A Day for Gratitude and Reflection

Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving!

Last week, I attended the School of Medicine Alumni Awards event. We recognized thirteen outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to medicine and science over their lives and careers. Each of the thirteen had the opportunity to share a few reflections. As I heard the stories of these master teachers, skilled physicians, and humble healers, I noticed some similarities. While their stories varied widely spanning decades, different specialties and many locations there were common themes across their lives and their stories: humility, gratitude and a passion for service. In every case they expressed that they felt PRIVILEGED to have been able to do their life’s work.

At UMMC, we care for the sickest patients in Mississippi. We have responsibility to educate and train the next generation of health care professionals. We have the duty to advance science and find new cures and treatments. All of this is, indeed, a great privilege. Enduring the recent high stress and high stakes couple of years, it is easy to lose some of the sense of gratitude, honor and privilege that comes with what we do.

During this Thanksgiving holiday, I hope you will take a moment to reflect on the special responsibility we bear as the state’s only academic medical center, to re-ignite the passion that inspires you to serve and care for others, to affirm that what we do every day is indeed a very special PRIVILEGE not to be taken lightly. 

I am grateful for each of you. I thank you for your commitment to this Medical Center and its extraordinary mission. For those of you who are caring for our patients and families today or at work somewhere on our hospital campuses, special appreciation goes out to you. While others are experiencing this holiday in the traditional way, I’m thankful and secure to know that you are taking care of the business of a 24/7/365 academic medical center.

As we begin to look around the corner toward a new year, I want to share a quote from Calvin Coolidge that serves to inspire me and sharpen my focus when needed. I have shared this before but feel it is worth sharing again:

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

Persistence. Privilege. Service. Humility. Gratitude.  #AHealthierMS