The Beginning of The Academic Year
As September arrives and the academic year begins, we traditionally enter one of the busiest times of the year. Superimpose as we collectively grieve the losses of both Drs. Finberg and Nompleggi, the concerns about the impact of rising SARS-CoV-2 variants on our patients, the health of our children, our communities, as well as the added stress on our inpatient units, we enter this period where our mettle as professionals and colleagues will be tested.
I personally would like to also take a moment to recognize the passing of my mentors and friends, Drs. Robert Finberg and Dominic Nompleggi who have both been instrumental in growing our Department and educating all of us.
Bob was a force to be reckoned with as a physician, scientist, father, husband, reader, and cook. He was our leader for over 20 years and warrants a tremendous amount of credit for enhancing the national profile of the Department of Medicine. He recruited tremendous academics, scientists, educators, and clinicians and supported them. His discoveries in antiviral immunity are recognized as seminal work, his basic and clinical research program helped provide access to novel therapies and vaccines for influenza and SARS-COV-2, and his work as a public health advocate collectively raised the profile of our institution. A special endowment has been created for the Dr. Robert Finberg Fund and gifts in memory of Bob can be made payable to the UMass Medical School Foundation and sent to the Office of Advancement, 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA, 01545. A memorial service is being planned.
Dom was known for being a kind person, a calm and visionary leader, a brilliant physician, and a great teacher to many students, fellows, and faculty. The UMass Medical Group took the opportunity to show respect to Dom on Sunday at the Polar Park with a nice tribute to his stellar career and we will work with the GI Division to find other ways of celebrating him. Dom grew the gastroenterology program into what it is today and established a patient-centered culture that is something for us to collectively embrace and continue across our Department.
Both men left a remarkable legacy, and the positive impact of their leadership will be felt forever.
As we cope with our recent loss, I hope you join us in a moment of silence dedicated to Drs. Finberg and Nompleggi on September 9th from 12:00 PM – 12:02 PM during our first Grand Rounds. Please use the zoom link located in your Outlook calendar invite. An internal memorial service will be planned for Dr. Finberg and details will be shared soon.
Today and moving forward, I commit to providing you with regular updates on topics that have an impact in not only our mission as health professionals but as a community working together.
As we press ahead, the redesign of our communication strategy with the DOMCOMM, the Intranet and our social media campaign illustrates our pledge to listening and our endeavor in providing a coordinated approach in how we deliver information and our messaging in total.
We altered our Department Faculty Meeting and will now be hosting a quarterly Town Hall. These Town Halls are open to all members of the department, as they will provide updates from key staff and faculty and will be formatted to include 30 minutes of moderated panel discussions regarding issues that are of importance to you. Last week, we had our second Town Hall where over 100 faculty and staff joined us. Our first panel discussion included Drs. Daly and Ellison, and they answered important questions about SARS-CoV-2 booster shots, policies about travel, and recommendations about use of immune globulin for exposed or infected patients. The Town Halls will be videoed and made available on our intranet to those who cannot attend, click here. To stay connected about upcoming CME and Grand Round events, please click here for directions on how to follow us on Twitter. Already on Twitter, follow us via our handle @UMass_Medicine.
I also think it is important that we continue certain important traditions, lest we lose sight of the sense of community that is so important to us as academics. I want to recognize a few key folks – including Drs. Fitzgibbons, Rade, and Ahmed, who won PACE prizes from the UMMMG to support development of new clinical programs. I would also like to recognize, Drs. Neil Marya from the Division of Gastroenterology, Read Pukkila-Worley, from the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology and Kouta Ito from the Division of Geriatrics in receiving this year’s Department of Medicine Pilot Grant Awards. I would also like to welcome, Lee Quinton, PhD, a recent recruit into the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology starting this month, and the 16 new faculty hires across the Department. Welcome, you have made a wise move to join our vibrant team!
In closing, stick together and please reach out to me if you need anything at all. Your academic home in the Department of Medicine is filled with folks who care deeply about you and your well-being during these challenging times.
Sincerely,
Dave