February 18, 2000

Deb Washington, RN,
speaks at the AMMP event.

The strong voice of DeLayne Matlock filled the O'Keeffe auditorium Feb. 11 in celebration of Black History Month. The celebration, hosted by Patient Care Services, also featured a documentary film of African-American nurses reflecting on their experiences as people and as black professionals; a "passing of the torch" ceremony, in which veteran staff pinned young professionals with custom-made Black Heritage pins and gave them words of wisdom; a surprise honoring of Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, senior vice president for Patient Care Services and chief nurse, for her dedication to diversity at the MGH; and a panel discussion about issues and concerns of the African-American community. "Just don't be afraid to make things happen," said panel member Janine Fondon, editor and publisher of Unity First newspaper. "We're all committed to making a difference." This message was one of the central themes of the day's events.

Also in celebration of Black History Month, the Association of Multicultural Members of Partners (AMMP) sponsored "Living for Something Larger" Feb. 16. Employees enjoyed "soul food" and participated in a discussion about the importance of learning from the struggles of African-Americans in the fight for freedom. Moderator Deborah Washington, RN, of MGH Patient Care Services, presented video and audio footage illustrating the horrors of the Middle Passage during slavery and first-hand accounts of slavery from former slaves, as well as the marches and nonviolent protests of the Civil Rights Movement.

"We must foster within ourselves the kind of leadership personified in Dr. Martin Luther King," said Washington, "A vision that we are still carrying forward today." She talked about the importance that leadership played in the Civil Rights Movement and stressed that leadership is the key to achieving King's vision and to achieving the goals of AMMP — recruitment, retention and advancement of minorities in all areas of Partners HealthCare System.

Mary Williams, RN, pins Kerriann Carthy, RN,
at the Patient Care Services event.