June is that time for transitions. It may feel like we are in a month of saying good-byes, as some of our residency and fellowship graduates head out for new adventures. We prefer that our trainees stay with us for as long as possible, join our faculty, and pass on to the next generation what they have learned from us. But we also recognize the value in a variety of experiences and the value of health care professionals at other institutions seeing what “Iowa excellence” looks like. So, if you must go, we understand, but we wish for two things. First, that you fly the Iowa banner high and encourage others to come find out for themselves what you learned first-hand. Testimonials from all of you, our trusted ambassadors, carries weight with potential recruits, so send us your best. Our second wish is that you stay in touch with us. Keep us posted on how you are doing and what you are doing. I have heard lots of people say “once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye” since I’ve arrived here. And I know they mean that those who leave will always feel a pull back here, that this place will always feel like home. But I think the flip of that is that this place and the people here will always be glad to see and hear from you too. Whether you come back for a brief visit or hopefully for longer, Iowa’s welcome mat will stay out for you. We already know the amazing things you can do, and excellence always has a seat at the table. We hope to see you soon.
Photo for reflection
What I love about sunsets is what I love about photography. This photo from 2019 in the Amazon rain forest in Ecuador tells me a story about light. Even after the sun dipped behind the tree line, the sun still had a lot of influence on the world around me. The sky and the clouds, the water of the lake lapping against the dock, all of it still reflecting the sun even as it slips away to give its fullest light elsewhere. We can think of our departing graduates and even the close of the academic year in a similar way. What we achieve here, what we do every day, it spreads light, and that light reflects off the world around us. Even as it might seem like it is fading, we know that there is other light in the darkness and that the brightest light will return. Change can be hard, but it is a part of the cycle. We can set our watches to these cycles. They can be reliable and comforting in a certain light.
Upi’s “Oh, WOW” moment
I have loved watching the graduations celebrated by the divisions and the one delivered by our residency program. If someone wanted to locate what sets Iowa apart, I think it can be found at these events. I have been to plenty of residency graduations at many other institutions, but I have never heard such consistency among the graduates. Almost every one of them talked about how much Iowa has meant to them. One graduate said, “I thought no one would ever mean more to me than the community I found in medical school. Then I came to Iowa for residency, and I found family.” Many others echoed similar sentiments. The warmth that filled the room that evening was very moving. It is important that you know that this kind of environment does not exist at every program, certainly not at the scale that it does here. It takes cultivation by all its members. Of course it starts at the top with Dr. Manish Suneja, who sets the tone with his enthusiasm and his compassion. But it is picked up and echoed by all the other members of the education team, the program directors, the chief residents, and even the other residents. I am genuinely moved by the joy and camaraderie that fills every corner of this program.
Another nice tradition that our residency program spreads are the recognitions for outstanding achievements. Many of our fellowship programs do this as well, inviting the trainees to decide among themselves which faculty member they want to award for dedication beyond and above the rest of the already impressive faculty. Here are just some of the awards I have seen given out, with a few more to come.
Residency Program Outstanding Faculty Teacher of the Year
Margo Schilling, MD
Clinical Professor
General Internal Medicine
Cardiovascular Disease Teacher of the Year
Vikram Sharma, MBBS
Clinical Assistant Professor
Gastroenterology Teacher of the Year
Alan Gunderson, MD
Clinical Associate Professor
Hematology and Medical Oncology Teacher of the Year
Nicole Fleege, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Nephrology Teacher of the Year
Melissa Swee, MD |
Lama Noureddine, MD |
Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Teacher of the Year
Charles Rappaport, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Finally
The thread that binds all of this for me is the importance of community. We all want to change things for the better, to make a difference, and to feel like what we do matters. I believe that our impact goes farther when we ask for help and when we lean on those around us. It is easier to work as a team when the bonds between us are already strong and when we tend to them. As spring gives way to summer, I have really enjoyed spending more time with you and getting to know you all better. Beyond the graduation events, here are some of the things I have been grateful to document with some selfies. I am looking forward to this coming academic year with our new Chiefs. We got to have one last “see you soon” to Dr. Isabella Grumbach, who will do great things in Oklahoma. Dr. David Stoltz hosted another Crawfish Boil in his backyard, complete with a jazz band and so many friends and colleagues. My husband stitched together a video documenting that fun afternoon. Thank you, all, for continuing to welcome me to the Iowa family.
