[mdphd] A follow-up from the MD/PhD Program: we're here for you

[Adam Waickman]

Dear MD/PhD students,

Following the messages you received from Dean Chin and Interim Dean Chan, I wanted to reach out to you directly. For anyone who may be reading this as the first they're hearing of it, I'm so sorry to be sharing such painful news this way: we lost Jaclyn Rittershaus last night in a motor vehicle accident.

There is no way to make sense of news like this, and no right way to be feeling right now. Shock, grief, numbness, anger; whatever you're carrying, it belongs here, and you don't have to carry it alone.

I want to be clear about one thing above all else: the entire MD/PhD team and I are here for you. That isn't a formality. If you need to talk, sit with someone, step away from your work, or just not be alone for a while, please reach out - to me, to any of us.

I will be physically here all day today, and every day this week. My door is open (WSK 2237a). If you'd rather talk by phone or just need to reach me, you can call my cell anytime at (518) 637-6485.

Upstate also has additional support available for anyone who needs it, and I'd encourage you to use it:


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Student Counseling Services: 315-464-3120
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Student Health Office: 315-464-4260
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Upstate's Spiritual Care Office: 315-464-4687
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Employee Mental Health and Support Services: 315-464-5760
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4KARE (24-hour support services): 315-464-5273

Please don't hesitate to use any of these. Leaning on support right now is a sign of strength, not weakness.

We will get through this together. Please take care of yourselves and of each other.

With care,

Adam T. Waickman, PhD
Director, MD/PhD Program
Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
SUNY Upstate Medical University
766 Irving Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13210

Phone: 315-464-7958
Email: waickmaa at upstate.edu<mailto:waickmaa at upstate.edu>
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