We Are One Johns Hopkins Medicine | Giving to Johns Hopkins

June 9, 2020 by Kevin Sowers

Sometimes it’s not easy to focus when we’re faced with the many complexities of life. In the midst of a global pandemic, we worry about the health of the people we love, our own health, and our ability to navigate the fallout from the pandemic.

A man and a woman kneel beside several other people, also kneeling, on the sidewalk outside Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in Tampa, Florida. — Terrell and Trudy Riley join fellow Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital staff during the national “White Coats for Black Lives” observance on June 5, 2020. Photo by Allyn DiVito

We hurt when hearing about the racism directed toward members of our Asian American communities and people of Asian descent. We hurt when we see the images of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and too many other African Americans who have fallen victim to violence even during this global health crisis, which has also disproportionately impacted communities of color.

We worry about our loved ones. And we worry about saying and doing the wrong things – either being too proliferative with our words and actions or not saying or doing enough. And it is difficult to feel connected when we must protect our health and the health of the people we love by practicing social distancing.

But it’s important to know that everything you feel, someone else is feeling. And even though we are socially distant, the truths and values and ideals that have kept us together will help see us through these trying times.

Our organization was created to serve the greater good. We’ve helped generations navigate the journey of life in the midst of some of the most trying times our nation has ever seen. It’s not by accident that the Johns Hopkins Medicine Vision states that we will deliver the promise of medicine, together. Our unity makes us strong.

I know that this is a tough time, but we remain connected through our unified sense of purpose. We are one Johns Hopkins Medicine and we will get through these challenging times, together.

Thank you for your enduring courage. And thank you for continuing to respect one another and for perpetuating the goodness and kindness that we want to see in our world.