Easter Reflection
Easter Sunday, or Resurrection Sunday, is observed this year on April 9 and celebrates Jesus’s rising from the dead, a sign of hope for eternal life for many in the Christian faith. Easter Sunday is often celebrated with large church services, joyous singing, and many wear new clothes in bright or pastel colors to signify new life.
Thomas Vernon, RN, BSN, EdM, CTD, vice president, chief experience officer, shares his reflections on the holiday.
“For me, Easter is the season of rebirth and renewal. In other words, a fresh start. Easter vigil is my favorite day of the year, as my family celebrates and remembers the sacrifice Jesus made for us. It rejuvenates our hope and frames us in a positive way for the year ahead.”
Register for Linked by Love Premiere
The Houston Methodist Patient Engagement Research Lab, the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the Black Ties for Culture (BTC) employee resource group present a premiere of the six-episode series, Linked By Love on Friday, April 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the John F. Bookout Auditorium.
Created by the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation, the “edutainment” series explores the cultural barriers and medical disparities in transplantation that affect the African American population.
Amy Waterman, PhD and LaShara Davis, PhD, of the Patient Engagement Research Lab within the Department of Surgery and the Transplant Center, served as research advisors on the web series. Click HERE to register for the in-person or virtual event. In addition, several of our community hospitals are hosting local viewing parties of the live-streamed event.
ERGs Explore Faith in Medicine
The Asian Heritage and Arab Heritage employee resource groups (ERGs) collaborate on the Faith in Medicine discussion on April 5 from noon to 1 p.m. The virtual event features Houston Methodist physician Dr. Faisal Masud and is part of the observance of the month of Ramadan. Masud will discuss how his Muslim faith has shaped his identity as an individual and a physician. Click HERE to join. For more information, email ArabHeritage@houstonmethodist.org or AsianHeritage@houstonmethodist.org.
Sikh Community Observes Vaisakhi
Originating in the Northern India state of Punjab, Vaisakhi celebrates the spring harvest on April 14 this year. According to the Sikh Press Assoc. (SIKHPA), farmers in Punjab celebrated this occasion with community gatherings and festivals. Vaisakhi also holds a special significance for the Sikh community because it recognizes when Khalsa Panth (community of committed Sikhs), which promotes justice, equality and selfless service, was established. In both its cultural and religious context, Vaisakhi is fundamentally about community, progress and celebration.
Happy Lao New Year!
Lao New Year, or Pi Mai, is celebrated April 13-16 throughout parts of India and Asia. The date may vary from year to year because it is marked by the sun entering the sign of Aries the Ram, which typically takes place near the vernal equinox. According to the ASEAN-China Centre, the three-day holiday is an opportunity to let go of the past and embrace a promising new future. The holiday is also known as the “Water Festival” due to the symbolic significance water holds in the Lao culture.
National Deaf History Month
April’s designation as National Deaf History Month recognizes the achievements of people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Established in 1997 by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), the observance celebrates key historical events that impacted the deaf community, including the April 1817 opening of the first public school for the deaf—now called the American School for the Deaf—in West Hartford, Conn.
The designation also raises awareness to the challenges the deaf continue to face, including disparities in health care, employment, education and accessibility.
National Arab American Heritage Month
During the month of April, National Arab American Heritage Month honors the contributions of Arab Americans throughout society, including in the arts, literature, government, cuisine, music and dance. The Arab American Foundation launched the heritage month initiative in 2017 and the U.S congress issued a proclamation to formally establish the observation. The Arab American Foundation offers information and resources on ways to celebrate the month.
Promoting Autistic Acceptance
April’s designation as Autism Acceptance Month seeks to bring awareness to the challenges faced by the millions of Americans identified with autism spectrum disorder and the impact it can have on their families. Autism Acceptance Week evolved from National Autistic Children’s Week, launched by the Autism Society in 1972. The designation aims to increase awareness of the signs, symptoms, treatments and realities of autism which, according to the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM), affects an estimated 1 in 54 children in the U.S.
Kyle Stanzel Discusses Challenges of Balancing Work and Family in upcoming FIH Meeting
Kyle Stanzel, VP & chief operating officer, Houston Methodist West, discusses the challenges he’s faced in balancing his responsibilities as a health care executive and his duties as a father during the Fathers In Health Care (FIH) employee resource group’s (ERG) virtual general meeting on April 6 from noon to 1 p.m. Stanzel, the executive sponsor of the new ERG, has served in a variety of executive leadership positions during his health care career. Email fathersinhealthcare@houstonmethodist.org for more information. Click here to join the meeting. Meeting ID: 238 886 371 910. Passcode: VzGerB.
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