MGH Multicultural Affairs Office

Community Outreach

Over the past four years, the Multicultural Affairs Office has evolved as a partner with the internal and external MGH community to provide the highest quality of care to an increasingly diverse patient population.

MAO has developed collaborations to improve workforce diversity; develop leaders in academic medicine, biomedical research and healthcare policy and administration; and to educate the community on issues of cultural competence, health and healthcare disparities.

Internal collaborations

At MGH, MAO staff work closely with Peter Slavin, MD, President of MGH, senior Administration, the MGH Diversity Committee, the Executive Committee on Research, Community Benefits Program, the Committee on Health and Healthcare Disparities, Human Resources, the Association of Multicultural Members of Partners, Patient Care Services, and Medical Interpreter Services, among others. Some of the MAO collaborative effors within MGH are:

MGH Latino employees during the Latino Heritage Month celebration at MGH

Co-chairs of the Latino Heritage Month committee

Hundreds of MGHers marks Latino Heritage Month with a celebration coordinated by the Latino Heritage Planning Committee, a volunteer group of MGH employees.

The lively event took place Sept. 22, 2006 and included a jazz reception under the Bulfinch Tent and a keynote speech from renowned Puerto Rican writer and documentary film producer Esmeralda Santiago in the O'Keeffe Auditorium.

Dr. Ernesto Gonzalez, Lourdes "Lulu" Sanchez, Dr. Celina Mankey

Co-sponsors the Ernesto Gonzalez award

In 2005 the Massachusetts General Hospital instituted an award for outstanding service to the Latino community and recognized Dr. Ernesto Gonzalez for his contributions to Latino patients and families at MGH and surrounding communities.

This award, renamed "The Ernesto Gonzalez Award for Outstanding Service to the Latino Community", is co-sponsored by MAO and was awarded to Lourdes Sanchez, Manager, Interpreter Services, on Friday, September 29th of 2006 as part of the Latino Heritage Month celebrations at MGH.

Dr. S. Allen Counter and Dr. Ernesto Gonzalez, in the 2007 Martin Luther King Celebration

Supports the MLK event

The annual Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration provides an opportunity to hear the insights of prominent guest speakers who share their views of the legacy of the slain civil rights pioneer.

This celebration is organized by the Association of Multicultural Members of Partners (AMMP) with the support of the Multicultural Affairs Office.
This year's presentation "Shattering Barriers & Transcending Borders" was featured by Dr. S. Allen Counter (left) on January 12, 2007, in the East Garden Room at MGH.

External collaborations

Beyond MGH, MAO provides outreach to Harvard Medical School students, and actively participates in numerous programs sponsored by the Office for Diversity and Community Partnership, the Partnership and the Boston Center for Community and Justice, among other local and national organizations.

The Organization of Minority Residents and Fellows members also volunteer in various Boston community projects, including health education and mentorship to high school students and participate in school work fairs.

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