A Diversity Message from Neil Meltzer, President and CEO, and Dr. Sybil Pentsil, Chief Diversity Officer – October 2024
Thank you to all our team members for everything you do every day on all our campuses to make LifeBridge Health a safe and welcoming place for all. We are a diverse team that celebrates our individual uniqueness while working collaboratively to care for patients, our community and each other. As we continue to honor this spirit of inclusivity, let's take a moment to recognize the observances and holidays we celebrate together this month.
National Hispanic American Heritage Month
Observed from September 15 to October 15, National Hispanic American Heritage Month honors the cultural legacy of Americans with ancestral ties to Spain, Mexico, and the Caribbean as well as Central and South America. Recognizing people from a wide range of nations and their descendants, Hispanic American Heritage Month provides an opportunity to engage with and celebrate these rich histories and cultures.
Filipino American History Month
This month pays tribute to the extensive history and rich culture of Filipino people in the United States. Commemorating the first recorded arrival of Filipino people in the United States in October 1597, this month serves as an opportunity to learn more about Filipino history and celebrate their legacy in the United States.
LGBTQIA+ History Month
LGBTQIA+ History month is a time to both reflect on the enduring history and culture of LGBTQIA+ Americans and to address the ongoing struggles they still face.
Rosh Hashanah (10/2-10/4)
The Jewish New Year, which begins on sundown on Wednesday, October 2 and ends on sundown on Friday, October 4. Rosh Hashanah is one of the two High Holy Days in the Jewish religion.
Navratri (10/3-10/12)
October 3 through October 12 is Navaratri, a significant Hindu festival honoring the Mother Goddess Durga. Navaratri is a time to celebrate the triumph of good over evil, during which Hindus perform puja, the Hindu act of worship, honoring the different aspects of the goddess Durga.
Day of Remembrance (10/7)
On the anniversary of the October 7 attack, we honor the lives lost and those impacted, reflecting on the resilience of our community in the face of tragedy. This is a day of remembrance and solidarity, as we stand together to commemorate and heal.
National Coming Out Day (10/11)
Observed on October 11, National Coming Out Day celebrates the act of “coming out” and revealing one’s authentic sexuality and/or gender identity to one’s family, friends, and peers. On this day, we honor those who have come out and can live their truth openly, while extending our love and encouragement to those who have not or cannot come out safely.
Yom Kippur (10/12)
The ten days that began on Rosh Hashanah and culminate on Yom Kippur, are known as the Ten Days of Repentance. There are extra prayers, people do extra acts of kindness and are introspective about their life. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most somber day of the Jewish calendar. This is the final day of judgment for the coming year.
Sukkot and Simchat Torah (10/17-10/25)
Sukkot, a nine-day holiday known in English as Tabernacles, comes after Yom Kippur by four days and usually falls in October. After leaving Egypt and slavery behind, the Jews traveled in the desert for forty years. During that time, they were protected and provided for by God in many miraculous ways. Sukkot celebrates the ongoing protection of God in our life.
Spirit Day (10/17)
Spirit Day, observed this year on October 17, is a day of awareness against the bullying of LGBTQIA+ youth. Whether in person or online, many young LGBTQIA+ people are subject to bullying. This discrimination is extremely detrimental to mental health and can have severe consequences for the victims. In support of this anti-bullying initiative, we encourage LifeBridge Health team members to wear purple on October 17.
Diwali (10/31-11/1)
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, with variations celebrated in other Indian religions. It symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.”
Calls to Action
REFLECT: How often do I have an opportunity to learn about or experience something outside of my own culture or identity?
RECOGNIZE: When people from different backgrounds come together, the richness of the experience is often increased because of everyone's unique perspectives.
RESPOND: I will look for places and spaces where I can contribute my own unique viewpoint and be open to hearing.