February 2, 2001

Partners employees fortunate enough to find a seat in the packed O'Keeffe Auditorium Jan. 24 were treated to an hour of inspiration and a celebration of unity. A series of speakers addressed the importance of diversity within the Partners community, recognizing the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The afternoon culminated with the rousing words of Rev. Bernice A. King, daughter of the late civil rights pioneer. King's address, also video conferenced to the Haber and Walcott conference rooms, marked the second annual Partners-sponsored event in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

King's powerful presentation — coming just a week after the observation of her father's birthday — focused on the necessity of unconditional love, increased social responsibility and societal reform. "Love is the most powerful force," King reminded the standing-room-only audience. "The greatness of America will be found in its capacity to love." Serving as assistant to the pastor at an Atlanta church, King also is an author and advocate for the rehabilitation of at-risk youth.

Singer and activist Larry Watson opened the hour with a stirring vocal performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," followed by the opening remarks of James J. Mongan, MD, president of the MGH, and Thomas P. Glynn, chief operating officer of Partners. Mongan highlighted the enactment of Martin Luther King's dream at the MGH: "Like Dr. King, we at the MGH are committed to respecting the dignity of all races and all people." Mongan described the MGH's mission as "going beyond clinical and technical care to provide culturally sensitive care to our patients," citing such MGH programs as Culturally Competent Care Training in Patient Care Services and Spanish for Health Care classes. "While there is a lot more work to do in this area, we are committed to continue improving diversity at the MGH," he said. "We pledge to work with all of you to meet our goals of recruiting and supporting a culturally diverse workforce and to provide health care services to all members of our community."

To thank Rev. King for her visit to the MGH, Glynn presented her with a framed copy of an article that recently appeared in the Boston Herald, detailing the various Boston locations where her father had lived during his doctoral studies at Boston University.

Prior to King's address, Darnell L. Williams, manager of Human Resources at the MGH, introduced the three winners of the Partners Black Achievers Award. Jacqueline S. Dejean, research financial manager in the MGH Department of Radiology and chair of the Diversity Subcommittee of the Association of Multicultural Members of Partners (AMMP), was among the honorees.

Ronald A. Greene, RN, BSN, chair of AMMP, introduced Watson's musical performance and King's oration. Noting the enthusiastic response of the audience as King prepared to take the podium, Greene remarked, "This is a great day. I never thought I'd see a room like this at the MGH."

A reception was held in the Trustees Room in the Bulfinch Building immediately following King's address. King was on hand to autograph copies of her book "Hard Questions, Heart Answers: Sermons and Speeches." Partners is planning to make videotapes of King's presentation available to departments and groups throughout the system.