This coming Monday, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His vision for a more compassionate and inclusive society endures, and Dr. King’s leadership in the fight for equity and equality remains as urgent and relevant today as it was more than 50 years ago.

Although Dr. King is most often remembered for his leadership in the civil rights movement, he was also outspoken about inequities in health care. His work challenges us not only to recognize these inequities, but to take meaningful, sustained action to address them. That call continues to guide us as health care providers in our commitment to dismantling barriers and creating a more accessible and equitable health care environment for all.

With equity as our True North, ZSFG advances this work by strengthening how we engage with patients and communities to remove barriers, foster belonging, and support departments across ZSFG in embedding equity into daily practice.

Across ZSFG, departments and clinical leaders proactively identify and address disparities, and nearly 75% have implemented active equity drivers that closely review care outcomes to identify gaps and make improvements.

Some of the ways we are improving access to care include non-emergency transportation for eligible patients and MyChart enrollment, where staff and trained volunteers provide one-on-one support to help patients sign up and use the system. These initiatives help patients make and keep appointments and take a more active role in their care.

Thank you for your continued dedication to living out Dr. King’s values by working alongside our community and providing care that addresses the root causes of health inequities. Through this work, we honor his legacy not only today, but every day.

Let’s all take a moment for reflection and learning on Dr. King’s legacy. I am happy to share some of the many events honoring Dr. King in San Francisco.

2026 MLK Labor & Community Breakfast
January 19, 2026
8 AM — 10 AM
InterContinental San Francisco Grand Ballroom
888 Howard Street, San Francisco
Tickets

This annual gathering brings together a distinguished assembly of leaders from labor, civic, political, and business communities and individuals from all walks of life.

2026 MLK March
January 19, 2026
11 AM — 12 PM
San Francisco Caltrain Station, 700 4th St, San Francisco

This 1.5-mile march pays homage to the historic Selma to Montgomery march led by Dr. King and culminates at the MLK Memorial in Yerba Buena Gardens.

Health and Wellness Festival
January 19, 2026
2 PM — 3PM
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
701 Mission Street, San Francisco

Registration encouraged.

The 2026 MLK Health & Wellness Festival embodies Dr. King’s vision of holistic well-being for all. This year, the festival features Black K.A.R.E., an organization raising awareness for diabetes and kidney health.

Have a great week, everyone!

Susan