As the recent rainstorms promised in "April Showers" have reminded me, April is Stress Awareness Month. Just as the weather can cause unpredictable downpours, we must navigate the storms and stress of burnout that can come with our noble profession. We know all too well that stress can take a toll on both our physical and mental well-being. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the immense dedication and hard work each of you pours into your roles every day, often at the expense of your own well-being. Now, more than ever, we must prioritize self-care as a component of our professional journey.

As each of you is an indispensable member of our department, your well-being is paramount. As we developed our Strategic Plan, I ensured that DOM members' wellness is a priority. Together, we will focus on fostering a culture of kindness and respect, strengthen professional development resources, and make adjustments to bring more meaning to our work.

I encourage you to lean into wellness on both personal and professional levels. The University's Well-U program offers many wonderful resources, including stress reduction programs. You can always find help and compassionate care through the UR Medicine EAP. URMC recently welcomed Craig Rooney, PhD, and Jessica Shand, MD, MHS, as chief and associate chief Wellbeing Officers. I'm excited to see how their work will impact all of us.

Rest assured, Allen Anandarajah, MBBS, our DOM associate chair for Wellness, is looking out for you as well. Visit our DOM Wellbeing site to learn who your division Wellness Champion is, and access valuable resources. Listen to the podcast Flourishing in Medicine by our friend Mick Krasner, MD, professor emeritus of Medicine. You can also learn these simple yet proven tactics to reduce stress. Take pride in being resilient and be aware that managing stress is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle.

Prioritizing your health is not just commendable, it's essential. Let's nurture ourselves with the same compassion and dedication we extend to our patients every day.

Be well,
Ruth O'Regan, MD

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Neil Lachant, MD, professor of Medicine in Hematology/Oncology. He is fondly remembered by colleagues.

Honors: Carla Casulo, MD, from Hematology/Oncology, was selected as a 2024 Woman of Excellence by the Rochester Business Journal. The awards celebration is May 14.

Publication: Andrea Garroway, PhD, from General Medicine, is an author of "Leading Organizations From Burnout to Trauma-Informed Resilience: A Vital Paradigm Shift," published in The Permanente Journal.

Publication: TramAnh Phan, MD, Catherine Moore, MD, Erika Drury, MD, Rickinder Grewal, MD, Scott Liebman, MD, MPH, David Levy, DO, and Fahad Saeed, MBBS, all from Nephrology, are authors of "Exploring Patient Needs and Preferences in CKD Education: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study," published in Kidney 360.

Publication: Alissa Huston, MD, from Hematology/Oncology, is a first author of "Establishing an Integrative Oncology Service: Essential Aspects of Program Development," published in Current Oncology Reports. She is co-chair of the Society for Integrative Oncology's Clinical Practice Committee.

In the News: Francis Coyne, MD, from General Medicine, describes the challenges in access to quality care for adult patients with sickle cell disease in "Too early to tell on sickle cell 'cures,'" published in I.M. Matters by the American College of Physicians.