Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to meet some of the members of the UNMC College of Medicine Classes of 1970 and 1971 as they came together to celebrate 50 years since they were awarded their MD degrees at UNMC. Although COVID clearly impacted the nature of the venue, it did not dull the comradery nor the joy of renewing friendships and reminiscing about times together. As I conversed with our graduates a common theme emerged — gratitude.
- Gratitude to have been selected for admission to this medical school and a career as a physician.
- Gratitude for the faculty and staff that helped them through the arduous years of medical school.
- Gratitude for the medical education that they received that prepared them well for their future careers, regardless of their specialty paths.
- Gratitude for their ability to ability to improve the lives of their patients over many years.
- Gratitude for the support of their families and colleagues.
In addition, there was pride in what each had accomplished and the impact they had in advancing medical care and improving the health of their patients and their communities. As alumni of UNMC, there also was pride in what the college had accomplished and become in the 50 years since they had graduated. They were amazed at the expanse of the campus, the myriad of activities in which the college was engaged and the technological advances, as reflected by the simulation capabilities in the Davis Center for Global Health.
There also was immense pride in the leadership that UNMC and its clinical partners are demonstrating in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. There was not a single member of the class with whom I spoke who had not been significantly impacted by COVID-19, including having classmates who had succumbed to the disease over the past year.
These annual meetings with alumni always reinforce how fortunate I am to be part of this tremendous organization. Each of you in the UNMC College of Medicine continues to fight through the exhaustion, fatigue and personal challenges to acquire and transmit knowledge to others, advance science and meet the needs of those who look to us for care, even those who could likely have avoided their situation had they made the choice to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and to mask. Although I may not say it often enough, your efforts do not go unnoticed, and you have my personal thanks for all you are doing.