Today is September 11
Today is the twenty-third anniversary of what we now refer to as 9/11. The tragic terrorist attacks in 2001 resulted in significant loss of life and an increased sense of vulnerability, in this country and globally. Many of us will take a moment today to remember where we were when we heard the news – while an increasing number of our colleagues were not yet born or are too young to remember.
In 2001, I was a Chief Medical Resident at the University of Washington. September 11th was a Tuesday, and I was en route to the hospital for an early morning medical student lecture when the breaking news came through the car radio. I will never forget the immediate flood of thoughts and emotions as I listened to the announcement that a plane had struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Just a few years earlier I had taken a trip to Manhattan to visit a close friend. As I listened in disbelief to the radio broadcast, I immediately thought of my friend and my trip to New York. I remembered our visit to the "Twin Towers," the 58-second elevator ride to the top of 2 World Trade Center, the breathtaking views of the city … Most of all, I remembered the many people I encountered that day, going about their work, and hoped they were safe – especially my friend who worked nearby.
In an uncertain world, we're invited to do good work, show kindness to others, and be an advocate for positive change. Today, as always, I'm grateful for this EvergreenHealth community and for our shared commitment to providing high-quality, safe, compassionate, respectful, and inclusive care for our community – and for one another. My deepest thanks.
