International Holocaust Remembrance Day is an annual commemoration held on January 27th to remember the victims of the Holocaust and to raise awareness of the dangers of hatred, prejudice, and bigotry. It is an important day for the entire world and certainly for the Heersink School of Medicine Office for Diversity and Inclusion.

The Holocaust was a horrific event in history that saw the systematic extermination of millions of Jews, Romani people, LGBTQ+, disabled individuals, and other minority groups by the Nazi regime in Germany during World War II. The Holocaust was a grave injustice and a devastating loss of human life; we must remember the victims and honor their memory.

But Holocaust Remembrance Day is not just about remembering the past. It is also about learning from the past and taking action to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The lessons of the Holocaust teach us the importance of standing up for what is right, speaking out against injustice, and promoting tolerance, understanding, and acceptance of all people.

As a medical school and a community that values diversity and inclusion, we need to remember the Holocaust and honor the victims by working to create a more just and equitable society. We can do this by actively promoting diversity and inclusion within our community and by speaking out against hate and discrimination whenever we see it.

For those who would like to learn more, here is an informative video about this important day: