May 18, 2018

Hello,
As we prepare for the beautiful commencement celebration today in honor of our Class of 2018, our nation is once again traumatized by a horrendous school shooting—this time in our own backyard, Santa Fe, Texas.  We are grief stricken as innocent lives are again lost to gun violence. Our hearts go out to the children and families whose lives are forever changed by this senseless act of violence.
Children deserve to be safe in school, and parents deserve a level of comfort that their children are safe when they leave them off at school.   As concerned and thoughtful citizens, we must raise our voices and use our influence to do more to address the terrible epidemic of violence in our country.  We cannot shy away from the difficult conversations that surround this issue.
In the midst of this horrible sadness, our commencement ceremony gives rise to hope.
Hope that as we welcome a new class of physicians into this noble profession, they will help turn the tide of violence in America and lift us above personal opinions and political differences to address this public health crisis.  This is the time to keep our children and families safe.
Please pause from your busy day for a moment of thoughtful contemplation to honor those killed or injured, to think about their families, and to thank the first responders and medical personnel doing all they can.  We owe it to each other to do more to address this terrible public health crisis that endangers our most vulnerable and most valuable—our children.
Warm regards,
Barbara
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