Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Commemorates Juneteenth

The Medical Center held its first flag raising ceremony as well as a vendor fair featuring Black-owned businesses

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center celebrated Juneteenth which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans with a flag raising ceremony on Monday, June 19 at which speakers shared the importance of the observance for all Americans.

“Today is a day of celebration of freedom but is also a moment for all of us to recommit to building a safer, stronger, more equitable tomorrow for all Black Americans and communities of color,” said Deborah Visconi, President & CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center.  “We still have work to do to ensure Black Americans have equality and equity in all aspects of life starting with access to quality and affordable healthcare and including housing, food security, education and employment.”

“We should all come together because at the end of the day the objective is the same; to live amongst each other, to share with one another, and to be there in times of need for one another,” said Anthony Cureton, Bergen County Sherriff.

“It’s important that we all work together to fix the ills of not only New Jersey but the entire country because none of us are free until all of us are free,” said Jeff Carter, President, Bergen County NAACP. “Love will always conquer hate and darkness will always find light, so let’s continue to do the good work we’ve been doing.”

“Today we acknowledge our nation’s past and pray for the healing of racial division within our society by raising this flag to celebrate freedom and justice, reconciliation and God’s love for all mankind and our love for one another,” said Bishop Charles Singletary, Chaplain, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. “Let us work together for freedom and equality, valuing everyone’s life regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion or economic status, making this a better world for all.”

“We come together to remember what happened in the past and that we won’t go back because we are moving forward to make changes to ensure everyone is included, everyone is represented, and that there is equality for everyone,” said Assemblywoman Lisa Swain.

“We have been in the struggle for some time and have established a need to come together so we can heal and move forward together because we can’t do this by ourselves,” said Kevin Wilson, Councilman, City of Englewood.

“I am proud to be a member of the DEI Committee here at the Medical Center, driving initiatives that embrace and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Lisa Polak-Dean, QIP/Clinical integration Manager, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. “Juneteenth is a reminder of our past, but it is also an opportunity to take a moment to respect our cultures and imagine a future of inclusion and belonging standing together in solidarity to pursue a society where everyone can thrive and flourish.”

On Tuesday, June 20, a vendor fair featuring Black-owned businesses and services was held on the Medical Center’s campus as part of the commemoration of Juneteenth.