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This year for Women’s History Month, we want to highlight women who have impacted the daily lives of Pennsylvanians and improved our world.

Dr. Ala Stanford is a distinguished pediatric surgeon who has dedicated her life to advocating for health equity and social justice. As the founder of the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, she has played a critical role in providing free testing and medical care to underserved communities in Philadelphia during the COVID-19 pandemic. In recognition of Women’s History Month, we celebrate her tireless efforts to promote health equity and mental health awareness in the healthcare industry.

Dr. Stanford’s career began with a degree from Pennsylvania State University, graduating from the Penn State University College of Medicine with a residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. As the first Black female pediatric surgeon trained entirely in the United States, she has been a trailblazer for women and people of color in the medical field. Throughout her career, she has been a passionate advocate for healthcare reform, mental health awareness and health equity.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Stanford founded the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, which has been providing critical medical care and resources to Black communities in Philadelphia. The Consortium set up testing sites throughout the city and worked tirelessly through the pandemic to ensure that those who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 had access to the care they needed to stay healthy and safe.

“Our mantra is access, empathy and action for the people we serve – the folks of Philadelphia.”

– Dr. Ala Stanford, Alumni Spotlight, Penn State Science Journal, Winter 2021

In addition to her work with the Consortium and mental health advocacy, Dr. Stanford has also been a vocal advocate for health equity and social justice. Her tireless efforts to promote health equity and social justice have earned her national recognition, including being named one of USA Today’s Women of the Year.

In April 2022, in recognition of her expertise and knowledge, President Biden appointed Dr. Stanford to a key role within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). She will be acting as the HHS Regional Director in Region 3, serving Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Dr. Stanford and the other Regional Directors will be critical to the President’s efforts to rebuild communities most impacted by the pandemic, the economic recovery and climate change.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we are inspired by Dr. Ala Stanford and her dedication to improving the lives of others. Her work with the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium and her advocacy for mental health awareness is a testament to the importance of access to care and resources for all individuals, particularly those in underserved communities. We salute her efforts to promote health equity and mental health awareness in the healthcare industry, and we are proud to recognize her as a true leader and role model for women everywhere.

Follow Dr. Stanford on Twitter to learn more about her ongoing work to improve the lives of people across Pennsylvania.

Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month was established in 1981 as a national celebration, with Congress passing Pub. L. 97-28 authorizing the President to designate the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Congress continued to pass joint resolutions over the next five years, designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, officially designating March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” From 1988 to 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to declare March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each year, Presidents have issued proclamations recognizing and celebrating the contributions women have made to the United States and highlighting the specific achievements women have made in various fields throughout American history.

Learn more at WomensHistoryMonth.gov.

This year for Women’s History Month, we want to highlight women who have impacted the daily lives of Pennsylvanians and improved our world.

Admiral Rachel L. Levine, MD, is a highly accomplished physician and public health expert who has significantly contributed to the medical field throughout her career. As a transgender woman and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Dr. Levine has also been a powerful advocate for greater inclusion and diversity in healthcare.

Dr. Levine began her medical career studying pediatrics and psychiatry at New York City’s Mount Sinai Hospital. In 1993, she joined the faculty of Penn State College of Medicine and the staff at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. She later served as the Pennsylvania Physician General and was appointed as the state’s Secretary of Health in 2017. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and worked tirelessly to protect the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians.

One of Dr. Levine’s most significant achievements as Secretary of Health was her leadership in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. She was instrumental in implementing policies and protocols to slow the spread of the virus and ensure that hospitals and healthcare workers had the resources they needed to care for patients. As a result, under her guidance, Pennsylvania reduced the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, and the state’s vaccination efforts have been among the most successful in the country.

“I’m not here to be a celebrity. I’m here to be a physician and a Secretary of Health and protect the public health of Pennsylvania.”

– Dr. Rachel Levine, 2020 interview with WNEP

In addition to her work on the pandemic, Dr. Levine has been a champion for many other public health issues. She has worked to combat the opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania and has been a strong advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. She has also been a vocal proponent of healthcare reform and universal access to quality healthcare, particularly for underserved communities.

As a transgender woman, Dr. Levine has faced significant discrimination and barriers in her career. However, she has been a powerful advocate for greater inclusion and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in healthcare. She has spoken openly about her experiences as a transgender person and has worked to raise awareness and understanding of the unique healthcare needs and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ patients.

In a 2022 interview with NPR, Levine said, “I’m not a political person.” But in this context, she says, when young trans people are being attacked by their own governments, she thinks medical professionals “need to stand up and be more vocal — and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

Dr. Levine’s accomplishments and contributions to the medical field have not gone unnoticed. In 2021, she was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Health in the United States Department of Health and Human Services. After a bipartisan vote to confirm President Biden’s nomination, she is now the first openly transgender person to hold a Senate-confirmed position at the federal level.

Dr. Levine’s success in the medical field and her dedication to improving healthcare for all people, particularly those from marginalized communities, inspire women everywhere. In addition, her achievements serve as a reminder of the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equity in healthcare and the crucial role that women play in shaping the future of medicine.

