November dean’s message

In this season of giving thanks, the year 2020 has given us a lot to be thankful for.

No, I’m serious.

All year long, we’ve been sitting in a bubbling cauldron and at each turn 2020 has thrown a few more sticks on the fire. But the hotter it got, the more poise and resilience the MUSC pharmacy family showed. I’m incredibly thankful for that.

We have great hope that 2021 will let us reclaim some things we’ve had to change (like our traditional alumni gatherings), while keeping some new tools we’ve developed (like virtual rotations or interviews). I’m thankful that day will come.

Despite restrictions, we’ve been able to figure out ways to continue a number of things other colleges of pharmacy have had to forego: participating in clinical challenges, bringing in guest speakers, getting rotations, holding ceremonies and celebrations, engaging with our alumni. For the most part, we have done differently rather than done without. I’m very thankful for that, as well.

Crisis has a way of bringing people together or tearing them apart. It reveals character. It produces leaders. All year long, we’ve seen stories of MUSC pharmacists stepping up to help their patients, their communities, and each other. I’m proud to call them MUSC pharmacists, and I’m proud of the students, faculty, and staff on the MUSC campus. I’m thankful for that.

I’m thankful we’ve sat in the cauldron together, proverbially holding hands while we watched 2020 grimly gather firewood. Everything it has inflicted has only served to reinforce our sense of community and our bond as members of the MUSC pharmacy family. So, all in all, 2020 has given me plenty of reason to be thankful. And I’m looking forward to 2021!