WRNMMC, Bethesda, MD –
Leaders and staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) cut the ribbon to open the Black History Heritage Trail at WRNMMC Feb. 10.
The trail is “an experiential exhibition showcasing historically significant achievements and events involving Black members of the WRNMMC community,” explained Maia Magder, a speech-language pathologist at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) officer at WRNMMC.
The exhibit includes 10 posters highlighting Black individuals who have contributed to the history of WRNMMC. The posters are situated at various sites throughout the medical center, including in Buildings 10, 9, 19, 1, 5 and NICoE. Individuals honored include retired Navy Vice Adm. Adam Robinson Jr., retired Army Lt. Gen. Nadja West, the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Nolen Hobbs, retired Navy Force Master Chief Laura A. Martinez, the late Army Brig. Gen. Hazel Johnson-Brown, former President Barack and Michelle Obama, Navy Capt. Lynelle Boamah, Navy Capt. Carlos Williams, and retired Army Brig. Gen. Norvell Coots.
“We all have stories. Our own personal stories of why, how and what brought us to this great institution to be health-care providers, to enlist, to be administrators, and to support Walter Reed each in our own way,” Magder said.
“Throughout our lives we continue to collect these stories, including those of our patients with whom we work, our colleagues with whom we interact, and of our experiences within and throughout our communities,” she added.
“The stories told by those who remember become history because of the power to tell them, and we honor and celebrate Black History Month by the telling of Black stories specific to WRNMMC,” Magder said. She explained these stories are of achievements, innovations, milestones and events that happened at WRNMMC or related to its staff members and left an “indelibly mark.”
Magder said while creating the trail she discovered there are so many stories of achievements, innovations and milestones at WRNMMC. “There is Black history everywhere throughout the hospital, and we hope to honor more people in the future,” she added. Army Brig. Gen. Jack Davis, WRNMMC director, agreed during his welcoming remarks for the ribbon cutting.
“The selection of these 10 individuals was really very difficult because there were so many worthy candidates,” said Davis. He added this year’s theme for Black History Month is Black Health and Wellness.
“This theme invites us to reflect upon not only the services African Americans have provided at Walter Reed, but also to collectively and continually work together for our mission of providing innovative, patient-centered care [with] health equity, and closing the racial disparities in health care,” Davis said.
The first African-American director of NICoE, a WRNMMC’s directorate, Navy Capt. Carlos Williams shared his story as the guest speaker at the ribbon cutting.
Williams earned his medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine and completed his internship and residences in internal medicine and pediatrics at Wayne State University. He also earned a master’s in public health in international health and an MBA in health leadership and management form Johns Hopkins University.
Prior to coming to NICoE, Williams served as the first U.S. Health Affairs Attaché to the Pacific Island, a role in which he was the principal health advisor to the U.S. ambassadors of the Pacific Island countries and territories, and the regional advisor to the U.S. Pacific Command for global health.
“I’m honored to be among this distinguished group,” Williams said of his co-honorees in WRNMMC’s inaugural Black History Heritage Trail. “Without question, they have changed the course of history for so many in ways known and unknown,” he added.
“Since Black History Month was established in 1926, this is the first time its theme has focused on health,” Williams said. He also discussed the importance of mentorship, stating, “There is no one in the world whoever got to where they are alone.”
Williams said one of his mentors was a fellow honoree on the heritage trail, Adam Robinson Jr., the first African American to command the National Naval Medical Center (a predecessor of WRNMMC), and the first African American to serve as Surgeon General of the U.S. Navy. Williams explained how the encouragement and advice he received from Robinson helped in his decision to make the Navy a career.
Encouraging people to take advantage of opportunities, Williams said, “I’m a firm believer that the greatest gift a person can give another is an opportunity, [and] when opportunity comes, you have to be ready for it. Opportunity doesn’t stay.” He added equality and inclusion prepare people for the diversity of life-changing opportunities.
“As you take the journey along the Black heritage trail, I ask you to consider the challenges that stood in the way [of the honorees], including those that came directly because of their race [and] lack of opportunity,” yet they persevered and achieved, Williams explained. He added opportunity helps propel change.
Magder agreed, adding “That when we talk about diversity, equity and inclusion, what we also need to talk about is access, so DEI becomes DEIA…Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access, in order to ensure opportunities in the future.”