Coming to the close of every calendar year ushers in a time of reflection and celebration. Important among these is Fellowship Match Day. In the continuum of training, the transition to fellowship represents for many the final step in their long professional career trajectory. A powerful indicator of the strength of our training programs is the success of our residents in securing the fellowship training positions that they choose. Our residents had a terrific match this year! The success rate for this year’s class of residents entering the match is once again 100%, and our five-year rolling average holds steady at 96%. The growth this year over last is in the number of our graduates who both chose to remain in Iowa and were chosen by us. Nearly 62% of our own residents who applied for fellowships remained convinced to entrust their subspecialty training to our diverse fellowship programs. This not only reflects their competitiveness but also underscores the strengths of our fellowship training programs. Congratulations to those rising fellows who can breathe a little more easily this week and to each of our fellowship programs for filling their fellowship programs with a very talented cohort of new fellows. Let me be among the first to provide a Hawkeye welcome to those who will be joining us from elsewhere and of course to our own who will be remaining with us.

No one doubts the impact of the work of our Department. However, it is always gratifying to see the broader impact of our faculty across the state and nationally. I was pleased to see over the last couple weeks our faculty make themselves available for interviews with various media outlets. Dr. Eli Perencevich provided important context for handling norovirus to the New York Times. Dr. Alejandro Comellas explained a new clinical trial in treating chronic bronchitis for which his team is recruiting on KCRG-TV. Dr. Lama Nourredine is featured in a remarkably detailed story on CBS2 about a new treatment for chronic kidney disease that could remove the need for dialysis or transplant. And just earlier this week, Dr. David Stoltz spoke extensively about the progress made in cystic fibrosis research and treatment on Iowa Public Radio.

Our faculty also make headlines by shaping public policy. Two members were recently recognized for their impact in changing how healthcare is delivered. For decades, Dr. Jack Stapleton has helped guide the state of Iowa’s response to HIV infections from the earliest days of the epidemic. With support from the Ryan White Foundation and federal and state funding sources, a team of nurses, social workers, and health consultants provide comprehensive preventive care and disease management to a vulnerable and often underserved population. Jack and his team were justly recognized for their compassionate work with an award from the Iowa City Human Rights Commission last month. And, Dr. Colleen Campbell received the Strategic Leader Award from the National Society of Genetic Counselors for her successful lobbying of the state legislature to institute licensure of genetic counselors in the state earlier this year. As I said at the time, Dr. Campbell’s tenacity on this issue has ensured a safe path into the future for this growing specialty and for Iowans struggling to navigate this new terrain. Congratulations to both Dr. Stapleton and Dr. Campbell for well-deserved recognition of their dogged pursuit of what is right for patients.

Finally, in less than a week, I will deliver the 2018 State of the Department address at Internal Medicine Grand Rounds. There are a number of achievements to synthesize and challenges to discuss. I look forward to describing the ground we have covered and the landmarks in the distance by which we will measure our future progress. Of the many presentations I give throughout the year, this is one of my favorite because it affords us all a moment to see the bigger picture and to see how our individual efforts contribute to a greater whole. I look forward to seeing you at noon on Thursday, 12/13, in the Medical Alumni Auditorium (E331 GH).