Best wishes for the new academic year – a message from Interim Dean Jon Epstein, MD
September 3, 2024
Dear Colleagues,
As we look to the start of Fall, and with a new academic year underway, I write to extend my very best wishes and share a few reflections.
Throughout the year, and especially during the past couple of months with graduation and new student welcomes, I have enjoyed opportunities to hear from, gather with, and meet members of our community. Listening to what excites you about your work, what ideas and technologies will advance research, teaching, and clinical care, concerns that may be on your mind – I value and learn from each of these interactions.
I had the privilege of being part of the recent White Coat ceremony for our incoming medical school class. The theme that resonated throughout the week of orientation was to listen – and, as beautifully captured by the remarks of Dr. Aba Barden-Maja, “Listen…enthusiastically from the heart.” Dr. Louis Kozloff, who along with classmates from the class of 1969* donated stethoscopes for the incoming students, eloquently conveyed the symbolic importance of this gift as a reminder to listen.
While many exciting moments await us, I am also mindful that we enter a fall semester that may be challenging: ongoing and heart-wrenching conflicts in the Middle East and in other parts of the world, a contentious presidential election, personal stressors that weigh on us. Take the time to check-in, ask how someone is doing, listen. In these difficult times, please know that someone is available to listen.
Penn Medicine is full of remarkable stories from our own patients, caregivers, staff, and physicians, and I encourage you to explore the Listening Lab, a storytelling initiative that embraces the power of listening as a form of care. I am especially proud to partner with Kevin Mahoney, CEO, who shared his personal story. We are an inspired and inspirational community.
At our core at Penn Medicine, we share the privilege to provide care, empathy, and hope. Our shared values include respect and compassion. Our steadfast commitment is to improve the health and well-being of those in our community and around the world.
In this next season, as we welcome a new class of learners – MDs, PhDs, Masters, post-docs, interns, residents, and fellows – with refreshed and rejuvenated spirits, may Penn Medicine continue to play an active, leading role in listening – with empathetic, respectful and kind hearts – to our colleagues, our neighbors, our patients, each other, and ourselves.
Thank you for all you do to make the Perelman School of Medicine and Penn Medicine places of welcome, tolerance, kindness, and care.
* Drs. Louis Kozloff, Ed Anderson, Daniel Bikle, and Bob Carithers donated stethoscopes in honor of the Medical Class of 1969’s 55th reunion.
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Jon Epstein, MD
Interim EVP | Dean