| “Shanah tovah” (“A good year”)
The evening of September 18, 2020 began the 5781st Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah). The blowing of the ram’s horn, the shofar, on Rosh Hashanah serves as a wake-up call. The Hebrew spelling for shofar — שופר — is a derivative of the verb “to enhance,” שפר, encouraging all to persist in the lifelong journey of personal improvement1. As we reflect on the tumultuous events of 2020, it seems appropriate for those of any faith to use the spirit of Rosh Hashanah to rededicate ourselves to our commitment to our work, our health, and our families. The ANA will hold its first virtual meeting next week, and registration is setting records. This tells me that many of us are hungry for the knowledge, interaction, and sense of community that our Annual Meeting provides. The scientific program committee and session chairs, along with AH’s staff, have developed a number of creative platforms to allow for real-time interaction in poster sessions and SIGs. We owe them all a great deal for their incredible work to convert the meeting in just a few weeks. The plenary talks will present the very best of clinical neuroscience to a record audience, and we will host our first Social Justice Symposium on October 3rd as we challenge ourselves to transform the ANA into an inclusive and more diverse organization. None of us know what is ahead in 2021, but it seems more than likely that our personal and professional lives will remain constricted and limited for many months to come. I hesitate to link the phrase “silver lining” to a pandemic that has killed 200,000 Americans, but there are positives that have emerged, not least a new focus on our role in efforts to provide social justice, and to reduce health care disparities. This Rosh Hashanah has a special significance as we look ahead to an uncertain future for our country. I am optimistic because the USA has faced even greater threats before, and we will overcome the challenges ahead. I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting. Warm regards,
Justin C. McArthur, MBBS, MPH |