The Proximity Project launched its latest cohort for healthcare industry leaders to improve how they interact with, serve marginalized communities
Wilmington, Del. – Today, The Proximity Project, a diversity and inclusion firm that helps organizations build deeper and more authentic connections with marginalized communities, announced the latest national cohort of healthcare leaders participating in its unique racial justice training.
The eight-week healthcare cohort —The Proximity Project: Healthcare (TPP) —takes place virtually starting on September 29th and brings together a diverse group of 24 leaders from healthcare systems, health-focused nonprofit organizations, higher education, and public health institutions.
The cohort includes participants from all over the United States with representation from organizations including ChristianaCare Health System, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, NJ Department of Human Services, Healthcare Improvement Foundation, Rowan-Virtua RISN Center, and more.
This is the 14th cohort The Proximity Project has facilitated since 2020 when the organization first launched.
Atnre Alleyne, The Proximity Project’s founder shared:
“With this new group we are bringing together, we will have over 250 alumni of our program since our inaugural cohort in 2020. I continue to be inspired by our participants’ willingness to challenge themselves through this program and to take their diversity and inclusion work to the next level. With all the challenges facing the healthcare system, it is refreshing to see leaders prioritizing their personal and organizational proximity to marginalized communities.”
Participants in TPP meet for two-and-a-half hours every week for eight weeks to discuss assigned readings, complete organizational and leadership assessments, learn from guest speakers, and connect with other institution leaders working toward equity and racial justice.
The cohort provides a rare opportunity for organizations that are working toward improved community health outcomes to connect, learn together, and collaborate.
The Fall 2023 Cohort includes the following participants:
- Beenish Ahmed (Associate Program Director, Christiana Care, Internal Medicine Residency Program)
- Wendy Aita (Co-Director RISN Center, Rowan-Virtua RISN Center)
- Kelly Bothum (External Affairs Writer, ChristianaCare)
- Amitoj Brar (Program Manager, NJ Department of Human Services)
- Brian Catania (Physical Therapy Program Manager, ChristianaCare)
- Jerelle Cox (Associate Director, Temple Hospital)
- Kelly Deganich (Senior Employee Relations Specialist, ChristianaCare)
- Lauren Eckel (Project Coordinator, Health Care Improvement Foundation)
- Cathy Fernald (Chief Nursing Officer, Newark Campus, ChristianaCare)
- Chris Fraser (President & CEO, Westside Family Healthcare)
- Danielle Gee (VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)
- Meredyth Gonzalez (Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategies and Partnerships, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)
- Susan Goss Brown (Chief DEI Officer & SVP Field Development, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)
- Zuleyka Hernandez (Project Manager, Health Career Connection)
- Tylisha Johnson (Health Equity Specialist, ChristianaCare)
- Maggie Norris Bent (Chief External Affairs and Communication Officer, Westside Family Healthcare)
- Danielle O’Brien (Management Assistant, Rowan-Virtua RISN Center)
- Liz Owens (Senior Project Manager, Health Care Improvement Foundation)
- Ann Painter (Sr. VP of Home Health, ChristianaCare)
- Jennifer Painter (VP Nursing Professional Development, ChristianaCare)
- Joan Pirrung (Chief Nursing Officer, Cecil County Campus, ChristianaCare)
- Patricia Powers Miller (Performance Improvement Project Manager, ChristianaCare)
- Sehrish Rashid (Project Manager, Health Care Improvement Foundation)
- Kamela Smith (Program Manager, Community Education and Engagement, ChristianaCare)
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About The Proximity Project: The Proximity Project is a diversity and inclusion firm that helps organizations build deeper and more authentic connections with marginalized communities. The company is on a mission to help leaders and institutions become anti-racist and proximate to the communities they serve. The Proximity Project kicked off in August 2020 as an eight-week cohort experience for leaders in education institutions (teacher, school, nonprofit, and district leaders) and education philanthropy who want to examine and reform how they interact with and serve communities of color. The Proximity Project expanded in January 2021 to offer cohorts for healthcare professionals and data leaders. The Proximity Project also facilitates other unique learning experiences such as the Harambee Delaware program that builds capacity for nonprofit founders and leaders of color.
