EVMS will close Wednesday in observance of Juneteenth
Shared on behalf of Alfred Abuhamad, MD, President, Provost and Dean of the School of Medicine
On Wednesday EVMS observes the Juneteenth holiday — an important commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. and a reminder of the work still to be done to achieve true racial equality.
Originating in Galveston, Texas, in 1865, the observance of Juneteenth has evolved to both celebrate African American freedom and emphasize education and achievement.
Juneteenth calls for deep reflection. It requires we acknowledge the bigotry, systemic racism and disparities which persist in this country 159 years after emancipation. It reminds us of our collective responsibility to remove all barriers to equality.
EVMS has long worked diligently toward such ideals.
We were proud in May to graduate our inaugural cohort of the L.D. Britt Pre-Medical Scholars program, a longitudinal mentoring program for Norfolk State and Hampton University students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. You can read more about this program in the most recent edition of EVMS Magazine.
EVMS is also the most diverse medical school in Virginia, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 rankings. This is an accolade that gives us great pride, as we want our student body to reflect the communities we serve, and we believe our students’ success is largely rooted in learning from life experiences and backgrounds different from their own.
We have much to be proud of — and much more meaningful work ahead of us, too.
I hope you will use this opportunity to consider the significance of Juneteenth — to read, reflect and engage in important conversations with family, friends and colleagues about how to move toward meaningful and lasting change.
Thank you for all you do to further the mission of EVMS and for your staunch commitment to making our community healthier and more just.