As the community reckons with COVID-19 concerns, economic anxieties, and the civil unrest sparked by the tragic deaths of multiple Black Americans, to say that the past several months have been difficult for the staff of Pennsylvania Hospital, and indeed for the world, would be an understatement.
Last month, members of the Penn Medicine and CHOP communities came together at Franklin Field and at locations across the region to honor George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless others whose vibrant lives were cut short systemic and institutional racism that impacts communities of color every day.
These demonstrations were organized with #WhiteCoatsForBlackLives, a movement that aims to eliminate racism and bias from medicine and health care, as well as to promote the health and well-being of Black and Brown communities.
At Pennsy, more than 200 staff members gathered on Pine Lawn, some with signs demanding justice and many with their heads bowed in remembrance. Together, they kneeled for 8 minutes and 46 seconds — the amount of time that a Minneapolis police officer fatally kneeled on George Floyd’s neck. Even community members who were passing by for their afternoon jogs paused and took a knee in solidarity. While the protest was silent, the message was loud and clear: PAH stands with the Black community and with all people of color, in Philadelphia and beyond.
A week later, the Cultural Community & Awareness Council reaffirmed this crucial message by organizing an open forum discussion in Zubrow Auditorium and over the virtual BlueJeans platform as a first step towards advancing constructive conversations around equity, inclusion, and an anti-racist culture.
“I am heartbroken by the anger and anguish that communities across our nation are feeling, but I also am hopeful for the future,” said CEO Theresa Larivee. “Change requires each of us to examine our behaviors, beliefs, privileges, and to reaffirm our willingness to listen and learn. Our founders’ shared attitude of social responsibility still guides us today, and it is incumbent upon us all to act in service of the greater good.”