A Note of Gratitude

San Antonio may not have yet seen the peak of coronavirus, but I am humbled by the activity from all units and departments in the School of Dentistry as they respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Thank you to our staff members at all campuses who are disinfecting high traffic surfaces, effectively safeguarding our caregivers and patients. Thank you for being flexible as your duties shift throughout this process of modified operations. Thank you to our dental and dental hygiene students who have suddenly found themselves in virtual classrooms. During this abrupt transition, you have been adapting quickly to new processes. We appreciate your feedback and I encourage you to keep open communication with your course faculty to notify them of any difficulties you may experience. Thank you to our didactic faculty and staff members who are restructuring and developing new content for their courses. We are utilizing ExamSoft and Canvas in enhanced ways and our academic team has embraced the challenge to work through those expansions. Thank you for your commitment to keeping our students on track in spite of, in the face of, this viral pandemic. Your resolve to ensure our students receive the same top-tier education is extremely commendable. To all levels of leadership and management and their support teams – Thank You. On a dime, you have pivoted and guided our school’s way forward. We are making technology strides that were possibly over a year away, in the matter of weeks. You are dealing with policies and regulations in a situation that has no precedent. You are working long hours and your burden is heavy. Thank you for pulling together. Thank you to our advanced education students, clinical faculty, and staff members who continue to serve our patients in this time of need. While our clinic still receives patients experiencing pain, infection, and trauma, you stand at the ready to provide them the same level of high-quality care that is UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. We remain strong and our critical missions continue forward thanks to you.