As I write this, we are preparing to graduate another
outstanding class from the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
These students, like alumni who came before them, have excelled in their
training to become physicians and scientists.
Although a public Diploma Ceremony will not happen this month due to
the current pandemic, we nonetheless celebrate the accomplishments of
these students. I know that our alumni join me in congratulating the
Class of 2020 and wishing them well on the next chapter of their careers.
Of course, graduating at this time presents a unique set of challenges.
Our graduates, however, are eager to join physicians and scientists who
are addressing these issues. In this issue of Virginia Medicine, you'll
read about some of the efforts happening here at UVA to battle COVID-19,
from the in-house test developed by Mendy
Poulter, PhD, and Amy Mathers, MD, Fel '09, to
the telemedicine efforts spearheaded by
Karen S. Rheuban MD, Res '78, Fel '80, and
the UVA Center for Telehealth.
I know that many of our alumni are also involved
in COVID-19 efforts in their communities. To
each of you, I extend my sincere appreciation.
We've collected some of those stories and
shared them in this issue.
In closing, I want to acknowledge the alumni who had made plans to
return to Charlottesville this spring for events including Medical School
Reunion Weekend 2020 and Black Medical Alumni Weekend. These
events are a great opportunity for alumni to see firsthand the many
great things happening at UVA, and I look forward to the day when we can
reschedule them and be together again.
Please be safe and be well.
Sincerely,
David S. Wilkes, MD
Dean, UVA School of Medicine
James Carroll Flippin Professor of Medical Science
F R O M T H E D E A N
I know that our alumni join
me in congratulating the
Class of 2020 and wishing
them well on the next
chapter of their careers.
