Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy of Inclusion & Embracing Differences

As we approach the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, January 18, I wanted to take a moment to share why this day is so important.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrates the birth of civil rights icon, Martin Luther King, Jr., and was deemed a U.S. national holiday in 1994. Dr. King led a movement that not only shaped America – but impacted the entire world. Dr. King dedicated his life to the fight for justice and equality for all. Recent events in America have shown us that we still have a lot of work to do to achieve the, ‘more perfect union,’ that he envisioned. This ideal feels more poignant than ever today, as the U.S. works to come together and move forward with a peaceful transition of power next week.

As we approach the celebration of Dr. King’s birthday, I encourage us all to reflect on his life and legacy. When I think about Dr. King, I think about his strong and steadfast leadership during some of the darkest days in America’s history. In fact, we built our Change Healthcare Values and Leadership DNA on many of the same principles that he championed, especially Courage, Embraces Differences, and Fosters Teamwork. Dr. King’s legacy is the epitome of what it means to be a servant leader – one who is focused on the well-being and growth of the people and communities they serve.  

This is why Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the only federal holiday that is also a national day of service – “a day on, not a day off.” As we close out this week, and prepare for a long weekend in the U.S., I want to remind you that we all have a role to play in making our communities – and the world – a better place. I hope that you consider taking an hour or two of your time off on Monday to volunteer for your community – safely and within CDC COVID-19 guidelines. Together, we can make a difference.

Take care, be well, and be safe.

Neil