from The President

Earlier this month, the M. Foscue Brock Institute for Community and Global Health convened the third annual Mental Health Summit. Through these summits, EVMS is helping the region’s mental-health providers better coordinate their services for our community.

The theme of this month’s summit was the opioid epidemic in Hampton Roads. Virginia State Health Commissioner Marissa Levine, MD, has called this “our critical issue of the day.” In late March, the American College of Physicians issued a position paper affirming that opioid addiction is a treatable chronic condition — like diabetes or heart disease — and not a moral failing.

I am proud that EVMS is tackling this public-health crisis on all fronts, from researching new methods and medications for managing pain to teaching students how to talk with patients about addiction. Learn how much more we are doing to treat this tragic disease.

Addressing addiction is among the myriad ways we have prepared our Class of 2017 for the real world of healthcare. But before our newest graduates face their next set of challenges, let us take a moment to celebrate their achievements: mastering the rigorous academic programs of their chosen professions.

When I was in their shoes, I could not have imagined what lay ahead of me — living and practicing on a Native American reservation, providing care to thousands of patients in academic health centers and now having the privilege of serving in this role at EVMS. It has been a humbling and meaningful journey.

Today, I am confident that our new graduates will find their own rewarding and fulfilling paths. And we owe you, our supporters, a tremendous debt of gratitude for making this possible. On behalf of our 10,000+ EVMS alumni, I thank you.