1.16.2012
As we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we encounter constant reminders of the life of one of the most outstanding figures in our history. He lived during a time of racial injustice, a time when disparities in employment, education, justice and health care were routine.
But Dr. King’s extraordinary life of leadership was dedicated to rooting out these and countless other disparities that trampled on equality and hindered the progress of this great nation.
We honor Dr. King because of what he did to get us where we are today. But there is still work to be done to get us to a mountaintop free of injustice. All of us at the Miller School and UHealth contribute to Dr. King’s dream on a daily basis when we educate our diverse student body, and when we provide the best health care possible to everyone who needs it, regardless of their ability to pay. We are proud, too, of the diversity of our faculty, staff and leadership team and our commitment to make our institutions reflect the rich diversity of our community. We are proud of our various multicultural and diversity programs within UHealth and the many community services we extend to make the “U” a ubiquitous symbol of care in our region.
As we observe the day, let us also redouble our efforts to make Dr. King’s dream the reality it deserves to be. Especially in health care, where forces are constantly chipping away at equal access to excellent care, we must, and we will, continue to make sure no one falls through the cracks in the public safety net. Together with our partners and our politicians, we will strive to ensure universal access to medical care.
We are all in this together. As Dr. King said, “We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. … We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
At UHealth and the Miller School of Medicine, Jackson Memorial Hospital, the Miami VA and all of our clinics, every day, we significantly impact the health and wellness of our community. Together we can make health care and access to care even better for everyone in our region and beyond; we can each contribute even mightier efforts to the success of our wonderful country in ways that would make Dr. King proud.
Thank you for your unflagging dedication to our missions.
Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D.
Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
CEO, University of Miami Health System