UMass Chan Medical School held its 38th annual tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., January 26, celebrating the intersection of healthcare, service, and social justice. The virtual ceremony was highlighted by the recognition of Elizabeth Mirekuaa Lartey, an alumna and dedicated Bay Path Practical Nursing Academy educator, and UMass Chan doctoral student, as a recipient of the 2026 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Student Service Recognition Award.

Lartey, a resident of Worcester and a second-year Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student at the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, was selected from a record-breaking pool of nominees. The award recognizes students whose community-focused projects and clinical dedication significantly advance health equity and justice in the Worcester area.

“Elizabeth’s work truly stood out for its dedication, impact, and commitment to health equity,” the Service Subcommittee noted during the selection process. “Her efforts honor the enduring legacy of Dr. King by advancing justice through service to others.”

A Career Rooted in Community and Care

Lartey’s recognition comes as she balances a rigorous academic load with a deep commitment to the nursing profession. She currently serves as a Med/Surg Charge Nurse at UMass Memorial Medical Center and has been a vital mentor to the next generation of healthcare workers when she worked as an Adjunct Faculty member at Bay Path Practical Nursing Academy. With a professional history spanning long-term care at Life Care Center of Auburn to specimen analysis at Quest Diagnostics, Lartey has consistently focused on patient education and therapeutic communication. Her current academic work, where she maintains a 3.83 GPA, focuses on the Family Nurse Practitioner specialization to further serve the diverse needs of Massachusetts families.

Ceremony Highlights

The event featured a keynote address by Jennifer Bradford, MD, assistant professor of family medicine and community health, who spoke on the importance of mission-aligned impact. Following the keynote, Dean Terence R. Flotte presented the service awards, emphasizing the school’s commitment to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

The annual tribute remains a cornerstone of the UMass Chan calendar, reinforcing the institution’s mission to prioritize underserved populations and foster a culture of inclusive excellence in medicine.