Take care and stay safe during the Holidays!

 

 

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November 11, 2020 - 08:00 AM

 

As we approach the end of the semester, we want to provide our students with instructions and guidance to prepare for departure from campus for the finals period and winter recess. Tulane University is requiring all students to complete a COVID-19 exit test before leaving campus. Exit testing will promote public safety by reducing the likelihood of students infected with COVID-19 returning to their permanent residences and surrounding communities. Frequently, COVID-19 is asymptomatic in college-age individuals; testing will decrease the likelihood that a student could take the virus home to a more vulnerable family member. We will continue to support all students in university-hosted locations for as long as is necessary. Any student who tests positive or is identified as a close contact may stay in the Tulane location even if their isolation/quarantine period goes beyond the last day of classes – Nov. 24. If safe transportation is identified for a student with a positive result or their close contacts, they can leave the university; however, based on CDC guidance and in consideration of public health, we discourage travel by such individuals prior to the completion of their quarantine/isolation period. Once students leave campus, they should exercise continued adherence to health safety protocols — wearing masks, practicing social distancing, washing hands frequently and limiting gatherings to no more than 15 people — as well as any additional constraints imposed by their local health officials. Before you leave campus or New Orleans, you should do the following: Get an influenza vaccination. Tulane is requiring students to get a COVID-19 test within seven days prior to departure. Exit testing should be completed through a Tulane Testing Center beginning Nov. 18. Allow up to 36 hours to receive your results. You should complete your exit testing as close to your date of travel as possible. Make your appointment at a Tulane Testing Center and use your testing QR code. If you have previously tested positive for COVID-19, you should follow the guidance given to you by Campus Health regarding the resumption of testing. If your state requires negative test results or other documentation, please contact CHTestResults@tulane.edu for guidance. Review the regulations governing travel to your destination. Some states require the completion of a travelers' form prior to arrival, along with specific restrictions and testing requirements after arrival. Complete Travel forms early – do not wait until your day of travel. If you previously tested positive, you may need documentation to travel from a healthcare provider. Minimize risk of exposure and infection during the weeks leading to departure from campus. Any exposures could disrupt your plans to go home. If you become infected, or if you are exposed to a person who is confirmed to be infected, you will need to isolate or quarantine before traveling. Important Dates Undergraduate student testing will stop Dec. 4, 2020. If you plan to be in New Orleans after Nov. 24, please schedule your exit testing by Dec. 4. Graduate and professional student testing will stop Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. Symptomatic testing and clinical services will be available for students through Campus Health through Dec. 18. Campus Health will be closed for winter recess (Dec. 19-Jan. 3). Faculty and staff testing will stop Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. at the uptown testing locations but will continue through the winter recess at the downtown location. More information on faculty/staff test scheduling will be shared soon. Tulane-operated isolation and quarantine space will close on Dec. 18. Students needing assistance after this date will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Tulane Testing Centers will reopen and testing will resume on Jan. 4, 2021. Please watch for further communications on spring opening and testing protocols. *School of Medicine and Clinical staff should watch for communication regarding testing protocols during winter recess.   Day of Travel Advice for Students Reduce the number of stops on the trip. Take a direct flight if possible and, if driving, pack food/snacks for the car trip home to reduce stops. Delay travel if sick or exposed. Anyone feeling ill, recently diagnosed with COVID-19 (within 10 days) or exposed to someone with COVID-19 (within 14 days) should self-isolate and delay travel. Students should follow guidance from their health care provider regarding when recommended isolation and quarantine periods are complete and travel can be resumed. Take safety precautions during travel, especially if using public transportation. Always wear a face covering and consider also wearing a face shield. Stay at least 6 feet away from other people; if not possible on public transportation, sit as far away from other passengers as possible. Carry and use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) frequently. Use a disinfecting/sanitizing wipe to clean any touchable surfaces in the vehicle in which you are traveling. This includes planes, trains and other forms of transportation. Re-check for any requirements or restrictions at your travel destination. The least risky option is private transportation by yourself or your family members. If in a car with others outside the household, wear a mask and sit in the back seat if someone else is driving. If weather conditions permit, open the windows. Arrival-at-Home Advice for Students Public health officials advise university students to quarantine for 14 days after returning from campus to their permanent residence. If quarantine is not possible, stay physically distant from family household members, wear a face covering and avoid close contact – including hugging and shaking hands – for the first 14 days home. Wear a face covering, watch for development of symptoms and avoid contact with others. Please make yourself aware of any public health policies at your destination.

 

 

August 7, 2020 - 5:45 PM

Here is the link to the recorded webinar for all Tulane Graduate students, held August 5th.

https://tulane.zoom.us/rec/share/9NV_CLre_CBLfrf0r2DcAaBxH768aaa8hylPqfEEzUtlqZ9kW1sFeDVnvtC-exkz?startTime=1596654127000

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August 3, 2020 - 3:47 PM

SOM COVID TESTING PROCESS CHANGES

As of July31, 2020, the School of Medicine is no longer providing COVID tests through the SOM pcrtest@tulane.edu email process.  Instead, the University is taking over the process for asymptomatic testing.  Please review the attached email from Campus Health for more information, and please continue to read any emails that come in from Campus Health for ongoing updates about exposures, testing, reporting, and contact tracing

Symptomatic/exposure based screening and testing for employees will be provided by the Tulane Living Well clinics, at both the uptown and downtown campuses.

·        Employees who believe they have been exposed, or who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, should call the Living Well employee clinic at 504-988-4325.  Employees will be scheduled for a telemedicine screening with a medical provider, and based on that screening may be scheduled for testing.

·        The Living Well clinic is open downtown M-F from 8-4, and it may take up to two business days from the employee’s call before they are tested.  A second clinic is opening Uptown, and we are working with HR to add staff at both locations to provide screening and faster testing seven days a week.

·        If you have been exposed but are asymptomatic, you will not be tested until at least five (5) days after the initial exposure.

·        Once tested, employees should receive an email from Campus Health within 36 hours, providing a link to a log-in portal where they can see their results.  If you have not received an email notification within 48 hours after testing, please contact the Living Well clinic to let them know.

 

STUDENTS:  University policy is for students to be screened and tested by Student Health.  However, we are hearing reports of difficulty getting tested.  For now, students with symptoms may also call the Living Well Clinic to request an urgent care visit and screening.  This service will be available until the downtown student health clinic reopens.

Safety Requirements for Exposed and Symptomatic Employees and Students

·        No one who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should be on campus, at work, or around other people.  If you develop symptoms while at work or on campus, you should notify your supervisor (employees), Program Director (residents) or Academic Office (students), and self-isolate until a health screening and testing are completed.  If symptoms are severe, you should contact your regular medical provider or seek emergency medical attention rather than wait for a scheduled screening.

·        After completing your screening, if you are scheduled for testing you must also complete the University COVID-19 Reporting Form, which can be found here.  This will start the University’s contract tracing process, to identify others that may have been exposed and to prevent further spread of the disease.  The reporting form and contact tracing are important parts of the University’s safety plan.

·        Health Care Providers who have been scheduled for testing or tested positive should also notify their hospital infection control offices.  Hospitals have mandatory reporting requirements and need this information.

·        Students who have been scheduled for testing or tested positive should also notify their academic program office (Student Affairs for MD students, the BMS office for MS/PHD students)

August 3, 2020 - 9:00 AM

Good morning all!

 

Although most of you have been working in labs over the summer, I am sure first and second years are both excited and anxious about continuing your classroom education, as this year is different from anything we’ve previously experienced.  Our #1 priority is your personal safety, and we have worked aggressively with our institutional leadership, public health and infectious disease experts, colleagues at other academic centers, and our leading national organizations to ensure we are doing everything possible to minimize your risk to Covid-19 while ensuring the integrity and quality of your  education.  

 

We will do everything possible to ensure the safety of our students, faculty, and staff . All of us are concerned about our safety during the pandemic –so being a tad older,  this is no less a personal issue for us as well.  The following information provides a summary of our safety measures .

·         Consistent with CDC, state and local guidelines:  Everyone must wear face masks at all times on campus and social distancing is required. Disinfectant and informational signs are present throughout the buildings reminding personnel to wear masks, to maintain distancing, and limiting elevators to two people.  Stairwells are marked as either up or down.

·         The greatest risk of transmission of Covid-19 comes from our personal behaviors.  We urge all students to maintain their professional obligations both on and off campus and to follow all guidelines at ALL times to keep you, your classmates, faculty and our entire community safe.  This is very important and cannot be overstated.

·         It is also incumbent on all of us to hold each other accountable for mask wear and social distancing. We all may forget to don a mask sometime, so a gentle reminder is helpful.  In the unlikely event that someone does not comply with safety requirements after a reminder, please let the BMS office know. 

·         All students will be tested for Covid-19 prior to resuming classes.  Students who test positive will be required to quarantine and asked to provide information for contact tracing.  Students exposed to anyone with Covid-19 at any time, should immediately notify Campus Health. Campus Health has been working hard on testing accommodations.  You will now be contacted by Student Health to schedule your appointment directly with them.

·         All classrooms in Hutchison have been marked with allowable seating locations, usually with tape on the writing surface adjacent to chairs. The Auditorium has tape on the back of seats, although it may be difficult to see at first. There is hand sanitizer in each classroom.  

·         Where possible, classes will have remote learning options. Please contact your instructor or the BMS Office to make arrangements if you have not done so already.

·         Faculty will be issued fanny packs with alcohol wipes for microphones and other safety supplies.  All faculty are required to teach with both masks and face shields.  Face shield will be used in lieu of plexiglass at podiums. 

·         We anticipate that some students will have personal health or other concerns that may limit their ability or desire to participate in some activities.  That should not be an issue, but those students should speak with Dr. Blake, Zylkia or me to address concerns and create an opportunity to develop alternative plans.

·         Safety from crime is another high priority: the green line shuttle will resume full operations on August 10th,. There will now be two separate lines serving different location on the uptown campus. See https://shuttles.tulane.edu.  Students may request a TUPD escort when walking from site to site on campus. SOM administrators are currently working with TUPD to improve safety and surveillance on campus. The encampment under the Claiborne overpass has been cleared and that area has been fenced.

·         Exams will be administered remotely using one of our exam software packages with remote proctoring software.   

·         The Matas Library will open on August 3, 2020 with limited personnel as part of its first phase re-opening with appropriate disinfecting, safety and distancing measures in place.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Jake

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July 31, 2020 - 5:00 PM

 

GRADUATE STUDENT TESTING AND HEALTH CARE INFORMATION, 7-31-2020

 

1. Graduate/professional students in all schools will receive an email providing information about COVID 19 testing procedures, including the link to sign up for testing.   Expanded support and equipment for COVID 19 testing are now available at Tulane (uptown and downtown Tulane Testing Centers), and testing is offered 7 days a week.  Students are expected to inform their schools of their positive test results as soon as possible.
2. Now that the Testing Centers and protocols at Tulane are established, all new and returning    graduate/professional students in all schools must have a negative test to be on campus. If COVID 19 results are pending, students will participate in classes online. Once a negative result is confirmed, students may come on campus.
   
   1. For graduate and professional students in all schools who have a positive test result, Campus Health will work them to quarantine or self-isolate in their own home, or on campus in the Paterson Isolation and Quarantine space (aka Tulane Infirmary) as needed. This include students living in Deming. Note: Student living in Deming are not required to move to the Tulane Infirmary – this is offered as an option.
3. Student Health Services are available now. The Uptown Student Health Center is conducting in person and telehealth visits (Office hours for Fall 2020 are Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.).  The Downtown Student Health Center facility will re-open August 17 for in-person and telehealth visits.
4. Repeat testing for undergraduates and graduate and professional students in all schools will be handled in two ways:     
   
   1. Asymptomatic students will be emailed when selected for the monthly testing program and directed to schedule their appointment for required monthly testing. Testing will be done in the Tulane Testing Centers on the uptown and downtown campuses. The Downtown Testing Center is located on the first floor of the LaSalle Garage Building. The entrance is on South Villere Street.
   2. Symptomatic students should immediately contact the Student Health Center (504-865-5255). Testing will be done in the Tulane Uptown Student Health Center (open now--Office hours for Fall 2020 are Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and the Downtown Student Health Center (re-opening August 17, 2020).
5. For students living in Deming: The Deming housing facility was evaluated by a contracted industrial hygienist and multiple safety strategies are in place including an enhanced cleaning protocol, hand sanitizer stations, and no visitor policy (similar protocols to the Uptown residence halls). Residents are expected to follow the same public health strategies as other areas.  This space is managed by Housing and Residence Life.
6. Students who are noncompliant with testing requirements will be referred to Dean Erica Woodley’s Office of Student Conduct. She will follow up with the respective school regarding next steps, which may include interim suspension.

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July 22, 2020 - 1:22 PM

We hope all of you are well and making plans to attend Tulane in a few short weeks!  Here are a few updates for new MS students:



Online Orientation: Online orientation developed by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will go live on August 3. The first email has already gone out to all newly admitted MS and PhD students. A series of additional emails will be sent out over the next 2 weeks. Orientation is highly recommended and MS program directors will decide whether this should be optional or required for their students. Please check with your program.



Orientation Content:

Module 1 – Welcome and the Basics

Welcome to Tulane University’s online orientation

Special thanks and acknowledgements

Structure of the orientation Introduction to Canvas

First steps checklist

                Activate your internet ID and email address

                Access Gibson Online

                Get to know OISS

                Confirm your health insurance

                Plan to get a student ID card

University structure and roles

Campus diversity (and diversity as an OGPS objective?)

Preventing and reporting sexual misconduct

Public and campus safety

Campus accessibility

Module 2 – Louisiana Living

Getting to know Louisiana

Tulane University Campuses

Uptown Campus

Downtown Campus

Primate Research Center

Getting around Tulane/New Orleans – public transit, biking, driving, parking information, shuttles

Your new home

Off-campus living

Hurricane preparedness

Get to know Louisiana culture

Module 3 – Being a Graduate Student

Getting started with graduate school

The role of the graduate student

Clarifying expectations

                Mapping your academic progress

                Avoiding plagiarism

                Making your Individual Development Plan (IDP)

The difference between advisors and mentors

Student perspective on advising

Faculty perspective on advising

Career Development

Imposter Syndrome

Time management

University libraries

Student groups and organizations

Building community

Module 4 – Graduate School Finances

Tuition, fees, and cost of attendance

Types of funding

How do I keep track of my financial aid?

Financial aid questions to ask

Funding and loan eligibility

Budgeting

Graduate Assistant policies and best practices

Travel funding

Module 5 – Health, Wellness, and Additional Support

On-campus health resources

Mental health resources

Counseling services

Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Title IX

Reporting a grievance

Gyms

Safety

Concerns reporting





SPLASH CARD (AKA Tulane or Banner) IDs:

1. The BMS program has provided a list of all students that confirmed/paid deposits.  Since programs are still admitting, we will continue to send updates to the Splash Card office.  
2. The Splash Card office will send a unique link to each new graduate student with instructions on how to upload your photo. 
3. You must upload the photo as soon as possible after receiving the link and will receive a reminder and a deadline.
4. The BMS office will pick up the IDs at the Splash Card Office and give MS IDs to the different departments for distribution. BMS has requested to have ID’s ready a week before classes start, or at the beginning of August for MS Anatomy students.

PCR Testing for Covid-19



All new students need to be tested for infection before you start classes. Outside test results will not satisfy this requirement. The School of Medicine has reserved Aug 10-12 for testing of all entering MS and PhD students. There is no cost to you for this test. All new MS students should be in New Orleans by the morning of Aug 10.



The BMS office has generated a list of every department’s MS students and sent the list to Campus Services. You will be separated into groups of 10 and given a time and date for your appointment. Students who cannot be tested on Aug 10-12 will have to fill out the testing paperwork and wait for an appointment. All Tulane employees and students will be tested once a month.



Any student who tests positive in this process will be asked to quarantine for 14 days. Students in university housing may be able to quarantine in the infirmary on the uptown campus. Campus Health will make that decision based on circumstances. Students living off campus will need to self-isolate. There is a Meal Assistance Program in New Orleans for individuals who test positive for Covid-19 and require isolation or quarantine. https://ready.nola.gov/incident/coronavirus/meal-assistance-program/

 

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July 16, 2020 - 1:34 PM

BMS Plans for PhD Students already on campus :

COVID testing and safety:

Current PhD students: If you have not yet done so, please register for an appointment for PCR testing as soon as possible. Jake sent the latest message with forms on Friday July 10^th. All students in classes will be required to have a negative Covid-19 test before classes start on August 19. All Tulane employees and students will require testing on a monthly basis. Tests from outside facilities cannot be substituted. If you have concerns about returning to campus for in-person classes, you can contact the BMS Office or request accommodation from the Goldman Center https://accessibility.tulane.edu/content/request-accommodations-0

Lab Safety: Please work with your thesis mentor about any accommodations you feel are necessary to avoid infection in the lab.

Note: We are aware that there have been some miscommunications about what entity (SOM or Health Center) will test our graduate students. The SOM will be doing the testing for all BMS graduate students. If you are getting the run-around (especially if you think you may be exposed/infected), contact Dr. Blake and the staff in the BMS office, and we will expedite the process.

Changes to Health Coverage for Graduate Students:

Beginning fall 2020, the Tulane schools will cover the costs of the Campus Health Fee for graduate students who receive stipends (stipends are payments made in support of graduate training, including RA- and TA-ships, and are distinct from hourly wages paid for work done) so such students will have full access to campus health services.  The fee will remain optional for graduate and professional students who are not full-time students. The Health Center fee will be covered for students on stipends whether they adopt Tulane-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (T-SHIP) or have an alternate university-approved insurance carrier. As graduate education at Tulane is managed by the academic schools and the students' support varies by program, each graduate student should refer to their school for further details about student support. The details for BMS students will be forthcoming as the SOM Administrators work out the details.

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July 6, 2020 - 9:41 AM

Surfing Practice:

What: A 45-minute Secure Zoom gathering for our Tulane University School of Medicine and Tulane Hospital Community. The gathering times below are facilitated by a faculty member from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. The gathering shares brief information related to coping with stress and provides guided mindfulness-based exercises focused on calming the body and mind.

Why: The COVID-19 crisis has brought about stress and uncertainty, and highlighted our human vulnerability. The Zoom gatherings offer brief opportunities to check in with your own needs and experience in a supportive, accepting, and modulated manner.

This link connects to a previously recorded session facilitated by faculty member Dr. Angela Breidenstine, which can be accessed at any time: https://tulane.box.com/s/xh4eaid6dgzir57du366w0dpdgvw2kvw

When: Tuesdays, July 7 & July 21 12:00 –12:45 PM Live session

Thursdays July 16 & July 30 8:30 - 9:15 AM Live session

Each gathering is stand-alone. No cost. Join as many gatherings as you would like. To join, click this link: https://tulanehipaa.zoom.us/j/496241283

To call in, dial +1-929-436-2866, meeting code 496241283# OR +1-312-626-6799, meeting code 496241283#

You may choose to stay anonymous by changing your name to “anon” and leaving your camera off (bottom left of your screen). To rename yourself, right-click on your name and choose “rename” in the drop-down box OR click on the blue box with 3 white dots at top right of your screen; and choose “rename” in the drop-down box.

For more information, email Ann Morgott at amorgott@tulane.edu

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June 28, 2020 - 09:02 AM

Library opening information:

 

Dear colleagues,

 

Like everyone else at Tulane, the Libraries are focused on reopening safely and providing necessary services to support research, teaching, and learning.  I have received a number of questions about our operations and share some details below.  Many specifics remain to be worked out and I expect we will have sufficient information to move forward soon.  The fluid nature of current circumstances means the half-life of this statement is likely to be very short.  I will continue to share details as I have them.  Please distribute as you desire and thank you.  I am happy to take questions as well.  

 

Current and near-term

 

The Tulane University Libraries (comprising Howard-Tilton Memorial Library the Architecture Library, The Latin American Library, Matas Library of the Health Sciences, and Tulane University Special Collections) have operated with sharply reduced public access since the physical closure of the campus in March 2020.  Services have continued online, including instruction, interlibrary loan for articles, and research consultations.  Our electronic resources have been available around the clock from anywhere.  Since late April, we have operated a book request service for materials housed at our off-site facility or at Howard-Tilton.  Nearly 1500 requests have been logged since that service began.  As of June 23, we have expanded hours for pickup and for those who need access to their carrels or offices located in H-TML.  Our FAQ page lists further details and is updated regularly.  

 

We understand the frustration and inconvenience many students and faculty are experiencing with our facilities being closed.  We are working with users to do what we can to provide needed resources beyond the steps noted above.  Between now and the end of July, we hope to introduce staff back to campus in several staggered stages to enable a broader reopening.  We are waiting for final guidance on the appropriate health and safety protocols for the library and we are ready to open as soon as the appropriate equipment, practices and procedures can put in place.  We take very seriously our responsibility to safeguard the health and safety of our staff and our user community.  Therefore, until we have sustainable measures in place to guide the safe operation of our buildings, we will remain in our current mode of very limited physical access. 

 

Fall term 2020

 

We anticipate being open at all locations for fall term 2020 at the start of Uptown classes, if not before.  Our specific hours of operation are still to be determined.  We plan to restrict access to our buildings and collections to Tulane affiliates with very limited exceptions.  Most of our usual services, including circulation, interlibrary loan, instruction, research consultations, and more, will be available, although the mode of delivery may vary.  More details will be shared as soon as we can provide them.  

 

 

David Banush (he/him)

Dean of Libraries and

Academic Information Resources

Tulane University

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June 25, 2020 - 3:40 PM

From OISS

Proclamation Suspending Entry of Certain H, J, and L Non-Immigrants

 

 

A new Presidential Proclamation titled Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreakwas issued on June 22 and will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 24, 2020. We know this latest proclamation is concerning to many of you and leaves questions still unanswered. Please know that we are here for you during this challenging time. If you would like to speak with someone from the OISS about this proclamation or any other topic, please email us at oiss@tulane.edu. At this time, individuals in H-1B and H-4 status who are in the US or who are outside the US, but who have valid H-1B or H-4 visas are not impacted by this proclamation. We do not know at this time if embassies/consulates will issue H visas to individuals who are hoping to apply. We will update you as we learn more. As well, the proclamation does not apply individuals in J Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Professor or Exchange Student status. However, the State Department has recommended pausing the J program and, thus, Tulane has paused hosting new J Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Professor program until the end of July when we will reassess. The inbound exchange program has been cancelled for the fall semester. All individuals in J Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Professor or Exchange Student status can apply for an exemption to these Tulane policies. To inquire, please contact the OISS. Section 1 of the proclamation extends the effective dates of Proclamation 10014 of April 22, 2020 titled Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak. This proclamation suspended entry of certain new immigrants who do not already have an approved immigrant visa. It was originally valid for 60 days, until June 22, 2020. The new proclamation extends the validity period until December 31, 2020. Section 2 of the proclamation suspends "entry into the United States of any alien seeking entry pursuant to any of the following nonimmigrant visas" until December 31, 2020, subject to section 3 of the proclamation:  "an H-1B or H-2B visa, and any alien accompanying or following to join such alien;" "a J visa, to the extent the alien is participating in an intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, or summer work travel program, and any alien accompanying or following to join such alien;"  NOTE: this means that the proclamation does not apply to exchange categories other than those listed. For example, it does not apply to participants in the J professor, research scholar, short-term scholar, or ECFMG alien physician categories "an L visa, and any alien accompanying or following to join such alien" Exceptions. Section 3 of the proclamation establishes that this entry bar applies only to an individual who:  “(i)  is outside the United States on the effective date of this proclamation; (ii)  does not have a non-immigrant visa that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation; and (iii)  does not have an official travel document other than a visa (such as a transportation letter, an appropriate boarding foil, or an advance parole document) that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation or issued on any date thereafter that permits him or her to travel to the United States and seek entry or admission." Also excluded from the proclamation's entry bar are:  "(i)    any lawful permanent resident of the United States; (ii)     any alien who is the spouse or child, as defined in section 101(b)(1) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1)), of a United States citizen; (iii)    any alien seeking to enter the United States to provide temporary labor or services essential to the United States food supply chain; and (iv)    any alien whose entry would be in the national interest as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees." Additional Measures Called for by the Proclamation  Section 4 directs that, "Within 30 days of June 24, 2020, and every 60 days thereafter while this proclamation is in effect, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Labor, recommend any modifications as may be necessary.” Section 5 of the June 22, 2020 proclamation calls on specific agencies to take substantial "additional measures," such as directing the Department of Labor, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of State to ensure compliance and take appropriate and necessary steps to uphold rules that are designed to protect U.S. workers. As a reminder, the following COVID-19 Proclamations are also still in effect:  China Travel Proclamation - Effective since January 31, 2020 Iran Travel Proclamation -  Effective since February 29, 2020 European/Schengen Area Travel Proclamation  - Effective since March 11, 2020 UK + Ireland Travel Proclamation - Effective since March 14, 2020 Brazil Proclamation – Effective since May 26, 2020  We invite you to learn more about OISS guidance on the coronavirus at the links below.

 

OISS COVID-19 Messages and FAQs

 

OISS Travel Guidance During COVID-19

 

Know Your Rights During COVID-19 + Resources

 

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June 17, 2020 - 11:20 AM

Quarantine Option:

At yesterday's University Senate Meeting, it was passed that Students (including downtown graduate students) who are told to Quarantine are eligible to do so at the Uptown Infirmary in Patterson Hall.

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June 17, 2020 - 9:06 AM

Tulane University  School of Medicine Dean's Update 17 June 2020     Message from the Dean's Office On Monday, most of our faculty and staff resumed working on campus.   I look forward to the increased enegry and vibrancy that we experience from being together and working to  "Discover, Learn, Heal."   While safety measures such as social distancing, occupancy limits, and face coverings will be a new normal in the work environment, I am confident they will not limit our Tulane spirit.   As we reacclimate to full on-campus staffing, strive to apply the patience, kindness, and collaborative mindset I witnessed on a regular basis in the early stages of the pandemic.  We have a long road ahead of us, and will be able to find the most creative solutions by continuing to work together towards our common goals.    And now, more than ever, this includes a strengthened duty to actively support social equality for all.  I was proud to stand alongside our community last Thursday at the “White Coats For Black Lives” peaceful protest against racism and police brutality.   I look forward to listening to your ideas – and continuing to report back on the changes we implement as we demonstrate our continuing commitment to these important issues.   As we have for the last several months, I will continue to update to the entire School of Medicine community on a regular basis.  Below follows a summary of some of the most recent SoM activities, news and changes.        Clinical Services COVID numbers continue to decline at all 3 hospitals with all hospitals less than 20 COVID-19 patients. We are all carefully watching to see if any resurgence occurs following Memorial Day gatherings and more recently, protests across the country. The School of Medicine is now seeing a return of clinical volume in all arenas with numbers approaching 80 % of normal.  Surgery volume has increased from our lowest point in March to about 50% of typical volume during the first week of June. Scheduled cases for the following weeks show even greater numbers. We anticipate a continued increase in the number of patients we care for and aim to surpass our historical numbers. We are doing some marketing to augment this. Our clinic staff and physicians strive for increased tele-visits, easier access for in person visits, and faster turn-around times for appointments (Goal to see all new patients within 48 hours). Physicians continue to educate their patients and provide support for any social / emotional issues, and assist them in resuming daily life in a safe fashion. June brought the return of medical students to the clinical services.  It was good to see them back.     Education Programs: Medical Students Class of 2021 resumed clinical activities on June 1 at Tulane Medical Center, University Medical Center, the New Orleans VA Hospital, and Children’s Hospital and regional outpatient clinics. Class of 2022 will begin their third year clerkships on July 6 at the downtown sites as well as those around New Orleans and throughout Louisiana.   Class of 2023 begins year 2 on August 3 with a hybrid curriculum of on-line large group presentations and activities and appropriate in-person activities for clinical activities and small discussion groups. We are anticipating significant changes at a national level to many of the standard processes for medical students: the ability for students to obtain clinical rotations at other institutions, the residency application process, and the timing of licensing exams.      Education Programs: Graduate Students The 2020 PhD class is 62% larger than the 2019 class. Based on current enrollments, the MS class is on-track to be as large or larger than the 2019 class.  MS and PhD classes will begin on Aug 19 with a hybrid curriculum. In-person activities will follow both Tulane and CDC guidelines for safe social distancing. On-line presentations and activities will reinforce learning outcomes/objectives. Current PhD students will be offered PRC screening for Covid-19 in the next few weeks. Screening tests for new PhD and MS students will be available when they arrive on campus in mid-August.      Education Programs: Residents and Fellows Resident and fellowship graduations will proceed as planned, with modifications to ensure appropriate social distancing and compliance with city and state regulations. For the next few months, all GME didactics will continue to be small group (less than 10) or Zoom-based lectures.  Tulane welcomes 157 incoming residents and fellows as of July 1st. This will bring Tulane’s total GME census to 527, the largest it has ever been.      Research Enterprise TThe TUSOM COVID Testing Lab has processed over 3900 samples since we began testing April 2nd.  In addition to our own TUMG clinics and testing of SOM employees, we have received samples from the Orleans Parish Prison, East Louisiana Psychiatric Hospital, the HCA Mid-America Division, Southeastern Louisiana VA and the Morial Convention Center.  SoM began offering PCR testing to SoM employees May 18th, and testing is available to all SoM faculty, staff and students.  If you have not scheduled an appointment for free baseline testing, email pcrtesting@tulane.edu.   The SoM COVID-19 research task force continues to coordinate COVID-19 related studies and to facilitate IRB review.  Their scientific review has now been extended to the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine,  at the IRB’s and SPHTM’s request.  Referrals to the Scientific Review Committee go to src@tulane.edu.  Inquires for potential COVID studies should continue to be forwarded to should be forwarded to the Dean’s office at mlampp@tulane.edu or rcruthir@tulane.edu.  As of May 26th,  SoM has 326 open clinical trials, with 70 pending or in the pipeline.   These include 12 active adult and pediatric COVID-19 studies.  We currently have 11 pending COVID-19 studies. As of May 15th, SoM for this fiscal year (FY20) has received $49.2M in funding from all sponsors, compared to $33.7M in FY19 for the same time period, representing a 46% increase.  Sponsored awards to the SOM represent 39% of all awards to Tulane University.   Recent New Awards of note include:    Mairi Noverr, Dept of Microbiology/Immunology, CoV-19 Fastgrant,  “Efficacy of Live Attenuated Vaccines for Trained Innate Immunity against COVID-19-Associated Sepsis in a Non-Human Primate Model”, $200K. Prasad Katakam and Ricardo Mostany, Dept of Pharmacology, NIH R01, “Cerebral Microvascular Bioenergetics and Neurovascular Coupling”, $2.5M over five years. Shigeki Saito, Dept of Medicine-Pulmonary, NIH K08 (Clinical Investigator Career Award),  “Inhibition of Histone Deacetylase 8 (HDC8) as a Therapy for Pulmonary Fibrosis”, $540K over four years. Jia Zhuo, Dept of Physiology, NIH R01, “Intratubular Angiotensin II and AT1a receptors in the proximal tubules: Roles in hypertension and kidney injury”, $1.4M over four years. If you'd like to stay informed on COVID-19 medical & research developments, subscribe to Tulane SOM's COVID19 Daily Digest.      New Appointments   Demetri Maraganore, MD Chair Department of Neurology   Guenevere Rae, MS, PhD Assistant Dean Basic Science     Faculty Affairs GMF Elections - Please vote!  Deadline June 26, 2020. Faculty evaluations: Self-evaluations due August 15, 2020 (if not already completed). Faculty 180: Faculty to upload data (scholarship, teaching and service) by August 15, 2020. Contact Wendy Stark if any questions. Save The Date:  SoM New Faculty Orientation, Wednesday September 9, 2020  Save The Date: Grant Writing workshop, October 21-22, 2020     Mental Health Resources and Support Tulane's Employee Assistance Program can help provide mental health support.  Tulane Residents and Physicians have access to a variety of mental health services, included virtual group support. For more information, please contact the Department of Psychiatry at 504.988.5246. Tulane Campus Health has assembled resources and guidance around COVID19 and stress. Counseling resources are available for students through Campus Health CAPS.     Reminder: SoM Media Contact Policy The Tulane University public relations team is the primary point of contact between the Tulane community and external media.  If you are contacted by a reporter, please reach out to Keith Brannon (kbrannon@tulane.edu , 504-621-2724), Carolyn Scofield (cscofiel@tulane.edu, 407-342-8809, and/or James Zanewicz (zanewicz@tulane.edu, 504.919.3800)  who are managing media requests. They will respond quickly to coordinate interviews and offer expert guidance in responding to inquiries.   If media interviews are arranged, please make sure to request that the reporter include Tulane University School of Medicine as your primary affiliation.  If you have a dual appointment with Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, please remember that the VA must approve any media communications that reference the VA.     Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any ideas, thoughts, questions or concerns. We want to listen, learn and grow from them as a community.  Thanks to each and every one of you for all you have done, and continue to do, for Tulane, the city of New Orleans and the World. Lee

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May 29, 2020 8:57 AM

 

To maintain an optimally safe campus, the School of Medicine will offer all SOM employees symptom screening  and nasal swab testing for COVID-19 as a part of the school’s overall plan to allow our employees to return to campus.  SOM has taken a number of measures, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to help protect employees against this virus, which include requiring face covering when in public, a detailed review of workspaces to ensure and encourage social or physical distancing of 6’, and increased cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces.  SOM is offering testing in a phased approach to all of our faculty, residents, students and staff.  

 

For safety, appointments are necessary.  Complete the attached preregistration form and  screening questionnaire, including appointment preferences, and submit by clicking the “submit” button on each form.  (Should the links not work, scan and email the forms to pcrtesting@tulane.edu.   Walk-in are not accepted.  

 

Testing will take place Monday-Friday 7am-10am in the old bookstore located in the School of Medicine.  

 

The SOM COVID-19 testing station is located in Hutchinson 1810 (previously the Bookstore).  Nurses will be available to collect nasal swabs for testing Monday – Friday from 7 - 10 am and 12 – 2 pm.  

 

Everyone that presents for testing should be wearing an appropriate face cloth or mask, as recommended by the CDC.   Thank you.

 

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May 14, 2020 - 1:13 PM

Tulane University School of Medicine Workforce Update Thursday, 14 May 2020       Safety For All Individuals Is A Guiding Principle In Our Buildings Guidelines and protocols for our buildings are based on current CDC guidelines, as well as the directives of the Governor of Louisiana and the Mayor of New Orleans. These guidelines have been reviewed by the University’s Occupational Safety staff and the School of Medicine Tulane infectious disease experts.   Everyone must observe these protocols while in our buildings until further notice: Face covering is required in all Tulane downtown buildings. In common areas such as lobbies, hallways, elevators and elevator lobbies, reception areas of offices/suites, classrooms, student study spaces, etc. In restrooms Individuals in private offices may choose to remove their face covering when alone. Where at all possible maintain a 6-foot distance from others except when not physically possible, such as when you are: Passing persons in a narrow hallway or office Passing in a narrow room or restroom   The following requirements are for shared spaces in all our buildings: Meetings should be no more than 10 persons with appropriate spacing between persons. Stairwells will be marked for use as either Up or Down. Elevators will be marked for either 1- or 2-person occupancy and we will ask that everyone respect the guideline and wait for the next cab if the elevator is already occupied. Restrooms will be limited to no more than 1 or 2 persons at a time depending upon the size.  Signs will be posted outside the restrooms. Hand sanitizer will be in building lobbies, elevator lobbies, outside some stairwells and other common areas.   For your safety, the cleaning schedule for buildings has been enhanced. High touch point areas such as restrooms, elevator buttons, and stairwell handrails will be wiped with disinfectant regularly.  In high traffic areas, this may be as often as every 2 hours. Restrooms will be cleaned twice a day. If an office or area has a person who tests positive, the following actions will be taken:  o   If the space cannot be vacated for a long term, it will become quarantined and ServPro will be called to do a deep decontamination within an anticipated turnaround time of 2 hours. o   If the space can be shut down, the internal Tulane cleaning team will re-sanitize the area within 3 days.   HOW DOES THIS AFFECT YOU? We are asking that all employees, students and residents observe these guidelines/ protocols.  That means wearing face covering, not getting on the elevator if there are already two persons, regularly sanitizing and washing your hands.  If you do not have face covering, the school will provide it for you.  However, we are recommending each person have several cloth masks that can be laundered and reused. While formally this is to start on Monday May 18, we ask that you begin to observe these practices now.

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May 5, 2020 -11:24 AM

Over the last year, we received several requests to extend the time period that graduating students have to use Campus Health post-graduation. Our current policy ends access to services the week of graduation. However, several student groups, primarily graduate and professional students, remain in the area after graduation and T-SHIP currently provides coverage through the middle of August (this year it is August 18).

To address this need, Campus Health will extend the period graduating students may utilize our services to at least August 1 of each year. The exact date will be based on the T-SHIP end date-so this year students may use services through 8/18. Students must have health insurance to use the Health Center and all other services will be provided as they would any other time of the year. This information will be updated on our website and you may share it with your students as you see fit.

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May 5, 2020 - 11:23 AM

Surfing Practice

When the waves are huge and relentless, how do we keep our heads above water?

“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”

Jon Kabat-Zinn

What: A 45-minute Secure Zoom gathering for our Tulane University School of Medicine and Tulane Hospital Community. Each gathering will have co-facilitators offering brief information related to coping with stress and guiding mindfulness-based exercises focused on calming the body and mind.

Why: You, our incredible healthcare professionals, are on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, encountering stress, uncertainty, and human vulnerability on a daily basis. The Zoom gatherings offer brief opportunities to check in with your own needs and experience in a supportive, accepting, and modulated manner.

When: Mondays 12:00 – 12:45 PM

Wednesdays 10:00 – 10:45 AM

Thursdays 8:30 - 9:15 AM

Thursdays 6:00 – 6:45 PM

Saturdays 11:00 – 11:45 AM

Each gathering is stand-alone. No cost. Join as many gatherings as you would like. To join, click this link: https://tulanehipaa.zoom.us/j/496241283

To call in, dial +1-929-436-2866, meeting code 496241283# OR +1-312-626-6799, meeting code 496241283#

You may choose to stay anonymous by changing your name to “anon” and leaving your camera off (bottom left of your screen). To rename yourself, right-click on your name and choose “rename” in the drop-down box OR click on the blue box with 3 white dots at top right of your screen; and choose “rename” in the drop-down box.

For more information, email Ann Morgott at amorgott@tulane.edu

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May 1, 2020 - 1:58 PM

Tulane University School of Medicine Operational Guidelines Update   1 May 2020     Message from the Dean's Office Dear Colleagues,   Tulane University School of Medicine has faced an unprecedented challenge with the global COVID-19 pandemic. Our clinical teams have been on the forefront of caring for the sick and have worked tirelessly under difficult circumstances. Our research teams are leading and participating in multiple clinical trials to discover effective treatments. The SOM rapidly implemented testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and new diagnostic assays are being developed.  Our educational programs have remained strong, transitioning, when appropriate, to distance learning. Our medical students successfully led a nationwide effort to secure personal protective equipment. The safety of our faculty, staff, residents, and students has been a primary concern, and the SOM has allowed flexibility in work schedules, to maximize opportunities to work from home.   While the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to remain a challenge for many months, there is evidence of a statewide reduction in the number of newly diagnosed cases, new hospitalizations, and number of patients requiring ventilation.   Since education, clinical services and research are essential services of the University and Medical School, we plan to begin phasing in the return of faculty, staff and students.   The following guidelines and recommendations are made by the School of Medicine:     GENERAL: Effective May 18, 2020 departments and units should begin to gradually phase in the return of their faculty, staff and trainees (with the exception of medical students), with the goal of having as many employees as possible returned to the medical school campus by June 15, 2020. Vulnerable individuals, as defined by the CDC, employees with vulnerable household residents who are uncomfortable returning to campus or employees with child-care concerns should discuss their situation with their supervisor, department administrator or chair. Supervisors should be as flexible as possible in dealing with these circumstances and should work to create opportunities for a limited number of employees to continue to work remotely, if possible. All employees should discuss their return with their supervisor, in order to properly sequence their return. Employees will continue to follow best practices, including wearing a mask or face covering at all times when in the presence of others (face masks will be distributed as necessary by the SOM); social distancing; hand hygiene; disinfection of frequently used items and surfaces; and daily self-monitoring. Zoom-type meetings should continue to be widely utilized and in-person meetings or gatherings of >10 individuals are prohibited.  Social distancing of 6’ between individuals must be maintained in all gatherings Further communications about safety measures will be forthcoming. Any employees that exhibit flu-like symptoms should not come to work and should be evaluated by their healthcare provider. COVID-19 testing will be widely available via the School of Medicine and the Wellness Clinic. (Email wellnessclinic@tulane.edu or call 988-HEAL (4325)).     CLINICAL: In addition to emergencies, medical and surgical procedures may now resume for time-sensitive medical conditions, per the Louisiana Department of Health’s Healthcare Facility Notice #2020-COVID19-All-0101 of April 20th (http://ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Coronavirus/resources/providers/LDH-MEMO-UPDATE-RESTORE-MED-SURG-Procedures.pdf) and its clarification message issued 4/24/20 http://ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Coronavirus/resources/providers/Memo-SurgeryGuidance.pdf). Time-sensitive conditions are those surgical or medical procedures in which a delay, in the opinion of the medical professional, might adversely affect the patient or underlying disease process.  The need for a time-sensitive medical condition procedure must be documented in the patient’s medical chart.  Patients should comply with strict social distancing measures from the time of preoperative evaluation through the day of surgery.   Patients undergoing medical or surgical procedures shall receive appropriate pre-operative clinical evaluation and COVID-19 testing.  Procedures for symptomatic patients are to be postponed.  Each healthcare provider that performs medical or surgical procedures is required to contact the patient within 10-14 days after the procedure to determine whether the patient has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19 since the procedure.  Such contact is to be documented in the patient’s medical record.  If a patient responds affirmatively, the provider will report electronically to Louisiana Department of Health - Office of Public Health. Preventive procedures/visits, such as well child visits or dental cleanings, can be deemed time-sensitive if performed with recommended preventive and social distancing precautions.  However, telehealth visits should continue to be conducted when available and medically appropriate.       RESEARCH: New non-COVID-19 related clinical research studies will no longer require Dean’s office approval as from May 1st 2020.   Face-to-face interactions with participants in clinical research studies that have no direct drug or device therapeutic benefit can resume as from May 18, 2020, with the condition that participants are masked. All clinical research patients/volunteers should wear a mask and continue to be prescreened for COVID-19 risk factors with the same questions being used to prescreen patients at our clinics and hospitals.  If patients/volunteers are screened as positive, they should be recommended to see their primary care provider. Although it is anticipated that remote monitoring of many studies will continue, the presence of study monitors from out of state will be allowed starting May 18th, under the condition that they are masked and that strict social distancing guidelines are followed COVID-19 related studies will continue to be forwarded to mlampp@tulane.edu or rcruthir@tulane.edu for review by the COVID Research Treatment/Prevention Task Force. Principal Investigators will continue to submit COVID-related protocols and supporting documents to the Scientific Review Committee at SRC@tulane.edu, at the same time as submitting to the IRB.   All research and laboratory activities must be performed such that strict social distancing guidelines are followed, as well as general best practices.  In many cases staggering of research teams in laboratories may be necessary.      Guidelines specific to medical student education will be forthcoming. This pandemic has brought out the best in all our faculty, staff, residents, fellows, and students and the School of Medicine is immensely grateful for the work that all of you do.  This is a stressful time for all, and we will continue to face a challenging time in the months ahead. Resources are available to employees, at no charge, through the Employee Assistance Program (1-800-624-5544 or https://www.ndbh.com/, company code: Tulane).     L. Lee Hamm, MD                                            Patrick Delafontaine, MD Senior Vice President & Dean, SOM                            Executive Dean James R. Doty Distinguished Professor & Chair          Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology & Physiology

 

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April 30, 2020 - 3:17 PM

Tulane University School of Medicine COVID19 Response Update   30 April 2020     Message from the Dean's Office Greetings from the Tulane School of Medicine leadership. New Orleans is clearly on the downside of the COVID-19 curve, and I appreciate all you have done to get us over the peak.  But as we all recognize that the need for vigilance is not yet over, I am comforted by the knowledge that you will continue to pitch in to our ongoing efforts in every way you possibly can.     No matter the size of the contribution, we have all taken part in some way - and as Tulanians, you should take tremendous pride in this, for the result of our collective efforts is nothing short of truly inspirational.  Many of your colleagues have shared our story with the media, and a brief compilation video of just a few highlights is now available.   To continue to update to the entire School of Medicine community, below follows a summary of some of the most recent SoM activities, news and changes.        Clinical Services Clinical services are returning their structure to pre-COVID structures (e.g., no special COVID-19 only teams). Some, but greatly reduced, COVID-19 cases are being admitted. Numbers of patients in ICUs and on ventilators are greatly reduced  with most recovering successfully. Patients with other medical conditions are seeking care in increasing numbers. We continue to prioritize surgical cases into three tiers as recommended by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and endorsed by the state Tier 3 (emergent) have always been performed and continue to be performed.  However, we are now able to perform cases that fall into Tier 2 (those surgeries in which a further delay would be detrimental to the health of the individual).  We still are postponing Tier 1 (strictly elective) cases.    Resuming surgery in the time of COVID-19 has taken a concerted effort of many individuals. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, infectious disease, pulmonary, and other medical specialists, and hospital administrators have all worked together quickly and efficiently.  A definitive plan to resume surgery is now available.  The team working on these plans forged into new territory, as there are no real available recommendations as to how to proceed. The collective expertise allowed development of a safe plan for Tulane Hospital and Clinic. Part of the plan is for the patient to undergo SARS-Cov-2 testing 5 to 7 days before the scheduled surgical procedure and also have a rapid SARS-CoV-2 test the day before or the day of the procedure.  Also in the plan are patient evaluations after surgery. Outpatient video visits and telephone encounters for patient assessments continue to increase and will remain part of our future clinical care plan, even after resolution of the pandemic.  Physicians continue to educate their patients and provide support for any social / emotional issues during this period of isolation.  Many avenues of support are available for patients as well as physicians and support staff.     New Appointments In the midst of all of this we have made some new appointments that we wanted to remind you of.    Elma LeDoux, MD Associate Dean Admissions and Student Affairs   Guenevere Rae, MS, PhD Assistant Director Medical Education   Jia "Joe" Zhuo, MD, PhD Director Tulane Hypertension & Renal Center of Excellence (THRCE)   We are also proceeding with some needed recruitments.     REMINDER: Media Contact Policy As you know, there is intense interest from the media right now in speaking with our experts and physicians about COVID-19. The Tulane University public relations team is the primary point of contact between the Tulane community and external media. If you are contacted by a reporter, please reach out to Keith Brannon (kbrannon@tulane.edu , 504-621-2724), Carolyn Scofield (cscofiel@tulane.edu, 407-342-8809, and/or James Zanewicz (zanewicz@tulane.edu, 504.919.3800)  who are managing media requests. They will respond quickly to coordinate interviews and offer expert guidance in responding to inquiries.   If media interviews are arranged, please make sure to request that the reporter include Tulane University School of Medicine as your primary affiliation. If you have a dual appointment with Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, please remember that the VA must approve any media communications that reference the VA.     Education Programs: Medical Students Class of 2020 will graduate on May 16 as expected, complete with a Virtual Diploma Ceremony. Class of 2021 (new T4’s) will resume clinical duties primarily in the Downtown Medical Center hospitals on June 1.  Significant changes are anticipated for the residency application process this year and appropriate adjustments are being made to ensure students are well-prepared. Class of 2022 will begin their third year clerkships on July 6, following a one week orientation. Class of 2023 is completing the remainder of the academic year with on-line coursework. During the month of May, third and fourth year students (because there are no clinical activities) are volunteering in many non-clinical settings, taking asynchronous and newly created online synchronous electives and using the time to prepare for licensing examinations.     Education Programs: Graduate Students MS students are finishing their final coursework on-line and seven PhD graduates have defended their theses via zoom this semester. A virtual Graduation Ceremony for all MS and PhD students in the School of Medicine is scheduled for May 15 at 10 am. Many Departments are also planning virtual ceremonies for their MS classes later in day on May 15 The application deadlines for MS and PhD students were extended this year for Tulane graduates interested in new educational opportunities during the current employment crisis. Twenty-one excellent students have been recruited to begin the PhD in Biomedical Sciences this Fall. The class includes fifteen US citizens, two students from Africa, three students from East Asia, and one from South Asia. One of our new African students is a Fulbright Scholar from Zimbabwe.      Education Programs: Residents and Fellows With the number of new COVID cases declining, the residency and fellowship services are returning to normal. Tulane has been granted “Pandemic Emergency Status” (Level 3) from the ACGME, but we have reverted to “ ACGME Level 2” now. Under this status, all programs will revert to ordinary time with respect to training requirements, with the understanding that many training experiences will continue to be limited (in-person didactics, clinic visits, etc.). We have been working closely with the LSBME to ensure that our incoming interns and new fellows will be able to obtain licensure permits, even under the  limits that have been placed on obtaining in-person documentation.  We anticipate that all residents and fellows previously scheduled for graduation in June will graduate on time.      Research Enterprise The TUSOM COVID Testing Lab has processed over 1200 samples.  We are receiving samples from the Orleans Parish Prison, East Louisiana Psychiatric Hospital, the HCA Mid-America Division, and the state prison.  We will be testing for patients at the Southeastern Louisiana VA and the Morial Convention Center. The SOM COVID-19 research task force continues to coordinate COVID-19 related studies and to facilitate IRB review.   A scientific review of all protocols by at least 2 committee members was implemented last week.   All inquiries for potential studies, should be forwarded to the Dean’s office to Marla Lampp or Rachel Cruthirds.  Our Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) has a total of 81 studies (3 closed), including 6 COVID-related studies being managed by the CTU.  Other COVID-related studies continue to be processed by the CTU regulatory staff.  The Medicine-Cardiology and Medicine-Infectious Diseases division clinical research nurses are assisting the CTU with these studies. As of April 15th, SOM has received $46.4M in funding from all sponsors for this fiscal year (FY20), compared to $31.6M in FY19 for the same time period, representing a 47% increase.  Sponsored awards to the SOM represent 40% of all awards to Tulane University.   If you'd like to stay informed on COVID-19 medical & research developments, subscribe to Tulane SOM's COVID19 Daily Digest.      Faculty Affairs Save the Date! GMF Meeting is Thursday May 28th at 4pm, via Zoom.. Details will be forthcoming. Faculty Nominations for GMF committees are underway. Please contact Dr. Aimee Aysenne, Vice Chair of GMF and Chair of the Nominations Committee to nominate yourself or a colleague. REMINDER: Deadline approaching!   COVID-19-related Tenure Clock Extension Opt-Out Deadline is May 1, 2020. Please see links to the policy and opt-out form.  Reminder:  The Tulane Supporting Impactful Publications (SIP) assists in covering fees to support open access options for high impact peer-reviewed publications for Tulane scholars serving as corresponding authors who do not have grant or other funds available to cover them.  Criteria and application Info. Faculty Physician-Scientist Pipeline Program Applications– April 30th deadline to submit full proposal (deadline extended due to COVID-19). For program-related questions, contact Tonette Krousel-Wood MD.  More details are available.     Mental Health Resources and Support Tulane's Employee Assistance Program can help provide mental health support.  Tulane Residents and Physicians have access to a variety of mental health services, included virtual group support. For more information, please contact the Department of Psychiatry at 504.988.5246. Tulane Campus Health has assembled resources and guidance around COVID19 and stress. Counseling resources are available for students through Campus Health CAPS. President Fitts provides words of gratitude, support, and encouragement, with special thanks to those stepping up to combat COVID19.     You have always been, and are now even more so, part of Tulane's long history of leadership in Infectious Disease crises. Thanks to each and every one of you for all you have done, and continue to do, for Tulane, our New Orleans community and the World. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any thoughts, questions or concerns. Lee

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April 29, 2020 - 12:22 PM

 

 

WAIVER OF CAMPUS HEALTH FEE

Good day Graduate and Professional Students, 

Campus Health recognizes the difficult situations many graduate and professional students are facing during this time.  We have also heard the concerns from many students about accessing care.in New Orleans. To extend help and support during this period, Campus Health is waiving the Campus Health Fee for current students through June 30, 2020. This will allow students still living in the New Orleans area to be seen at the Health Center Uptown. 

If you are interested in seeking care at the Student Health Center, please call 504-865-5255. You can also walk in Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Closed daily, Noon-1:00 p.m.) Please be sure to bring your insurance card, government issued identification, and Splash ID card to your appointment. Your health insurance will be billed for services rendered. If you are currently located in Louisiana, you may be able to schedule a virtual visit with one of our providers. At this time, only medical appointments are available via telehealth. For more information, please visit campushealth.tulane.edu/telehealth.   

For more information about our services available at this time, please visit: https://campushealth.tulane.edu/services 

If you have any additional questions, please call 504-865-5255 and someone will be able to assist you. 

Thank you. 

Dr. Alicia K. Czachowski, EdD, MPH, CHES

Director of Public Health Initiatives and Assessment

The Well for Health Promotion | Campus Health

504-314-7404 (o) | aczachowski@tulane.edu 

Tulane University, Division of Student Affairs

The Health Center

6823 St. Charles Ave., Bldg. 92

New Orleans, LA 70118 

Our Work Starts With You

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April 23, 2020 - 11:27 AM

Dear All,

 

I’m writing to share another exciting venture we’ve taken on at CAPS.  With the success of our Well-Being Wednesdays Zoom episodes, we’re launching a program specifically for graduate and professional students.  Please feel free to share the information below on listservs and social media. 

 

Kindly,

Shawna

 

Adjusting to life in a pandemic is hard.  Adjusting to life in a pandemic while in graduate school, medical school, or law school could be even more complex.  Join CAPS therapists Dr. Matthew Sobesky, Benjamin Ng, LPC, and Shawna Foose, LPC-S, for this 4-part series to discuss the challenges faced by graduate and professional students during this unprecedented time.  We will explore strategies and approaches to navigating in the “new normal.”  Every Thursday, beginning April 23 through May 14, at 12:00 p.m.  Live Zoom link: https://tulane.zoom.us/j/93593180573.  Find recorded episodes here: https://campushealth.tulane.edu/node/9042

 

The CAPS sessions for graduate students are open to all graduate students from all schools, regardless of whether they have paid the health center fee. If there is good participation during these four sessions, graduate programs can ask CAPS to extend the sessions for the rest of the summer.

  

Shawna Foose, MA, LPC-S

Staff Therapist | CAPS for Counseling Services | Campus Health

504.988.3216 (o) | 504.862.8148 (f) | sfoose@tulane.edu

campushealth.tulane.edu

 

Tulane University, Division of Student Affairs

The Health Center Downtown

127 Elk Place, Box 8903

New Orleans, LA  70112

 

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April 21, 2020 - 11:36 AM

Several essential personnel have asked if they need some form of documentation other than their TU ID, to validate that they are essential personnel and it’s ok for them to be driving to and from the SOM or their offsite clinics.  This concern came from the report that NOPD is setting up checkpoints (see below) and will ask people why they are away from home.  At this point, we don’t think you need anything extra.  But if anyone hears of a problem, please let us know right away.

 

---------------------------FROM NOLA.COM----------------

New Orleans police to hold 'informational' coronavirus checkpoints during stay-at-home order

BY CARLIE KOLLATH WELLS | NOLA Staff writer

New Orleans police plan to set up checkpoints throughout Orleans Parish to "verbally provide information" about the current stay-at-home order related to the coronavirus pandemic.  Police also will check that everyone is wearing seatbelts, the driver is licensed and the vehicle is registered and insured.  The checkpoints will be conducted while the city is under a stay-at-home order, NOPD said, which Mayor LaToya Cantrell has extended to May 16. The order requires residents to stay home "except for essential needs such as health care, food, supplies or essential jobs," NOPD said.  "Personal recreation is allowed, but not in groups," according to a statement from NOPD.  NOPD did not say what would happen to drivers stopped at the checkpoints who were violating the order. They also did not say where the checkpoints would be or how often they would be held.

 

https://www.nola.com/news/coronavirus/article_fc6fd492-83cb-11ea-9cb6-8bdcabb60925.html

https://www.fox8live.com/2020/04/21/new-orleans-orders-police-checkpoints-help-ensure-covid-safety-public-awareness/

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April 20, 2020 - 1:40 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A

 

 

April 17, 2020 - 11:01 AM

The Institute of International Education Launches Emergency Student Fund       Greetings, The  Office of International Students and Scholars would like to share the resource below from The Institute of International Education (IIE) in order to support international students who are currently experiencing crises in their home countries. The IIE Emergency Student Fund (ESF) is offering grants for international students who are not able to return to their home countries over the summer break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants of $2,500 will be awarded to selected students who demonstrate a high financial need to cover their living expenses and/or health-related expenses through summer 2020.  Tulane University will nominate up to five students for the award. We do not know if any of the students who are nominated will receive funding. Decisions will be sent to students in mid-May. Fill in application here.  The deadline to complete this application form is April 22 at midnight. OISS will review all applications and contact you if further information is needed. Once the nominations have been submitted to IIE, OISS will contact you to confirm whether or not you were nominated.

 

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April 14, 2020-8:01 PM

Lee

 

L. Lee Hamm, M.D. 

Senior Vice President & Dean of the School of Medicine

The James R. Doty Distinguished Professor and Chair

Tulane University

 

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April 14, 2020 - 10:08 AM

Virtual Town Hall for undergraduate and graduate students 

President Mike Fitts will host a virtual town hall for undergraduate students today at 5 p.m. and another for graduate students on Wednesday, April 15, at 5:30 p.m. Both will be held via Zoom. Graduate students can register here.

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April 10, 2020 - 8:12AM

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April 7, 2020 - 7:25AM

Help in Coping with Stress

 

What: A 45-minute Secure Zoom gathering for our Tulane University School of Medicine and Tulane Hospital Community. Each gathering will have co-facilitators offering brief information related to coping with stress and guiding mindfulness-based exercises focused on calming the body and mind.

Why:  You are encountering stress, uncertainty, and human vulnerability on a daily basis. The Zoom gatherings offer brief opportunities to check in with your own needs and experience in a supportive, accepting, and modulated manner.

When: Mondays (8:00-8:45 PM), Wednesdays (10:00-10:45 AM), Thursdays (6:00-6:45 PM) and Saturdays (11:00-11:45 AM).

