To cheers and clapping, Valley proudly raised the Pride flag at noon on June 1. Even though the spectators remained masked, the smiles and celebratory atmosphere were evident. Speakers included Valley CEO Jeannine Erickson Grinnell, as well as LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee co-chairs, Dan Brelsford, MD, Medical Director of LGBTQ Care and Jeremy Wyatt, Manager Perioperative Services.
Here’s what Jeannine had to say:
“Good afternoon. I’m Jeannine Erickson Grinnell, CEO of Valley Medical Center. My pronouns are she/her. Thank you for joining us. I’m surrounded today by many of Valley’s Pride committee members; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee members and many more staff who are joining us virtually.
For the 10th year in a row, we proudly raise the Pride flag in unison and solidarity with our colleagues across the UW Medicine health system. In fact, we believe we were the first healthcare system in the country back in 2012 to fly the Pride flag simultaneously with the other UW Medicine hospitals. Flying this flag is just one way we demonstrate our dedication to the LGBTQIA+ community as part of our mission of caring for our community like family. An even more significant way that shows our dedication to action is our national achievement as a Leader in Healthcare Equality for ten consecutive years through an independent review by the Human Rights Campaign.
This year’s Pride activities celebrate resilience and I can’t think of a better theme after 28 months of extraordinarily tough times. My heritage is Finnish and one of the cultural concepts I often reference is SISU, which means having sustained determination and extraordinary courage when faced with significant adversity. Sisu isn’t momentary or fleeting. It is the sustained perseverance to continue on beyond what we think we can, to do more than we believed we could, and to find the strength to keep doing it.
To the LGBTQIA plus members of our staff and community. We see you, we hear you and we care for you. And to one very special person in my life who is watching this today, I want you to know that I am passionate about this work because of YOU.”
Watch the rest of the speeches on Facebook.
Valley Accepted City of Renton 2022 Pride Proclamation on June 6
On behalf of Valley Medical Center and the LGBTQiA+ community, vice-chair of the LGBTQ+ Clinical Advisory Committee, Alex Shockey accepted the City of Renton Pride proclamation at the city council meeting on Monday, June 6. Watch video.
