Holiday Habits

This time of year always evokes many emotions and traditions in all of our individual households and families. All of the frantic activity seems to consume us at times however and can easily divert us from fully enjoying the traditions and appreciating all that we have. Sometimes it seems to me that we are practicing ‘holiday habits’ that occur simply because that is what we do.

 

The Dermatology Department family also faces the same experiences during this holiday time and we also face the possibility participating in ‘holiday habits’. I think however what we do is much more than habit but rather a reflection of who we really are and what we really care about. Our ‘Duke Derm’ holiday traditions are not and must not become ‘holiday habits’. The holiday party is more than simply a time for our sometimes scattered and fragmented department to gather for fun. It is a time that we gather to express our appreciation to each other for the combined efforts it takes to perform our missions of ‘teaching, investigating and caring’. The tradition of bringing a small gift or food item to the party is a small but important way to express our thanks beyond the Gothic wonderland of Duke’s campus. The relatively new tradition of awarding the Michael Streicher Outstanding Team Member Award always brings back memories of Mike and of all of our extended dermatology family who are no longer with us coupled with the great enjoyment of seeing those who go above and beyond receive some small recognition. There are numerous other traditions that occur during this time of year that speak volumes about who we are and what we are about. The small remembrances that are exchanged are reflections that we do care about each other and appreciate working together. The collections that are raised in various work areas for support of those less fortunate show that we are do look outside ourselves to a greater need in our community and in our patients not only during the Holiday but throughout the year. The presence of so many children, spouses and friends at our holiday party helps us realize that others outside of work are critical for our success.

 

While one might characterize the events of this month as full of good ‘holiday habits’ to me it is much more. To me this time of year is simply a reflection of what occurs in Duke Dermatology throughout the year. Duke Dermatology is a group of people who demonstrate every day a dedication to teaching, investigating and caring about skin diseases and the patients with those diseases. Duke Dermatology is a group of people who care about each other and about our community. Our ‘holiday habits’ are really just an expression of what we are and what we strive to be throughout the year. For that and for all you do throughout the year I thank you and wish you and your families a most joyous holiday season.

 

Russ