A Message from The Office of Health Advocacy and Fairness - October 2025
The Office of Health Advocacy and Fairness continues in our resolve to make LifeBridge Health a place where all our team members are safe, our patients receive high-quality care and our community’s needs are met. This happens because of our amazing team members, who show up every day and serve our community selflessly in our ambulatory offices, surgery centers, The Family Tree, Bridging Life, Center for Hope, LifeBridge Health & Fitness, urgent care centers, hospitals and all the places where we provide care.
This month, we recognize the various observances that reflect the diverse backgrounds, beliefs and experiences of our team members, the individuals in our care and our communities.
National Hispanic American Heritage Month
Observed from September 15 to October 15, National Hispanic American Heritage Month honors the cultural legacy of Americans with ancestral ties to Spain, Mexico, and the Caribbean as well as Central and South America. Recognizing people from a wide range of nations and their descendants, Hispanic American Heritage Month provides an opportunity to engage with and celebrate these rich histories and cultures.
Filipino American History Month
This month pays tribute to the extensive history and rich culture of Filipino people in the United States. Commemorating the first recorded arrival of Filipino people in the United States in October 1597, this month serves as an opportunity to learn more about Filipino history and celebrate their legacy in the United States.
LGBTQIA+ History Month
LGBTQIA+ History month is a time to both reflect on the enduring history and culture of LGBTQIA+ Americans and to address the ongoing struggles they still face.
Yom Kippur (10/1-10/2)
The ten days that began on Rosh Hashanah and culminate on Yom Kippur, are known as the Ten Days of Repentance. There are extra prayers, people do extra acts of kindness and are introspective about their life. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most somber day of the Jewish calendar. This is the final day of judgment for the coming year.
Day of Remembrance (10/7)
On the anniversary of the October 7 attack, we honor the lives lost and those impacted, reflecting on the resilience of our community in the face of tragedy. This is a day of remembrance and solidarity, as we stand together to commemorate and heal.
National Coming Out Day (10/11)
Observed on October 11, National Coming Out Day celebrates the act of “coming out” and revealing one’s authentic sexuality and/or gender identity to one’s family, friends, and peers. On this day, we honor those who have come out and can live their truth openly, while extending our love and encouragement to those who have not or cannot come out safely.
Sukkot and Simchat Torah (10/6-10/15)
Sukkot, a nine-day holiday known in English as Tabernacles, comes after Yom Kippur by four days and usually falls in October. After leaving Egypt and slavery behind, the Jews traveled in the desert for forty years. During that time, they were protected and provided for by God in many miraculous ways. Sukkot celebrates the ongoing protection of God in our life.
Spirit Day (10/16)
Spirit Day, observed this year on October 16, is a day of awareness against the bullying of LGBTQIA+ youth. Whether in person or online, many young LGBTQIA+ people are subject to bullying. This discrimination is extremely detrimental to mental health and can have severe consequences for the victims. In support of this anti-bullying initiative, we encourage LifeBridge Health team members to wear purple on October 16.
Diwali (10/20)
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, with variations celebrated in other Indian religions. It symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.”
Tihar, the Festival of Lights (10/19-10/23)
Tihar, the Festival of Lights, is a captivating and vibrant celebration deeply rooted in the culture of Nepal. Also known as Deepawali or Yamapanchak, Tihar is a five-day festival (October 30 – November 3) that honors various animals and celestial beings. Each day is dedicated to a different form of life, starting with crows and concluding with the celebration of brothers on Bhai Tika. It’s a time for families to come together, exchange blessings and express gratitude to the creatures that share our world.
Twin Holy Birthdays (10/22-10/23)
The Festival of the Twin Birthdays or the Twin Holy Birthdays refers to two successive Holy Days in the Bahá’í calendar that celebrate the births of both the Báb (2 November) and Bahá’u’lláh (3 November), the two prophets associated with the Bahá’í revelation. These double Holy Days hold enormous joy and meaning for Bahá’ís all over the world. The notion of “twin Manifestations of God” is a concept fundamental to Bahá’í belief, describing the relationship between the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Both are considered Manifestations of God in their own right, having each founded separate religions (Bábism and the Bahá’í Faith) and revealed their own holy scriptures. To Bahá’ís, however, the missions of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh are inextricably linked: The Báb’s mission was to prepare the way for the coming of “Him whom God shall make manifest”, who eventually appeared in the person of Bahá’u’lláh.
Calls to Action
- Reflect. Consider how veterans’ experiences and training shape their health needs and how those needs may differ from non-veterans. Think about ways your work can help bridge gaps in access to care and resources for this community.
- Recognize. Acknowledge the unique challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian systems—such as navigating benefits, mental health care and workplace reintegration—and honor the skills and perspectives they bring.
- Respond. Support veterans by sharing available resources, promoting trauma-informed care and ensuring their voices are heard in conversations about improving health and well-being across our organization.