I am recovering from watching a couple of football games on Sunday. The Philadelphia Eagles are spinning their wheels, having lost again today, and now stand at 3-3. The Redskins, are also 3-3, though it certainly feels more encouraging due to the electrifying performance of RGIII. How could identical records feel so different? And speaking of feelings and records, how can a 100 win season feel so hollow? I was actually a bit relieved to be more of an interested observer than a staunch fan when the Nationals (who are a very appealing team) suffered the heartbreaking loss that ended their season on Friday night. How sad… I bet they can’t wait for April to come.
Last week included a familiar parade of lectures, meetings, clinic and lab meetings. I had a chance to give a lecture to the first-year medical students on Friday morning, and I really loved a chance to interact with them. And, it was delightful to host this year’s Robert Dickson lecturer, John Robertson.
All of these activities were satisfying and productive, but one event stood out – the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lombardi’s Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Research at 1000 New Jersey Avenue SE. This office, headed by Lucile Adams-Campbell, is important for so many reasons. It is in our community, and it is located in an area that needs what we have to offer. The focus on area residents is necessary and important, and the research will inevitably link with efforts to enhance healthy lifestyles in the community.
The significance of this event was not lost on the University and on a number of civic leaders. If you have time, check out the video link here.
Speakers included me, Jack DeGioia, Lucile, Howard Federoff, several community representatives, Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, Councilmember David Catania, interim director of the DC Department of Health Saul Levin and Mayor Vincent Gray. Every civic leader came back to the same point – they are thrilled to have Georgetown and Lombardi reaching out to neighbors in the District, and it is great to have another Georgetown address with a SE suffix (we already have one in the Capital Breast Care Center).
Though the weather was surprisingly chilly, the event was heartwarming and has created an opportunity to make an even bigger difference in our catchment area. Congratulations and thank you to Lucile and her staff for all they do.
The weekend was punctuated by a visit to DC by my father, who came by trained from Yardley PA. We watched in shared distress, along with my son David, as the Eagles bumbled their way to their overtime loss. But the blow was softened by being able to share it with them. Poor Harriet – listening to three men groaning in unison again and again and again as the Eagles squandered a fourth quarter lead in predictable but agonizing fashion. I wonder why she doesn’t think we are having fun, even while howling in pain? It a good thing it is only a game.