Dear valued HASC member,

We are experiencing a unique period as a nation – where a number of historic events are unfolding contiguously. Just a few months ago, our lives were upended by a pandemic unprecedented in our lifetimes. As a result of COVID-19, the country is grappling with severe economic fallout. Then last month, the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis underscored the continued need for discussion about systemic racial and ethnic inequities that persist in our society.

As health care professionals, it is important to acknowledge the public health threats that each of these events poses to our communities. Just as we seek solutions to the pandemic, we can also play a role in addressing the impact that discrimination has on health outcomes. To be clear, systemic violence requires systemic responses – but that’s not where it ends. As health care professionals, we can educate ourselves and others about our roles in caring for segments of the population that are disadvantaged.

In recent years, HASC has incorporated into its mission the goals of reducing health disparities and improving community health outcomes through our Communities Lifting Communities (CLC) initiative. To that end HASC and CLC recently launched Cherished Futures for Black Moms & Babies, a collaborative effort to reduce infant mortality and improve maternal patient experiences and safety among black moms and babies in South Los Angeles and the Antelope Valley. While great work has been done, recent events will undoubtedly infuse the work undertaken by these collaborative groups with a renewed sense of purpose.

For almost 50 years, with a focus on addressing barriers to health, National Health Foundation (NHF), a HASC affiliate, continues to serve under-resourced communities in areas that disproportionately affect communities of color including housing, food access, education and the built environment. NHF’s mission addresses health inequities rooted in racism and its Board and staff are committed to continued learning and growing to achieve that mission. The formation of NHF’s employee-run Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Council is just one example of how NHF is working to address racism through utilizing resources to support its staff and communities to fight against racism today, tomorrow and beyond.  

Obviously, hospitals and health care organizations cannot – and should not – solve these issues alone but we can be part of the conversation and part of the solution. 

As an optimist, I’m heartened by the fact that at the core, hospitals are a fundamental component of the most basic expression of humanity – to heal and care for people in times of need. And at this important moment, we all need healing. Whether you’re a clinician, operator or an administrator, we are all caregivers. So I urge you to care for yourself, your loved ones, and your colleagues – so we can be stronger together and move forward together towards a more equitable and united future.

George G.

Contact:
George W. Greene, Esq.
(213) 538-0706
ggreene@hasc.org