American hospital replaces Christmas with Juneteenth in ongoing holiday debate.
Emory Healthcare Prioritizes Juneteenth Over Christmas Eve
Emory Healthcare, one of the largest hospitals in Georgia, is making a bold move in the name of “diversity, equity, and inclusion.” In a recent announcement, the hospital informed its employees that starting in 2024, Christmas Eve will no longer be observed as a holiday. Instead, they will recognize Juneteenth, a significant day in American history.
The CEO of Emory Healthcare, Joon S. Lee, expressed gratitude for the feedback received from employees, stating, “Thanks to your feedback, the Executive Leadership Team and I have decided to make Juneteenth (June 19th) an EHC observed holiday. Beginning January 2024, we will remove Christmas Eve from our holiday calendar and replace it with Juneteenth.”
The memo further explains that Emory Healthcare’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion aims to create an environment of true belonging for both patients and team members, while ensuring equitable outcomes for all. Although Christmas Eve will no longer be a recognized holiday, employees will still have the flexibility and option to use paid time off for that day.
The decision to prioritize Juneteenth over Christmas Eve is also driven by the impact on patient care. The memo states, “For each observed holiday, our clinics and business offices close, which means our patients are unable to make clinic appointments for those days. To minimize impact to patient care, we will not be adding another paid holiday to our calendar.”
While some Americans have expressed concerns about the diminishing celebration of Christmas and the secularization of the holiday, Emory Healthcare’s decision reflects the growing recognition and significance of Juneteenth. Established as a federal holiday by President Joe Biden on June 17, 2021, Juneteenth symbolizes the ongoing work towards equity and racial justice in American society.
Embracing Juneteenth as a tool for ”black liberation,” as described by Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), aligns with the hospital’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Rep. Bush advocates for reparations, an end to the war on drugs, and teaching the truth about white supremacy in the country.
It’s Juneteenth AND reparations.
It’s Juneteenth AND end police violence + the War on Drugs.
It’s Juneteenth AND end housing + education apartheid.
It’s Juneteenth AND teach the truth about white supremacy in our country.
Black liberation must be prioritized.
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) June 19, 2023
Emory Healthcare has not provided any further comments regarding this decision.
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