July 14, 2016

你好,
As a pediatrician, a mother, and a citizen of this country and world, the continuing stream of violent news is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with the loved ones of the most recent tragedies in our state and beyond. As healthcare providers dedicated to reducing pain and suffering and enhancing health, these events are particularly poignant. I am reminded and uplifted by this quote from the Dalai Lama: “I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.”
This week we held several Philanthropy Visioning Sessions. Faculty who participated were engaged and brought thoughtful perspectives to the discussions. The UTHealth development office is working with CCS consultants as we prepare the groundwork for our university-wide fundraising campaign. I will keep you posted as the campaign moves forward. Exciting times.
I want to congratulate Dr. Kevin Morano on his promotion to associate vice president for faculty affairs and development at UTHealth. He has done an outstanding job for our faculty as associate dean for faculty affairs – but not to worry, he will retain his role at McGovern Medical School and continue to build upon the great work and service of the Office of Faculty Affairs as he expands his scope and vision.
I hope you saw the brilliantscholarly paperin JAMA this week from President Obama. It is impressive to see our president publishing in the medical literature and providing an evidence-based review of the Affordable Care Act. President Obama certainly doesn’t need to add anything to his resume, but he now has a paper in a high-impact medical journal!
You may know that Dr. Eric Eichenwald, chair of the Department of Pediatrics, has accepted the position as chief of the Division of Neonatology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and will leave us at the end of the summer. On behalf of the medical school, I want to thank Dr. Eichenwald for his leadership and service to the department, to the children’s hospital, and to the school. Please join me in wishing him well in this next chapter of his career. Dr. Eichenwald has strengthened the department in its three missions and has shored up its financial position. He has been a terrific advocate for our patients, pediatrics, research, faculty, staff, students, residents, and fellows. I am convening a search committee to undertake a national search for this important leadership position. I am fully committed to finding an outstanding chair to lead this large and dynamic department so that pediatrics continues to flourish and succeed.
Have a great weekend,
Barbara