UC Davis Health celebrates Diwali

On Thursday, November 4, UC Davis Health and OCA Sacramento – Asian Pacific American Advocates, celebrated Diwali and recognized four employees for their contributions to health care and their community during the pandemic.

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of light over darkness. To honor the care, kindness, and light employees provided to patients throughout the pandemic, Chief Nursing and Patient Care Services Officer Toby Marsh and Jinky Dolar and Bhavin Parikh from OCA Sacramento presented executive director Jita Buno, associate professor Archana Maniar, health sciences clinical professor Aman Parikh, and nurse manager Rupinder Sandhu with certificates from Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, California State Senator Richard Pan, and U.S. Congresswoman Doris Matsui.

“Throughout the last 20 months, you have upheld your commitment and promise to keep our patients at the center of everything you do,” said Marsh. “You helped care for and heal our community and I am truly thankful and appreciate you and the care you gave, and continue to give, our patients and each other.”

“In additional to new beginnings, Diwali is also a time to help each other,” shared Bhavin Parikh. “We have gone through tough times and it’s important that we look after each other.”

The ceremony ended with the lighting of the diyas, the traditional lights used for Diwali that represent enlightenment, knowledge, and wisdom.