A Diversity Message from Neil Meltzer, President and CEO, and Dr. Sybil Pentsil, Chief Diversity Officer – March 2024

Happy March! 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, the community and each other. Below, learn about some of the observances taking place this month and how you can continue to make a difference.

Gender Equality Month
March is regarded as Gender Equality Month, which serves as a call to celebrate the history, contributions and wellness of community members who are impacted by gender-based bias and oppression.

Greek American Heritage Month
March is Greek-American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the core components of Greek culture and ideals. Also known as Hellenic History Month, the celebration coincides with National Greek Independence Day on March 25.

Irish American Heritage Month
Irish Heritage Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is known as Irish American Heritage Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada.

International Women’s Day and National Women’s History Month (3/08)
Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8) highlight women’s historical contributions to society at large. This day acknowledges the structural misogyny women still face and celebrating the accomplishments they’ve achieved in art, politics, science and medicine.

Ramadan (3/10 - 4/9)
The arrival of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, brings forth a month of fasting, praying and reflection. Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of March 10 and end on April 9.

St. Patrick’s Day (3/17)
St. Patrick’s Day takes place every year on March 17. In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day honors the country’s most beloved patron saint, St. Patrick, who is believed to have spread Christianity throughout the island. Today, St. Patrick’s Day has become a global celebration of Irish culture which often involves wearing green, enjoying feasts and parades and partaking of traditional Irish foods and beverages.

World Down Syndrome Day (3/21)
World Down Syndrome Day is marked each year on March 21. This Global Day of Awareness can be supported by wearing fun socks, which is a tradition that started because Chromosome 21 strands look like socks and are unique looking.

Purim (3/24)
Purim, celebrated on March 24, celebrates the rescue of Jews by Esther from a plot to kill them. Fasting the day before Purim honors the fasting of Esther before her plea to the king for the Jewish people.

Palm Sunday (3/24)
Palm Sunday is the Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter and will take place on March 24. The feast commemorates Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels.

Holi (3/25)
Celebrated this year on March 25, this Festival of Colors, Love and Spring is an important Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. It also celebrates the arrival of Spring and the blossom of love and hopes for a good harvest.

Good Friday (3/29)
Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary, this year it will take place on March 29. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday and Black Friday.

Easter (3/31)
Taking place on March 31, Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion and the end of the 40-day Lent period with nearly two billion followers worldwide.

International Transgender Day of Visibility (3/31)
International Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual event occurring on March 31 dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society.

Calls to Action
REFLECT: Think about why Women’s History Month matters. Reflect on bias and its impact.
RECOGNIZE: Take the time to acknowledge if bias has influenced any of your thoughts and actions.
RESPOND: Join an ERG! Be part of the efforts to make LifeBridge Health a safe place to work.