LINCOLN MARCH 2024
N YC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln unveiled a new mural as part of the Community Mural Project run by the health system’s Arts in Medicine department. The mural, Legacy at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, was developed by artist Dister Rondon through a series of focus groups with community members, staff and patients and brought to life at a paint party where the community was invited to paint the mural together. Legacy is one of nine new murals that have been created in the past year, building on the 26 murals created in the first wave of the Community Mural Project, which are featured in a new book, Healing Walls: New York City Health + Hospitals Community Mural Project 2019-2021. A video of the artist and members of the community speaking about the mural is available here. This program is made possible through the generous support of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund. Legacy depicts the Young Lords’ takeover of Lincoln Hospital in 1970 as a pivotal moment in the fight for improved healthcare and patient advocacy. Through their activism–alongside residents of the neighborhood–they not only challenged the deplorable health conditions for patients and staff, but also confronted racial and class inequalities embedded within the healthcare system. Holding a megaphone is Felipe Luciano, a key figure in the Young Lords movement, along with protesters Iris Morales
and Denise Oliver-Velez, raising their fists and embodying the spirit of activism and resilience as they unite in the fight for social justice and equality. On the right side of the mural, a tender depiction of a woman cradling her baby adds depth to the narrative. Her arm bears a tattoo of roses, representing beauty and strength amidst adversity. These elements contrast with the vibrant roses in red, pink, and violet hues located in the bottom left corner, highlighting the interconnectedness of struggle and hope within the community. “So being at the focus groups is one thing where many ideas come out, but now it comes to fruition, and we get to paint it, you see the fruits of your labor,” said Chris Roker, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. “It’s a beautiful thing. It’s almost like us taking care of our patients. They’re coming in sick and we’re able to help them. Same thing with surgery, primary care and our specialties. I love it. We’re doing art, and Arts in Medicine brings everybody together, our community, my staff.
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator