Reflecting on Dr. King’s Legacy and Our Pursuit of Health Equity
January 19, 2026
Dear Penn Medicine colleagues,
On Monday, January 19, our country observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a moment that asks us to reflect on a legacy of conviction and courage and invites us to renew our commitment to a future defined by equality and dignity.
Throughout his life, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of an inescapable network of mutuality, a single garment of destiny that ties us together. Whatever shapes the well-being of one person ultimately touches the lives of all. In health care, the truth of this interconnection is clear: When people thrive, communities grow stronger.
At Penn Medicine, we are working to meet this responsibility by making advances that allow our patients, their families, and the world beyond to enjoy safer, longer, and more fulfilling lives. This mission comes to life through innovative academic, research, and clinical programs, civic engagement, grassroots activities, and other strategies that address the disparities driving poor health.
That momentum today is powered by faculty, staff, and students across Penn Medicine who are reimagining equity and care in bold ways in both their life and work—a movement built on the foundation laid by those who came before us. Among them is the late Dr. Edward S. Cooper, who passed away last month, leaving an indelible mark on our institution and the broader field of medicine.
A confidant and physician to Dr. King, Dr. Cooper dedicated his life to research and to a vision of medicine that guarantees the best care and outcomes for every patient. His contributions redefined cardiology, producing seminal discoveries that have informed treatments for heart disease and stroke. He also identified how racial differences affect stroke in Black individuals and other historically underserved populations, drawing attention to preventable causes and influencing public health initiatives and national care guidelines.
In both Dr. King’s and Dr. Cooper’s examples, we see how purpose paired with resolve can transform. The National Day of Service is an open invitation to put our hearts and energy into action. Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Events and Volunteer Opportunities page on the intranet, or learn more about how the Penn CAREs grant program helps individuals make an impact year-round.
If you missed the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Health Equity Lecture presented by Aletha Maybank, MD, MPH, former chief health equity officer of the American Medical Association, a recording of the talk is available here.
Thank you for believing in the promise of our work and for sustaining it with your trust. Faith in possibility is how better tomorrows begin.
Sincerely,
