Dear Graduating Residents and Fellows,

This year has been unusually challenging, with enormous loss of human life, social and economic disruption, and dramatic disparities in public health. You have completed your training amidst the crisis of a lifetime.

We want to thank each of you for your help during this past year and a half. Thank you for your commitment to learning and teaching. Thank you for trusting UW Medicine with your development.  In spite of the chaos and the unknown, we hope that your learning environment has been safe and your education, one that is memorable.

This time of the academic year is joyful and bittersweet, as we say goodbye to those completing training programs. We recognize that the University’s decision to prohibit UW-sanctioned in person graduation events is difficult as it limits your ability to celebrate your successes.  Some of you have been with us just a short time, some much longer. Thanks to each of you for your efforts in supporting the UW Medicine mission: “to improve the health of the public.”

Our hope is that you have become better physicians because of being here. Our community is certainly better for having had you with us. We are proud of you and look forward to the contributions you will make to the field of medicine as a representative of the University of Washington.

Congratulations and best of luck!

 

Byron Joyner, MD, MPA
Vice Dean for GME and DIO

Jennifer Best, MD
Associate Dean, Accreditation and Education

Cindy Hamra, JD
Assistant Dean, Operations and Administration