During Women’s History Month, we celebrate Dr. Rachel Levine and the countless other women who have made significant contributions to the medical field. Their accomplishments serve as a testament to the power of women and their ability to effect change in the world.

Follow Admiral Rachel L. Levine, MD, on Twitter to learn more about her ongoing effort to improve the health and well-being of all Americans.

Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month was established in 1981 as a national celebration, with Congress passing Pub. L. 97-28 authorizing the President to designate the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Congress continued to pass joint resolutions over the next five years, designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, officially designating March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” From 1988 to 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to declare March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each year, Presidents have issued proclamations recognizing and celebrating the contributions women have made to the United States and highlighting the specific achievements women have made in various fields throughout American history.

Learn more at WomensHistoryMonth.gov.

The final athlete we are highlighting in this year’s Black History Month series is an athlete that some consider the first in a year that encouraged several athletes start discussing their mental health (like Simone Biles).

In May 2021, Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open to protect her mental health.

The French Open is a major tennis tournament held each year in Paris, France. The second of the four Grand Slam tournaments, it has the distinction of being the only one performed on clay courts.

This withdrawal shook the tennis world. Osaka was then 23 and ranked number two in the world. Fans would soon learn why she seemingly walked away at the top of her game.

Osaka explained, “The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that.”

“I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris,” Osaka wrote. “I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer. More importantly I would never trivialize mental health or use the term lightly.”

Last year, she returned to competing. “Saying out loud that I’ll take a break and I’ll come back when I am truly in love with the sport and I know what I want to do here, it gave me time to reset.”

After sharing her struggles with depression and anxiety with her fans, she has also shared what has helped her. “Lately, I’ve been writing in my journal, and I think that it keeps my thoughts in order,” she said. “I feel like it gives me clarity on what I want to do and what I want to accomplish.”

Multiracial, Osaka is the first Asian player to be ranked number one in the world. And is also a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, with two Australian Open and two US Open titles. Her seven titles on the WTA Tour also include two at the Premier Mandatory level. At the 2018 US Open and the 2019 Australian Open, Osaka won her first two major titles in back-to-back tournaments. She was the first woman to win successive major singles titles since Serena Williams in 2015, and the first to win her first two in successive majors since Jennifer Capriati in 2001.

If you would like to speak to someone about better managing your stress and anxiety, or to make an appointment, please call (717) 782-6493 for more information.

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References:

• Naomi Osaka shares the mental health tip that gives her ‘clarity’ – ABC News (go.com)

As we continue to highlight Black athletes open about their mental health for Black History Month, we want to also talk about the strives the other team that made it to Super Bowl LVII is making towards bettering their players’ mental health.

Understanding the importance of mental health, the NFL and NFLPA announced a joint agreement that every NFL team must have a Team Clinician on staff before the start of training camp in 2019. However, the Chiefs, were already well down the road of bringing in someone to fill this important role a year before this announcement.

Dr. Shaun Tyrance was hired to serve as the team’s first in-house clinician, only the second full-time team clinician hired by an NFL team. As a licensed therapist who specializes in working with athletes, Tyrance joined the Chiefs with years of experience helping players and coaches perform at their highest levels personally and professionally.

“We are thrilled to add Shaun [Tyrance] and his unique experience in counseling to our team,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. “We pride ourselves on providing a complete package of resources to our players, coaches and staff for success both in the workplace and in life outside of work.”

Tyrance added. “I’ve talked to other professional sports organizations and clubs over the years, and this was probably the first opportunity where I said, ‘They see the value in the role, and it’s really fully integrated across the organization. That was truly the thing that really caught my eye about this position. They wanted to be on the frontend of what we’re doing in the mental health space across the NFL.”

Tyrance’s main duties are to support the Chiefs players, families and friends included. “If they’re important to our players, they’re important to me. My job is to support them with any challenges, any issues or anything that they face on and off the field. I can’t be a face that they only go to when something is wrong – that’s not how I work. I’m always around and guys are in my office all the time, even when times are good. That’s a big thing for me.”

“To me, this is an opportunity that I think makes sense for the long haul. I think this is something that we can really build on and do something special with it.”

One of the Kansas City Chiefs’ players who has been open about his mental health is linebacker Willie Gay, Jr.

In 2021, he tweeted:

And in interviews he has shared with reporters that he’s had issues that have dated back to high school and college.

“I was going through some things in life, and people think these NFL players are bulletproof or whatever,” Gay told reporters. “We were taught growing up to hold it in, just go on about your day and keep distractions away, but sometimes – I got to the point where I was like I can’t shake this, and I had to tell my coaches, I had to tell people that I work with. That’s when I Tweeted it, and it was just a lot weighing on me at the time. I just had my baby boy, he’s finally here, doing good, and it was just a lot going on at the time. Sometimes you just have to let that stuff out so you can move on.”

“Coming to the NFL, man, people think everything’s perfect,” said Gay. “I’m still human at the end of the day. I still have feelings. I still get angry. I still get stressed. I can [make] 10 tackles and still be stressed. You’ve just got to be sure you balance it out, man.”

Though Gay’s journey with his mental health is ongoing, his tweet was met with support from Chiefs teammates and personnel. “Everybody was checking in on me from coaches to training staff, equipment staff, of course, all my teammates just making sure I was good when I was here. They know me well. They know when I’m having one of those days, and I feel like I’m a guy that when I’m having a good day, you’re going to know, and when I’m not, you can definitely tell. But they did a real good job with just keeping me on the right track and helping me out. A simple ‘you good bro?’ it goes a long way, and they did a real good job with that.”

Gay’s situation reminds us that it doesn’t matter what level of success you achieve in life, everyone still needs proper emotional support and understanding.


If you would like to speak to someone about better managing your stress and anxiety, or to make an appointment, please call (717) 782-6493 for more information.

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Resources:

• Kansas City Chiefs LB Willie Gay Jr. details mental health struggles (usatoday.com)
• Chiefs Hire Dr. Shaun Tyrance as Team Clinician

This year for Black History Month, as we highlight Black athletes who have been open about their mental health struggles, we could not help but tie it in to the big sporting event that also happens this month: Super Bowl LVII. For the first time in NFL history, two Black quarterbacks are starting: Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts.

As the Eagles go on to represent Pennsylvania in the game with Lane Johnson who has been open about his mental health, a few former players have also spoken out about and advocate for mental health: Brandon Brooks, Brian Dawkins, and Malcolm Jenkins.

According to the American Journal of Men’s Health, masculine norms among American men continue to influence behavior and a general aversion to engage in self-help for mental health, particularly compared to women. Even though depression and suicide are a leading cause of death in men, social and self-stigma restrains men from acknowledging their problems and seeking help. As stated succinctly by the Journal, “American men are subjected to a culture where the standards of masculinity are literally killing them.”

In a hopeful sign of changing culture, Pilgram reports that Generation Z is more apt to report and pursue help than prior generations – regardless of gender. Perhaps the reluctance is beginning to fade due to more people speaking out like these former Eagles players.

If you would like to speak to someone about better managing your stress and anxiety, or to make an appointment, please call (717) 782-6493 for more information.

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Resources:

• Brandon Brooks of the Philadelphia Eagles couldn’t play due to bout with anxiety (nbcnews.com)
• Eagles’ Brandon Brooks retires as star player, mental health champion (delawareonline.com)
• Eagles Legend Brian Dawkins Shares His Powerful, Refreshing Message on Mental Health – NBC10 Philadelphia (nbcphiladelphia.com)
• Malcolm Jenkins talks to students about mental health – ProFootballTalk (nbcsports.com)

This year for Black History Month, we want to highlight Black athletes who have been open about their mental health struggles.

Simone Biles shocked the world when she withdrew from the team competition at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Although she was previously open about anxiety and panic attacks prior to the Olympic games, Biles hid her inner turmoil that finally hit a tipping point when she experienced “the twisties.” A term referring to a mental block when a gymnast loses control of their body in the air, no longer able to complete a twisting skill they’ve done countless times before.
“We have to protect our body and our mind … It just sucks when you’re fighting with your own head. Whenever you get in a high-stress situation, you kind of freak out. I have to focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and well-being,” said Biles. “I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn’t affect me but sometimes it’s hard, hahaha! The Olympics is no joke.”

Later that year, in October 2021, Biles opened up in an interview on the “Today” show, that she was “still scared to do gymnastics.” Though she has now found herself in a new role as a mental health advocate.

“See for me, that was the hardest part because speaking out on mental health, I knew that I could have the possibility of becoming an advocate for that. But it wasn’t my goal. It’s not what I really wanted,” Biles told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview prior to her Gold Over America Tour’s third stop in Anaheim.

“So, to kind of be put at the forefront, it’s like… I’m still going through my own thing. So how am I supposed to teach people, hey, like, you should do this or this, but everybody goes through that process differently and there are different methods that work for each individual person,” Biles continued. “I didn’t really want to, but at least we’re going through it together and I could teach them something in that.”

When struggling with mental health, it’s important to reach out for help.

“It’s really important to use that support system and know they’re there for you and not against you, because at the end of the day, us as humans, we hate asking for help,” Biles said. “We think we can do it on our own, but sometimes we just can’t. So, use every outlet given to you.”

Biles said she has many techniques to help with her mental wellness, including using the mental health app Cerebral, and is now the chief impact officer with the company.
“Getting the mental health therapy that I need has been really relieving for me, especially being on the road and on tour. I’m happy to have such a great app to help out with that,” she said. Biles also likes going on walks outside and indulges in a little retail therapy.
For Simone Biles to prioritize mental health when the whole world was watching you was a brave, inspiring, and game-changing thing. It was a courageous decision that continues to inspire millions of fans all over the world.

If you would like to speak to someone about better managing your stress and anxiety, or to make an appointment, please call (717) 782-6493 for more information.

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Resources:

• Simone Biles on her new role: mental health advocate (olympics.com)
• History of Simone Biles’ mental health issues (nypost.com)
• Simone Biles opens up about her mental health post-Olympics: ‘I’m still scared to do gymnastics’ | CNN