Attending the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Awards ceremony were (l-r): Francine LoRusso, RN senior vice president, Operations, and executive director, Heart and Vascular, Transplant, Medicine and Radiology Services; awardees James Lindsay, Mark Taylor, Jose Sarango and Ja’Meka Chambers; and Keith Churchwell, MD, YNHH president.

YNHH presents Martin Luther King Jr. awards

Each year, Yale New Haven Hospital presents its Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Awards to New Haven high school students who exemplify the civil rights icon’s ideals. On Jan. 31, Yale New Haven Health’s Institute for Excellence and YNHH’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Council and Community Engagement Committee presented the awards to four students, who researched and wrote about Martin Luther King Jr.’s contributions. 

James D. Lindsay: “What I took away from my research about King is that just being right is not enough. It is important to do tasks with the right type of character, respect, dignity and patience. King’s continued impact has helped shape the country to what it is today and it gives me a template to follow on how to keep the dream alive.”

Jose P. Sarango: “The problems plaguing African-Americans such as segregation and institutional discrimination still linger through new means in the common world, and the peaceful instructions of MLK remain the beacon of hope they once were. In a world where progress must remain continuous, MLK reminds us why we must fuel that progress, why we cannot back down when there is so much more left to do.”

Mark Taylor: “The journey of Martin Luther King Jr. is very inspirational to me. The amount of effort and endurance that (he) showed in order to fight for the cause of civil rights sets a major example of what needs to be present in order to overcome something great. By learning more about the struggle that Martin Luther King Jr had, I will be more ready to face the obstacles that the world will give and have the strength to obtain the life that I know I want.”

Ja’meka Chambers: “Researching Dr. King has given me insight into what it’s like to care so deeply about something that it’s worth your life. I’ve been able to see a more in-depth account of what it’s like to create such a huge impact in your community and it’s inspired me to find ways to give back to my community so I can also make a difference.”