Director's Message

Nov. 21, 2007

To: All DHS employees

From: Bruce Goldberg, M.D., director

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"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
~John F. Kennedy

If someone were to catalog all the good things DHS employees do for others -- not just at work but also in our "off" hours -- I'm confident the list would fill hundreds of pages. Most significant would be how so many of these works of personal service aren't done with any expectation of thanks, but to quietly improve others' lives in meaningful, often life-changing ways.

I see so many expressions of this kindness -- in the long hours spent helping clients, the generosity displayed during charitable fund-raisers, the commitment to improving internal processes -- and it makes me genuinely proud to be part of such a passionate and caring organization.

More than that, I'm thankful. I am thankful for your hard work, your ability to put in a long day and come back the next day to do it again, and your genuine and constant focus on the safety and well-being of our clients. I sincerely appreciate what you do.

Thank you.

During this Thanksgiving week, I believe it is important for each of us to thank our co-workers, friends and family for the good things they do for us and for others. Thanksgiving is not just about being grateful for what we have in life, it's also about expressing that gratitude to those who enrich our lives and the lives of others, those who bring us a smile and who share our burden.

Even better, I would like to see us keep this spirit of thanks alive throughout the year. It is important that we appreciate each other for who we are and for what we do, for the remarkable things we do and for the ordinary.

On this Thanksgiving, each of us can enliven the holiday's spirit by making a habit -- call it a Thanksgiving resolution -- of expressing our thanks to those with whom we work and live, and by enriching their lives in turn -- not just this week, but every week of the year.

So, please, take a moment to stop and thank someone for what they've done, and how they've helped you or others.

Thank you.

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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.