Senate Resolution No. 1617

BY: Senator PARKER

HONORING Felicia Penn upon the occasion of being
recognized at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Visionary Awards Gala

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those individuals whose professional excellence, visionary
leadership, and commitment to community empowerment reflect the enduring
ideals of service and uplift embodied by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Felicia Penn upon the occasion of her recognition at the Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., Visionary Awards Gala to be held on Sunday, March 22,
2026; and

WHEREAS, Felicia Penn, born and raised in Jamaica, Queens, New York,
has distinguished herself as a highly accomplished sonography
professional whose career is defined by compassion, technical
excellence, and a steadfast dedication to patient care and education;
and

WHEREAS, Felicia Penn pursued her academic training at LaGuardia
Community College, where she earned academic honors and induction into
the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, reflecting both scholarly
achievement and personal discipline; and

WHEREAS, Demonstrating extraordinary perseverance, Felicia Penn
completed her rigorous sonography training while working full-time and
raising her two sons, a testament to her resilience, work ethic, and
unwavering commitment to building a better future for her family and
community; and

WHEREAS, Upon joining New York City Health and Hospitals, Felicia
Penn's clinical expertise, professionalism, and leadership abilities
were quickly recognized, leading to her rapid advancement from Staff
Sonographer to Supervisor of Ultrasound within just a few years; and

WHEREAS, In her supervisory capacity, Felicia Penn identified a
critical workforce challenge, the fact that many newly graduated
sonographers experienced skill atrophy while awaiting licensure due to
limited scanning opportunities, often resulting in diminished confidence
and barriers to employment; and

WHEREAS, Motivated by a desire to close this gap and uplift the next
generation of healthcare professionals, Felicia Penn founded Gentle
Touch Sono Lab, an innovative training facility dedicated to providing
graduates with essential hands-on scanning experience; and

WHEREAS, Through Gentle Touch Sono Lab, Felicia Penn has created a
pathway for emerging sonographers to rebuild technical proficiency,
restore professional confidence, and successfully secure meaningful
careers in the medical imaging field; and


WHEREAS, Felicia Penn's work stands as a powerful example of
healthcare leadership rooted not only in clinical excellence but also in
mentorship, workforce development, and community advancement; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Felicia Penn, upon the occasion of her recognition at the Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Visionary Awards Gala, and to commend her for
her outstanding contributions to healthcare, education, and professional
empowerment; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Felicia Penn as a lasting expression of the highest
respect and admiration of this Legislative Body.