The Rewards of Unity

Thirty-one years ago last month, we lost the Space Shuttle Challenger and its 7 crew members. An associate of mine remembers Mission Specialist Col. Ellison Onizuka speaking at his high school months before the Challenger mission. To that gymnasium full of teens in serious need of motivation, Onizuka spoke of dreaming big in his home state of Hawaii, and how that, along with perseverance, led to a distinguished career in the military and the honor of being selected for a shuttle mission.

Tragic events can break our collective heart, unite us, strengthen our resolve and, ultimately, drive us onward. Strength and persistence are key American attributes, but collaborative effort is critical to success.

I think most Americans would agree that we have experienced an especially politically divisive time for too long, and it has impeded progress. Many at home and around the world are wondering whether Americans will be able to come together to move forward. Do we still have the right stuff? The answer is yes if we can realize our common ground and focus on unifying tasks like the one Abraham Lincoln proposed to a deeply divided nation in his Gettysburg Address.

It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us ... that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. —Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address

This year, as we fully introduce American Veterinarian^TM to practitioners around this great country, we’re celebrating and fostering unity by bringing you a broader view of the profession—one that we hope will unite all veterinarians in the shared goal of providing the best possible care for your patients. We’ll enable this expansive view by providing copious conference news and information both in print and online that you can use in your practice.

In addition to major venues, we’re covering regional, state, and local conferences so that veterinarians like you can stay abreast of what is happening in the field throughout the country, from clinical news and trends to product information and state-specific happenings that may soon affect your practice. What’s more, we’ll highlight our shared scientific and medical roots with commentary and insights from our physician colleagues. Medicine is the same, no matter what species you treat; and we have many commonalities and differences to explore.

What actions are you taking to promote unity with its larger perspective? Practice it and reap its rewards—in your hospital and your community. We will be asking for your pioneering ideas on social media. The stories of Americans such as astronaut Ellison Onizuka teach us that so much is possible when we are personally motivated and professionally united.

Thank you for reading.