Opportunities don’t always come at opportune times, but when they do, you should embrace them.
Words of wisdom offered by David Brown, MD, Mass General Hospital president, as he addressed the MGH Youth Programs Graduating Class of 2022
Thirty-four graduating high school seniors from Boston, Chelsea, and Revere public schools, along with sixteen graduating college seniors, came together on June 22nd to celebrate a job well done, despite their experiences being forever linked to the stresses of a global pandemic, a national reckoning on race, and an alarming increase in gun violence. Dr. Brown commended the Class of 2022 on their resilience and resolve as many embark on four-year college careers, some a gap year, and others entering the workforce.
Five high school student speakers were chosen to share their reflections and inspiring stories: Aida Caraballo from the Charlestown Coalition's Turn It Around; Sharina Castillo, MGH Youth Scholars High School Program; Valery Crayton from Healthy Chelsea's Teen Action Project; Katherine Licona Vallada, Healthy Chelsea's Youth Food Movement; and, Briana Vilme, Revere CARES Youth Initiative.
Rounding off the student speakers’ portion of the program was Kene Aniagboso, a 2022 graduate of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. As an MGH College Alumni Scholar, Aniagboso previously interned at the Kraft Center for Community Health. She is now returning to the Mass General Brigham family, having recently matched to Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s pharmacy residency program which she will begin next month.
Keisha Antoine, Senior Program Manager for the MGH Youth Scholars, provided a wrap-up of the event and shared some final thoughts with the students, “You will have many triumphs, and you will also face many challenges, and in those times, I want you to find your ‘why,’” said Antoine. “Hold on to the ways you want to impact this world.”
View the graduation ceremony in its entirety here:
Massachusetts General Hospital’s mobile COVID-19 vaccination van quadrupled its initial annual goal by providing more than 8,000 vaccinations within vulnerable communities hardest hit by the pandemic.
It is with great pleasure that we kick off the 2022 celebration of Black History Month at Massachusetts General Hospital. This year’s theme is Black Health and Wellness. With a wonderful set of partners, we have assembled activities that are equal parts thoughtful, thought-provoking, and joyous.
We are excited about what 2022 will bring. Hopefully, we will finally emerge out of the pandemic, our equity and community health team will be organized for maximal impact, and we will contribute to a comprehensive system-wide equity and community health strategy and set of initiatives.
Scientists find that prioritizing factors such as the speed of roll-out can maximize public health benefits and economic efficiency of vaccination programs in low- and middle-income countries.
Cindy Diggs, community and cultural engagement manager at Mass General, was named the 2021 Peace MVP by the Mass Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, honoring her dedication to being an activist for peace and economic security in Boston neighborhoods.