A New Academic Year
September 2, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
We enter the new academic season together during unusual and rapidly changing times. On our campus, students are heading back to class, and at home, many members of our workforce are returning to the rhythms of the school year for their children. Last year brought many challenges for academic medicine and healthcare, but turning the page to September is occasion to know that our shared missions remain vital – to care for the ill, to create new knowledge, to train the next generation. In recent weeks, I have been inspired by the brilliance and enthusiasm of new students joining our community. I know that they will carry forward and improve upon our tradition of excellence.
Every day, patients enter our hospitals and clinics seeking care and hope. I receive many letters and comments from those whose experiences have been positively impacted by Penn Medicine employees at every step along their journey. Sharing a recent experience that impressed him, one patient noted “how well integrated and dynamically choreographed” his entire treatment was, including the remarkable, instant communication between all members of his care team. Another, post-surgery, commended our “amazing staff – from doctors to nurses, housekeeping, food service, transport, and auxiliary staff,” and in particular, a special nurse who demonstrated more care and compassion for well-being than she had ever experienced before in her life.
Service. Compassion. Support. Everything we do can make a difference in the lives of our patients. At our laboratory benches, we strive to make discoveries that will translate to therapies; within our classrooms, we learn to be compassionate physicians, scientists, and leaders; in our exam rooms, we offer expertise, advice, empathy, and hope.
Despite the many uncertainties that we all face, we have remained focused and driven by purpose. Many are working harder than ever, seeing more patients, submitting more grants, volunteering more of their time and talents. I recognize how difficult this can be especially at times of heightened uncertainty and stress. Penn Medicine is collectively a remarkable community of excellence. As the new academic year begins, I am once again grateful and proud to be surrounded by such wonderful colleagues. Thank you.
I close by sharing this video on the vital role of federal funding in powering our mission. It encapsulates what we stand for, what we strive for, and the unmistakable impact we have in improving health and wellbeing.
With my very best wishes for the new academic year and with gratitude,
Jon
Jon Epstein, MD
Dean