Dear Members of the GW SMHS Community,
Regardless of one's personal political views or party affiliation, in the wake of the U.S. Presidential election it is important to remember what binds the faculty, staff, fellows, residents, students and alumni of the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences as a community.
I believe that our mission and values statement is the best place to start.
The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences is dedicated to improving the health of our local, national, and global communities by:
Educating a diverse workforce of tomorrow's leaders in medicine, science, and health sciences.
Healing through innovative and compassionate care.
Advancing biomedical, translational and health services delivery research with an emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration.
Promoting a culture of excellence through inclusion, service, and advocacy.
As a globally recognized academic medical center, GW embraces the challenge of eliminating health disparities and transforming health care to enrich and improve the lives of those we serve.
Our mission transcends politics and reflects the special culture of GW SMHS.
We celebrate the fact that we are a diverse community of healers, educators, discoverers, and learners, from all political parties, motivated by a calling to service and an unselfish concern for the welfare of others. We are a community built on mutual respect and compassion.
We heal the wounded, relieve suffering, and instill hope. It is, in fact, our very calling that leads us to bridge differences of all kinds. Moreover, we do not stand helpless in the face of threats to individuals in our community or to what our community stands for; we are leaders and we are advocates.
I have no doubt that in the shared pursuit of our mission, collectively embracing our values, we will continue to thrive — and improve the lives of those that we serve.
Warmest regards,
Jeffrey S. Akman, M.D. Vice President for Health Affairs Walter A. Bloedorn Professor of Administrative Medicine and Dean, School of Medicine and Health Sciences
