Safe Zone Training
Goals
The Safe Zone Ally Program strives to provide a network of safe and supportive allies to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.
The goal of this program is to provide a welcoming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and queer persons by establishing an identifiable network of supportive persons who can provide support, information and a safe place for LGBTQ persons within our Geisinger Commonwealth community. Those who have committed to being Safe Zone Allies indicate that bigotry and discrimination, specifically regarding LGBTQ persons, are not tolerated.
The Safe Zone symbol is a message to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people and their allies. The message is that the person displaying this symbol is understanding, supportive and trustworthy if a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person needs help, advice or just someone with whom s/he can talk. The person displaying this symbol can also give accurate information about sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Our history
The Safe Zone Ally Program at Geisinger Commonwealth was launched in June 2017 with an inaugural Safe Zone training session for approximately 13 students, faculty and staff.
Since its inception in June 2017, the Safe Zone Ally Program will train more than 395 people to be Geisinger Commonwealth allies. Upon completion of a training session, participants have the opportunity to choose to symbolically display “Safe Zone Trained” material on their person, office and/or personal belongings.
Geisinger Commonwealth students, faculty and staff can also request to have a Safe Zone Training conducted for their student club/organizations, office or department. The training request must be submitted at least one month in advance. Contact Dr. Vicki T. Sapp to request Safe Zone training.
Trained facilitators
Tanja J. Adonizio, MD
Geisinger Commonwealth Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Jennifer Boardman, PhD
Geisinger Commonwealth Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Graduate Studies
Associate Professor for Microbiology and Immunology
Arthur W. Breese
Geisinger Resources Director Diversity & Inclusion
Cindy Ciccotelli
Geisinger Commonwealth MD Class of 2020 President
Leonard Farber
Geisinger Commonwealth Student Affairs Graduate Program Coordinator
Dawn Fisher
Geisinger Program Specialist, Diversity & Inclusion
Jackie Ghormoz, MSW, CSW
Geisinger Commonwealth Assistant Dean of Students
Amy S. Kline, MA
Geisinger Commonwealth Assistant Director, Center for Learning Excellence
Julia Kolcharno
Geisinger Commonwealth Director of Student Development, Academic Advising and Career Engagement
Linda Learn, MSW, MBA
Geisinger Commonwealth Student Affairs Manager, Clinical Activities
Tanya M. Morgan, MS
Geisinger Commonwealth Student Support Coordinator
Vicki T. Sapp, PhD
Director of Student Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion
Assistant Professor
Resources
Read the Safe Zone Training resource information.
View the Safe Zone Training 101 Curriculum.
For more information, please contact Dr. Vicki T. Sapp.