Baystate, Mercy to Offer Free Virtual Seminar on ‘Religion & Culture: Its Impact on COVID-19’

SPRINGFIELD — As a result of changes in how we worship in the wake of COVID-19, Baystate Health and Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health are sponsoring a free virtual seminar titled “Religion & Culture: Its Impact on COVID-19,” on Thursday, June 25 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

COVID-19 has changed the central pattern of most religions in the U.S., which is centered on group worship and which quickly shifted from in-person to virtual, online religious services as the pandemic spread. Social distancing has significantly impacted the diverse communities that rely on their religious and cultural groups for their sense of community and belonging. Within the African-American and Latinx communities, both religion and culture play a huge role in decision making, understanding, and adhering to personal healthcare needs.

This 90-minute virtual event on religion, culture, and its impact on COVID-19 will explore how religious and community leaders can play a critical role in mitigating these challenges, while also acting as public-health champions and advocates in their community.

The featured speaker for the virtual seminar is William Glover, senior pastor of Mount Hermon Ministries in Fort Myers, Fla. Additional panelists include Dr. Sarah Perez McAdoo, Population Health capstone director at UMass Medical School – Baystate; and Pastor Eli Serrano of Restoration Worship in Springfield.

To register, click here.