These sessions are restricted to SOM students and employees, but you can participate anonymously. Please contact Dr. Blake (blake@tulane.edu) Jake Korn (jkorn@tulane.edu) or Zylkia Lozano (zlozano@tulane.edu) for more information about how to connect via zoom or your telephone. The BMSSA president, Amanda Harriet (aharriet@tulane.edu) will also have these instructions if you prefer to get the zoom link or telephone codes from her.

 

Take care and stay safe,

 

Diane A. Blake, PhD

Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Tulane University School of Medicine

Co-Director, BMS Graduate Program

504-988-2478

 

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April 6, 2020 - 5:53 PM

Dean Hamm wants to know if our PhD students are interested in this online summer course offered by the School of Professional Advancement. This will be offered tuition-free for all Tulane PhD students. 

If you are interested please let me know ASAP so that I can facilitate your enrollment. 

Take care and stay safe,

Diane A. Blake, PhD

Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Tulane University School of Medicine

Co-Director, BMS Graduate Program

504-988-2478

 

Foundations of Online Pedagogy and Practice – EDUC-6110-10 (3 credits)

Course Description

The course will cover relevant learning theory, available digital tools, course build alternatives, and optimal teaching behaviors for online instruction.  Course topics include the emergence of online learning, evaluation of new learning technologies, online course management strategies, and issues and trends in online learning.  The role of instructional designers, faculty, and administrators in online course development, delivery, and continuous quality assessment will be covered.  

 Course Objectives

Upon competition of the course students will be able to:

• Describe the evolution of online learning in higher education;
• Compare and contrast different learning theories and technologies;
• Identify the essential elements in online course development;
• Evaluate measurable teaching behaviors as related to different instructional strategies;
• Summarize and critique emerging issues and trends in online education; and
• Design, develop, and present an online lesson or module.

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April 6, 2020 - 3:05 PM

Social Isolation & Stress: Community Town Hall Tues April 7th 1-2 pm

 

Social distancing is our new normal, and with “stay at home” orders can come stress, loneliness and other issues related to social isolation.

 

Please join us for a Tulane School of Medicine Community Town Hall featuring:

• A brief COVID-19 medical update by Executive Dean Patrick Delafontaine
• A moderated panel of experts in stress, mindfulness and social isolation, available to answer your questions live.

COVID19 Medical Update: Patrick Delafontaine, MD, Executive Dean – School of Medicine

 

Social Isolation & Stress Roundtable Panelists: 

Stacy Drury, MD, PhD (Tulane Professor of Child Psychiatry, Medicine)

Karen Weissbecker, LMSW, PhD (Tulane Professor of Psychiatry & Neurology, Director of Student Support & Wellness, Medicine)

Tonya Hansel,  PhD (Tulane Professor of Social Work, Social Work)

Carrie Wyland, PhD (Tulane Professor of Psychology, Science and Engineering).

 

Moderator:  Sharon Courtney, VP of Government and Community Relations

 

Agenda:

1:00 p.m.          Welcome and Covid-19 Medical Update

1:10 p.m.          Introduction of Panelists

1:15 p.m.          Panelist ‘round ZOOM-table’  open Q&A  - moderated by Sharon Courtney

1:55 p.m.          Concluding Remarks

 

LIVESTREAM Available On  ZOOM and TUSOM Facebook Live

 

 

James R Zanewicz, RTTP Chief Business Officer, Tulane University  Chair of the Board, ATTP +1 504.988.4286 (O)| +1 504.919.3800 (M)    zanewicz@tulane.edu |  http://engage.tulane.edu

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April 3, 2020 - 12:27 PM

COVID-19 Reporting Survey

To All SOM Faculty, Residents/Fellows, Students, and Staff,

 

To help us better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the School of Medicine community, the Dean’s office has previously asked everyone who may have been exposed to the virus and were “sent home” as well as those who are self-isolating, to let Marla Lampp in the Dean’s office know.  The response has been successful, and we are now staying in touch with those who have shared that information.  However, with the majority of the University’s workforce now self-isolating, we feel there’s a need to make contacting exposed members of the community even easier.  Knowing how many of you are concerned about possible exposure, and how many have had definite exposure, will help the SOM leadership team identify needed resources.

 

Please report your circumstances by completing a short questionnaire which allows you to easily provide updated information and which is less dependent upon the email system. You can re-take the survey repeatedly, if/when your or your household’s situation changes. Even if you’ve already sent us or your department/supervisor your information, we’re asking that you complete this questionnaire as well—we will add the updated information to the information previously collected. 

 

We hope you will use this survey link to let us know if you are home due to a possible exposure, a known exposure, or if you’re caring for a family member in one of those circumstances. The Dean’s Office will be collecting and monitoring responses daily and reporting to the leadership team. 

 

The health and well-being of our SOM community is vitally important, and I sincerely appreciate that you are all willing to keep me informed so that the School can make every effort to know what resources are needed and to make sure they are available as best we can.

 

Information on the COVID-19 virus from the School of Medicine can be found at https://medicine.tulane.edu/home/about-us.  Information from the University can be found at https://tulane.edu/emergency.

 

 

Thank you,

L. Lee Hamm, MD

 

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April 2, 2020 - 3:08 PM

School of Medicine Update: COVID-19 Testing

Dear Colleagues:

We want to update you on the current status of COVID-19 testing at the School of Medicine (SOM) and Tulane Medical Center (TMC).

COVID-19 Testing Laboratories

Since Monday, 3/30/20, TMC has implemented COVID-19 testing on the Roche platform which allows test results within 24 hours or sooner. This testing at TMC is being done in collaboration with LSU and LCMC/University Medical Center (UMC) so that during each run of 94 tests, one-half is for each hospital. Depending on availability of kits, TMC may do 2 runs daily, allowing testing of 184 samples.

Starting Wednesday, 4/1/20, the SOM implemented COVID-19 testing at its Molecular Pathology Laboratory using the CDC test. This testing was established through a collaboration between Dr. Bob Garry and his team (Microbiology) and Drs. Xiao-Ming Yin and Di Tian (Pathology). The laboratory can run approximately 100 tests a day, and test results will be available within 24 hours or less. The initial priority for testing is our patients, SOM healthcare providers and residents, SOM faculty, staff and students. We hope to extend testing to first responders and to the whole Tulane University community soon, as we obtain further resources.

COVID-19 Testing Sites

On March 23rd, the SOM opened its drive-through COVID-19 test site located at 1700 Perdido, under the guidance of Dr. David Mushatt (Infectious Diseases), Dr. John Carlson (Allergy & Immunology), and Joe Esneault. This site is open for Tulane SOM faculty, residents, staff and students who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms – fever, cough and/ or shortness of breath. Testing is by appointment only after a telehealth visit performed by the SOM Wellness Clinic. If a SOM employee is feeling ill, they should call the Employee Wellness Clinic at 504-988-HEAL (4325) or email wellnessclinic@tulane.edu. They will be triaged by phone and a virtual visit will be completed the same day or the next day. Nasal swabs collected at the testing site are processed at the Molecular Pathology Laboratory.

TMC has established an employee drive-through testing for symptomatic employees. If a TMC employee or TU physician is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, that person or his or her manager should first call TMC employee health at 504-988-1878. Employee health will confirm those symptoms and, if appropriate, coordinate testing for the employee. Tests will be available downtown from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

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April 2, 2020 - 11:16 AM

From Tulane Commencement coordinator

Thank you for your patience as the university continues to address the many changes to spring semester in the past few weeks — I’m sure you have all been receiving many questions regarding commencement. This morning, President Fitts will be sending a message to graduating students and their parents announcing the postponement of all commencement activities originally scheduled for May. The commencement planning committee will follow up with a survey to ask graduates when they would be most able to travel back to campus for rescheduled activities. The conferral of degrees will still take place on schedule on May 16 and President Fitts will invite graduates and their families to participate in a virtual event to acknowledge this academic achievement. 

 

Please note, we have updated the FAQs on the commencement website, https://commencement.tulane.edu/FAQ with additional questions we anticipate in light of this announcement. If there are additional questions you are receiving that you think we need to address, please let me know so we can add those as well. 

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March 29, 2020 - 5:19 PM

 

 

Dear Colleagues: The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly changing, and New Orleans has one of the highest infection rates in the country. The mayor and the governor have each issued orders that require the closing of all non-essential businesses, and that all essential businesses limit on-site work to those carrying out critical functions. Universities are defined as essential, and our educational and research missions are critical, but that does not mean we can ignore this moment. The leadership of Tulane University has been taking deliberate and dramatic steps to curtail the spread of this virus over the past month. We must continue to take serious measures to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, decrease the likelihood of widespread COVID-19 infections, reduce the likelihood of a surge that overwhelms our healthcare system, and keep our Tulane community and the New Orleans region safe. Some research work is absolutely critical and must continue onsite. This includes: COVID-19 research; Maintenance of critical reagents (cell lines, animals) and critical equipment (freezers, N2 tanks, computer clusters, other equipment); Research for which a pause would create irreparable harm to the work (e.g., using an irreplaceable sample); Any research that is defined as critical by your school's Dean or Associate Dean for Research. However, even for such research, only essential personnel should be on campus or in the lab. All others should remain at home. And strict social distancing must be practiced at all times. If you are engaged in this work and you are uncomfortable coming to campus, please speak to your supervisor who may be able to assign appropriate work that can be done remotely or make other accommodations. And supervisors should be developing productive activities that can be done remotely. If your research does not satisfy any of the above criteria, you may continue it if you can do so safely while practicing strict social distancing. However, if your research is not critical you should not come to campus if: your research can be continued from home; you can pause your research without harm and there is productive work that can be done remotely; or if you are uncomfortable coming to campus for any reason. As you all know, performing experiments is only one of the many activities involved in doing research. Indeed, this crisis is a unique opportunity to develop all activities that can be carried out at home in order to stay engaged in the research mission, such as: Reading papers; Doing a literature search; Developing experimental plans; Analyzing data; Writing manuscripts; Writing grants. Please note: You can continue to pay laboratory personnel who are remaining at home if you are doing so in ways that are consistent with the university practices for other staff. In addition, both NIH and NSF have offered greater flexibility for extensions and supplements to compensate for lost time. At this link, you will find a description of the flexibility that NIH and NSF are currently allowing with grant funds in terms of both reallocating funds and extensions, and the possibility of requesting a supplement from the NIH if the research cannot be completed with the current budget because of costs related to COVID-19. We have also added an FAQs section to our COVID-19 website (see below) to address your most common concerns, and the Office of Research can help you explore the possibility of extensions for funds from other granting agencies and foundations. Note also that all Tulane Office of Research units remain fully operational to support you: Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Office of Biosafety Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM) Research Compliance Office (RCO) Tulane IRB and Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) Office of Research Proposal Development (ORPD) Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) Office of Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Development We expect this to continue even if the university further suspends on-site operations for purposes of decreasing COVID-19 transmission. COVID-19 Research Website: As requested by several investigators, the Office of Research staff has worked overtime to pull together a webpage that consolidates all information about research at the time of COVID-19: https://research.tulane.edu/covid. This includes also guidance for clinical and human subjects research. We will post all updates on this website at least daily. Please, help us improve this website by providing your advice and additional information to Ms. Gail Louis. The Tulane Office of Research thanks you all for your continuing work in a very difficult situation, which you are carrying on with remarkable grace and grit. We are very proud of your efforts and will try to do our very best to support your research in any possible way. With warmest regards, Giovanni Piedimonte, MD, FAAP, FCCP Vice President for Research and Institutional Official Professor of Pediatrics, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

