Dear Faculty, Staff and Students:

By now, you have seen the devastation brought to the Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. The scenes are truly heartbreaking, and I want to express my sincerest condolences to the victims and families affected by this tragedy.

Early estimates indicate a staggering degree of loss and destruction. The physical and infrastructural damage is so severe that it is impossible to get an accurate appraisal of the storm’s economic toll on the Bahamas, but its human toll has been one of complete devastation. At the time of this writing, over 44 people are confirmed dead, and the Bahamas Press expects that number to rise to over 3,000. There are no words which can ease the pain of this unthinkable loss of human life.

It is times like these that we must remember the fundamental purpose of USF Health—to care for those who are suffering and to help those in need. We strive ceaselessly to promote human welfare, and it is right for us to feel compassion towards those affected by this tragic storm. Many across our organization are asking what they can do to alleviate the suffering of the Bahamas, and indeed, many of our physicians and other health experts are already sending resources and making travel plans to bring aid.

I encourage each of you to find and join similar initiatives. Please consider seeking out a reputable organization that best reflects your own values, and then choosing how you can help to aid our desperate neighbors in the Bahamas. One option for action is through a Bahamas relief fund set up by the USF Health Development team through the USF Foundation.

Making life better for others is simply what we do.

Sincerely,

Charly

Dr. Charles J. Lockwood
Senior Vice President, USF Health
Dean, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine