Maryland continues to be a national leader in health care. Your success lowering the drivers of health care spending and promoting health equity are noticed—in Annapolis and in Washington, D.C.

Last week jurors in Minneapolis rendered a verdict of guilty in the murder of George Floyd. The judgment marked an important step in acknowledging systemic racism and accountability in the judicial system. Yet, we recognize the work to address systemic racism must continue. We in health care institutions are among those obliged to do that work.

As it has been for some time, health care was front and center during the Maryland General Assembly’s legislative session, which adjourned April 12. Under that spotlight, MHA and your hospitals told the story of your COVID-19 response, successfully promoted bills to strengthen health and health care, and supported measures to put Maryland on the path to health equity.

During Black Maternal Health Week, we are reminded of the unacceptable—and largely preventable—disparities that exist for Black women. Maryland’s maternal mortality rate of 24.8 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births (measured 2013-2017) ranks our state 22nd in the U.S. The rate for Black Marylanders is roughly four times higher.

Racist and xenophobic language associated with the coronavirus pandemic is believed to have fueled an alarming spike in physical violence against members of the Asian American community and online harassment over the past year.

With just three weeks left in the 2021 Maryland General Assembly session, there is positive momentum on many of MHA’s priorities to expand health care access and bolster health equity.

From Elizabeth Blackwell to Virginia Apgar to Jennifer Doudna, women have long been at the forefront of medical innovation—breaking through barriers to build hospitals, invent technologies, and lead top medical organizations.

We got the welcome news last week of a third safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19. Then President Biden announced that the federal government expects to have enough supply for every U.S. adult to receive a first dose by the end of May.

One year ago, one of your hospitals admitted the state’s first COVID-19 inpatients. We’re now at about the 35,000th. Back then who could have imagined the challenges our field would face, the devastation and cruelty of this illness, or the pivotal role you would play far beyond patient care?

This month we celebrate the significant contributions of Black Americans to our nation’s past, present, and future. As we reflect on this, we must also face how racial health disparities impact our communities. We see worse outcomes and higher instances of chronic disease in communities of color, from maternal and child health to diabetes and everything in between.

Four in 10 U.S. adults report anxiety or depressive disorder symptoms during COVID-19—roughly four times as many as pre-pandemic.

In his address last Tuesday, Gov. Hogan suggested the state of our state hinges on stemming the pandemic. He said Maryland was put to the test over the past year, but Marylanders rose to the challenge.

COVID has disproportionately affected racial/ethnic groups in Maryland and nationwide, with Black and Hispanic people succumbing to the disease at higher rates.

Last week’s presidential inauguration offered messages of unity and a hopeful path forward. As the transfer of power continues amid a global pandemic, it’s clear COVID is President Biden’s top priority.

Just as it has dominated our professional and personal lives for nearly a year, the COVID pandemic—and its effects—will dominate the Maryland General Assembly’s legislative session, which got underway last week.

The unimaginable images of a mob descending on and vandalizing our U.S. Capitol last week leave a stain on the story of this country. Regardless of one’s political leanings, the invasion of the sanctity of the seat of American democracy was wrong.

As we enter the final week of what has been a thoroughly challenging year for us all, as you continue to see COVID patients stream into your hospitals, we are cautiously hopeful.

It is day 283 of the COVID crisis in Maryland. As on every day before, you and your teams continue to work tirelessly to save lives and keep our communities safe and healthy.

Work is underway on several fronts as your hospitals prepare to receive and distribute the first batches of a long-awaited vaccine for COVID-19. Your organizations and your people will be at the forefront of perhaps the largest and most ambitious vaccination effort in our country’s history.

Thanksgiving this year will look much different for many of us. No traditional dinner with extended family. No visits from in-laws and friends, and tough decisions about how to safely welcome home college-age children.