The snow-delay of the annual State of the Campus address until the week before Thanksgiving felt somehow appropriate. In preparing the address, I had occasion to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. Because of your life-changing work and dedication to education, research and care, the state of our campus is strong.

 

Your work to improve health in our communities particularly resonates in this time of gratitude, whether it’s clinical services for the disadvantaged or health education in neighborhood schools. Thank you to those who responded to our survey on nonclinical community outreach last month. Preliminary results provide information on more than 80 outreach projects, ranging from firearm safety to childhood obesity and refugee health, that use your expertise to help communities in need.

 

In the same spirit of giving, the annual CU in the Community​ program will start next Monday, Dec. 9. The program provides a chance for faculty and staff to commit up to 4 hours of work time through March 30 to volunteer in organizations throughout metro Denver. Units that volunteer as a group say it’s a fun way to gather with colleagues outside the normal work setting while contributing to the community.

 

Finally, in the wake of last week’s snowstorm, I’d like to acknowledge the efforts of our facilities management folks to shovel our sidewalks, plow our parking lots, put ice on slippery steps and keep our hallways clean. For all their early morning and weekend efforts to keep our campus functioning, we’re grateful they’re here.

 

There is no more fulfilling work that what we do here to help patients and communities everywhere who rely on us for hope, for healing, and for life. It is my privilege to share this work with you.

 

Don Elliman

Chancellor​