Honoring the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote the words above in 1963, and while our nation has come a long way since, his wisdom is every bit as relevant today as it was then. We are at a moment when few people are experiencing convenience and comfort. We are in a period of what only a year ago would have been unimaginable challenge and controversy. But this is not a moment for despair. It is a time for hope.

As we honor the anniversary of Dr. King’s birth, let’s use this as an opportunity for reflection and, perhaps, for a reset. Those of us working in health care know how to meet challenges. It’s what we do every day, no matter how difficult. Every one of the 150,000 healthcare professionals across CommonSpirit Health’s 1,000+ care sites has proven this every day during the pandemic that has now taken away nearly 400,000 of our fellow Americans.

The determination that our health care heroes use to heal our patients is one of the reasons I have hope. Americans have a long history of tackling challenges that others shun. It’s how our nation was founded, and it is how we lead. When we stumble, we pick ourselves up, figure out where we missed a step and we move ahead – stronger.

While I cannot predict exactly what the next months will bring, I know that our collective strength and wisdom will keep us strong. The events of the past year – and especially of the past few weeks – challenge us, yet they also give us the greatest opportunity of our lives to use our spirit of healing and humankindness as a bright light that points the way to a better future. Let us all stand strong at this time of challenge and bring us closer to those cherished moments of comfort.