Dear Members of the IHP Community:
In the past week we have seen words and actions from the federal government that could have a chilling effect on higher education and the people who make up our community. It’s clear that anxiety and fear are taking hold and impacting some members of our community; anxiety over what might happen to our friends and neighbors, and fear of the unknown.
These feelings are valid, and will continue because of the uncertainty of what the future holds. Please know that you are not alone in them. Something that has always made us proud to call ourselves a part of the IHP community is the way that we are able to come together and meet each other at our humanity, whether it is peer-to-peer, faculty and student, or practitioner and patient.
Because we care about equity and health, we know how important it is to show up for one another, and what we learn will have a lasting impact on our patients and care practice regardless of what the landscape of the field looks like. We are still watching and learning about what impact these executive orders will have and will continue to hold space to connect to one another as we move forward together.
We want to remind you that the Employee Assistance Program / Student Assistance Program is a resource to members of our community. EAP/SAP is available for appointments and on call if urgent support is needed at 866-724-4327 or submit a request online to connect. The JEDI Office is compiling information about Know Your Rights workshops and resources. Below are a few resources:
- City of Cambridge: Know Your Rights Monday, January 27th, at 7:00pm
- American Civil Liberties Union ACLU's January 30th People Power Mass Deportation Know Your Rights Training Thursday, January 30th at 8:00pm
- Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) Know your Rights training and resources Thursday, February 6 at 12pm (as well as past recorded offerings)
- Transgender Law Center Know Your Rights as a Transgender or Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) Immigrant General Resource
- United We Dream: Know Your Rights General Resource
In these uncertain and unsettling times, the MGH Institute remains committed to equity and anti-oppression and our core value of providing an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion work upholds our institutional mission of health equity at the IHP, all of which is aligned with the mission of Mass General Brigham.
We are here for you, no matter the challenges.
Paula Milone-Nuzzo
President
Kim Truong
Chief Equity Officer