A message from Sarah Krevans, Sutter Health President & CEO
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, a date two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, when slaves in Texas were informed by Union soldiers that they had been freed, prompting celebrations across the state. It’s the oldest known event commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. This week, Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday—the first new one in decades.
At Sutter Health, we join in celebrating this historic decision. We also celebrate the joy and community Juneteenth brings to Black employees, patients and families. While recognizing there’s more work to do, we reaffirm Sutter’s commitment to supporting our broad spectrum of diverse employees and patients, creating an inclusive workplace for all, and addressing inequities and unconscious bias wherever they exist.
We encourage everyone to honor Juneteenth in their own way, learning and connecting with each other. Over the past week, some of our employees and physicians have shared their personal stories of what Juneteenth means to them. I encourage you to read this reflection from Dineen Greer, M.D., program director for the Sutter Family Medicine Residency Program. I hope her story inspires everyone to continue to make a stand for diversity and inclusion in their daily life.
