12/24/2016
Professor Harnett
“Auld Lang Syne” is a Scotish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 that bids farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight. It’s about that time…
As 2014 rolls to a close, it’s noteworthy the CHI has evolved - an elevated posture in not only the College of Medicine but across the enterprise. I have put more miles on my Florsheims this year than I have in the past three engaging with an increasingly broader constituency interested in clinical research data. Now part of a new and dynamic department, the CHI under BMI represents core operational functions. The institution has not had an anointed and celebrated expert in clinical informatics leaving researchers largely to fend for themselves. Orchestrated enterprise data management will allow researchers to focus not on disk space but on science. This basic concept will help UC move towards the next dimension of research – leveraging the almighty big data.
Our new Chair, Pete White is relying on the team at the CHI to operationalize the informatics needs in the COM and for key partners. We thankfully have the Children’s BMI horsepower at our side, UC Health has never been more supportive and new leadership recognizes informatics as a key component of growth. BMI is committed to supporting the CHI, increasing capabilities, adding tools and staff to meet the needs of the clinical research community. We have new offices, new people and new challenges in 2015. And I would be remiss to not personally thank Mark Eckman who has energetically worked to support our cause during the transition to a new academic home; thank you Mark – you will always be in our family.
This New Year’s Eve, when you are asked to chime in and belt out the score of “Auld Lang Syne”, you will know the words.
Should Old Acquaintance be forgot,
and never thought upon;
The flames of Love extinguished,
and fully past and gone:
Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,
that loving Breast of thine;
That thou canst never once reflect
On Old long syne.
On Old long syne my Jo,
On Old long syne,
That thou canst never once reflect,
On Old long syne.