Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As summer begins to wind down and we gear up for the academic year ahead, we find ourselves in a season of profound transition at UVA Health and the School of Medicine. The recent announcement of the departure of several senior leaders, including Dean Kibbe and Wendy Horton, marks a pivotal moment in our institution’s leadership. Yet the lesson I carry from my time as chief resident reminds me how leadership persists beyond titles. I was working at an affiliated community hospital at the time. I faced a dilemma with my team: a critically ill patient needed transfer from our hospital to the main campus, but no bed would be available until the late evening. We debated whether to delay until more attending physicians were available in the morning or transfer that evening. Our hospital’s chief of medicine, overhearing us, said, “Send them today. If I’m sick, I want to be under the direct care of a senior resident.”
That statement reshaped my understanding of leadership and progress. In moments when named leaders move on, de facto leaders step forward and ensure our mission continues. Leadership doesn’t stop at departures; it emerges and evolves in those moments. The division chiefs, department administrators, vice chairs, and I have been discussing ways to engage with the DOM community, focusing on operational continuity, leadership development, and refining our collaboration and growth across all missions. In the coming weeks, we’ll reach out with opportunities for you to share your insights and help chart our path forward.
Our spotlight in this month’s newsletter is the Division of Rheumatology—a team whose daily commitment to quality clinical care stands at the forefront of our department’s mission. Thank you for your unwavering commitment. As we step into the new academic year, let’s lean on each other, embrace emerging leadership in all its forms, and continue advancing excellence in research, education, and patient care.
My Best to You,
Taison D. Bell, MD, MBA
Interim Chair, Department of Medicine
Filed Under: Basic Research, Clinical Research, DOM in the News, Education, Message from the Chair, News and Notes, Notable Achievements, Publications, Research, Top News