The late civil rights leader and U.S. Representative John Lewis wrote, “Take a long, hard look down the road you will have to travel once you have made a commitment to work for change. Know that this transformation will not happen right away. Change often takes time.”
While forging the road toward a more inclusive healthcare system is not an easy or immediately achievable goal, it is a vital commitment we must make. Our sense of humanity depends on it. When I reflect on the roads the Brigham has traveled to work for change, I am proud of our progress and commitment to being trailblazers—particularly in our longstanding and uncompromising excellence in women’s healthcare.
Together, we’re bravely navigating challenging terrain to create a place of safety and welcome for all who need our support.
On other paths, we are still learning and growing. Slowly but surely, our leaders, our patients, our community are beginning to reflect the vibrant diversity of humankind. Together, we’re bravely navigating challenging terrain to create a place of safety and welcome for all who need our support, including those who are underserved, minority, and LGBTQ+ members of our community.
Blazing a new trail often requires finding a way out of no way. To succeed, we must stay open to new possibilities and perspectives, and help each other move forward—especially when it’s hard. I know each of us is capable of extraordinary, transformative acts of courage because I’ve already seen so much daring, determination, and resilience at the Brigham.
Thank you for being on this journey with us. I look forward to continuing to travel this road of transformation with you.
Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, MSHA
President, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Executive Vice President, Mass General Brigham
