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In This Issue:
Program Director Donnell Patterson leads the Roland Hayes School of Music Chorus.
The best way to celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is learning from and living by his example. That was the message of Hubie Jones, community activist, child advocate, educator and civic leader, delivered at last Friday's celebration of King, hosted by BWH and Partners.
Lisa Ponton, JD, vice president of Human Resources, welcomed the BWH and Partners community and the Tobin School student council to the celebration in the Bornstein Amphitheater. "We can all take to heart the strength and love of Dr. King's message," Ponton said.
Jones, who received a standing ovation after his inspiring remarks, asked that people celebrate King by participating in their communities and working toward social justice. "Let us treasure the great legacy bequeathed to us by Dr. King's life's work," Jones said. He presented five lessons learned from the example set by King's life: the importance of serving one's community; having a voice in public affairs; leading a passion-driven life; holding to ethical standards; and responding "when your number is called."
Jones also stressed the need to address public health crises, including the prevalence of childhood obesity, asthma and sexually transmitted diseases in urban neighborhoods.
BWH President Gary Gottlieb detailed how BWH and Partners are responding to the issue of health care disparities and building upon the legacy of King. "Here at the Brigham, we are taking concrete steps to eliminate health inequities across all aspects of health care, including access to care, inequities in health status, outcomes and quality."
These steps include partnering with Mayor Thomas Menino to form a task force to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care and launching the BWH Health Care Equity Program and the Center for Surgery and Public Health.
Talented students from the Roland Hayes School of Music in Boston performed "I Have a Dream," and had the audience clapping along to their rendition of "Life Every Voice and Sing," the Negro National Anthem written by James Weldon Johnson.