Message from the Dean

To: WCM Community

Subject: A Moment of Silence Against Racism

I would like to share with you the below invitation from our partners at NYP to observe a moment of silence against racism, and especially in support of Asian and Asian American members of our community.  Bias and discrimination have been longstanding challenges for Asian Americans and have unfortunately increased during the pandemic and with recent events.  Weill Cornell Medicine joins our partners in condemning hate and racial injustice in all its forms, and we commit to working with you to build a society where people of all backgrounds are safe in their neighborhoods and workplaces.

Sincerely,

Augustine M.K. Choi, M.D.

Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean
Weill Cornell Medicine
Provost for Medical Affairs
Cornell University

*****

Dear Colleagues,

Racism and violence against Asians and Asian Americans are rising around the country. While the investigation into the Atlanta murders continues, we should not fool ourselves by thinking that these incidents only happen “somewhere else.” 

On Thursday, April 1, at 10 a.m. and again at 9 p.m., we are asking everyone across the NewYork-Presbyterian community to join us in observing one minute of silence. However you choose to mark this time—of course while regarding appropriate social distancing and other safe practices—we ask you to do so especially in support of our Asian and Asian American colleagues, family, friends, neighbors, and all who have experienced racism in any of its overt or insidious forms. Where possible, we encourage you to do this outside, so that others may see that we are united in condemning racism, hate, and violence. 

Beyond this observance, we want to reassure you of our continuing commitment to fighting against racial bias and helping to move our organization, our communities, and our nation toward fairness and justice. It is only by working together that we will succeed in bringing about lasting change.

Please join us on Thursday.

Sincerely,

Steven J. Corwin, M.D. 


President & Chief Executive Officer, NewYork-Presbyterian

Laura L. Forese, M.D. 


Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, NewYork-Presbyterian