Message from the Office of the SOM Dean

Nov. 21, 2023

 

 

Dear colleagues and friends:

 

As we approach the thanksgiving holiday, I want to take the opportunity to express my appreciation for all of you. I am grateful to call you colleagues and friends. I offer a special thanks to those of you who are working during the holidays, and I hope you will find time in the coming weeks to relax, reflect, recharge and enjoy the company of family and friends.

 

While my hope is that you will all take comfort in spending time with loved ones, I know the holidays can also be a time of heightened emotions. I have heard from many of you who are experiencing pain and fear as the death toll in the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to rise. We lament the continued loss of life in this conflict, and the suffering of those displaced and wounded.

 

At a time when it seems so much is out of our control, I am thankful to work in medicine. I am thankful that we each have the power to heal and provide hope—and this is true whether you are caring for patients or interacting with your colleagues. It is a privilege to provide care and compassion to those who are suffering.

 

Along with that privilege comes heightened responsibility. Incidents of hate driven by antisemitism and islamophobia continue to increase across the U.S. While we are committed to open expression, we echo the earlier message from President Fenves stating that hate will not be tolerated on our campus. Acts of hate targeting individuals based on their identities and backgrounds are antithetical to our values and to our mission as healers. If you experience bias or mistreatment, please report it using one of the following links: mistreatment reporting for students or for faculty and staff.

 

Our commitment to the relief of suffering in all people gives us a common purpose and provides a powerful bond. We also have fostered a trust in each other that allows us to have difficult conversations that are respectful, and not disparaging. It is more important than ever that we extend compassion to each other – and to ourselves.

 

With gratitude,

 

Carlos

 

Carlos del Rio, MD

Interim Dean, Emory University School of Medicine
Interim Chief Academic Officer, Emory Healthcare
Leon L. Haley, Jr. MD Distinguished Professor of Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine