(L-R): Tracy Thompson, Patient Experience Associate, CMMC and recipient of the 2019 Humanitarian Award from CMMC; Mary Ellen Clyne, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, CMMC; Desyra Highsmith, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, CMMC; Master Hildon Rawls, III, Keynote Speaker; Pamela Wright, Dietary Services, CMMC; Tara Reid, Human Resources, CMMC; Crystal Branch, RN, Patient Care Services (and Chairperson of the MLK Committee at CMMC); Erithea Stone, Dietary Services, CMMC and Akbar Cook, Principal, West Side High School-Newark and Recipient of the 2019 Brotherhood Award from CMMC.
Clara Maass Medical Center hosted its Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration and Luncheon was held Wednesday, January 23, 2019 in The Learning Center. This year’s theme was “Empowering our Youth” and its keynote speaker, was 8 year-old Master Hilton Rawls, III, prolific speaker, minister, orator and actor who recited one of the last speeches given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Mason Temple Church of God in Christ in Memphis, Tennessee: “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.” The speech, which was given on April 3, 1968 in support of 1,300 striking sanitation workers that assembled regularly at the church. Rawls, who regularly shares the Gospel messages in various parts of the country and has led prayers to heal hearts, has appeared in several TV commercials and in the hit NetFlix series “Seven Seconds” featuring actress Regina King.
Dr. Mary Ellen Clyne, President and Chief Executive Officer of Clara Maass Medical Center presented the prestigious Brotherhood Award to Akbar Cook, Principal of West Side High School in Newark. Cook was selected by hospital staff to receive the Award to acknowledge his efforts to make a difference in the lives of Newark’s young people. Most recently, Cook was recognized by comedienne and television host Ellen DeGeneres for installing a laundry facility at the school to help students avoid being bullied or embarrassed for wearing unclean clothing.
The event feature a special performance by the renowned Newark Boys Chorus, often referred to as Newark’s Musical Ambassadors. The Chorus, performed a collection of African American selections that included the ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’, a traditional spiritual, ‘Elijah Rock’ and an African style original, Tuimbe (Let There Be Music). The Chorus, who has performed on five continents, typically performs a diversified repertoire that includes traditional classical music, spirituals, folk music and jazz.
Tracy Thompson, Patient Experience Associate at CMMC was also presented with the Humanitarian Award for 2019, which is given each year to a deserving employee of CMMC for outstanding service to others.
The event was organized by the Medical Center’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee and is held annually.