrea Murray, MPH
Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH)
Andrea Murray, MPH
Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH)
Public engagement is critical to overcoming mistrust and building confidence in diverse communities. This engagement is more likely to be impactful if the process is established and designed so that public values are translated into practice and policy.
SUBJECT: Trusted Messengers- Influencing Change in Diverse Communities
Andrea Murray, MPH is a Project Manager at the Penn State College of Medicine. Andrea joined the College of Medicine in 2018 and has interests in in rural health, racial and ethnic minority health, and social determinants of health. Projects she manages are funded by the NIH, Patient-Centered Outcome Research (PCORI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She serves as the Project Director for the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant the AHeaD with Community Health Workers Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award as well as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
Dr. Tee Okasi-Nwozo
DC Central Kitchen
Dr. Tee Okasi-Nwozo
DC Central Kitchen
Creating a diverse workforce and implementing an equitable and inclusive work environment is extremely valuable to any organization. In this session, we will discuss practical solutions to driving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
SUBJECT: Building and Practicing Inclusion, A practical guide to implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in the workplace
Dr. Tochukwu (Tee) Okasi-Nwozo joined DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) in April 2016, as Chief Human Capital Officer, and has over 20 years of experience developing and implementing talent management practices and programs at both strategic and operational levels. As an accomplished Human Resources professional, she has managed the people function for organizations in the nonprofit and private sectors; and has led human resources capacity-building efforts for international organizations. At DCCK, Dr. Tee oversees the organization’s talent management lifecycle, including talent acquisition, employee engagement, career development, and performance management, as well as their diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.
Dr. Tee received a PhD from Howard University, an MBA from Georgetown University, and a BA in Women’s Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. She is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SHRM-SCP) and is also a Gallup-certified Strengths coach.
Bev Weinberg, OTD, MS, OTR/L
Integrate for Good
Bev Weinberg, OTD, MS, OTR/L
Integrate for Good
Through research-sharing, story-telling and video, this interactive session will share how Integrate for Good empowers transition-age students and adults with disabilities to share their talent as experts in civic engagement. We will share how our neuro-diverse teams lead volunteer engagement events on college campuses and within companies as part of corporate social responsibility initiatives.
SUBJECT: Removing the Extra Glove, Empowering People with Disabilities to Lead
Dr. Bev Weinberg is an Occupational Therapist with a passion for enhancing community engagement for individuals of all abilities, with a special focus on partnering with individuals with developmental disabilities. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, and her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Temple University. Dr. Weinberg returned to Temple and received her Clinical Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy in May of 2016, along with a Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Temple University Fox School of Business.
Dr. Bev Weinberg has over twenty years of experience in service delivery, research, training, and program development. Dr. Bev Weinberg is passionate about helping individuals who are often the recipients of assistance assume leadership roles as providers of service to their communities. She has partnered with corporations and local, national, and international non-profit organizations to create innovative opportunities for individuals of all abilities to build social capital and community connection. Bev Weinberg brings this passion and experience to Integrate for Good as the Founder and Executive Director.
Julie Myers, MPH
Bureau of Family Health
Julie Myers, MPH
Bureau of Family Health
This presentation will cover what is known regarding health equity for individuals with traumatic brain injury, highlight gaps in knowledge and the research, and provide practical steps for advancing health equity for this population.
SUBJECT: Advancing Health Equity for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury
Julie Myers is the Program Administrator for the Bureau of Family Health's Traumatic Brain Injury programs. She is involved in several grant projects involving education and training for traumatic brain injury, school reentry, and neuroresource facilitation. Her background includes teaching and public health research and education. She serves on the Board Logistics and Support Team for Pennsylvania's Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board. She is a graduate of Penn State College of Medicine with a Master of Public Health in Health Systems Organization and Policy.
Dr. Scott McCraken, MD
WellSpan Community Health Center
Dr. Scott McCraken, MD
WellSpan Community Health Center
Gender diverse individuals (LGBTQIA+) have always been part of our communities. Understanding the biology and health of the gender diverse population gives perspective on how we marginalize groups, and what we might do to reverse that – to be more inclusive.
SUBJECT: Transgender Health and Implications for Building an Inclusive Community
As a Chemistry and Physics major at Wesleyan University, Scott McCracken was too geeky to think about medicine. But after six years as an electrical engineer, including several as a volunteer EMT, he finally applied to medical school. Dr. McCracken is now a board-certified family medicine and wilderness medicine physician practicing in a community health center in York, PA. He is particularly interested in intersections of the pure sciences, underserved populations, and health, such as addictions, transgender health, climate change, and health policy, and has been a teacher and physician leader in those areas for over 10 years.
William A Charpentier
National Guard
William A Charpentier
National Guard
Many members of the National Guard join with the expectation of “one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer” obligations. The current operational environment is demanding much more time from the Service and family member.
SUBJECT: Current Operational Environment Impact on the National Guard
William A. Charpentier is a 31 year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve and Pennsylvania Army National Guard having retired 2014.
Mr. Charpentier’ s career was split between the Armor branch and human resources. He was the Chief of Operations for Multi-National Division (North) in Bosnia and served as the 28th Infantry Division G1 in several short deployments in Egypt and various western and eastern European nations. His final duty station was with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s Service and Family Member Support division of the State’s J1 where he oversaw the State Family Programs branch, Resiliency, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention branch, Yellow Ribbon Reintegration branch, Employment Outreach branch and several smaller organizations.
After retirement, Mr. Charpentier continued to serve the veterans, Soldiers and Families of the National Guard as a contracted Transition Assistance Advisor for the state of Pennsylvania, a position he held for 6 years.
His current position is the Eastern Lead for the Soldier and Family Readiness Specialist. This position is a part of the State Family Programs for the National Guard.
His military awards include 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 4 Army Commendation Medals, 2 Army Achievement Medals, the NATO Medal, 6 Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals.
He received his baccalaureate degree in History from Slippery Rock University.