Photo: Martin Vloet

All of us in the U-M Health System will remember June 4, 2007, with sadness as well as with a deep sense of respect. The loss of our Survival Flight and Transplant Program colleagues — six courageous men doing the jobs they did for patients — is a loss from which it will take us a long time to heal.

People outside our environment sometimes believe that, because we deal with life and death every day, we somehow harden and grow accustomed to it. Anyone who knows us knows that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we are as devastated by loss as anyone, and we mourn as deeply and painfully as everyone mourns.

What sets us apart is that even when disaster strikes, we don’t let anything diminish our efforts because our commitment to our mission is so very strong. Working through our tears, even while suffering a tremendous blow, we continue: someone needs us, so we help. It’s what we do — not the best we can under the circumstances, but the very best we can, period.

Our hearts and hopes go out to the families affected by this horrible event. We will commemorate the fallen by commissioning a work of art to stand prominently in the Health System as a constant reminder of the indelible mark these men have made upon our institution. Endowments in their names will be established for each of the six families to designate as they wish as permanent memorials to their lost husbands and fathers.

Despite the tragic and untimely loss of these six men, their strong sense of team lives on in the Health System and will not change. We continue to offer hope and healing to patients and their families. And we all have been reminded once again just how precious life is. Cherish it well.

Sincerely,

Robert P. Kelch (M.D. 1967, Residency 1970)
U-M Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs
CEO, U-M Health System