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A Message from the Dean
The other substantial event was the reopening of the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at New Bolton Center. The multi-drug–resistant Salmonella Newport infection was the worst thing to happen to the Hospital in its 40-year history. But, as has been true from the inception of New Bolton Center, we are blessed with a remarkable group of faculty and staff. They rolled up their sleeves and set about cleaning the Hospital, turning the response into one in which we could take pride. In the end, what the staff and faculty accomplished became the most important aspect of the whole incident. For roughly 85 days in the heat of the summer, the faculty and staff removed everything that could be moved from Hospital buildings, even the light fixtures. These were either discarded or cleaned and stored. They then donned protective gear and set about scrubbing and disinfecting the 18 buildings that comprise the Widener Hospital. They scrubbed everything from floor to ceiling, and they scrubbed the driveways around the buildings. The amount of work is staggering, and we are profoundly grateful and proud of all who participated in the process; it was a remarkable job and it saved the Hospital. A special tribute must go to Helen Aceto, V’97, and her biosecurity committee, Drs. Barb Dallap, Brett Dolente, V’96, Janet Johnston, and Kim Olson, and to Bruce Rappoport and Barry Haines. This group directed and facilitated the cleanup with just the right combination of humor and resolve. We celebrated completion of the cleanup on August 27 with a lunch and special ceremony attended by University President Amy Gutmann. This was the first time our new president had visited New Bolton Center, and she enchanted everyone with her grace, informality, and enthusiasm. Dr. Gutmann was immensely impressed with what the faculty and staff had overcome and complimented everyone on their achievement. She also presented the Commitment to Excellence Award to New Bolton Center. This is a new University award designed to recognize exceptional service to the Institution. President Gutmann could not have chosen a better venue to introduce this award for it was so richly deserved, but she will have a hard time finding another group that emulates the standard of excellence set by the faculty and staff of New Bolton Center. Alan M. Kelly |
We had two substantial events in the School this summer. The first, and most exhilarating, was the start of construction of our new Teaching and Research Building. Road realignment is largely completed and excavation started in August. As I write in September, we have a huge hole in the ground with pilings driven into the area outlining the perimeter of the building. The speed with which the construction firm is progressing is impressive, and I have every confidence that the building will be completed by August 2006. With this in mind, I felt bold enough to tell the incoming freshman class that I expect they will start using the new building in their junior year.