Filmed in 2016.
Jessica Halem is an award-winning lesbian with accolades from GLMA, Harvard, Howard Brown Health, and The Advocate magazine. As the inaugural LGBTQ Outreach and Engagement Director at Harvard Medical School, she was unique in her role among medical schools. During her six year tenure, she grew the first-year class from 4% to 15% LGBTQ and the OutList to 350 faculty and staff. A long-time fundraiser, she secured a $1.5 million dollar grant to integrate sexual and gender minority health equity into the Harvard curriculum.
Previously, Jessica ran the Lesbian Community Cancer Project in Chicago where she implemented the nation’s first cultural competency trainings for the CDC and served on then-candidate Obama’s first LGBT Advisory Committee. Jessica has published on transgender health, optimism and organizational change, and mentoring across difference.
Jessica uses her improv training and comedy experience to coach individuals and teams on inclusive communication strategies, remains committed to supporting LGBTQ+ medical students, and is a dynamic keynote speaker. She serves on the Board of the Tegan and Sara Foundation, Friends of Buck’s Rock, and lives on the Outer Cape with her partner Jen Manion, who is a Professor of History and Sexuality, Women's and Gender Studies at Amherst College.
