PAH's Cultural and Community Awareness Council celebrates another successful year of service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
Fifty years after his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of justice and equality continues to be remembered throughout the country with a day of both action and reflection. As part of the effort to honor his legacy and to further his mission, PAH’s Cultural and Community Awareness Council (CCAC) hosted their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Celebration, with this year’s theme being “Volunteerism and Service.” The Zubrow Auditorium was packed with both staff and members of the local community, and the program featured a few new elements designed to engage and inspire.
From left: Angel Flynn, BS, Madeline Dawson, Onyeka Nwankwo, MD, and Georgienne Bednar
Rather than bringing in one keynote speaker, an interdisciplinary group of staff members and volunteers who strive to live Dr. King’s mission each day was invited to participate in a panel discussion moderated by CCAC executive sponsor and nurse manager
Bonita Ball, MSN RN, NE-BC, CCRN-K. Angel Flynn, BS, a member of Hall-Mercer’s Clinical Operations Support team,
Onyeka Nwankwo, MD, a physician in Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine,
Georgienne Bednar, a volunteer and advisor to the Patient and Family Advisory Council, and chaplain
Madeline Dawson, MHS, each took a moment to reflect on how Dr. King’s words have resonated with them personally and with their work at Pennsy.
For example, Nwankwo spoke on the quote, “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve,” noting that even if you don’t personally start an organization or lead a movement, all of us can contribute to something larger than ourselves, make a difference in the lives of others, and “turn a rumble into a roar” by showing up and engaging in our own way, just as each person who marched beside Dr. King did.
Tracey King gave a stirring performance that brought the entire audience to its feet.
The program also featured a beautiful spoken word performance shared by patient care technician
Jamillah Muhammad, a soulful rendition of Donnie McClurkin’s “Stand” sung by OR team member
Tracey King that brought the house down, and – for the first time – two “praise dances” performed by the Interpretation of the Word Dance Ministry of True United Church.
“The MLK celebration is always an enlightening program that uplifts the spirits of all who attend,” said Angel McCullough, MSN, MBA, CCRN, NEA-BC, clinical director of Nursing. “While the annual Day of Service is observed by many as a ‘day off,’ we at Pennsylvania Hospital choose to use it as a ‘day on,’ whether by giving back to the community or by hosting a rich program aimed at uplifting the legacy and dream of an inspirational leader.”