Director's Message

July 13, 2007

To: All DHS employees

From: Bruce Goldberg, M.D., Director

"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?"
~Satchel Paige

Let's be honest -- all these hot, sunny days we've been having are making it a little difficult for me to concentrate on work. I'm starting to think more and more about our family's upcoming summer vacation, which begins tonight.
The work we do at DHS is important, exciting, stressful, fulfilling and a large number of other adjectives. Regardless, all of us occasionally need to rest and re-energize ourselves, and that's what I hope to do for the next three weeks. I'll be spending time with family and friends I haven't seen in several years, and that's always fun.

I think it's essential for all of us at DHS to find a balance between our work and personal lives, particularly because so much of what we do can be emotionally difficult. Vacations -- whether for a few days or a few weeks -- offer an important oasis of relaxation and refreshment that all of us need.

And, while I'm getting a change of scenery, I thought you might like the opportunity to hear from individuals other than me for the next few weeks. That's why I've invited several of our division administrators to share with you their thoughts about DHS programs and priorities. I hope to do more of this in the future so that you can hear a range of views and voices from within DHS, and develop a better sense of the interconnectivity among our jobs.

Many of us serve the same clients through separate programs, and those clients view us as a single entity regardless of our internal structure. So, in a sense, we all represent each other when we meet with and serve the public. For that reason I hope that hearing from others within DHS will lead to a greater understanding of how what we do affects not only our customers, but also other areas within our agency.

And, I also hope each of you will be able to take some time off in the months ahead -- even if you can wedge in only a day or two -- to focus on your needs and to appreciate the people and the beauty in your lives.

Enjoy.

To provide feedback email: DHS.Directorsoffice@state.or.us

This message is intended for all department employees. Please read it electronically, if possible. Managers and supervisors are asked to share the message each week with employees who do not have email access.