June 12, 2020
Dear Members of the Baylor College of Medicine Community,
My video message this week covers a number of important topics. I hope you will take the time to watch. There’s good and bad news on the COVID-19 front. It’s critical that the Baylor community continues to lead by example in wearing masks and practicing social distancing. We do a great job in following these rules in our buildings, but please be sure to follow them in the grocery stories, your neighborhood, etc. We are a team of 12,000 informed role models for the Houston area and beyond. Please take that role seriously.
This week I also revisit the topic of systemic racism and the funeral of George Floyd. Last week I challenged you to think about racism in our society. I did that myself and reached out to many colleagues. I learned a great deal from those conversations, including about myself. The response to George Floyd’s death has shed light on much broader issues of class disadvantages. I wanted to discuss that with you as well in this week’s video message.
I appreciate the support that is being shown to our Chinese graduate students and researchers who are here on F-1 and J-1 visas. The potential impact on their work and training is very concerning for them. Those of us who have not been able to visit family members living outside of Houston during the pandemic now have greater empathy for the many members of our community from other countries who have been experiencing this separation for a much longer time.
As always, thank you for all that you do for Baylor College of Medicine and for our community. I consider you leaders and role models.
Paul Klotman, M.D.
President & CEO
Executive Dean
