On Wednesday, I joined Open Society Institute (OSI)-Baltimore to celebrate their 20th anniversary celebration. OSI-Baltimore has been a key partner in multiple collaborations to further public health and social justice with the Baltimore City Health Department. When we wanted to provide naloxone for use by police officers, OSI-Baltimore was one of our initial funders. They funded our work to link people to treatment at the time they need it. They are also a key partner in the City’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program. They are helping us change the paradigm that incarcerating people who have the disease of addiction is ineffective, unscientific, and unethical.

OSI-Baltimore does not shy away from doing the hard things. In fact, I can always count on them to take a stance that may be unpopular at the time, but that is ultimately on the right side of history. This courage is exemplified in Director Diana Morris. On Wednesday, I had the great privilege to be presented with their “Bold Thinkers” award along with Dr. Lawrence Brown from Morgan State University, and to be present for an engaging conversation between civil rights attorney Vanita Gupta and historian Taylor Branch.

Earlier this week, I joined leaders from across the city, including Ron Daniels, President of Johns Hopkins University; Dr. Sam Ross, President and CEO of Bon Secours Hospital; and Reverend Debra Hickman, Co-Founder and CEO of Sisters Together And Reaching, Inc. (STAR) at an event hosted by The Atlantic, Healing the Divide: An Atlantic Forum on Health Equity.” In conversation with Editor-in-Chief Steve Clemons, I noted that Baltimore is an ecosystem of optimism and hope, and that courage exists everywhere in the city. There is so much to be inspired by in Baltimore, and so much great work being done every single day.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama has said, “All of us are driven by a simple belief that the world as it is just won’t do - that we have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be.” It is an honor to join my team at the Health Department—and our partners throughout the city—in the fight against injustice, and for the world as it should be.

Leana Wen, M.D., M.Sc.

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