As I realize that Thanksgiving and the Holidays are just around the corner, I'm reminded of not only how much we have to be thankful for, but also of the myriad types of thankfulness we experience.

There is the sense of relief we feel when we are thankful that our education and experience have allowed us to properly diagnose our patients' disease process. There is the warmth and satisfaction from being thankful that our treatment plan was effective. There is the sense of security and peace in being thankful for our work that sustains our families, piques our curiosity and changes the lives of our patients and their families.

I ask that each of us take a moment this season to remember to thank those persons who give our lives meaning and interest. Yes, of course, thank our families whom we love, nurture and think about daily. And, let us thank our colleagues, members of our support staffs and other Medical Center employees who help make things go every day.

Finally, let us remember to thank our patients. Thank them for their trust, their confidence and their courage. They are an integral part of our lives and contributors to our mission in education, research, training and the practice of personalized health care. They truly are the primary reason most of us are here.

And so, thank you! I say thank you to each of you for everything you do...and say Happy Holidays as well!