Thursday, October 1, 2026
Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital hosted a vibrant and meaningful celebration in honor of Juneteenth, bringing together staff, patients, and community members to reflect on the significance of the historic holiday.
Held on the hospital patio on June 12, the event commemorated the past, celebrated cultural resilience and inspired future action.
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. It is recognized as the longest-running African American holiday and became a federal holiday in the United States in 2021. The day honors the end of slavery and highlights the ongoing struggle for equality and civil rights.
The LIJ Valley Stream event was presented by Northwell Health’s African American Caribbean Business Employee Resource Group, in collaboration with the hospital and the Orzac Center for Rehabilitation. Together, they organized an occasion that highlighted themes of togetherness, perseverance, and cultural pride.
“Juneteenth should be accepted as a symbol of freedom for everyone,” Kevin McCombs, manager, supply chain for LIJ Valley Stream, said. “This should be something that everyone can embrace, because just about every team member has ancestors who were under the rule of somebody else.
This day is a reminder of the joy in liberation,” he continued. “Even if you are not from this country, but you are here now, it should be a reminder of the joy and liberation from where you came from. Juneteenth is not a selective holiday because at the heart of this day is the remembrance of what it stands for, for everyone.”
The festive atmosphere was enhanced by live music, dancing and a menu of traditional soul food catered by Carolynn’s Kitchen of East Meadow—a local small business partnered with the hospital. Attendees enjoyed dishes such as macaroni and cheese, fried fish, collard greens, candied yams, cornbread and garlic mashed potatoes.
“It means a lot for LIJ Valley Stream to spearhead initiatives that are uplifting to both our team members and the community,” McCombs added. “I take pride in the fact that I work at this hospital, and I do whatever I can to make sure that it continues to be a beacon in the community. To see how we have grown and our dedication towards those who we serve is a blessing in itself.”
This year’s gathering continues a tradition of commemorating Juneteenth at LIJ Valley Stream, with the hospital consistently hosting events in recent years to mark the holiday’s historical and cultural importance.
“LIJ Valley Stream brings together individuals from many different backgrounds and experiences, all connected by a shared commitment to care and service,” Tamara Gordon-Ferguson, senior risk services counsel at Northwell Health and co-chair of the Northwell African American Caribbean BERG, said. “Taking a moment to reflect on Juneteenth allows us to pause, learn and honor an important chapter in our nation’s history.”
Even patients from the adjacent Orzac Center for Rehabilitation took part in the celebration, some enjoying the music and the uplifting message from their rooms.
