Katie Foundation makes donation to Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s Behavioral Health Initiative

SCRANTON -- The Katie Foundation announced it has made a $15,000 gift to Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s Behavioral Health Initiative (BHI). 

The Katie Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving treatment and service for people coping with mental illness, raised the funds at its annual 5Kate. The event is a run/walk and mental health fair that celebrates the life of Katie Shoener and helps raise awareness in the community about depression and bipolar disorder.  

The 2022 5Kate will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, at Nay Aug Park in Scranton.

“Our nonprofit is dedicated to shining a light on mental illness,” said The Katie Foundation’s Sarah Shoener. “We’re happy to support the BHI, which has so effectively advanced the community conversation about mental illness.” 
“We are once again honored to partner with The Katie Foundation. Their advocacy on behalf of people with mental illness is inspiring, and directly in line with our aspirations at BHI to ensure that our students, staff, faculty, and providers are best prepared to optimize well-being in the patients and communities we serve,” said Julie Byerley, MD, MPH, Geisinger Commonwealth president and dean. “We are humbled by their generosity.”  

About Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) is a member of the Geisinger family. GCSOM offers a community-based model of medical education with campuses in Danville, Lewistown, Scranton, Sayre and Wilkes-Barre. Geisinger Commonwealth offers Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a portfolio of graduate degrees. The school’s innovative curriculum, focused on caring for people in the context of their lives and their community, attracts the next generation of physicians and scientists from within its region, as well as from across the state and the nation. Geisinger Commonwealth is committed to non-discrimination in all employment and educational opportunities. Visit www.geisinger.edu/gcsom.