Dear UT College of Pharmacy Community,
The tragic death of George Floyd is the most recent in a series of horrific deaths of individuals “who do not look like me.” The continued episodes of hate and injustice are most disturbing and it directly affects members of our college community who identify with the particular group being assaulted. In this case, it was because a man was black, but regardless of the color of one’s skin, ethnicity, country of origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other factors that contribute to the diversity of our society, we cannot tolerate this hateful behavior.
It is essential that we support one another and work to assure that all in our college community are treated as the uniquely wonderful individuals that they are. As so appropriately stated by our college’s Pharmacy Council Executive Team, “the foundation of our profession is based on seeing the human dignity of each of our patients.” How can we channel anger and frustration into proactively positive actions that promote equity and inclusion so that all humans are treated with dignity? Paraphrasing interim President Hartzell’s recent message, we must come together and draw upon the diverse range of talent, energy, and passion that we have at the university to take on the most important and difficult issues of our time.
I look forward to conversations in our college regarding how we can promote the ideals of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. As a leading college of pharmacy, it is critical that we embrace and promote these ideals as we educate and train future pharmacists, scientists, and leaders who will leave the Forty Acres and work to make these ideals reality.
I stand by each of you as we work and collaborate to address these critical issues.
Sincerely,
M. Lynn Crismon, Pharm.D.
Dean
James T. Doluisio Regents Chair and Behrens Centennial Professor