Pride Month Spotlight: Brooke Burns

Adena Health System recognizes LGBTQ+ caregivers in all levels of health care that serve and care for the well-being of others every day.

Adena is committed to creating an inclusive environment that respects the human dignity and diversity of each member of the Adena family.

Inclusion is the cornerstone for engagement. Can someone be fully engaged if they are not included? A sense of inclusion allows caregivers to feel like their voice matters, are accepted, and that they belong. Brene Brown once said “Only when diverse perspectives are included, respected, and valued can we start to get a full picture of the world; who we serve, what they need, and how to successfully meet people where they are.” Inclusion also has an influence on psychological safety- being able to show and employ one’s self without fear of negative consequences of self-image, status or career.

Everyone deserves and will be treated fairly and equitably at Adena. We recognize and celebrate the value of diverse cultures, beliefs, identities and race.

Please help us recognize Brooke Burns, Administrative Executive Vice President for Adena Medical Group. An Adena caregiver for over 11 years, she has had nothing but phenomenal support at work since she has more publicly shown up as her authentic self, helping to build deeper, more meaningful work relationships and friendships. 

Brooke and her wife are the proud parents of 5 ½ year old twins. She enjoys quality time with her family and is an avid runner, who loves the outdoors. It’s important to her to find balance and well-being between being a motivated career woman and a dedicated mother and wife. She is a firm believer that representation matters for young people and adults. When representation is absent, people often times suffer socially and mentally.

Brooke grew up in small town, rural Ohio. She and her wife, Emmy, married in San Francisco in 2014, before it was legal for them to marry in that state of Ohio. Growing up, being gay was never discussed or acknowledged. It’s been a 20-year journey with her parents to recognize and appreciate her for all aspects of her life.  Finally seeing her as a hard working mom with a loving wife, raising their beautiful children versus being gay and living outside of the “normal” realm.

Thank you Brooke for all you do each day as an Adena caregiver and for the LGBTQ+ communities in which we serve.

As we continue to become a more diverse organization, it’s important to continue our journey with diversity, equity, and inclusion.