Monday, January 18, 2016
Several hundred participate in system-sponsored MLK events, activities across Southeast Michigan
The spirit of diversity and service was the focus for hundreds of Beaumont Health physicians, employees, volunteers and guests who participated in several system-sponsored events in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day this past Monday.
In all, 14 MLK Day events were hosted at Beaumont Health facilities across Southeast Michigan to celebrate diversity, service and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Each event varied in activity ranging from keynote addresses to video replays of Dr. King’s famous 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech.
The theme of Beaumont Health’s system-wide celebration centered on Dr. King’s quote, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘what are you doing for others?’”
“This day is one to reflect on what we as an organization are doing to keep Dr. King’s legacy alive,” said Paul Conway, Beaumont Health senior vice president and chief human resources officer, to a group of about 100 who gathered at Beaumont Hospital – Dearborn. “Leading with our value of respect and diversity inclusion, we can start with our mission to deliver compassionate, extraordinary care every day,” Conway added.
Beaumont – Dearborn hosted a service featuring a keynote speech delivered by civic and community leader Ray C. Johnson, Ph.D. and live music which was also simulcast to four other Beaumont Health facilities as part of other MLK event celebrations.
Other activities by facility included:
Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills: Service with refreshments hosted by Chaplain Augustina Frazer
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Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak: Service featuring screenings of short documentaries on MLK throughout the day with refreshments
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Beaumont Hospital, Wayne: Service featuring live vocalists and refreshments
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Beaumont Hospital, Troy: Service featuring remarks by Connie O’Malley, Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, Colleen Joseph and the Rev. Steven Axe
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Botsford Commons: A display of posters, pictures and information about Dr. King with refreshments
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Botsford Long-Term Care: Cake and trivia chat with residents
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Oakwood Common: Service for residents and staff featuring remarks by the Rev. Tony Marshall
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Oakwood Skilled Nursing and Rehab: Screening of the film “Selma” with residents and staff
In addition to participating in a number of system-wide activities, all attendees were given a specially-designed MLK Day bookmark courtesy of the Beaumont Health Executive Leadership Team to commemorate the day’s events.
Beaumont Health also helped sponsor some community events honoring the legacy of Dr. King. These events included:
- The Troy Community Coalition’s 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration of Freedom
- The Interfaith Center for Racial Justice’s 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration of Macomb County
- The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Farmington Community Library
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Farmington Community Library
About Beaumont Health
Beaumont Health is Michigan’s largest health care system, based on inpatient admissions and net patient revenue. A not-for-profit organization, it was formed in 2014 by Beaumont Health System, Botsford Health Care and Oakwood Healthcare to provide patients with the benefit of greater access to extraordinary, compassionate care, no matter where they live in Southeast Michigan. Beaumont Health has budgeted net revenue of $4.1 billion and consists of eight hospitals with 3,337 beds, 168 outpatient sites, nearly 5,000 physicians and 35,000 employees and about 3,500 volunteers. In 2014, the combined organizations had 175,675 inpatient admissions, 16,229 births and 492,148 emergency visits.
“Blending Communities and Cultures” is the theme for our first Beaumont Health calendar. This is quite timely, as we recently celebrated our first year anniversary as a new health care organization.