The President’s Message

_{Nov. 30, 2021}

Dear Friends:

It’s not hard to see how the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) response to the COVID-19 pandemic has brought us to where we are today. UMB has had a large on-campus presence this fall, thanks to our incredibly high vaccination rates — over 97 percent — and COVID-19 safety protocols. The UMB community thrives on being together for core in-person teaching and research functions, from accessing on-campus resources to the ability to connect with patients, clients, and colleagues. We are better together.

In this issue of CATALYST, you’ll learn about ways we’ve been able to be #UMBTogether, here within our University community and with our neighbors. In the spirit of strengthening the UMB community, you can learn more about Diane Forbes Berthoud, PhD, MA, UMB’s first chief equity, diversity, and inclusion officer and vice president. Her work will help analyze programs and activities, and improve structures and systems at our University to continue to build a culture that is truly inclusive and equitable for every member of our community.

You also can read about the incredible work being done to help educate and inform people about the efficacy and safety of the COVID-19 vaccines. I believe we have played an important part in Maryland’s overall vaccination rate, which puts the state among the top 10 most vaccinated in the nation. Also featured in this issue is a celebration of our new Community Engagement Center and its many programs, including one that brought horses on campus for children to learn to ride; the School of Social Work’s Positive Schools Center’s outreach; and how URecFit and Wellness adapted during the pandemic.

I’m proud to celebrate UMB in this fourth edition of CATALYST, which shows UMB’s commitment to improve the human condition and serve the public good — across the state and around the world. Friends of UMB, I hope CATALYST shows you what your friendship enables, what your support enlarges, and what your generosity amplifies.

So enjoy this fourth issue of CATALYST. You can access stories at CATALYST online.

Sincerely,

Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS
President