To Teach, To Investigate, and To Care

July is always an exciting month with many changes and challenges. The good- byes of June with the mixed emotions associated with seeing our 3^rd year residents and fellows graduate and move on are quickly replaced by the excitement of new faces, eager and enthusiastic about the next step in their careers. This year it is especially exciting as we are welcoming our new residents, fellows and 2 new faculty members. But this July is somewhat different because we are also saying good-bye to a long time friend and loyal employee.

 

As you all know Faye is moving on to a new opportunity in ENT. We will all miss Faye a great deal. She has been an enthusiastic and loyal supporter of Duke Dermatology. She has been a great help to Dr. Burton and his team. Faye has also always been eager to try and do new things. Perhaps the best evidence of that attitude is her championing of Skintastic News. In a very short time she created something that everyone looks forward to and has helped increase the realization that we are a team, working together to improve the health of our patients and our understanding of skin disease. Thanks Faye for all you have done for us and best of luck in your new adventure.

Faye’s departure has also brought to my mind our three-part mission: To Teach, To Investigate and To Care. These goals help direct us in our everyday work and remind of us the joint commitment we have to our patients and to future generations. I think however they also remind us of how we interact with each other. One sign of a growing and learning organization is the commitment we have to each other. Every day I see examples of individuals teaching each other. Teaching occurs every time someone helps a co-worker understand a new requirement of the health system; it occurs when we help each other improve the operation of the clinic, it occurs when we take time from our hectic routine to show someone how our laboratory investigations may impact patient care. Investigation is likewise something we all do everyday with each other. The simple act of finding out how we can help each other and our patients is perhaps the most simple and effective form of investigation that we do. And finally, caring. I see every day that there is a sense of caring that is a cornerstone of our department. From the simple act of caring enough to help a co-worker who is behind in the clinic to the quick hug during a time of personal trials, we are a caring group of people in Duke Dermatology.

 

The ultimate outcome of teaching, investigating and caring is that we all grow. We all develop new skills, new insight and new abilities. Often individuals become able to do things they would never have thought of trying and they do them well. Sometimes, indeed very often, this results in people moving on to different arenas to utilize their new talents. This happens with residents and fellows on a regular basis but also with faculty and other members of our department. Although such transitions are often a cause for sadness, I feel that they are also a fulfillment of our mission: to Teach, to Investigate and to Care. This mission allows us to grow and I am very proud of all of the personal growth and development and all of the achievement that we collectively and individually achieve.

We will all miss Faye, Jennifer, Scott and Clinzo but I am proud of their growth. They are moving forward in no small part because of what each of you contributed to them. All of us grow and develop everyday because of what you continue to contribute to each other.

Now with new individuals joining dermatology we should take this opportunity to recommit to both our patients and each other, To Teach, To Investigate and To Care. ‘

 

“Let no one ever come to us without leaving better and happier” Mother Teresa