Dr. Singh has already made an impact with her arrival, holding her first of three planned town halls. In these sessions, we’ve had the chance to get to know her personally—her love for selfies, her music preferences, the warmth of her family, and most importantly, the exciting vision she has for the future of our department. One particularly striking moment was when she shared a photo taken during her move to Iowa, of a sign that read, “The People of Iowa Welcome You. Iowa: Fields of Opportunities.” That image reminded me of the wonderful opportunities that we have in Iowa, that have allowed myself and many others to launch our careers and follow our passions. It also made me think of the responsibility that we now have in paving the path forward for the ones that are coming after us.
Dr. Singh’s vision is built on five foundational pillars: Clinical Care, Research, Education, Sustainability, and Engagement & Belonging, all of which will guide us through this pivotal moment in health care and our institution’s future. With advancements in technology and a renewed focus on putting patients at the center of care, we have an opportunity to not only improve patient outcomes but also elevate the quality of Clinical Care we provide across Iowa. Through cutting-edge Research and a strong commitment to Education, we will continue to innovate and train the next generation of health care professionals. Sustainability ensures that we approach our work with a forward-thinking mindset, utilizing resources responsibly and caring for our most precious resources, our human capital; while Engagement & Belonging foster a supportive, inclusive environment that strengthens connections within our department and the communities we serve. Together, these pillars offer a roadmap for enhancing the well-being of both patients and care teams.
One story, from a colleague whose mother recently visited UI Health Care Urgent Care, I think illustrates how the technology we have recently adopted can positively impact both the patient and provider experience. She said, “My mom, who is in her early 70s, raved about her visit. She was thrilled that the doctor actually listened to her instead of focusing on the computer. The appointment went faster than expected, but she felt truly heard.” Her provider was using Nabla–the new AI-based tool for clinicians that transcribes and summarizes encounters in real-time. This experience is just one example of the care we aspire to provide, the innovation that is occurring in the institution, and the opportunities we have to bring the joy back to the practice of medicine. Let’s come together as a department, engage in meaningful conversations, and take part in shaping this new chapter. With Dr. Singh’s leadership, I’m confident we are poised to thrive, bringing both innovation and compassion to the forefront of our work.
Let’s warmly welcome Dr. Singh and look forward to the exciting journey ahead!
Reminders
- Faculty Senate Series presentations are scheduled for the following dates and times; registration is required:
- Monday, Oct. 14, 12:00-1:00 p.m., 2520D UCC (Old Capitol Mall)
- Friday, Oct. 18, 12:30-1:30 p.m., S162 CPHB (College of Public Health)
Stop by and see the liveWELL team on Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 7:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on the main deck in the UI Field House to create meaningful connections and boost your well-being.
Dr. Patricia Heberer Rice from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum will lead a discussion on this topic, examining the role of eugenics and the ethical transgressions in medical practices during Nazi Germany. (Sponsored by the Center for Human Rights, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Carver College of Medicine, and the College of Law.)
Thursday, Oct. 17, 12:00-1:00 p.m., 1289 CBRB (Kelch Conference Room)
The next workshop will be held February 19-21, 2025.
The AAMC Group on Diversity and Inclusion (GDI) Call for Proposals is now open! The GDI Program Planning Committee invite proposals for breakout sessions and posters for the Group on Diversity and Inclusion Professional Development Conference scheduled for March 24-26, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Columbus in Columbus, Ohio.
The goal of Ohio State University’s program is to prepare, develop, and mentor clinician researchers to engage in robust health services and implementation science research. Clinical Scholars will receive the necessary support to begin to develop a research program during their training and mentorship years with the goal of becoming productive independent researchers at program completion.
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., a screening of No Más Bebés will be held at Prem Sahai Auditorium (1110 MERF), with a discussion led by Dr. Lina-Maria Murillo, assistant professor of Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies, and assistant professor of History to follow.
The university has launched a new website that serves as the comprehensive hub for more than 200 mental health and well-being resources for faculty, staff, and students. The site features an easy-to-use search function that helps you quickly find the information you need, when you need it.
October events, celebrations, and holidays
- Global Diversity Awareness Month: A month to celebrate all the ways our different ethnicities, cultures, heritages, experiences, abilities, and other attributes contribute to more dynamic, innovative, and efficient workplaces.
- Hindu Heritage Month: Launched in 2021, the Hindu Heritage Month is a global coming together of Hindus every year during the month of October to celebrate their rich heritage and to foster unity among their diverse communities.
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month: Also known as Blood Cancer Awareness Month, this honors those affected by blood cancer, and raises awareness of the challenges and needs of people with blood cancer.
- LGBTQ+ History Month: A month-long celebration that occurs in October to observe lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer history. It also honors the ongoing history of queer and trans rights.
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Dedicated to celebrate the value and talent workers with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy.
- Sept. 15 to Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month: A time to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The theme for 2024 is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.”
- Oct. 1: National Latino Physicians Day: A day dedicated to acknowledging the significant contributions of Latino physicians to the field of health care and draw attention to the urgent Latino physician shortage.
- Oct. 2: Gandhi Jayanti: A national holiday in India, celebrated annually to honor the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the key leaders of the Indian independence movement and a pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of nonviolence. It is one of three national holidays in India.
- Oct. 3-11: Navratri: This ten-day Hindu festival celebrates the Goddess Durga and is a major crop season event. Each day a new goddess is worshipped, and changing of Hindu scriptures occurs, as well as a period of fasting.
- Oct. 3-4*: Rosh Hashanah: These two