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March 27, 2020 - 4:27 PM

To All SOM Faculty, Residents/Fellows, Students, and Staff,

 

To help us better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the School of Medicine community, the Dean’s office has previously asked everyone who may have been exposed to the virus and were “sent home” as well as those who are self-isolating, to let Marla Lampp in the Dean’s office know.  The response has been successful, and we are now staying in touch with those who have shared that information.  However, with the majority of the University’s workforce now self-isolating, we feel there’s a need to make contacting exposed members of the community even easier.  Knowing how many of you are concerned about possible exposure, and how many have had definite exposure, will help the SOM leadership team identify needed resources.

 

You can now report your circumstances by completing a short questionnaire which allows you to easily provide updated information and which is less dependent upon the email system. You can re-take the survey repeatedly, if/when your or your household’s situation changes. Even if you’ve already sent us or your department/supervisor your information, we’re asking that you complete this questionnaire as well—we will add the updated information to the information previously collected. 

 

We hope you will use this survey link to let us know if you are home due to a possible exposure, a known exposure, or if you’re caring for a family member in one of those circumstances. The Dean’s Office will be collecting and monitoring responses daily and reporting to the leadership team. 

 

The health and well-being of our SOM community is vitally important, and I sincerely appreciate that you are all willing to keep me informed so that the School can make every effort to know what resources are needed and to make sure they are available as best we can.

 

Information on the COVID-19 virus from the School of Medicine can be found at https://medicine.tulane.edu/home/about-us.  Information from the University can be found at https://tulane.edu/emergency.

 

Thank you,

L. Lee Hamm, MD

 

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March 27, 2020 - 11:31 AM

Dear All,

 

HIPAA training is now available in Canvas.  If you wish to also complete the Fire Safety Training you must enroll by visiting https://risk.tulane.edu/oehs.

 

Best,

 

Zylkia

 

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March 27, 2020 - 9:20 AM

Dear all,

No need to reply if you want HIPPA training. Logistically it is easier to set you all up in Gibson for both HIPPA and Fire Safety Training.

You will get enrollment notification. Both courses are optional but required for volunteer work.

Regards,

 

Jake and Zylkia

 

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March 26, 2020 - 9:24 PM

Good evening all

 

Please respond to this email ASAP if you would like to be registered for HIPPA training. HIPPA is an Acronym that stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a US law designed to provide privacy standards to protect patients' medical records and other health information provided to health plans, doctors, hospitals and other health care providers. Essentially it is a law which provides health privacy. Once you respond, Zylkia will set up a training invitation in Canvas.

 

HIPPA training is generally a good thing to have but it is also a pre-requisite to any volunteer work associated with COVID-19 testing. Requests for volunteers will likely come a short time later and you should know that PPE will be provided, which would make volunteering a low risk, but not a no-risk proposition. More on that to follow.

 

Stay safe,

 

Jake

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March 25, 2020 - 11:13 AM

Dear BMS Students, 

The Office of Student Affairs has joined forces with GAPSA (Graduate and Professional Student Association) to provide small grants (~$400) to offset costs that graduate students have incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic (travel, housing insecurity, food insecurity, medical costs, academic software packages, etc.).

Students can apply for these grants via this link, which goes to the Student Affairs Office:

http://tulane.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9AGBWBVRkUufivP

 

Please contact Dr. Diane Blake (blake@tulane.edu) or the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS@tulane.edu) if you need more information. 

 

Diane A. Blake, PhD

Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Tulane University School of Medicine

Co-Director, BMS Graduate Program

504-988-2478

 

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March 25, 2020 - 10:30 AM

On behalf of Briana Mohan---------------------------

 

Graduate and professional students who may need some emergency financial or other support please visithttp://tulane.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9AGBWBVRkUufivP. This application goes to Erica Woodley’s office.

 

 

Briana

 

Briana Mohan

Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

(504) 314-2402

bmohan@tulane.edu

Mussafer Hall, Room 226

Appointments can be scheduled here.

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March 24, 2020 - 3:39 PM

Dear Graduate Students, MD/PhDs, and other Research Trainees,

 

First and foremost, we want to take this opportunity to let you know that we at the SOM are here for you. Completing an advanced degree and academic research are trying during the best of times, and even more so in the face of the challenge that we are currently facing. Know that, as important as your research is to Tulane, it is your safety and well-being that are first and foremost in the University’s mind. We hope that you and your families are doing well, and will offer any support that we can.

 

Secondly, we would like to offer some more concrete guidelines and information regarding research activities and COVID19. As we have said, though research is mission critical at the University, your safety is most important. With that in mind, we hope the principles below can offer some direction as to how we are planning to continue with the critical research mission of Tulane while keeping all of our trainees safe.

 

1. Critical laboratory experiments can be continued to be carried out, but we urge a high stringency for what constitutes critical. Ongoing or time-sensitive experiments fall into this category. Any new experiments planned should be thoroughly evaluated before beginning.
2. Non-critical and non-continuity-related (cell and mouse line maintenance, etc.) should be slowed this week to a minimal sustainable level.
3. Individuals in the lab should at all times seek to minimize interactions with others and maintain social distancing protocols.
4. At this point, the default position for trainees should be to work from home whenever possible (see above possible exceptions). Working from home for trainees could be writing papers, doing literature reviews, or analyzing data. Any need to come into lab should be heavily justified.
5. Graduate milestones such as dissertation defenses, prospectus presentations, and preliminary exams can and should continue. These will be held remotely, and the BMS office will be available to assist with logistics.
6. Any behavior from supervisors or PIs that runs counter to this guidance will be treated with the utmost seriousness. Please let Bob Garry/Diane Blake know if you have any problems.

 

One of the many things that the process of scientific training teaches us is resilience. These are trying times for us all, but I am confident that we will be able to make it through this together. Tulane has a long and noble history of coming to the aid of New Orleans and the world to help meet infectious disease head on, and you all are an integral part of that effort. We will make sure that your education and training continue while maximizing your safety and well-being.

 

Warmest regards,

 

Bob Garry and Diane Blake

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seaMarch 24, 2020 - 12:56 PM

From Campus Recreation:

 

I hope you are all doing well, staying busy, and staying healthy! I wanted to reach out about some new virtual programming from Campus Rec.

 

Tulane Campus Recreation has been hard at work developing  a number of new programs and classes while we flatten the COVID-19 curve. Check out our new virtual programs that will help you stay healthy, engaged, and active even while the Reily Center and our usual programs are offline!  We also want to hear from you so we can best serve the University community during this time. Help us by completing the Campus Recreation Interest Survey to let us what you’d like to see!  

Intramurals

• E-Sports & Social Gaming Hub: More info coming soon! Make sure you complete the Campus Rec interest survey to let us know what you want to see!

   

Virtual Fitness

• Instagram Live Group Exercise Classes: Join some of your favorite Group Exercise instructors on Instagram Live starting Wednesday, March 25! All classes are in central standard time. Be sure to follow Tulane Campus Recreation on Instagram and Facebook for updates on the Virtual Group Exercise Schedule as well as other virtual fitness options.

• Wave Fit Online Training Jumpstart Program: This new 2-week, guided program is designed for all fitness levels and requires zero to minimal equipment. Download the program on our website (https://campusrecreation.tulane.edu/fitness-programs/virtual-fitness). 
• Wave Fit Movement Breaks: Wave Fit Movement Breaks is a new twice weekly email reminder program sent on Mondays & Thursdays. Wave Fit Movement Breaks will feature quick exercises, workouts, instructional videos, outdoor activity tips, nutrition information, and free health & wellness opportunities to shake up your daily activity. Click here to subscribe.
• Virtual Personal Training: Coming Soon! Interested in learning more? Email fitness@tulane.edu

• Virtual Fitness Workouts: Want to work out but can't get to the Reily Center? No problem! There are tons of workouts available online in a variety of formats. Check our website for resources: https://campusrecreation.tulane.edu/fitness-programs/virtual-fitness.

Outdoor Adventures 

• Cabin Fever: The Outdoor Adventures COVID-19 Blog – The outdoors is still open! Learn more on our COVID-19 resources page.

• Outdoor Adventures COVID-19 Resources Page – Now's the time to work on the basics-- your knots, navigation, and even your outdoor reading list. We hope that you'll use this resource page and our Outdoor Adventures blog to stay informed, motivated, and inspired. 

• Outdoor Opportunities around New Orleans – Needing a change of scenery? