Science Is for Everyone

Fidencio Saldaña. Image: Steve Lipofsky for HMS

Many people may look at the announcement for this march and feel that this does not necessarily pertain to them. They may say, “I am not a doctor, I am not a scientist. In fact, I did not even like science in school. This March is not about me.”

I am here to start the morning by saying that this march is for everyone, and that science is for everyone. Science affects all of us.

Esta marcha es para todos, y que la ciencia es para todos. La ciencia nos afecta a todos.

I stand before you this morning as a child of immigrant parents. My parents came to this country from Mexico with little more than a fourth-grade education, in search of a better life. They instilled in me the value of hard work and the importance of contributing to the greater good of your community. Even coming from humble means, they believed there would always be a way to give back.

As a child, I served as my parents’ interpreter when they went to the doctor’s office, among many other places. Although I had no clue what it would take [to become one], I saw a physician as someone who could make an incredible difference in the life of a person. Science has allowed me to give back to people like my parents, as a cardiologist to many Spanish-speaking patients here in Boston.

Indeed, many of us view our careers in scientific fields as a means of public service. It’s an opportunity to make new discoveries or to ensure the equitable distribution of our current knowledge, all to alleviate suffering and improve the health of our community.

Science is for people who want to make a difference in this world.

If anyone out there wants to make a difference, then science is for you.

I stand here also as the father of three children, Mateo, Joaquin and Emilia. In them and in all of our children I see an untapped potential that we need to allow to foster and to grow. Science teaches children to think critically and to ask questions. It teaches children about the world around them.

Science education inspires curiosity, a desire to learn more, even to pursue higher levels of education, and encourage our children to do things they never thought possible. Science is blind to a person’s, race, religion, ZIP code or continent. It can provide opportunities for all.

Science is for people who want to invest in the future of our children.

If anyone out there wants to invest in the future of our children, then science is for you.

As dean for students at Harvard Medical School, I have the privilege of working with medical students to foster our mission: “To create and nurture a diverse community of the best people committed to leadership in alleviating human suffering caused by disease.” In fact, this weekend we welcome a new cohort of admitted students who are poised to embark on this very mission.

This rally comes during our Revisit weekend, which is fitting as we as need to revisit how we, as students and doctors and scientists, engage beyond the walls of our classrooms and clinics. We can no longer take for granted that our roles in discovery and health care will continue to be a national priority, and we must affirm the importance of science and access to health care. We must respond to the reality that we now need to engage as scientists and doctors and nurses and patients—and as students—in order to affirm the importance of science in guiding health care policy and improving the health of our country. It looks like this will need to be a new part of our curriculum!

Science is for people who want to improve the health of our country.

If anyone out there want to improve the health of our country, then science is for you.

I am someone who cares deeply, but I have never been a part of a rally such as this one, nor ever spoken at one. I am much more comfortable being behind the scenes and helping to make things happen.

I then thought of my daughter. At the age of 12 she has already marched to support a library in Chinatown, participated in the Boston Women’s March, founded a social justice club at her school and led fundraising campaigns for causes she believes in. I am inspired by her example, which is why I felt it was so important for me to be here with you today.

There is too much at stake for us to be silent.

Adapted from a speech delivered by Fidencio Salañda, HMS dean for students, at the HMS March for Science rally on April 22, 2017.