Demicha Rankin, MD

Dr. Demicha Rankin, MD Associate Dean of Admissions

As Associate Dean for Admissions at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Dr. Demicha Rankin, MD, provides strategic direction and leadership for all activities to the Office of Admissions. She is firmly rooted in the medical school’s mission to recruit a highly qualified, diverse body of students to train a physician workforce capable of addressing health care disparities in their embarkment towards healthcare and research. She is also the Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Department of Anesthesiology, and has been very involved with the medical center’s antiracism and equity efforts.

Karisa Augustine

PRW Director of Pipeline Programs

Karisa Augustine is a dynamic professional with a proven track record of leadership and impact across diverse roles and industries and currently serves as the Director of Pipeline Programs at PRW. As the Program Director and Co-Founder of the Pipeline Dreams High School Health Careers Exploration Program, she has spearheaded a transformative 12-week public health initiative for high school students. This program empowers students, primarily from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue medical and healthcare careers. To date, she has mentored an impressive 117 students from 5 states, hosted 43 medical and healthcare guest speakers, and organized 10 campus tours of medical schools, while securing over $120,000 in program funding through successful grant applications. In her role as Chief Marketing Officer at Konquered, she led content development and marketing strategy for four brand subsidiaries, contributing significantly to the development of their unique brand identities. Her diverse skill set also extends to the development of various diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across industries. As a Chief of Staff, she closely collaborated with executive leadership, managed contracting operations, and spearheaded organizational development efforts, authoring and reviewing critical documents and executive reports. Her academic background and research expertise further bolster her professional profile. Serving as a Lab Director and Senior Research Assistant at the University of Pennsylvania, she engaged in critical methodological approaches to study race and racism in medicine. She collaborated with renowned Principal Investigator Dr. Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins in the Interpreting Attitudes towards Minorities in Medicine Research Group, co-authoring publications in esteemed journals. Additionally, she has a strong commitment to education and mentorship. Her experience with Attollo Prep's Fellowship Initiative allowed her to manage programming logistics and execution of a 6-week leadership and college access programs. She provided Attollo Scholars individual and group academic support, college preparatory planning, and career exploration for approximately 200 students. Her multifaceted career journey reflects her dedication to making a meaningful impact in the fields of public health, marketing, diversity, and education. She is passionate about empowering individuals, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to reach their full potential and create positive change in their communities.

Kayla Bolden

PRW Director of Programs

Kayla Bolden, MPH is a Public Health Analyst at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Director of Programs at Patients R Waiting. She has served as the Founder and Chairman of the Coordinating Committee for Safe Black Spaces at Agnes Scott College since completing her Bachelor's in Public Health and Psychology in 2018. Kayla recently served the Mercer University College of Health Professions for the past 3 years, where she also received her Master's in Public Health. These include as a Research Graduate assistant, an Adjunct Professor, a campus ambassador, and a department grant writer. In addition, Kayla assisted in developing the Diversifying Doulas Initiative through Patients R Waiting, which aims to improve maternal health for BIPOC birthing persons by providing compensated full-scope doula care over the past 2 years. Kayla has been honored with multiple awards, including the Women's Bridge to Business Award in 2018, the John Randall Hudson Award for Careers with Special Needs Populations in 2019, and most recently Outstanding Public Health Graduate Award in 2022. Kayla Bolden's passion for improving maternal health outcomes through Public Health Practices in medical spaces and the need to improve health equity among BIPOC communities led her to co-found the Lactation Learning Loop Initiative through Patients R Waiting. The Lactation Learning Loop Initiative promotes the improvement of postpartum outcomes among African American/ Black birthing persons by providing compensated postpartum doula care who encourage and advocate for breastfeeding. Since the implementation of the Lactation Learning Loop Initiative, it has been recognized by the Department of Health and Human Services and other local agencies in Pennsylvania. It has also helped contribute to the discussion and state policies surrounding doula services to be compensated by Medicaid. In the future, Kayla hopes to obtain her Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH) with a concentration in Social Epidemiology to continue to improve maternal health outcomes and health equity and reduce racism in Medicine.

