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Today, Paige Dworak, the President and CEO of East Orange General Hospital, announced that Juneteenth, will officially be recognized as a hospital holiday. Dating back to June 19, 1865, Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. “We need to take deliberate action to honor and recognize our staff, our patients, and the community we serve,” Dworak said. “Recognizing Juneteenth as an official hospital holiday celebrates the significance of African American history and culture to this organization. We are truly proud to make this change in tribute to the members of our EOGH family. East Orange General Hospital remains true to its roots as a hospital by the people, for the people.” HR Director, Robert Mays added “Juneteenth has always been a very significant day to African American families because each of us has the wretched linkage to the painful atrocity of slavery within our lineage. Adding Juneteenth as an official holiday is the right thing to do.” Today EOGH invited all employees to learn about the history and experiences of African Americans and come together to celebrate with prayer, poetry, and song.