Dr. Gwendolyn Agnis Poles-Corker

“She fought the good fight, she finished her course, she kept the faith.”

2 Timothy 4:7

Dr. Gwendolyn A. Poles-Corker, a compassionate and trailblazing physician, dedicated educator, health advocate, and faithful child of God, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, due to complications from Sickle Cell Disease. She was 71 years old.

Born October 6, 1953, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gwen was a determined soul from the very beginning. At just three years old, she declared to her mother that she would become a doctor. Despite years of personal treatment and hospitalizations, Gwen never wavered from that childhood promise—and she lived it out with excellence, grace, and grit.

A graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, Dr. Poles earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Internal Medicine residency at Bryn Mawr Hospital. In 1990, she and her beloved husband, the late Kenneth Corker, relocated to Harrisburg, where her legacy of service would take root and flourish.

Dr. Poles served as Medical Director of Pinnacle Health System’s Kline Health Center and as a faculty member of its Internal Medicine Residency Program. She also held the position of Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at both Penn State College of Medicine and Drexel University College of Medicine, earning prestigious honors such as the Dean’s Special Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching and the Golden Apple Award.

Her leadership and vision reached beyond the exam room. As Medical Director for Pennsylvania’s Office of Medical Assistance Programs in the Department of Public Welfare, she helped shape state healthcare policy, leading initiatives addressing domestic violence, childhood obesity, and tobacco cessation among pregnant women. With more than two decades of active service in the Pennsylvania Medical Society, she also served as Vice President of the Dauphin County Medical Society.

Dr. Poles was deeply devoted to community health education, especially within minority, underserved, and faith-based communities. She was a proud member of professional organizations including the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association, Christian Community Health Fellowship, and the Christian Medical and Dental Society. Her commitment to integrating faith and medicine made her a powerful voice in both healthcare and ministry.

Dr. Poles was never afraid to speak truth to power, particularly regarding the stigma Sickle Cell patients often faced in medical settings. She passionately advocated for the dignity, care, and voices of those living with chronic illness, always fighting for better understanding and compassion in treatment. Over the years, her spiritual journey led her to fellowship with Zion Assembly Church, Brethren in Christ Church, and the Christian Fellowship Church of Harrisburg, where her faith continued to fuel her mission of service, healing, and advocacy.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Corker; her loving parents, Merlie and Elmer Poles. Left to cherish her incredible legacy are her brothers, Earl Poles, Phillip Poles, and Arlington Morgan; her stepdaughter, Dedre Corker; step-granddaughter, Neshiya Harrell-Boynton, adopted daughter Yolanda Coleman; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, godchildren, church family, colleagues, mentees, and friends whose lives were transformed by her care, counsel, and character.

Dr. Gwendolyn A. Poles-Corker lived a life marked by courage, conviction, and compassion. A healer of bodies and nurturer of souls, her presence will be missed deeply, but her legacy of love, faith, and service will continue to inspire generations.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the South Central Sickle Cell Council, 2100 Linglestown Road #103, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110.