An Exciting Path Forward
It is spring where I live. It signals rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, and regrowth. Emerging from the bleakness of winter, filled with the coldest, shortest days and the longest nights, a new season emerges. For many, the barren and bleak winter season sometimes feels like it will never end. But without fail, the breathtaking beauty of spring remerges with the color of tulips, chirping birds, blue skies and sun that warms the skin. We re-enter a new season.
After the stillness, isolation, and retreat from life as we knew it before the COVID-19 pandemic, we and our patients are reentering the workforce, recreational activities, and reconnecting with family traditions again. Some analysts believe that we a gearing up for a major tug of war. Will we want to visit our favorite restaurants? When will travel become a part of our lives again? Will patients want to come back to the office or will virtual visits become the new normal? I wonder how our new medical students, residents, and fellows will be educated in the future. Creatively, the medical profession will pivot and a new normal will emerge. Life never stands still. I am confident that it will be better than we ever imaged.
Will lifting of sanctions and the encouragement by business and medical thought leaders truly allow us to transition and reestablish life as we knew it? I am optimistic. Collectively, we can and will renter even stronger. It will take a tremendous undertaking and collective responsibility to one another to remain safe. Social distancing, mask wearing, and strict handwashing will be with us for a while.
The AAGL believes that we can offer a safe and educational experience in person this year. Our AAGL team of teams are gearing up for our annual hybrid meeting in November. We hope that you will be able to attend in person. However, if you cannot, know that you will have a personalized experience and still feel connected with your AAGL family.
“Edutainment” is my new word. We can promise that our annual meeting will be educational and entertaining with dynamic topics, beloved speakers, and new voices. We have been intentional about gender, age, and geographic diversity in planning our meeting. The scientific planning committee and executive board have worked nonstop. Weighing every new idea, no matter how “out of the box,” was an essential exercise we shared to make this meeting memorable. Their creative visions have been in motion and are palpable.
We know that for some of our members this year it will not be possible to attend in person. If you are attending in person, we will follow all policies and procedures to keep all of us safe. Yes, it may look and feel a little different. But you will leave a better gynecologic surgeon and become more patient-centric because of what you will learn.
Sarah Jenson Clayton, a North American consultant, said it best, “For companies (hospitals) today, it’s a culture reboot—symbolically turning the page on what has been a difficult chapter. We’re leaving the past behind us and looking forward to the path ahead. This takes the culture transition from the merely tactical to the inspirational.”
I’m geared up and ready to experience spring and summer. We are geared up and ready to celebrate our 50th annual meeting with you.
