May 13, 2020
Dear Class of 2020,
As May 30th nears, we want to update you on the plans for your Virtual Commencement. We are creating an online experience to celebrate and commemorate your hard work and devotion. The Commencement ceremony will begin on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at 10:00AM. The ceremony will be approximately one hour in length, and we ask that you wear your regalia and attend the entire ceremony. You will be reciting your physician's oath during the ceremony. Links will be provided for you via email, and a live streaming link will be provided for your friends and families. Closer to the ceremony, these links will be placed on the SOM events page: https://www.utmb.edu/som/medical-education/commencement-activities
In preparation for the event, we need you to attend two Virtual Town Hall sessions. On Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 2:00 pm, you and your classmates will rehearse taking the oath. Please wear your regalia, if you have it, and anticipate use of your video and audio feeds to enable recording. If you do not have regalia, please dress professionally. You will receive a digital agenda before the rehearsal.
On Thursday, May 28, 2020, at 10:30 am, we would like you to attend an additional Virtual Town Hall in which we will present the Gold-Headed Cane and the William N. and Ida Zinn Alpha Omega Alpha Awards. We ask that you wear your regalia (or professional dress) for this session as well.
To summarize, we require full attendance on:
- Wednesday, May 27 at 2:00 pm – oath rehearsal with regalia, video, audio
- Thursday, May 28 at 10:30 am – presentation of awards with regalia, video, and audio
- Saturday, May 30 at 10:00 am – commencement ceremony with regalia, video, audio
- Please continue to check your email for further communication including the links to the rehearsal sessions and Virtual Ceremony.
Congratulations to you!
Ruth E. Levine MD
Associate Dean, Office of Student Affairs and Admissions
March 19, 2020
Match Day
A few details about Match Day:
- Not sure if the NRMP notified the applicants directly, but if not, they sent this to the schools this morning: “The NRMP is aware of the disruptions the COVID-19 outbreak has caused in the medical education community and the effect on medical schools and Match Day ceremonies. Therefore, on Friday, March 20, the NRMP will release the Match results to all applicants at 12:00 p.m. ET.” So, they plan to make the results available to you all an hour earlier than usual instead of the schools needing to send them. 11:00 a.m. (central time)
- The full match list will also be emailed to you in a separate email from me. Also, we always share the list on the UTMB webpage. We will post that one hour later, at 12:00 p.m. (central time) to allow our applicants time to receive and view their results.
- Although we are not gathering for the Match Day Ceremony where you all could participate in the big money pot that everyone contributes a $1 to with the money going to the student who waited the longest to get their match results, we have always done a secondary (runner’s up) pot with donations from faculty. Even with all that is going on, some faculty members had sent some donations over and we will do a drawing for that tomorrow when the deans are available. I’ll video it and we will post it on the Student Affairs facebook page. Valerie Carmichael will also send an email to notify the recipient. So, watch for that little moment of fun!
ASCC Services Still Available
March 19, 2020
We recognize that this is a stressful time and admire your perseverance as continue your studies. Please know that Academic Support and Career Counseling (ASCC) is still providing services.
- We are conducting individual appointments with students through phone or video conference. You are welcome to continue scheduling appointments through our online booking link: https://bit.ly/asccappt.
- Our Blackboard page (“Academic Support and Career Counseling Resources”) contains a number of resources and is where we will continue adding support content.
- For questions or concerns, please email one of our staff directly (see contact info below) or email our office account at somascc@utmb.edu.
We are eager to support you as you navigate your studies during this time – please do not hesitate to reach out.
Clinical Rotations Suspension Guidance FAQs: Effective March 18, 2020
March 18, 2020 9:09 PM
We know that our announcements yesterday regarding suspension of clinical rotations have led to a lot of questions. While it is very early in the planning, we wanted to provide what guidance we can at this moment.
Why did we make this decision yesterday?
Leadership has been continuously monitoring the COVID-19 situation including local, state and national guidance and input from student leadership and faculty. The AAMC recommended all medical schools suspend medical student participation in clinical care for a minimum of two-weeks. Given this new guidance and input from a wide spectrum of students and faculty, the decision was made to immediately suspend clinical rotations for medical students.
What do we do now that we were relieved from clinical responsibilities?
You may not return to any campus at this time. All in-person activities are canceled.
- We will be moving the year 3 and 4 curriculum to online-only curriculum immediately. Please stay tuned for more details from clerkship and course directors.
- Check your email daily and stay engaged.
- We advise that you practice social-distancing and very careful hygiene as recommended by public health authorities.
- While we do not recommend travel at this time, we cannot restrict your movements. Please remember you may be called back to campus or your clinical site at short notice. If you choose to travel, please remember you are placing everyone you come into contact with at a higher risk given your potential exposure in the clinical setting.
- At this time, you will be expected to return for shelf exams; see the next question. If you leave either Galveston or Harris county, you will be required to be cleared by Student Health to take your shelf exam as per previously issued University policy. Your clerkship leaders will be communicating more details. Please, keep shelf exam timing and need for clearance to return in mind with any travel plans to return home.
What about our upcoming shelf exams?
For now, please continue independent studies to prepare for your shelf exams. We anticipate the shelf exam dates will stay as scheduled. Your clerkship directors will keep you up to date with the most recent information.
Will missed clinical rotation time need to be made up? How is this going to impact my ability to graduate on time? What about doing needed rotations early in the fourth year to get recommendation letters in my field of interest? What if I’m off-cycle, it may be difficult for me to finish the curriculum on time?
This is an unprecedented time across the country for medical schools and residency programs as we are in a national emergency. We will work with guidance from LCME, AAMC and ACGME to find the best possible solution for all students. We will be flexible, innovative and diligent in finding solutions that meet learning needs while complying with educational requirements. Medical schools across the country are working together to find solutions. Residency programs understand the unique situation medical students across the country are facing and are actively involved in this conversation.
We are currently working on plans to accommodate fourth year medical students who have unmet graduation requirements.
While this is a time of great uncertainty, please take care of your families and personal health as the number one priority. We will get through this together and it will work out. Please stay well, be patient and stay in touch. We are committed to working with students, faculty and leadership to find the best possible solution.
We recognize the important roles that medical students play on health care teams and will be considering the adoption of innovative approaches that safely and appropriately engage students’ extraordinary dedication, passion, and skills for the benefit of the patients, other health care workers and public health as we move forward. We welcome innovative ideas and ask that you funnel those ideas through your student leadership team in how we can pull together to serve the public good during this national emergency.
Are students allowed to volunteer in the clinical setting?
At this time this is not allowed, we will continue to monitor and readdress any changes on a daily basis.
Are students allowed to volunteer outside the clinical setting in the community?
At this time, UTMB is not officially sanctioning volunteer opportunities for students and urge that you follow public health authority’s guidance on social distancing. We are working hard with UTMB and community leadership for creative and safe solutions for medical students to contribute to this public health effort. Please stay patient and we will be issuing updates as they become available.
Lockdown
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be a disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
--Hsiao-Wen
COVID-19 Clinical Experiences FAQs
March 16, 2020 9:11 PM
Attached and below, for your convenience, are some FAQs regarding students on clinical experiences. As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation, we will update our FAQs accordingly.
FAQs for Students on Clinical Experiences: Effective March 16, 2020
- Will School of Medicine learners (medical students and physician assistant studies students) be involved in the care of COVID-19 patients?
Students will not be involved in direct patient care for those who test positive for COVID-19 or deemed at risk of having COVID-19.
- Are there any other limitations on School of Medicine learners (medical students and physician assistant studies students) in caring for patients on clinical assignments?
Students should not provide direct patient care to any patient presenting with an undiagnosed condition that could be COVID-19. This includes patients that are presenting with acute, unexplained fever, cough, dyspnea and/or upper respiratory infection symptoms. Students can care for patients who initially presented with a possible diagnosis of COVID-19, but only if the patient has an alternative, firmly established diagnosis that rules-out COVID-19.
For any clinical activities that require donning PPE (personal protection equipment), clinical duties of learners may be restricted when the attending physician and/or local administration determines PPE consumption must be minimized. It should be noted that each clinical site, not the School of Medicine, will determine when this is appropriate.
Otherwise, at this time, medical students will continue in their routine clinical activities as designated by their attending physician in coordination with the clerkship or clinical experience directors.
- How will Core Clerkships, Electives, Selectives, Boot-camps and other clinical rotations be affected?
As of 03.16.2020 all students on clinical rotations (MS3/4 and PAS) are to continue full participation as guided by their attending and the clerkship or clinical experience director. The exception, as stated above, is that learners will not directly participate in care of COVID-19 positive patients, or those patients who present with signs and symptoms that may be consistent with COVID-19, see #2 above.
