A Message to all Members of the Jefferson Community

As an institution, we are united, and we are clear: The suffering of any community injures us all. Racism is unacceptable. We stand together against racial oppression.

What is true for the nation is true for our region. The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, and the harassment of people of color, are devastating failures of our society.

Many in our region, including members of the Jefferson community, peacefully protested on Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia. We stand with you in protest of injustice against any member of our community. We also stand with you in condemning the violence and destruction that has occurred in our city and throughout the country. As a University and a health organization that is committed to improving lives we must continue to work to address disparities in health and education. We must remain true to our Jefferson values. 

During the week, Jefferson Office of Diversity and Inclusion will launch a series of “B.R.A.V.E. Conversations” to listen, to support and to ensure we take action. (BRAVE stands for Bold, Relevant, Authentic, Valuable and Educational.) With all of us, our new Chief Diversity Officer, Lisette Martinez, will lead these conversations.  If you would like to participate, please email either Enterprise.Diversity@jefferson.edu or Lisette.Martinez@jefferson.edu.

We stand together.      

Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA
President, Thomas Jefferson University
CEO, Jefferson Health

Bruce A. Meyer, MD, MBA
President, Jefferson Health
Senior Executive Vice President, Thomas Jefferson University

Mark Tykocinski, MD
Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs
Provost, Thomas Jefferson University
Dean, Sidney Kimmel Medical College