Dear Colleagues

The horrific terrorist acts against civilians in Israel this past weekend brought tremendous distress and sadness. Many of our Jewish friends and colleagues have experienced loss of or injuries to loved ones and continue to feel fear and anxiety for their friends, relatives, and themselves. Many of our Arab friends and colleagues also feel distress at the ongoing misery and loss of life.  Many in our Department have civilian friends and family who will be caught up in the miseries of war.

As Tim Rutledge noted in his email yesterday, sadly, we have also seen an increase in anti-Semitism, anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia over this weekend.

Now is the time for all members of our Department to re-affirm our shared values, our commitment to the sanctity of life, and our compassion and kindness for each other.  As such, our thoughts are with those living in the region as the events evolve and with our colleagues experiencing misery and distress.  I know that our Department members will continue to care for each other as we work side by side during these sad and distressing times.

Please reach out to staff wellness as needed and encourage your learners to reach out to wellness resources as well.  Physicians can reach out to wellness resources through the university TFOM and the OMA:

https://temertymedicine.utoronto.ca/wellness-resources-faculty

PHP toll-free confidential line at 1-800-851-6606

And, please let me know how best I can support you. My cell is 647 938 4525.

I acknowledge and am grateful to Michelle Sholzberg, Natalie Wong and Ahmed Bayoumi for their thoughtful contributions to this message.

Sharon

Sharon Straus, CM MD MSc FRCPC

Physician-in-Chief, St. Michael's Hospital