equity – Here for Life

Voices of Hennepin Healthcare: Akhmiri Sekhr-Ra

December 3, 20211

The Chief Family Development Officer at the Cultural Wellness Center shares her harmonious vision for wellness – and why we need community to enjoy health.

“I can count on one hand how many jobs I’ve had,” says Akhmiri Sekhr-Ra with pride. “My mother worked at the same place until she retired. I’m doing the same at the Cultural Wellness Center. This is my retirement plan; I’m not going anywhere else.”

Akhmiri is now the Chief Family Development Officer at the Cultural Wellness Center in Minneapolis, an organization with strong, longstanding ties to Hennepin Healthcare. She became involved with the Center in 1996 as a community member, was asked to join the Board and then became a community partner. She came on staff 15 years ago. (more…)

Voices of Hennepin Healthcare: Semora Murrell

November 15, 20213

A Treasured Welcome Representative Shares Her Passion and Hope for Hennepin Healthcare

When you walk into Hennepin Healthcare, you may be lucky enough to meet Semora Murrell, a welcome services representative with a big, impossible-to-forget smile. “I’m the first face you see,” she says. “I can chat with everyone, I know some of everybody.”

“The role has a simple title, but many things come along with it,” says Semora, who is celebrating eight years of working at Hennepin Healthcare. “Most people believe it’s just greeting people and sending them on their way, but it’s much more than that. We are the face of Hennepin Healthcare.” (more…)

A white midwife’s letter to tonight’s Black baby

June 17, 20206

Dear new baby,

Today will be your birthday. Our city, our country, the world– is grieving the murder of George Floyd and too many others gone too soon. Your new life would be a different kind of hard if you were born an ocean away. Your life would look different if you were born on the southern end of the Mississippi River. But here you are, on your way tonight to be born into the land of the Dakota and Ojibwe.

Outside the walls of this hospital masses have gathered. Masses of broken hearts, raised hands and marching feet have taken to the streets. They brave a pandemic to face the more established and more deadly force of racism. They are marching for George Floyd. And they are marching for you. (more…)