Giving thanks and announcing One MUSC

A Letter from MUSC President David J. Cole, M.D., FACS - November 23, 2020

Dear MUSC family,

As we approach Thanksgiving, I’m always reminded of the important things in life, perhaps this year more than ever: family, service and community. (Full transparency – I also look forward to the food.) I understand and share the temptation to gather for the Thanksgiving holiday. It is important, however, to protect our community from becoming overwhelmed. Please make thoughtful, smart decisions and be mindful that maintaining COVID-19 precautions during the upcoming holidays will help us all have a safer winter season.

As individuals, as MUSC family and as larger communities, we have much to be thankful for this year. In fact, the journey that we’ve been on for the past five years deserves special recognition.

You’ve made remarkable achievements related to our mission and vision through your commitment to Imagine 2020, and of course, it can’t possibly be stated enough how grateful I am for your incredible resilience and dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic. The groundwork laid by our strategic plan during these past five years has enabled us to step fully into this moment. I suspect that individuals, communities and partners around the state share my enormous sense of gratitude for all that you have done and will do in the days ahead. As you’ll note from the video, we’re moving forward with ONE MUSC – our next strategy for embracing and creating our future together, building on the pillars of “Innovation, Impact and Influence.” I, along with numerous other leaders, look forward to sharing more with you when we officially launch ONE MUSC in January of 2021.

Speaking of gratitude, Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, began nationally in 2012 as a day of generosity. Our Institutional Advancement office and development teams coordinate MUSC’s participation each year, and I hope you’ll consider supporting the effort on Dec. 1 by making a contribution, holding a Facebook fundraiser or being an ambassador.

As always, thank you for doing your part to stop the spread of COVID-19 and encouraging the people in your life to do the same. Please accept my sincerest wishes for a peaceful and restful Thanksgiving holiday.

Yours in service,

David J. Cole, M.D., FACS
MUSC president