In this special edition of Heartbeats, we highlight experiences shared by the HS community related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These stories remind us that we are all in this together (no reference to Disney's "High School Musical" intended although my girls have made me watch all three movies during quarantine.) My sincerest hope is that you and your families are safe and well, and successfully navigating this extraordinary time in our lives. I want to call out the courage and generosity of my HS colleagues, including those working diligently on the clinical front lines, others innovating virtual learning environments, and those finding flexible paths to continue their research. The creativity and sheer volume of work being realized are inspiring; however, let me recognize many members of our teams who continue to work hard despite physical and emotional exhaustion. From a personal perspective, the vitality of a university campus has always energized me and filled my creative spirit. It can be difficult to replicate that energy while working remotely full time. Each of us is experiencing our own personal and professional challenges, yet it is helpful to recognize that we do not have to face these challenges alone. We have an incredible group of faculty, staff, and students in Health Sciences, and I am so encouraged by the leadership, compassion, and flexibility being demonstrated daily during this stressful and uncertain time. Not only are our teams leading locally, but members of our community are supporting regional and national responses and preparedness efforts. Thank you for what each of you is doing to support HS education, research, and service and beyond with broader efforts around public health and safety. There are areas of uncertainty and considerable challenges facing us, but there are also rays of hope and countless heartwarming stories. I enjoy seeing photos of new additions to our families, including babies and pets. My family brought home a new puppy, Penny Lane, in December who has helped bring joy to us during quarantine, and this edition of HB proves that HS is full of many dog lovers!
I would encourage you to read The Daily Digest – GW Clinical Enterprise that serves as a compendium of all messaging for SMHS faculty, students, and staff. Updates are also available at www.COVID19GWUHealth.com For COVID-19 wellness resources, I recommend checking out the GWell Center for Healthcare Professional's COVID-19 Resources. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me. Again, thank you for your hard work, generous spirit, understanding, and resilience.
--Reamer L. Bushardt
Senior Associate Dean for Health Sciences
