Thursday, October 1, 2026
Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital continued its annual Juneteenth celebration, bringing employees together to recognize the holiday through music, food and education while reinforcing the importance of cultural awareness in healthcare.
The hospital has hosted a Juneteenth event each year since 2021. The observance has evolved over time while remaining focused on honoring Juneteenth’s history and creating a space where employees from all backgrounds can come together.
This year’s celebration was held on the hospital’s outdoor patio and featured a cookout-style atmosphere with music, soul food and opportunities for staff members to connect during breaks in the workday. Because the hospital operates 24 hours a day, organizers planned the event to allow employees to participate as their schedules permitted.
Project Manager Tatiana Rodriguez, who has helped coordinate the event since its inception, said this year’s gathering was intentionally less structured than in previous years. While earlier celebrations included speakers and were sometimes held in the hospital auditorium, organizers opted for a more informal format this year.
“We felt that this Juneteenth celebration was going to just pretty much give everybody a time to just reflect and celebrate each other, get to know each other, eat, dance, sit and listen to music, and just enjoy the history, the culture and the impact that this subject really represents,” Rodriguez said.
The event also coincided with the final day of the hospital’s Epic electronic health record implementation, giving employees an opportunity to unwind after weeks of intensive work.
Lissa Nelson, director of patient and customer experience, said the event honors the courage and perseverance of those whose freedom is commemorated by Juneteenth while inviting employees across the hospital to learn, reflect and celebrate together.
Music, food and fellowship are central to the event, creating opportunities to recognize African American cultural contributions while fostering conversations about history and community.
“It’s a time for us just to lie back, have conversation, laugh, joy, laughter and at the same time take seriously the commitment of those newly freed slaves who were held back for so long,” Nelson said. “Yet we’re able to stand on their shoulders, so we remind ourselves that we cannot hold back, we cannot take freedom for granted, and we were given a great gift by them, so we celebrate that as well as we remind ourselves about how much work we have to do.”
The celebration is organized by the hospital’s African American Caribbean Business Employee Resource Group, with participation from members of other employee resource groups, including the Latin and Asian groups.
Cultural observances are closely connected to patient care.
“Part of the conversation is being skilled, to understand the different cultures and communities, so that when we approach them, we allow them to be their authentic selves, but we want to promote the best possible you, while we respect and learn and understand your culture and meet you where you’re at,” Nelson said. “That is such an important part of being successful in reaching the community and keeping the community healthy.”
Rodriguez added that recognizing cultural traditions helps patients feel welcomed, respected and understood.
The hospital plans to continue its Juneteenth celebration annually and other cultural observances, including Hispanic Heritage Month, as part of its ongoing effort to reflect the diverse workforce and community it serves.
