Dear Academy friends and colleagues,
I’ve been stuck…not able to watch the news nor gut-wrenching testimony, feeling numb and devastated about the tragic news… elementary school students and teachers murdered, racially-motivated mass shooting in a Buffalo grocery store, bomb threats against historically Black colleges, anti-Semitic hostage crisis at a synagogue in Texas, physicians and staff killed in a Tulsa hospital shooting, a physician and nurses murdered at a hospital in Encino and countless other tragedies…I am heartbroken, and I’m not sure what to do.
The two-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder was two weeks ago, and the continued violence against innocent individuals of all backgrounds, in particular, black members of our community, continues and calls for urgent action. Violence continues in our communities at home and abroad in places like Ukraine. What is our role as healers? As caring physicians, physiatrists? Words of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging are a start, but these words feel inadequate by themselves. I believe that we should recognize the value of humanity and caring for others, especially in our profession, as physicians and healers, who are privileged to take care of patients. I believe that the continued violence against innocent individuals calls for a response from us, the medical community. But what kind of response? One way to respond is to approach violence and lack of civility the same way that healthcare professionals have responded to the pandemic and to our patients affected with COVID and Long COVID. Dr. Thomas Nasca, President/CEO of ACGME, wrote: “We are confronting a disease of the spirit manifested by isolation, disrespect and hatred. This must be countered with community, courtesy and kindness. As members of the healing community, this is a prescription we can deliver.” Dr. Nasca challenges physicians to voice our concerns and raise these issues in our local communities, as well as nationally through our medical organizations, like our Academy.
I invite all of you to join the members of the Academy Board of Governors and me for a discussion on Tuesday, July 12 at 7 pm (CT) at an Academy Town Hall Meeting. Register in advance here. Please join me in reflecting on how we may work together to create sustainable change to help move our local and national communities forward. I am heartbroken. I am open and listening.
Be BOLD and be well,
Deb
Deborah Venesy, MD, FAAPMR
AAPM&R President
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi