Honoring Juneteenth

This coming Monday, June 19th, we honor Juneteenth — the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Americans were freed in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation, issued two and a half years earlier. As a U.S. national holiday, Juneteenth is a time to recognize and honor the longtime fight to obtain equal rights for all Americans, as well as a reminder that this fight is ongoing and one that we’re all part of. I’m especially pleased that this year, for the first time, Juneteenth is also an official VNS Health holiday.

The push for social justice that Juneteenth stands for lies at the center of VNS Health’s mission to reduce health disparities and ensure health care access to all. I am proud that our organization is helping to lead this effort, and I thank each and every one of you for the work you’re doing to advance our mission. I’m also mindful of the work being done by all of you to ensure that our own workplace embraces diversity and inclusion for everyone who works here.

In closing, I’d like to share a quote from the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia Fudge. A member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2008 to 2021, where she also chaired the Congressional Black Caucus, Marcia Fudge said: “Civil rights is unfinished business. Make it your business.”

I hope you all have a restful three-day weekend. Thank you for joining me in honoring this important and historic day.

Dan

Dan Savitt
President and Chief Executive Officer