"What makes you proud to be part of Upstate?" Thirty-eight employees and a longtime hospital volunteer gave their answers in front of cameras to help launch the Proud to Know campaign.

Some gave measured and business-like answers, some were full of laughter and big smiles, some spoke straight from the heart. The answers were as varied as the people interviewed, and all were forthright. Everyone was asked to pause for a moment from the day-to-day demands of their jobs to reflect on the deeper value of their work at Syracuse's academic medical center.

In preparation for her video interview, Lisa Allen thought long and hard about the work of the Regional Perinatal Center. “We care for women with difficulty pregnancies. Thousands of women,” she paused. “And, no matter what the outcome, I know we‘ve helped them.”

Willie White of Central Equipment Services told of his son‘s serious bicycle accident, and shared his gratitude for the concussion and orthopedic staff who helped his son during his long recovery.

Sharon Adkins of Hospital Administration spoke of her pride in the growth and changes at Upstate‘s community campus hospital.

Emily Hollywood MD and Donna-Ann Thomas MD described how happy they were to have gotten their medical degrees at Upstate. Researcher Reyna Martinez-DeLuna PhD  talked about working on new treatments for blinding diseases.

Results of the interviews are compiled in Proud To Know, a series of print and electronic communications launching today. Take a moment to check out the website, look at the posters and share our pride in this extraordinary Upstate family.

Proud To Know is an ongoing project. Share your thoughts about what makes you proud to be part of Upstate by contacting Susan Keeter at [email protected]