May 18, 2021

Remaining empathetic in the face of conflict

Students, Education, Alumni, Faculty & Staff, Inclusion & Diversity
Dean Trevor Young
By Trevor Young

With the deadly conflict in the Middle East boiling over in the streets and on our screens, I want to take a moment to reflect on the impact we all have as members of a diverse and inclusive academic community. And the responsibility we have to each other.

The violence we’re witnessing is causing undeniable pain, and my heart goes out to everyone –on each side of this conflict – who is suffering at home and abroad. We are hearing the despair and anger; the moral distress is real, and it is profound. We know there are no words, and no one message from the Faculty, that can heal this.

During this difficult time, I encourage everyone in our community to recommit to bringing kindness, care, and compassion to all that we do and that we say. Be empathetic and consider the impact of your words and deeds in all aspects of your work, be it clinical, teaching, research, or advocacy.

At the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, we are a community of learners and educators and staff who support the academic enterprise. Our work at the Faculty is to build and sustain a community that respects a diversity of voices and experiences, including through constructive dialogue on important and challenging issues. This purpose, with its attendant rights to freedom of speech and academic freedom, is intended to facilitate the pursuit of truth, knowledge, progress and understanding.

I want to underscore that there is no place at the University for religious discrimination. We are working very hard to ensure that our clinical learners know they can bring forward issues and concerns through the mistreatment reporting pathways for MD learners, PGME trainees, and our Office of  Health Professions Student Affairs. All are welcome to reach out for guidance through the Office of Inclusion and Diversity. We are also working closely with our hospital partners to ensure everyone in the clinical environment feels safe and supported in their roles as teachers, clinicians and learners.

Please consider your role in creating an empathetic and supportive environment during these times when so many are suffering, both due to the many losses from the pandemic and now due to this conflict, it is more important than ever that we care for one another.