Dean's Message

FROM THE DEAN: GRATITUDE AND WELL WISHES

We are so very proud of each of you, the amazing things you have accomplished, your hard work, persistence and resilience, and to recognize you as CUSOM’s fifth class of osteopathic physicians! Most importantly, we are proud of who you are as caring, compassionate individuals with a genuine heart for serving others.

As you celebrate your graduation, I hope you also take some time to reflect on your journey, what you have achieved, the lives you have touched, and how you have grown. I have a small collection of quotes I have kept over the years, and as I think about your class and your journey, one by Bernice Reagon comes to mind; it reads “Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.” And challenged you were. As students, you were at ground-zero of the SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic, the greatest public health disaster in over a hundred years. And yet, in the face of uncertainty as to the impact of the pandemic on your medical education, the safety of your family and friends, the stress of never-before-seen numbers of critically ill patients, shortage of PPE supplies, and concerns over your own health and safety, you all shined. You stepped up, overcame challenges, conquered fears, and you made such a difference in the lives of so many. And you grew in ways you never imagined and discovered strength and confidence you may not have recognized before. I have no doubt you all can face any challenge set before you!

We are so incredibly excited for each of you, for the amazing journey you have ahead, and for the special impact you are going to make on the health and well-being of your patients. Make sure to always carry with you a sense of gratitude, grace, patience, empathy, understanding and appreciation. One of the greatest gifts you can give others is your time and attention so when you are with patients, be present and truly listen to their stories and concerns. And always remember to have fun!!

On behalf of all our staff and faculty, I want to thank you so much for the joy and special memories you have given us – you are a special class and will always hold a special place in our hearts. Remember that you will always be a member of the CUSOM family and that we will always be here for you! Please don’t forget to join the Alumni Association which will help provide an enduring connection to CUSOM and your fellow alumni and keep you abreast of exciting news, announcements, and alumni events. And remember, we would love for you to come back “home” after your residency!

Once again, congratulations and best wishes!!

James Powers, DO Interim Dean and Chief Academic Officer