Vision

In my own lab, I work hard to create an environment in which students, fellows and technicians are genuinely engaged in their work. We are more democratic than your average group, and I think we dig a little deeper than the average lab. This approach has created a collegial environment in which we have a lot of fun doing serious work and hard thinking.

For the department, I would like to nurture a similarly nimble, experimental spirit. I want to lead not by fiat but by fostering the participation, education and growth of all members of the department. I cannot possibly know enough or be in enough places to understand everything that happens within the boundaries of our departmental territory, but I can solicit your input and collect information that suggests new approaches to the challenges we face. To this end, I am putting together a council of advisors who are responsible for discrete activities within the department. On the clinical side, I am delighted to introduce Dr. Joan Cangiarella as my Vice Chair for clinical services and programs. Joan is a gifted pathologist who also happens to be an ebullient and efficient individual who is extremely well-regarded by clinicians at all our affiliated hospitals. Together, we will engage the whole department in an ongoing conversation about where we want to be ten years from now— and how we’re going to get there.

I am also going to institute open office hours one evening a week. This will enable any member of the department, whether student, staff, resident or faculty member, to have 15 minutes to talk to me on a first-come, first-served basis. I imagine this will accelerate my learning tremendously, and I hope it will build trust and foster growth as well.

Your patience and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated.

David Roth, October 1, 2004