Power Without Electricity

In the setting of the unprecedented events of the recent storm and its aftermath, our usual routines have been disrupted, and we are all engaged in the process of recovery and further planning. We hope that everyone remained safe and we welcome all of the students back to campus and to scholastic activities. We know that some members of our community are still impacted by the damage caused by the storm and we are wishing for quick recoveries for each of you and your loved ones.

To our students, residents, and fellows: please know that The Office of Diversity Affairs is OPEN and available to you, so at your leisure do come by, call, or email us. We would like to know how you are doing and if we can assist you in any way.

To our faculty: we understand the challenges that you continue to face in adjusting to new situations to deliver the sort of care that is emblematic of your high standards. Some of you are balancing the need to reestablish your research activities in the face of setbacks that were unimaginable just two weeks ago. While we can’t promise that we will have all the answers, we will certainly continue to be there to help you move towards the necessary solutions.

As you may recall, it was Marin Luther King Jr. who reflected that "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."  Over the past few weeks we have endured hardships both personally and as a community. The unspoken and unrelenting dedication to the patient care, research and education mission that members of the NYU Langone Medical Center have demonstrated is nothing short of remarkable. It is amazing that we suffered no patient causalities. Yet, we face challenges ahead. While there may be questions about what could have been, the days will be illuminated by the many clear answers shining from the actions of doctors, nurses, students, and other members of the health care team who simply continue to excel in doing the right things, for the right reasons. Simply put, in a time of challenge we are choosing to stand and reflect the character of the NYULMC community. Perhaps above all else that is the ultimate measure of EXCELLENCE.

Over the past week, I am sure that like me you have been asked many times “Do you have power back?”
I am also sure that like me, your answers have tried to reflect the perceived intent of the questions. However there is also a deeper element that we should allow ourselves to recognize and to convey:
Power can be defined as the passion with which NYU medical students jumped out of bed to rush towards a darkened hospital filled with patients in need.
Power can be defined as the determination with which educators worked tirelessly to restructure their planned academic schedules.
Power can also be defined as the motivation that leverages a diverse group of individuals to a shared purpose far greater than what individual members could have possibly imagined.
As such while electricity might have been lost, I would submit that we have never lost the POWER that emanates from members of the NYULMC.

Thank you for continuing to rise above expectations and helping to define who we are as a diverse and engaged community.

All the best,

-FF

__________________

Fritz François, MD, MSc, FACG
Associate Dean for Diversity and Academic Affairs
Director, Office of Diversity Affairs