September 15, 2006

MGH community remembers Sept. 11

On the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, MGHers gathered in the O'Keeffe Auditorium for an interfaith service of reflection and hope in remembrance of that tragic day. Led by members of MGH Chaplaincy and MGH Administration, MGHers honored those who lost their lives with prayers, readings, poems and music. "Today we acknowledge our ongoing despair about the events of Sept. 11 and the changes and effects it had on people's lives," said Michael McElhinny, MDiv, MGH chaplain, during the opening reflection. "We declare a hole has been torn in our universe."

The service also included readings, prayers and songs from Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, chief nurse and senior vice president for Patient Care Services; Jeff Davis, senior vice president for Human Resources; Andrea Stidsen, LICSW, of the Employee Assistance Program; Britain Nicholson, MD, chief medical officer; Keith Brinkley, operations coordinator for Hematology; Jeffrey Brody, an area musician; and Joanne Cavorate, a harpist with GentleMUSES.

Members of the MGH Chaplaincy lead the reflection.