December 23, 2011 OHA Director's messages on the web
To: All OHA employees
From: Bruce Goldberg, M.D., Director

Seeing the light

"Tomorrow is the solstice, the shortest day of the year. From Friday on, every day will be a little longer, a little brighter. Today, this week, this season, I celebrate you for being part of a team that believes our efforts can make a difference — that light follows darkness. That tomorrow will be better because of our efforts."
~ Bryan Johnston, former DHS director,
in a message to staff Dec. 21, 2007

I love this quote of Bryan's. During the long, dark days of December, I often think of it and use it in my weekly message. It captures my thoughts and sentiments.

I truly believe that tomorrow will be better because of the work we do and the efforts we all make every day for the people and families in our state. The health and human needs we continuously see are great and it can sometimes seem as if it is impossible to help everyone. There are too many children living in poverty, too many families with few places to turn, too many unable to get the health care they need.

But, light does follow darkness. As our state continues to struggle under a bad economy, I know that eventually things will get better. And I hope that someday soon peace will come for all of us. Until then I am comforted by the knowledge that all of us at the Oregon Health Authority are doing our part to make things better and brighter for the people and communities we serve.

Please enjoy some time with your families and friends over the coming holiday weeks. These dark days of winter are also a time to refresh and reflect as we look forward to the coming year.

Thank you for all you do each and every day.

OHA on the web