A Time to Reinforce Our Goals, Unite People, and Reenergize for the Future

At the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, the year 2022 was filled with many ups and downs. But one thing that remained constant: the UB True Blue spirit could be seen in how our faculty, staff, residents, students, alumni, and donors continued to care, innovate, collaborate, and discover through the most difficult circumstances.

There is no question that my first year with UB will be one to remember. Most recently, as the region began to dig out of the historic blizzard my thoughts turned to the many individuals whose holiday plans were upturned.

Our faculty and residents slept on hospital floors, worked long shifts, and selflessly helped others. Our essential employees – the university police, facilities, environment, health and safety – continued to do their part to ensure that our university operated smoothly.

Sadly, there were individuals who didn’t find warmth, who experienced power outages, and were unable to get to the help they needed during the storm’s threatening conditions. This further underscored the very real disparities in Buffalo. 

As an academic medical center, we have a responsibility to do more. That means training physicians and scientists who help improve the health of individuals across the Buffalo area and beyond; ensuring that they learn about and make strides to eliminate health disparities among underserved populations; and embracing each other’s uniqueness.

It's a new year, a time to reinforce our goals, unite people, and reenergize for the future. Together we can make a difference. 

 
Best wishes for a productive new year,

Allison Brashear, MD, MBA
Dean, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Vice President for Health Sciences