International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Today, Jan. 27, is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Established in 2005 by the UN General Assembly, this day of remembrance commemorates the anniversary of the liberation of the concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

It is a special opportunity to honor the six million Jews and millions of others who lost their lives during the Holocaust, also known as the Shoah, which was instigated by the racist Nazi regime to enact a complete genocide of European Jews and other minority groups. 

The Holocaust is one of the most horrific events in human history. Seventy-eight years later, we are still reeling from its impact on our world. Today is a time to remember the victims and to honor the survivors and their families. It is a day for people of every culture to come together to condemn intolerance and racism. More than just a day of reflection and learning, it is a day to stand together against anti-Semitism, genocide and xenophobia – especially hate crimes we see appear in our own community. It is by speaking up and taking bold action against any threat to justice  that we will ensure that the atrocities of the Holocaust never happen again. 

This is part of the mental and spiritual healing of which we speak in our Mission. As individuals, and as a team of healthcare professionals, we can raise awareness of the lessons that can be learned and should never be forgotten. We can support organizations that work to combat racism, hate and discrimination. We can encourage honest and open dialogue that will help us create a culture of inclusion and understanding. 

Thank you for joining together in this day of remembrance and committing to serving all those entrusted to our care – every person, every time.