This time of year is a transition period for learners of all levels in medical education. The academic year is coming to a close, and we stand at the crossroads of reflecting on the past and looking toward the future. Some of you will graduate from your programs, some will transition from residency to fellowship, and others have only recently begun your journey.

The days are long and the years are short. While you've been in the thick of your academic and clinical work, you've put in enormous mountains of effort that made for long days, yet somehow, time has flown by and here we are with graduation ceremonies around the corner. I am so proud of you all for your accomplishments.

While you may be looking at your next step with a combination of anxiety and anticipation, I encourage each of you to look back at your "past selves" of one year ago and reflect on the abilities and knowledge you've gained. Trust the process: The University of Rochester has been training incredible doctors for over 100 years, and you are part of that history now. Meliora means "ever better." We are all on a continual learning curve and I take ever better to mean that every single day, each of us will strive to be better than the previous day.

Your growth will never stop.

Be well,
Ruth O'Regan, M.D.

Grant: Katherine Krol, MD, from Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, received the PACE (Program for Adult Care Excellence) grant from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Grant: Matthew Taylor, MD, from Nephrology, was named a Geriatric Faculty Scholar. His project under this grant will create a curriculum in geriatric nephrology rooted in the 4Ms and Age Friendly Healthcare System.

Appointment: Steve Georas, MD, from Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, was elected to the editorial board of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Medicine.

Publication: Danielle Wallace, MD, Clive Zent, MD, Patrick Reagan, MD, Carla Casulo, MD, Jonathan Friedberg, MD, MMSc, and Paul Barr, MD, all from Hematology/Oncology, are co-authors of "Acalabrutinib and High-Frequency Low-Dose Subcutaneous Rituximab for Initial Therapy of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia," published in Blood Advances.

Publication: Patricia Rivera, MD, chief of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, is an author of Acquiring tissue for advanced lung cancer diagnosis and comprehensive biomarker testing: A National Lung Cancer Roundtable best-practice guide," published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

ICYMI: Residents & Fellows Can Partner with PIs Through DOM Online Survey

The department launched a new survey on the DOM Research website for students and trainees that aims to connect you with research projects based on your interests. "Research is a key mission of the department," said Laura Calvi, MD, vice chair for Basic & Translational Science. "Trainees at all stages need to envision the possibility of a career in research and discovery as early as possible. Our intent is to lower any barriers for trainees to identify potential research mentors through this portal, taking advantage of the amazing breadth of talent and experience within the department of Medicine." The Student Research website includes the survey to connect people to projects, and a list of FAQs to help get you started.

Clinical Communications and Secure Chat — Your Experience Matters!

Telling URMC where you're at with Secure Chat can help to track the effectiveness of ongoing education and communication strategies and direct further interventions. URMC's Informatics and Clinician Wellbeing teams crafted a five minute, quick-click survey to hear your eRecord Secure Chat messaging experience feedback. Results will help their ongoing efforts as they continue to develop the Unified Clinical Communications program with a firm focus on patient safety and clinician experience. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey by Wednesday, May 31.

The DOM is involved in these improvement efforts thanks to Conrad Gleber, MD, MBA, from Hospital Medicine, who is a member of the DOM Informatics Team.

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Robert Harrison, MD, a former chief of Endocrinology. He is fondly remembered in this tribute from Endocrine News.