A Diversity Message From Neil Meltzer - July 2020

After a three-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am pleased to announce the return of our monthly Diversity Messages.

These messages recognize and celebrate the richness of our team members' cultures and that of our country. As recent protests across the nation have revealed, the need for racial and cultural understanding and equality in all facets of life is paramount. At LifeBridge Health we fully embrace diversity, which is why I look forward to sending these monthly messages.

July 4 is Independence Day, a day commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The declaration proclaimed the United States' separation from Great Britain and outlined the ideals of our nation, asserting that all men are created equal and are endowed with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

This year, these ideals will take on an even greater significance as we continue to see demonstrations in support of racial justice. Also, on this day, we will continue to honor the courage and commitment of the men and women who, throughout history, have strived to ensure these ideals are upheld and exemplified in every facet of society: our laws, policies, practices and behaviors.

July 4 is also Philippine Republic Day or Philippine-American Friendship Day. The day commemorates when the United States. granted the Philippines (previously considered a U.S. territory) independence with the signing of the Treaty of Manila in 1946. Since then, our countries have had a long-standing friendship, with Filipinos having supported the United States in many international efforts.

On a much lighter note, did you know that July 17 is World Emoji Day? The day was started in 2014 by Jeremy Burge, the founder of the emoji reference website Emojipedia. July 17 was chosen because this was the date displayed on the calendar emoji on the Apple keyboard. The day is mostly celebrated via text messaging and social media posts, but some emoji fans hold get-togethers with many dressed as their favorite emoji.

On July 18, we honor the legacy of the late South African leader, Nelson Mandela. Mandela Day or Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated globally to promote peace and to remember Mandela's activism, courage and determination. His actions led to the end of apartheid in South Africa in the early 1990s, the country's first democratic government and Mandela becoming the first black president of South Africa in 1994.

On Mandela Day, everyone is encouraged to honor his legacy through volunteering and community service-taking action and inspiring change the way he did throughout his life.

On July 26, we remember the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark federal law that protects the rights of those with disabilities. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the law prohibiting discrimination against people with a physical or mental impairment. Employers were also required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities and public accommodations had to be accessible to the disabled. The law marked a monumental milestone for those with disabilities, ensuring they had the same rights, opportunities and access as every citizen in our nation.

Finally, as many people are looking for ways to learn more and start conversations about racism and its effects, including their own potential biases, the Maryland Psychiatric Society (MPS) has put together a website with videos and reading lists. Grace Medical Center psychiatrist Dr. Theodora Balis is co-chair of MPS's Community Psychiatry & Diversity Coalition and shared these resources for those who are interested. Here is a link to the website:
https://mdpsych.org/2020/06/new-mps-resource-cbt-of-racism/

Thank you for the commitment you make every day to CARE BRAVELY and live our LifeBridge Health values.