As has seemed to be the case for much of recent memory, the last few weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions — deep lows intermixed with great highs.
From the standpoint of lows, we once again have experienced the unexpected passing of a colleague. Dr. Joe Stothert was a mainstay of the college and Nebraska Medicine for several decades, as well as the father of our current UNMC/Nebraska Medicine trauma program. The loss of Dr. Stothert is being felt heavily by many across the campus and community. As per my email shortly after Dr. Stothert’s death, mental health support is available for those of you feeling the need for such services. The department of surgery is coordinating a virtual memorial service for Dr. Stothert that is scheduled for April 6, with details to follow.
A second low is the growing numbers of attacks of various forms against individuals of Asian descent in our country. This is not just occurring in other places, like the recent events in Atlanta, but recently manifested in the last few weeks as the abuse of an older man in Omaha. Many other less violent forms of aggression also are occurring and often go unreported. In line with the chancellor’s recent announcement, the UNMC College of Medicine condemns these acts that have been carried out by those who serve as agents of hate and divisiveness, driven in part by the widespread network of misinformation that permeates modern life. The college, like UNMC, aspires to be an agent to make Nebraska and our world a better place for all to live. A separate article in the InterCOM, below, outlines our increased efforts to create and support a diverse and equitable community in our college. This work is being led by the college’s Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Shirley Delair, MD.
I turn now to a number of notable highs. Over the last few weeks, we have welcomed a number of individuals to leadership positions in the divisions of internal medicine, surgery and pediatrics. Some of these individuals are highlighted in the current or past issues of the InterCOM or will be part of future issues as they arrive on campus. Welcome to each of them — it is exciting to see such talented individuals attracted to these leadership positions.
Second, we all are excited by the continued rollout of the multiple safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19. A vast majority of UNMC, Nebraska Medicine and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center employees have received one of the vaccines. I thank you for stepping up and assuring your own health, but also, through your efforts, for protecting others. Vaccination decreases the potential for the emergence of more dangerous SARS-CoV-2 variants, as the more natural infections that occur, the greater the likelihood that one of these variants could be created as a process of viral replication.
The success of the vaccine rollout and the recent decline in COVID-19 case numbers in Nebraska has set the stage for a loosening of pandemic-related restrictions and a gradual return of students, faculty and staff to campus, as well as a return to some pre-pandemic practices. Please pay attention to announcements as they occur over the next several weeks to months, but it is certainly our hope that we will be able to return to full on-campus presence for instruction by the fall. For this to happen, though, the pandemic must continue to wane, which means that we all have to remain diligent in our efforts to contain/prevent viral spread through our daily habits.
Finally, on Friday, March 19, we celebrated with the members of the class of 2021, as well as their friends and family, their match into residency programs. As described in more detail in the InterCOM, the annual Match Day events moved outdoors this year. This always is one of the annual events to which I most look forward. The pleasant sunny skies that graced us only added to the warmth and excitement that surrounds the event. Once again, congratulations to all of our students on their accomplishment, and whether they are remaining with us at UNMC or will be pursuing residency training at another location, we wish them great success and will take great pride in their future contributions to medicine.