Spring 2016

From the Chairman

Kevin Behrns, MDThe department of surgery is grateful for the many gifts that patients, friends, faculty, trainees and others have bestowed upon us. This generosity represents thoughtful acts of kindness that allow us to advance our clinical, research and education missions. This issue of The Stitch includes several stories about how and why our benefactors have decided to share their resources with UF Health and the department of surgery.

Importantly, I wish to recognize the numerous faculty, staff and trainees who share nonmaterial resources with us on a daily basis. Words of encouragement from a supervisor, time a surgical resident spends with a patient and family long after their duties are complete and volunteering time for hospital-related charities are just a few examples of giving that occur without notice or recognition. Thank you to all of you who give so freely!

Similarly, larger material gifts are investments in our future and should prominently enhance our academic reputation within a defined time period. Increasingly, we will be dependent on philanthropic efforts for innovative care. Major advances in surgical care will come through a shared vision between donors and faculty who recognize new opportunities for surgical treatment.

The shared vision between donors and faculty results in a trusted relationship that envisions great possibilities.

Let’s continue to build these relationships and make major advances in our discipline.

Again, thank you to all who have so generously shared your valuable resources!

Kevin E. Behrns, M.D.
Chairman