It has been an exceptional four months, certainly nothing like I have ever experienced before. Thanks to an enormous amount of hard work and flexibility exhibited by the faculty, staff, residents/fellows, and students of the college, there are some things that are looking a little more like what we have come to expect as “normal” for this time of year at UNMC.
Our recently graduated students have moved on to begin their residency training, and the new resident and fellowship classes have started. The third- and fourth-year students are now on clinical rotations after a delay of several months, and the upcoming fourth-year class has started the process of selecting the residency programs to which they will apply. However, the fact that they will be doing this virtually will be a new experience for all. The second-year students have a little time off before classes resume in August, and we are preparing to welcome our next entering class in about a month. Patient care volumes at Nebraska Medicine, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Methodist and the VA are beginning to approach levels expected for this time of year. After several months of being nearly idled, research programs also are ramping up.
However, in spite of the summer lull, there remains much concern and many challenges for the months ahead. The surge in COVID-19 cases in the majority of states, including several adjacent to Nebraska, are a constant reminder that the pandemic has not gone away. Planning for the worst while hoping for the best remains the motto of the hour, whether considering our educational, research or clinical missions. Simultaneously, the pandemic has imposed economic challenges, and the university and college are working to address the systemic racism and other inequities that continue to plague our country.
The turmoil and work demands that we all have encountered over the past few months, as well as the uncertainty as to what the future has in store for us in the months and years ahead, have placed enormous emotional stress on everyone, as well as our families. Summer is traditionally the time in which we each try and carve out some time for vacation, often with friends and family. In spite of the fact that travel restrictions and the need for social distancing make vacations look different, I urge you, as I did early in the month, to get away from campus and find some time for yourself.
In late June and early July, I was able to travel to Iowa City and spend time with my wife, daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren. I had not seen any of them for more than three months due to state/university pandemic-related travel limitations and my decision to not visit until I had been away from patient care activities for two weeks. It was great break, and I was not aware of how much benefit it had on my energy and focus until I got back.
So I encourage each of you to take some time away, even if it is just a staycation. You will benefit from it, and so will we — as we will all be relying on each other to get through the months to come. As always — wear your mask and stay safe.