The School of Medicine leadership in coordination with UTMB administration will re-assess the clinical education continuity plan daily.
All non-clinical content (didactics) will be delivered electronically; this does not preclude students participating in rounding on patients with care-teams. This may be asynchronous delivery or could be online group meetings. In rare circumstances, a small group session may be warranted but this will come with approval of the clerkship director and the Assistant Dean, Educational Affairs. Online content will be delivered in coordination with a UTMB approved platforms.
At this time NBME Shelf Exams may be deferred; a final decision has not been made and students should continue to study and prepare. Some clerkships may, with the approval of the Curriculum Committee, use alternative forms of summative assessment that have been under review this year. As the NBME continues to provide clarification and guidance around delivery of secured exams, given the restrictions on large groups of people gathering in a single area, we will revisit this decision. https://www.nbme.org/news/coronavirus-covid-19-assessment-information-and-updates
Our priority continues to be the health and safety of all our students, faculty, staff, and patients. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and we may need to make additional changes to our curriculum. If that is the case, the School of Medicine will work with the Curriculum Committee to assess the expectations for all learners and what alternatives may need to be considered. We must maintain the integrity of the curriculum to ensure we have appropriate alternatives that still meet graduation requirements if changes are enacted to the curriculum. The Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is in continual contact with all medical schools in the country to explore adaptations to the current environment.
We will take this opportunity to provide enhanced training to learners in infection control and the use of personal protective equipment. It is important to always act judiciously in taking necessary precautions when caring for patients with communicable diseases as you will be doing so for the remainder of your careers.
Even with a rise of COVID-19 patients, there will remain a large population of patients needing care for other conditions and students can continue to play an important role in these patients’ care, helping at a time of great need in the medical community. As you all are training to become the next generation of care providers, we have faith in your service and contribution to improving patient care.
In addition to assuring a safe learning environment, we will facilitate your education and complete of your degree requirements. Course and Clerkship directors will work with you to satisfy course objectives. At this time, we anticipate students will graduate on time, meeting all the curricular requirements, and entering the workforce with a newfound dedication to healthcare.
- What happens if my site determines student learners may no longer be present?
Dr. Philpot (physician assistant studies students) and Dr. Farr (medical students) are working with the clerkship and clinical site directors to determine additional placement sites or alternative experiences.
Physician assistant studies students will have their cases evaluated on a case-by-case basis. PAS students who have completed all learning outcomes and documented sufficient patient care experiences may be given credit for the rotation.
- What happens if I have a future rotation where there is a COVID-19 outbreak or where students are being turned away?
For any sites no longer accepting students, we are actively searching for alternate sites or instructional opportunities. We continue to monitor all sites and will make appropriate adjustments if students face undue risks associated with sending the students to that location. We are reviewing and updating our information on site placements daily to try and keep ahead of future placements and anticipate changes.
- What happens if I am exposed to a COVID-19 patient and must go into a 14-day (or longer) quarantine? Or, I am COVID-19 positive and must go into isolation or seek medical care?
While we do not anticipate any students going into quarantine, we are prepared to work with each student on an individual basis, just as we do now. This time would most likely be categorized as a medical leave of absence. We will work with students on an individual basis considering all factors including: the clinical assignment(s) that you will miss, possible alternative curricular experiences, your overall curricular status, graduation timing etc. All students are required to carry health insurance and it will be used as appropriate for any medical treatment necessary.
- What circumstances would be an exception to continuing in the clinical curriculum?
If you have specific health concerns that could preclude you from fully participating in your clinical activities at this time you should reach out immediately to Dr. Farr (medical students), Dr. Philpot (physician assistant studies students), or Dr. Levine (all School of Medicine students). Based on current understanding of COVID-19, most students fall in a lower-risk group given their age and underlying health status. COVID-19 risk factors have been identified at this time to include advanced age, chronic medical conditions including Diabetes, Heart Disease, Lung Disease and immunocompromising conditions. If you, personally, have a high-risk condition or live with a family member with a high-risk condition you should talk with your or your family member’s health care provider immediately regarding their advice for care in the current COVID-19 situation.
All MD students should then speak with Dr. Levine who will direct you appropriately for either a medical leave or, in conjunction with Dr. Farr, alternative clinical activities/experiences.
All PAS students should initially contact Dr. Philpot and then you will work with Dr. Levine.
