As we enter February and celebrate Black History Month, we reflect on the extraordinary contributions of African Americans throughout history.
Our 2025 theme, “African Americans and Labor: Acknowledging Our Contributions Across UVA Health,” builds on the national theme and invites us to explore the varied and impactful ways labor — whether skilled or unskilled, free or unfree, vocational or voluntary — has shaped the collective experiences of Black individuals.
In 2022, the UVA Health System set forth an ambitious strategic plan. In alignment with our goal of cultivating healthy communities and fostering belonging for all, UVA Health will host events and offer resources throughout the month. Visit Connect for the full list and ways to participate.
We also celebrate the strides already made in 2025:
- Expanding Access Through UVA Health Mobile Care: A transformational service designed to support underserved patients facing barriers to traditional healthcare. This initiative aims to become an alternative primary care medical home by offering equitably accessible services.
- Recognizing Excellence: In our recent email recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we announced that several team members would be honored at the upcoming Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. University of Virginia Health System Award Ceremony. You can now see photos from the event and read about the recipients’ impactful contributions here.
- Education and Engagement: Team members across UVA Health continue to engage with communities and provide educational resources to improve equitable health outcomes. Alem Mulat, PharmD, BCPS, Manager of Clinical Pharmacy Services UVA Community Health, is speaking at Metz Middle School this week in Manassas about health issues affecting the African American community. Marquita Taylor, PhD, MPH, MBA is another incredible ambassador who uses her “Ms. Virginia” title from the Miss Black USA pageant as a platform to increase awareness about pancreatic cancer, especially among Black women. She is also one of this year’s MLK Award recipients.
Throughout February, we will highlight additional team members and initiatives making a difference. Keep an eye on Connect to learn more and celebrate our colleagues’ contributions.
Thank you for your dedication to our mission and for the care you show — not just to our patients, but to each other. You are an essential part of UVA Health, and we care about you, our patients, and our community. Together, we honor the past while building a future rooted in our mission of transforming health and hope for all Virginians and beyond.
Filed Under: Community, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion