Health Update: Wellness at Penn names new assistant medical director of gender, sexual health – What Experts Say

Wellness at Penn has named Erika Enk its new assistant medical director for gender and sexual health. 

Enk, who previously worked on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s health services team, is a registered nurse and certified nurse-midwife. In their new role at Penn, Enk will hold both administrative and clinical responsibilities within Student Health and Counseling — overseeing gynecology, sexual health, and gender-affirming care on campus. 

In a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian, medical director of Student Health and Counseling Raymond Cattaneo wrote that Enk “brings a wealth of expertise” to the role and seeks to expand access to “inclusive, trauma-informed, student-centered care.”

“They are deeply committed to ensuring that every student feels respected, affirmed, and supported in their care,” Cattaneo added. “Their expertise, particularly in sexual and reproductive health and gender-affirming care, will help advance high-quality services by prioritizing practitioner education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practices.”

Cattaneo added that Enk’s role reflects a “broader commitment” to fostering a “more accessible, compassionate, and connected system of care” for Penn students. Their work, he wrote, will also strengthen collaboration between Wellness at Penn and its campus partners. 

Penn offers students two choices for insurance coverage — enrolling in the Penn Student Insurance Plan or using a separate plan. 

PSIP is offered through Aetna Student Health’s nationwide Preferred Provider Organization plan. 

“If you live out of state, if you’re studying abroad, you’re able to find an in-network provider or specialist and be seen by them,” a Wellness at Penn data analyst previously told the DP. 

In the past, Enk has delivered training focused on gender-affirming care and on language and ethical considerations in transgender research. They previously directed the transgender and gender diverse program at UW-Madison and assisted in the development of UW-Madison’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner program. 

Enk received their Master’s in Public Health, Master’s of Science in Nursing, and their nurse midwifery certification at the University of Illinois Chicago. They also received a Graduate Certificate in LGBT Health Policy and Practice from George Washington University. 

They also previously served as a Certified Nurse Midwife at Access Community Health Network and later worked as an Advanced Practice Nurse at the Chicago Women’s Health Center.