Dr. Sharee Livingston

Founding PRW Board Member

r. Livingston was born and raised in the inner city of Harrisburg, PA. She always knew she wanted to become a physician. She expressed particular interest in Women’s Health at an early age. She started working as a candy striper at Community General Osteopathic Hospital at age 9. Dr. Livingston received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. She received her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Livingston completed a rigorous Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Penn State Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA. In 2006, she began practicing as an Ob/Gyn at UPMC Lititz. She is currently serving as the Ob/Gyn Department Chair. She is a member of the UPMC Lititz Board of Trustees. She is the highest volume female robotic surgeon in the county of Lancaster. Dr. Livingston is a Founding Board Member of “Patients R Waiting,” a non-profit organization that is very dear to her. The mission of Patients R Waiting is to eliminate health disparities by increasing diversity in medicine. She is a Co-Founder of the Diversifying Doulas Initiative which aims to improve maternal outcomes through doula support. Dr. Livingston is also a Co-Founder of FLOW (For the Love of Women). FLOW aims to eliminate menstrual inequity by providing free menstrual hygiene products to vulnerable women and people in Harrisburg and surrounding areas. Dr. Livingston was elected to Governor Shapiro’s Advisory Commission on Women. She is most honored to be one of the founders and president of MOKA moms (Moms of Kids Advancing – mothers of color in medicine). Dr. Livingston gains all her pride and joy as the wife of Ivan Anderson, her childhood friend and neighbor. Together, they are blessed to enjoy two daughters, Addison and Ainsley and twin boys, Ivan and Troy.

Dr. Cherise Hamblin

PRW Founder and Executive Director

Dr. Cherise Hamblin was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. She attended Bronx High School of Science and attended Franklin & Marshall College. During her F&M years she was active on campus, serving as Black Student Union Vice President, Admission office intern for Minority Recruitment, playing rugby and studying abroad in Guadalajara, Mexico. Dr. Hamblin graduated from F&M in 2003 with a double major in Biology & Spanish. She went on to medical school Northwestern University and completed her training in Obstetrics & Gynecology in Phoenix, AZ. Dr. Hamblin is passionate about working with the next generation of physicians and since her return to Lancaster she has worked with advisors, students and community organizers on various mentoring and exposure programs. She is the founder and president of Patients R Waiting, a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating health disparities by increasing diversity in medicine. She is a full time, board certified OBGYN. She enjoys doing surgery, delivering babies and caring for women of all ages. When she is not working, she enjoys family life with her husband, daughter and son.

Christopher Plummer, DO

UPMC Maternal Fetal Medicine

Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal Fetal Medicine, Dr. Pummer currently works as an Attending Physician in Maternal Fetal Medicine at UPMC Harrisburg. He was born and raised in New York City, and attended medical school at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine to graduate in the year 2000. Dr. Plummer then completed his OB/GYN residency at Nassau University Medical Center in 2004. He worked in Lancaster, PA at Women's and Babies Hospital as general OB/GYN from 2004-2007. Following this, he completed a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship at the Pinnacle Health-Harrisburg Hospital. Dr. Plummer has worked in private practice for 6 years at Albany Medical Center and StonyBrook Medical Center. He was on the NYS Maternal Mortality Review Board from 2019-2021, and has areas of interest in preeclampsia, preterm birth and maternal mortality and morbidity.

Lydia Castaneda

PRW Diversifying Doulas Initiative

Lydia is a certified doula who believes that birth should be as natural as possible for the health and well-being of the baby and the person giving birth. “I am the educated Latina they warned you about. 2020 I jumped headfirst into the call of Birth Work and have not looked back since. Through Patients R Waiting and their Diversifying Doulas Initiative, I was provided the resources I needed yet could not afford on my own to become a certified Birth & Postpartum Doula. The prophecy came to life. Fast forward 3 years later I am now a DONA certified Birth Doula, a certified Postpartum Doula through the National Black Doula Association, and the obsession has not stopped there. I have gone on to pursue training and certification as a Certified Lactation Educator, a Placenta Encapsulator, and a certification in Benkung Belly Binding, and I have no intention of stopping there. My deepest passion is advocacy, making sure that pregnant women and people not only know their human rights, but are well versed, confident, and empowered in those rights. While racism is the driving force to the Black & brown maternal mortality rate, in the passenger seat is the lack and absolute dismissal of informed consent. If you are looking for me, deep in this work is where you can find me.”

