As healers, hospitals and providers have an important role to play in the wellbeing of their communities. Along with healthcare systems across the nation, Central Maine Healthcare believes in a vision of society where all individuals reach their highest potential for health.
The senseless killing of an unarmed black man in Minneapolis and the protests occurring in cities across the country highlight racial, ethnic and cultural inequities—including in healthcare—that are everyday realities for far too many people. As we’ve seen in the pandemic, communities of color have been disproportionately affected, both in infection rates and economic impact. The ongoing protests give voice to deep-seated frustration and hurt and the very real need for systemic change.
Raising our voices to speak out against injustice and stand up for our neighbors and communities is an essential part of our democracy. There are peaceful protesters who are trying to bring attention to long-simmering frustration and anger. And there are others whose actions are not reflective of what the protests are truly about. As many protest leaders have shared, the destruction of businesses and attacks on the law enforcement community are not only inexcusable but also undermine the focus on inequities that we all need to address.
At Central Maine Healthcare, we will continue to work toward our vision of a healthy society—for everyone. We recognize that while progress has been made, we have so much more work to do.