A message to our colleagues
Dear Department of Surgery colleagues:
All members of the Department of Surgery at Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry have been shocked and saddened by the events of the past few days in London. We want to express our condolences to the extended family of the victims and confirm our unconditional support and appreciation of all of our Muslim trainees, members of the Department, and all peri-operative team members. As a department, we are committed to ensuring that all of our Muslim co-workers and friends are supported in a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment. This abhorrent event is a reminder that our work in equity and diversity is essential and must be reflected in all aspects of education, research, and clinical care. As we sit uncomfortably with our grief in this event and its representation of intolerance that goes firmly against our values, we can reflect on how we each have a role to play in promoting social justice and inclusion. We encourage you to take the time to build bridges through care, curiosity, appreciation, and in exploring how you can make a difference.
We would also like to emphasize that everyone who needs support should not hesitate to reach out to a peer, program, or professional resource.
Emil H. Schemitsch
Richard Ivey Professor & Chair/Chief, Department of Surgery
Doug Ross and Muriel Brackstone
Co-Chairs, Gender, Equity and Diversity Office
Department of Surgery,
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
Western University