Moriah Hathaway

Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women

Moriah Hathaway has been the executive director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women since July 2020. In this position, Moriah works with the commissioners, stakeholders, and legislators from across the state to advocate for women and girls at the executive level. She previously served as the Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, as well as the Executive Assistant to Governor Wolf’s Regional Directors and as a Constituent Affairs Specialist for Governor Wolf. Moriah graduated in 2019 from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She currently serves as the President-elect on the Shippensburg University Alumni Board of Directors. Governor Shapiro’s Advisory Commission on Women, which was reestablished by Executive Order and consists of volunteer members, is responsible for advising the Governor on policies and legislation that impact women; supporting economic and civic opportunities for women; encouraging mentoring programs for girls and young women; identifying programs and opportunities for the benefit and advancement of women; and serving as a resource center for Pennsylvania women. The Commission also acts as an advocate for policies it feels serves the best interest of women and girls in Pennsylvania.

Colleen Marshall PhD, FNP-C

Founding Chair of Nursing, LVC

Colleen Marshall, Ph.D., FNP-C, is the first-ever chair of Lebanon Valley College’s new nursing program. Marshall brings extensive academic, clinical, and research experience to her new role after three decades in nursing education and clinical practice. After earning her RN, BSN, and MSN degrees, she received her Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University and served a two-year post-doctoral research fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Courtland Center for Transitions and Health T32. Before she joined the faculty at York College, Marshall taught at several colleges and universities including the Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing in Hershey. She began her professional career in critical care, then transitioned to primarily working in women’s health, labor and delivery, and high-risk maternity at Women & Babies Hospital in Lancaster. She has continued working in clinical practice throughout her academic career including a current role with UPMC ExpressCare in Harrisburg, PA as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Marshall received several research grants including from the University of Pennsylvania (The Prevalence of Insomnia in Perimenopausal Women Progressing to Menopause) and the Pennsylvania State University (The Insomnia Trajectory in Perimenopausal Women) and participated in the National Institutes of Health’s Big Data Methodologies Boot Camp. Her research has led to numerous national presentations, refereed journal publications, refereed poster presentations, and authoring a book chapter (The SAGE Encyclopedia of Abnormal and Clinical Psychology). When not at work, Marshall enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, cooking, exercising, and traveling to beach locations.

Shannon Mason, RN

RN-Health Educator II, CARES Team and Tobacco Cessation Support at UPMC Central PA

Shannon began her medical working career in 1998 at (formerly known as Pinnacle Health) UPMC. She obtained her Associates Degree in the Science of Nursing (ASN) in 1999, and furthered her education at Eastern University and obtained her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2014. She continues to be employed at UPMC Central PA to date, celebrating 25 years this year (2023). Over the years she has held positions as a Medial Receptionist (1998-1999), Medical-Surgical Staff/Charge Nurse (2000-2008), Case Manager(2005), Diabetes Educator (2006-2008), and (2008- present) her current role is a RN-Health Educator II, coordinating Tobacco Cessation Support and providing staffing support for the CARES Team. She additionally currently holds her Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification (CTTS), National Certification in Tobacco Treatment Practice (NCTTP), and National Board Certification in Health and Wellness Coaching (NBC-HWC).

Courtney Geary

Registered Nurse, Harrisburg Hospital

"My name is Courtney Geary, a newly graduated Registered Nurse, specializing in Labor and Delivery, at UPMC Harrisburg. I acquired my Associates of Science in Nursing at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences. My job consists of providing cohesive compassionate and critical care to laboring mothers and babies. I pursued my first degree with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Minor in Biology. With this degree I worked many years in the medical laboratory industry providing noninvasive prenatal and genetic testing for expecting mothers. I also spent some of my early career counseling and providing mental health support to women and children. Though Nursing is my second degree it has always been a long standing passion of mine. My mission is to integrate these two pursuits in hopes to provide an optimal holistic approach to women’s health. I want to address issues women encounter preceding, throughout, and following pregnancy."

Hilary Yoh

Director of Admission and Recruitment, Graduate and Professional Studies

Lebanon Valley College Expo Booth, 1-3PM

Diane Brescia

UMass Chan Medical School/Tan Chingfen Gradaute School of Nursing

Hello, my name is Diane Brescia I am the admitting manager for the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing. I have working in the admission office for 19 years. I love working with prospective nursing student.

Kate Gerdes

Director of Graduate and Professional Studies, Lebanon Valley College

Lebanon Valley College Expo Booth, 1-3pm

Angela Peiffer

Assistant Director of Admissions at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Assistant Director of Admissions at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

John Hill

Admissions Counselor

PCOM Admissions Counselor

Marissa Sheaf

F&M Director of Health Professions Advising

Director of Health Professions Advising Office of Student & Post-Graduate Development (OSPGD) Franklin & Marshall College

Gretchel Hathaway

Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Franklin and Marshall College

Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Franklin and Marshall College

Dr. Tiffany Garcia

Family Medicine Resident, Good Samaritan Hospital

WellSpan Family Medicine Resident at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon, PA

David Emrhein, M.A., M.Ed.

WellSpan Associate Chief Academic Officer

Associate Chief Academic Officer ACGME Designated Institutional Official

Abike James, MD, MPH

Vice Chair Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology

Vice Chair Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology

Pam Vnenchak

Program Director PennMedicine/Lancaster General Hospital Family Medicine Residency

Dr. Vnenchak is the Program Director of the LG Health Family Medicine Residency Program. She graduated from Elizabethtown College with a BS degree in Biology, Magna Cum Laude, attended the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey Medical School (now known at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School) where she obtained her MD degree in 1990. In 1993, she completed her Family Medicine Residency at Lancaster General Hospital where she was also Chief Resident. After residency, she joined Valley Family Physicians in Claremont, NH as a family physician for three years. She also served as Assistant Professor (clinical investigator) at the Family Medicine Residency at LaFayette Family Health Center in LaFayette, NY. She joined our faculty in 2000. In 2015 was named Chair of the Department of Family Medicine of Lancaster General Health/Penn Medicine. Her clinical interests center on women's and children's health. Dr. Vnenchak and her husband have four young adult children three of whom are triplets.

Chentis Pettigrew

Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Physician Inclusion Council at UPMC/PITT (PICUP) University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Diversity Advisory Council Dr. Pettigrew has served as assistant dean for student affairs and director of diversity programs in the Pitt medical school since 2006. In that role, he has been a dedicated advocate for underrepresented students in the School of Medicine, helping many of them find resources they need to pursue their medical education. "Chenits has dedicated his career to changing the world, one life at a time. When given the responsibility of recruiting students who traditionally had been underrepresented in the University community, Chenits understood how important the responsibility was. His life is intertwined with the lives of the students he has known. He has stood watch and guided many who have realized their dreams.” (Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew). Dr. Pettigrew earned the Master of Education degree from Pitt in 1976 and a PhD in education from Pepperdine University in 1984; he received his undergraduate degree, in political science, from Westminster College in 1969.

Millicent Channell, DO

Senior Associate Dean, Academic Affairs

Senior Associate Dean, Academic Affairs Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine

Danielle Okezie

Creighton School of Medicine, Program Manager for Arrupe Global Scholars and Partners Program

Creighton School of Medicine, Program Manager for Arrupe Global Scholars and Partners Program

Pamela Witt

Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives, Penn State College of Medicine

Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives, Penn State College of Medicine, Office of the Vice Dean of Diversity, Equity & Belonging

Rickquel Tripp, MD MPH CDR USN

Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for UPMC Medical Education

Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for UPMC Medical Education Vice Chair of Diversity, Inclusion, & Health Equity for Department of Emergency Medicine Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine Attending Physician, UPMC St. Margaret's & UPMC Magee Command Physician MD-12, UPMC Communication Center EMS Medical Director, UPMC Prehospital

Dawn Steffy

Graduate Medical Education Academic Manager, UPMC Lititz

GME Academic Manager Graduate Medical Education UPMC Lititz

Esi A Asare

Director of Admissions, UMass Chan Medical School

Director of Admissions, UMass Medical School

Magdala Chery

Dr. Magdala Chery, DO

Keynote