FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cassandra Boyce
Director of Development & Marketing
cboyce@acendahealth.org
844-422-3632 x1022
Acenda Integrated Health Welcomes JoAnn Means in Newly Created Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Role
Glassboro, NJ (March 1, 2021) – Acenda welcomes JoAnn Means as the organization’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Means will be responsible for implementing a holistic enterprise-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy to advance a climate of equality and opportunity at Acenda. She will also serve as an advocate and resource for Acenda staff throughout the agency’s 56+ locations in New Jersey.
"I am delighted to join Team Acenda and help accelerate DEI progress throughout the agency,” said JoAnn Means, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “Inequalities go against the very ideals that Acenda stands for as a community-based integrated health provider and I am proud to be furthering our shared vision of inclusivity and opportunity.”
JoAnn has devoted her professional career to the promotion of diversity and equity. As the former Director of Admissions for Gwynedd Mercy University’s Nursing Program, she identified obstacles to diversity recruitment and created initiatives to proactively hire from under-represented multicultural populations. JoAnn has also helped organize and fund STEM and chess initiatives in Delaware, positively impacting the thousands of youth challenged by multigenerational poverty and under-resourced communities to succeed, both inside and outside the classroom.
“As an agency, we have a lot to be proud of and yet we continue to push ourselves to be better—for our teammates and those we serve throughout New Jersey,” said Dr. Anthony DiFabio, Acenda President & CEO. “JoAnn’s experience will ensure we are an organization that embodies, models, and advocates for racial equality and inclusion in everything we do.”
About Acenda Integrated Health
Acenda Integrated Health is a nonprofit organization dedicated to industry-leading prevention, treatment and wellness services compassionately delivered to ensure that every individual, family and community achieves their greatest potential. Acenda is at the forefront of community-based services, providing over 100 health and social service programs at 56+ locations throughout a 12-county region in New Jersey. For more information visit acendahealth.org.
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