If you have other non-health related concerns around remaining in the curriculum at this time you should contact Dr. Farr (MD students) or Dr. Philpot (PA students). If you make a decision to step out of the curriculum you will be will directed to Dr. Levine to discuss the options which include requesting a personal leave. By choosing to leave the curriculum voluntarily (you do not have a compelling medical reason) the School of Medicine will determine your re-entry date which will be no sooner than the next academic year but could be as late as the next calendar year. It will depend largely on the status of COVID-19 nationwide.
- What if I have been assigned housing by the School of Medicine and I am assigned to share a living space with other students? I thought we were supposed to be social distancing.
If you are located at a remote clinical experiences site and you were assigned that site and the housing by UTMB SoM OCE, we will work immediately to find single person housing accommodations for you. You may contact the Office of Clinical Education if you have questions.
Infection Control Education
March 16, 2020
During this time of concern about the spread of COVID-19, it is a great opportunity to refresh our learning of infection control techniques. As such, we ask you to review these resources in detail for moving forward. Please remember, students should not provide direct patient care to any patient at risk for COVID-19 infection or with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Please refer to messages outlining medical student participation guidelines in the clinical setting.
Proper hand washing is a key tenet of infection control.
Quick Video Review of Basic Technique:
https://youtu.be/Oke9rjp8eFY
*remember at least 20 seconds, sing Happy Birthday song twice to estimate a full 20 seconds.
NEJM - detailed video review for Health Care Professionals:
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMvcm0903599
Jimmy Kimmel and Guillermo Learn How to Wash Their Hands:
https://youtu.be/sJfsyhQ0oBs
UTMB PPE and Rooming Guidelines:
https://www.utmb.edu/covid-19/health-care-workers/ppe-and-rooming-guidelines
***Keep in mind that at this time, UTMB is recommending using N95 respirator masks only when a procedural settings, see full description at this link.
University of Nebraska Medical Center PPE Training Video:
https://youtu.be/oxAHqfXeevQ
University of Nebraska Medical Center COVID-19 Resources for Providers:
https://www.nebraskamed.com/for-providers/covid19
NBME - Assessment Delivery Updates
March 15, 2020
We have been fielding questions about NBME Exams. Please know they are attempting to address the questions that come to them from every medical school in the country. Here is their latest update with a link.
Thank you for understanding and helping us manage this very fluid and unprecedented interruption in medical education across the country. I will do my best to keep working with our service providers to coordinate operating plans. We are also investigating all possible options for assessment delivery and are certainly viewing this with urgency.
More information will follow as updates are available. Please check our webpage routinely for additional resources as well: https://www.nbme.org/news/coronavirus-covid-19-assessment-information-and-updates.
Agata Butler, PhD
Vice President, Academic and Professional Programs
National Board of Medical Examiners
SOM Students in Clinical Settings
March 14, 2020
As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 developments please know the Office of the Provost is working closely with all of the School of Medicine leadership to assess risks and plan accordingly. Your health and safety, along with that of our faculty, staff, patients and community, is of the highest importance.
I appreciate the open lines of communication with the student leadership as well as the individual students who have reached out with questions and concerns. I would like to take just a moment to address some questions regarding students who are actively participating in clinical care, predominantly in MS 3/4 years and PAS year 2.
Students are expected to continue in their clinical activities as assigned. If you have concerns regarding your exposure to COVID 19 in the clinical setting, the first person you should speak with is your clinical attending. If you have additional questions or need additional information, you may reach directly out to Dr. Farr (medical students) at nmfarr@utmb.edu or Dr. Philpott (physician assistant students) at rophilpo@utmb.edu after speaking with your attending.
As of Saturday, 03.14.2020, students are to remain at their assigned clinical placements. Exceptions to this are:
- the site/affiliate has asked us to remove students,
- the site/affiliate has requested restricted access to high risk populations for students and does not have acceptable alternate clinical experiences for the students, and
- students who are at high risk due to pre-existing medical conditions.
If a student does come into contact with a patient who has been tested positive, they are to follow the UTMB guidelines. https://www.utmb.edu/covid-19/health-care-workers/
There is a possibility I have been exposed to COVID-19. Should I report for my shift as scheduled?
If there is a possibility that you have been exposed to the virus, please do not report to work and follow these instructions:
- Avoid interactions with others.
- Make your attending aware of your situation. Call them, DO NOT GO TO THE CLINIC.
- Contact your health care provider or one of the six designated UTMB clinics for instructions on how to safely seek care. CALL BEFORE YOU GO IN.
- Contact Student Health to inform them of your potential exposure.
- Do not return to your clinical assignment location until authorized to do so by Student Health.
Your health insurance will be billed for any clinical care that is required as related to exposure and treatment of a positive COVID-19 test.
Please continue to monitor the official UTMB COVID-19 website: https://www.utmb.edu/covid-19/students-parents
We appreciate the calm and measured response the student body has had during this time of a public health crisis. Watching your actions and hearing from many of you this week, we are positive we are creating the next generation of doctors and physician assistants who will have the knowledge, skills, and professionalism to take on the healthcare of the world.
Continued Communication Amid Change
March 13, 2020
Many of you are waiting for additional news and updates as both the awareness and spread of COVID-19 becomes more apparent. We have attempted to answer as many of your e-mails as we can and will continue to follow up with each of you. Official communications will continue to come from the Dean and the President so you should continue to monitor your e-mail as well as the official UTMB website https://www.utmb.edu/covid-19 for updates and announcements.
We are impressed by your professionalism, commitment to health care, timely and pertinent communication and awareness that public health is the responsibility of everyone. Please continue to reach out to the School of Medicine leadership with questions and concerns as we work together to determine the best ways to support and continue your education while following the recommendations and decisions made by our senior leadership to minimize risks for everyone, maintain continuity of care for our patients, and work to mitigate the virus spread.
Many thanks to each of you for working with us during this unprecedented time in recent history. The faculty and staff are working hard to be adaptive, supportive, and present for each one of you. Please keep communicating and reaching out with your questions. We will do our best to answer your questions.
Match Ceremony Cancelled
March 13, 2020
We have been encouraged to enact social distancing measures to slow the progression of COVID19. By doing so, we hope to be able to protect our UTMB resources so that we may optimally serve individuals when they become ill.
We are currently looking at every opportunity in which we can convert large gatherings of individuals to online. Regretfully, it looks like we’ll need to cancel our face to face match ceremony. We will still be simultaneously sharing the results of match at 11:00 AM on March 20th. We will do so by emailing to each of you your match information. We will raffle the “runners up pot” in which administrators chip in prize money and will share the name of the lucky winner via email.
We hope that you will plan more intimate celebrations with your friends and family. Please record your experience and upload it to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. so that you can share your excitement with your classmates. You can use the hashtag #UTMBMatch2020.
We will sorely miss celebrating with you in person but look forward to seeing your smiling faces online.
Please continue to monitor the UTMB COVID-19 website. https://www.utmb.edu/covid-19/home
DHM Midterm Exam
March 13, 2020
At this time we are continuing with the implementation of the NBME CAS midterm examination for DHM, scheduled for March 16th. We ask for your patience and assistance as we administer these examinations according to current and established UTMB SOM examination policies, with the following changes:
The examination will be administered at the CTC in TWO designated groups. Please access and note your session time through the DHM Blackboard site. Switching examination times will be not permitted.
- Doors will close for the first group to begin testing at 9:00 AM, including ADA students. Students with the Last Name beginning with A thru L will be in Rooms 1.212/1.214. Students with the Last Name beginning with M thru Z will be in Rooms 1.400/1.404.
- Doors will close for the second group to begin testing at 2:00 PM. Students with the Last Name beginning with A thru L will be in Rooms 1.212/1.214. Students with the Last Name beginning with M thru Z will be in Rooms 1.400/1.404.
- Students will not be in their assigned seating and will be seated at stations at least 6 feet from each other, where there will be one NBME note board and pen.
- CTC lockers, furniture, screens, keyboards, mouse mice, note boards and pens have been sanitized for single use and will be re-sanitized between examinations.
- Please Note: Access to the hospital and hence the CTC will be reduced effective 5 p.m. today (Friday, March 13, 2020) so that UTMB can screen patients, visitors and contractors for signs of illness. Screening will take place 24/7. Signs will be posted at affected entrances. Please plan additional time to arrive on time to the CTC so that you may be ready to take your examination on time.
We are all working to make the best decisions possible for the students, faculty, staff, patients, and in the best interest of public health. In the days to come Dr. Woods will also be releasing short updates or points of information and we ask you to please send questions or concerns to her so that she can, as appropriate, address them in those blasts.
Please continue to monitor the UTMB COVID-19 website: https://www.utmb.edu/covid-19/home
Thank you and continued success at UTMB.
