Hope. Hope for peace, hope for health, both planetary and human, hope for humanity shown to all.
The season’s message of hope for the world can feel overwhelmingly needed this year. Yet, looking at what has been happening in the school this month, there is indeed hope -for the scientific health advances several of you will discover; for the caring careers your degrees will fuel; for the community here and around us that you brighten; and for the difference you will make to others.
At this time of year, I like to visit a quercetum – a collection of oak trees – planted about 900 years ago. I love how their thick and twisted form emphasises the times they have stood through. I also love the carpet of acorns around them and the oak-related proverb which highlights how our daily actions build into the people we can become and the impact we can have: ‘from tiny acorns, mighty oaks grow’.
Medicine has a unique ability to bring care and hope into the darkness. As a future doctor, you are also a guardian of hope, for the patient in front of you, and for the health of nations. And from tiny steps- the supportive smile to patients and teams you see each week, the reading around a case presentation, practicing skills, research data analysis, the gratitude box in Cedar’s hub, the checking in on a colleague - will come mighty impact, now and in the future.
As I look back at the many incredible and impactful contributions you have made to the school community and further afield this term, I am filled with gratitude myself to have the opportunity to lead such a vibrant and altruistic group of future medics.
Sending you every good wish for these next weeks and my hope that you will return rested, and ready for an exciting and fulfilling term to come.