Good afternoon,
Forwarding Secretary Azar’s email to all IHS officers with a non-IHS.gov email address.
V/r,
CAPT Angela Mtungwa
Director, Div. of Commissioned Personnel Support
Commissioned Corps Liaison
Office of Human Resources
Indian Health Service
301-443-5440
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From: For OS announcements to all of HHS <HHS-NEWS-ALL@LIST.NIH.GOV> On Behalf Of Azar, Alex (OS/IOS)
Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2020 3:42 PM
To: HHS-NEWS-ALL@LIST.NIH.GOV
Subject: Confronting racism and building a more just country
Dear Colleagues,
There is no doubt that the last several months have been challenging for our country. Life as we know it has become very different, and many of us are still grappling with the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To say that all of this has been compounded by the tragic and senseless killing of George Floyd would be an understatement. As your Secretary, I want you to know that I too was—and continue to be—outraged and upset after viewing the footage. It is challenging to comprehend and process, and, like you, I have been spending time in reflection and talking with those around me.
Last week, the Department of Justice immediately began an accelerated civil rights investigation of this tragedy. Americans rightly demand and expect that justice be done for George Floyd, his family, and his community. We cannot have one standard of justice for black Americans and another for whites. We also cannot have one standard for law enforcement and another for everyone else. We all hope and pray that our country makes horrific events like this a piece of our past, not our present or future.
As the President said this past weekend, citizens peacefully calling for change must be heard, and heard loudly. I hope that these tragic events might prompt meaningful conversations, including within our department, that can deepen our understanding of our colleagues’ diverse perspectives and how each of us can help our country better live up to our founding ideals.
Building a just country requires building up, not tearing down. Sadly, communities across America have also now erupted in violent unrest, with businesses and residences damaged and, in some cases, access to healthcare and emergency services disrupted. My top priority and greatest concern for all of you at this time is your safety. Please pay close attention to information shared by your state and local governments, and please bear in mind public health recommendations on social distancing.
Many members of the HHS family may be in pain or feeling anxious as a result of these events. As challenging as it is, this is a time to pay special attention to your own needs and the needs of your families, and to respect and practice good self-care. If you are experiencing mental distress, or just need someone to talk to, you can find counseling and referrals to resources through the federal Employee Assistance Program, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. I urge you to let your supervisor know if you need time to reflect and recover from these stresses and to take care of yourself and your loved ones, and I urge supervisors to work with employees to determine what flexibilities are available to support them.
All of you can take pride in the fact that you are part of a department that works toward a more equal, more just America. We protect and enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, and that means placing a special focus on Americans who suffer marginalization and discrimination. We have been fighting health disparities that burden Americans of color for decades. It was, in part, through the efforts of our Department that segregation in America’s hospitals came to an end in the 1960s, when members of our Office for Civil Rights and volunteers from the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps inspected hospitals around the country to ensure compliance with the Civil Rights Act.
We continue to fight for equal access to quality care during the pandemic, which has had a hugely disproportionate impact on communities of color. Our Office for Civil Rights has been coordinating with groups like NAACP chapters during the crisis and will continue to vigorously enforce our laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in health and human services. As Surgeon General Adams said this past weekend, we cannot carry out our mission without addressing how racism impacts health challenges—in everything from maternal mortality to substance use, HIV, and violence in our communities.
Each day, I am inspired by the dedication you show to making us a stronger and healthier country. Please stay safe during this time, and please know that your commitment to serving your fellow Americans is never more needed or appreciated than it is today.
Alex M. Azar II
Secretary of Health and Human Services