School of Medicine - COVID 19 Updates
March 13, 2020
School of Medicine SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
- MS1 Students: 03.16-03.20 (Monday-Friday) All classes and academic activities cancelled. Further information to follow.
- MS2 Students: Monday 03.16 instructions will be sent regarding attendance for the DHM midterm. 03.17-03.20 (Tuesday – Friday) ALL MS2 classes and academic activities cancelled. Further information to follow.
- MS3/4 Students: Continue in clinical rotations. Further information to follow.
- Students should take ALL personal items when leaving campus today if possible.
Further Details Regarding Travel Restrictions
March 11, 2020
Attachment: COVID-19 Preparedness: Travel Restrictions, Requirements & Considerations.pdf
Several folks have asked for more details regarding travel, and how “domestic travel” should be defined. If you are making a daytrip to a city close to us, generally that does not need to be documented. Overnight trips do need to be documented. This travel sheet should help to clarify additional requirements. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Ruth Levine MD
COVID-19 Website
March 10, 2020
UTMB is working with federal, state, UT System and local collaborators as we monitor the COVID-19 developments. Accordingly, UTMB Health has developed a COVID-19 website as a resource dedicated to sharing information about the new coronavirus (COVID-19). The site contains guidance for specific members of the communities served and employed by UTMB, including our healthcare workforce, patients, students and employees, https://www.utmb.edu/COVID-19. The website provides links to key national sources for the latest information and statistics on this emerging disease threat, please explore this informative website. Direct any inquiries regarding the curriculum directly to Dr. Majka Woods PHD, Associate Dean, Educational Affairs and Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Interim.
Academic Affairs - Health and Wellness
March 9, 2020
We want to thank all of you for your continued patience and attention to the health and wellness of our community as the COVID-19 virus continues to be monitored. We encourage everyone to look for institutional updates on the UTMB website, https://www.utmb.edu/covid-19/non-healthcare-workers. In addition, updates will be sent as needed from Academic Affairs administration.
A few updates you should all be apprised of:
We are actively working to have hand sanitation stations installed in strategic locations on the first three floors of Marvin Graves, the first floor of Mary Moody Northen, the first three floors of Old Red, and additional areas requested by the Physician Assistant Studies program where students and staff frequent.
“Please also remember to use common-sense wellness practices such as: frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; using alcohol based hand sanitizer, with at least 60% alcohol content; avoiding crowds of people; covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; and maintaining good health and dietary routines. And, please remember to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, stay away from people who are sick and stay at home when you are sick.”
- If you are sick please call into employee health, (409) 747-9172, or your local clinic. We should be following the same practices we always ask you to follow when you are ill. Definitely do not come to work if you have a fever or are not 24 hours fever free.
At the moment we are running School of Medicine ‘as normal’ with modifications as needed per the institution’s updates. Classes are still in session, our own clinics remain open for our students, and of course the online delivery of content remains constant. We are anticipating modifications to Match week and Match Day (March 16-20) and will send further updates. Some of our affiliated sites are restricting access to our students in the clinical years. We are working closely with the students and clerkships to find alternative placements and/or experiences to fulfill the curriculum requirements.
We also ask that you make yourself prepared to work remotely should that be necessary. You should be able to VPN to UTMB to remote to your desktop to gain full access of your work information. Please test this process so you are prepared. Information regarding how to remote in can be found here: https://myvpn.utmb.edu/dana-na/auth/url_default/welcome.cgi and if you have further questions, please contact (409) 772-5200 (they will even help you from home if you are having trouble remoting in).
Again, many thanks to all of you for remaining calm, organized, and forward thinking as we deal with the changing situation day to day. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions and I will continue to send out announcements.
Information Regarding COVID-19
March 6, 2020
UTMB is working with federal, state, UT System and local collaborators as we monitor the COVID-19 developments. Accordingly, UTMB Health has developed a COVID-19 website as a resource dedicated to sharing information about the new coronavirus (COVID-19). The site contains guidance for specific members of the communities served and employed by UTMB, including our healthcare workforce, patients, students and employees - https://www.utmb.edu/COVID-19. The website provides links to key national sources for the latest information and statistics on this emerging disease threat. Please explore this website to inform yourself. Direct any inquiries regarding the curriculum directly to Dr. Majka Woods PHD, Associate Dean, Educational Affairs and Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Interim.