A Diversity Message from Neil Meltzer, President and CEO, and Dr. Sybil Pentsil, Chief Diversity Officer - May 2022

At LifeBridge Health, we embrace diversity, and these monthly Diversity messages are meant to recognize and celebrate the richness of our team members' cultures and that of our country. We celebrate both what makes us diverse and unique, and what makes us the same - our shared purpose of caring for our communities together. 

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, dedicated to honoring the heritage and considerable cultural contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Hawaiians throughout the United States. May was officially designated as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in 1990. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on May 7, 1843 and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which was constructed using the labor of Chinese immigrants.  LifeBridge Health is committed to supporting our Pan-Asian Community and will launch a new Employee Resource Group for this community on May 5th. For more information, please contact rfinger@lifebridgehealth.org. 

May is Jewish American Heritage Month, in acknowledgement of the significant accomplishments and contributions of the Jewish community in the United States. Jewish Americans have helped to shape the face of American culture in the areas of arts, politics, science business and beyond. The month first began as a week-long tribute to Jewish Americans. Then in 2006, President George W. Bush issued the first presidential proclamation designating the entire month of May as Jewish American Heritage Month.

Beltane is a holiday of Gaelic origin which is commonly celebrated on the first of May - between the spring and summer equinox. Historically, the celebration involved the movement of cows to their summer pastures and accompanying rituals of protection for both livestock and people. Now observed by Wiccans and neopagans around the world, the festival commemorates the onset of summer and is typically celebrated by lighting bonfires, decorating homes with May flowers, the making of May bushes, and more. 

Eid al-Fitr, also referred to as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, begins on May 2 this year. This Islamic holiday lasts one to three days (depending on the country) and marks the end of Ramadan, which includes a month of fasting. Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr celebrations include a special prayer service at the mosque, gifts, festivals and visits with friends and family.

Cinco De Mayo is celebrated on May 5 each year and commemorates the 1862 victory of Mexican troops over the French in the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. During the battle, General Ignacio Zaragoza and his outnumbered soldiers overcame the odds and defeated the French assault force. Today, Cinco De Mayo is mostly observed in the United States, where it has come represent a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.   LifeBridge Health continues to support our Hispanic-Latino Employees within our Employee Resource Groups.

For more information about LifeBridge Health's Employee Resource Groups, please click here. 

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