In honor of Black History Month, NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County hosted a special event to celebrate the achievements of African Americans and their contributions to American history.
The sprawling Central Brooklyn hospital said that, on Feb. 15, about 100 employees, visitors and guests gathered in the auditorium of the hospital’s T-Building, for an “engaging presentation” on “Race and the Patients’ Experience: The Impact of Racial Diversity on the Delivery of Care.”
There was also a moderated question and answer session, Black art exhibit and musical performances /skit by students from PS 235.
“Celebrating Black History is acknowledging the full, rich history of America, and the pioneering work African Americans have contributed to medicine, science, the arts, and every conceivable discipline,” said Sheldon McLeod chief executive officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County.
“Black culture is a vibrant reflection of our employees and the demographic we serve,” he added. “Our hospital is proud to provide innovative, accessible, quality healthcare to our patients and the community, and to celebrate the significant contributions African Americans have made to this country and around the world.”
Keynote speaker, physician Carla Boutin-Foster, associate dean, Office of Diversity Education and Research, SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine, said she was “actively engaged in contributing to opportunities in the African-American community, developing programs to recruit Black and Latino students and empower them to pursue careers in medicine and science.”
Seanna-kaye Denham, Ph. D, patient experience officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, said “healthcare disparities continue to impact racial and ethnic minorities in the community that we serve, despite advances in medical practice.
“It was important for us to have this event to engage patients, staff and our community in a collective effort to transform the healthcare landscape in a culturally competent way so people can live their healthiest lives,” she said.
“We also want our patients to see integrity, compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence in the services we provide,” Denham added.
The Black art exhibit featured works by Jamaican-born visual artist, Pamella Allen, known for her paintings, works on paper and photographs, featured in art exhibitions locally and internationally.
