As the nation celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we reflect on how his philosophy and vision connect with Centra’s mission. In his 1963 sermon about the three dimensions of a complete life, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” In healthcare, we strive daily to answer this call. We serve through our various roles and excel in serving others.
We come from different backgrounds with diverse education, career paths, certifications, competencies, and practice areas. While these things can threaten to divide us, we must be purposeful about seeing these differences as what strengthens our mission. More than ever, our commitment must remain focused on our patients, colleagues and communities.
Patients often face numerous challenges in achieving health and well-being. Many patients live with chronic diseases, have limited access to care for multiple reasons and then must navigate a complex healthcare system to help support their health goals. This is precisely why we should view our differences as strengths, work collaboratively to improve health outcomes for our patients and support one another in our calling.
In my new role as Director of Culture Integration, I am excited to collaborate with each of you to further advance Centra’s mission to improve the health and quality of life for the communities we serve. As Dr. King stated in his address to Oberlin College, “The time is always right to do what is right.” I have worked alongside so many of you and see your passion for helping people achieve well-being, often drawing from your own resources to help our community. As we honor the legacy of Dr. King, we must remember that his dream of equality and justice extends to the realm of healthcare.
We at Centra are committed to positively impacting the health and well-being of our community. Together, as a dedicated and compassionate healthcare team, we have the power to drive meaningful change and build a healthier, more equitable future for every member of our community. There is no better place to carry forward this vital work than at Centra.
