On March 25, 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King addressed reporters during a press conference in Chicago at the annual meeting of the Medical Committee for Human Rights.
King spoke to journalists before he was scheduled to deliver an address to conference attendees. King’s theme was the disparate medical care received by Black people.
“[Injustice in healthcare] is more degrading than slums, because slums are a psychological death while inequality in health means a physical death.” -Dr. Martin Luther King
“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane,” the Associated Press reported. Â
Four days later March 29, he repeated a similar quote at a meeting of the Medical Committee for Human Rights in the University of Chicago’s Center for Continuing Education “Of all forms of discrimination and inequalities, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman,” Dr. King said.
“It is more degrading than slums, because slums are a psychological death while inequality in health means a physical death.”Â
BJC HealthCare and Christian Hospital will host a pair of events that address the health inequities in America that Dr. King spoke of almost 58 years ago.
Christian Hospital will host the 7th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon “Embracing the Dream” at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday Jan. 12 in the Detrick Building Atrium.
Drum major awards are bestowed upon local heroes who have given their time, talents, treasure, and service in the name of justice, equity, and equality. The 2024 Drum Major Award recipients are:
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Valerie E. Patton, Greater St. Louis, Inc.
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Kathy Conley-Jones, LUTCF, Williamson Financial Management Group
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Art McCoy, Ph.D., Founder & President of S.A.G.E.S. L.L.C.
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Taliya King, Accenture
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Rodney Crim, CEcD, EDFP, CEO and President, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership
Drum Major Scholarships will be awarded to student scholars from Ferguson-Florissant, Hazelwood, Jennings, Normandy, Ritenour, and Riverview Gardens school districts; Incarnate Word Academy, Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory, Lutheran North, and Pattonville high schools and St. Louis Community College.
Charitable contributions donated during this celebration will help support scholarships for local high school students and a junior college student pursuing a career in nursing and the Building Health Community Fund.
BJC HealthCare will host a Virtual Commemorative Service Honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 15 at noon-1 p.m. The event will include a panel discussion, moderated by Deidre Griffith, BJC Vice President of Community Health Improvement, with community leaders on the collective impact of service, including:
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Michael McMillan, president and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis, Inc.
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Michelle Tucker, president and CEO, United Way of Greater St. Louis
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Brian Herstig, president and CEO, Jewish Federation of St. Louis