PPMC PRIDE Committee Chair Jenna Mechalas, MSN, RN, CCHP-RN, second from right in the front row, with other committee members at Drag Bingo.
Nurse Jenna Mechalas, MSN, RN, CCHP-RN, chair of the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC) PRIDE Committee, shares in her own words how the group formed, what being part of it means to her, and why LGBTQ+ representation is important at work and beyond.
Our PRIDE Committee Origins
There’s always been a queer presence at PPMC. Before the pandemic, LGBTQ+ activities were run by a group of staff members dedicated to community engagement. These events decelerated during the pandemic and began resuming in 2022.
PPMC Chief Nursing Officer Jim Ballinghoff, DNP, MBA, RN (now also chief nursing executive for the University of Pennsylvania Health System) has been unwavering in his commitment to providing PPMC’s queer staff and patients with a safe environment and access to gender-affirming care. Last spring, he asked if I wanted to be involved with Pride Month for 2022 — he wanted a bigger, bolder presence at PPMC — and I accepted. I enlisted the support of every queer staff member I knew and before long, had a small group we called Presbyterian’s Rally for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equality (PRIDE) Committee.
Today, our committee has close to 50 people from all different backgrounds — nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), respiratory therapists, physical therapists, social workers, case managers, members of our education department and administration, and more — all devoted to ensuring that our workplace continues its commitment to the safety of the queer community. I am truly blessed to do this work alongside them.
Why Representation Matters
Jenna Mechalas, MSN, RN, CCHP-RN
Having more LGBTQ+ people on staff, whether disclosed openly or not, improves patient care. The medical community has not always been kind to people who identify as queer. Discrimination and homophobia were overwhelmingly present during the AIDS epidemic and even today, LGBTQ+ patients in this country report harassment, mistreatment, and outright denial of care. Having more LGBTQ+ people on staff helps break down those barriers. The patient may feel more comfortable disclosing their queer status/pronouns, allowing for a more holistic approach to their care, thus improving their overall health.
I cannot stress enough the importance of representation at work and in the community. PPMC is in West Philadelphia, where a large portion of patients and staff are from the BIPOC (Black, indigenous, and people of color) community. Health care across the nation often fails to represent this patient population, adding to the health disparities to which individuals are already disproportionately exposed. Those identifying as LGBTQ+ experience this, too. To reduce these disadvantages, we must commit to diversity in the workplace and inclusive care for our most marginalized patients and staff.
What It Means to Live Authentically
Taking pride in your authentic self is a process that takes many forms. It’s an experience in the LGBTQ+ community that often involves shedding societal expectations. The process can be stress-inducing and places the individual at risk for experiencing violence, homelessness, discrimination, abandonment, and even death. Those able to live their true identities show immense courage in doing so. To me, living proudly and authentically is like a weight lifted off your shoulders. It’s liberation — a moment of true clarity and peace.