St. John’s Episcopal Hospital Takes a Knee
Far Rockaway, New York, June 15, 2020 — Today, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital (SJEH) team members gathered outside of the hospital to kneel in recognition of the black lives lost to police misconduct. The team members kneeled in unison for 8 minutes and 46 seconds—the amount of time a Minneapolis police officer knelt on an unarmed George Floyd’s neck resulting in his death.
The peaceful demonstration was organized and attended by resident physician Chukwuebuka Udokwu, SJEH leadership, members of 1199SEIU, and the New York Police Department’s 101st Precinct.
“St. John’s Episcopal Hospital stands for social justice and equality for all people,” said Jerry Walsh, Chief Executive Officer. “We hear our community and stand in solidarity with them.”
“If anyone asks you what St. John’s stand for, tell them that we stand for social justice,” said Renee Hastick-Motes, Vice President of External Affairs. “We understand that if anyone in our community is crying and in need, then we as a hospital are crying and in need. We are one with our community.”
About Episcopal Health Services
Episcopal Health Services Inc., (EHS) is a health system located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York. The system provides emergency and ambulatory care to the densely populated, culturally and economically diverse, and medically underserved Rockaways and Five Towns populations. The system provides people of all faiths with comprehensive preventive, diagnostic treatment, and rehabilitative services, regardless of their ability to pay.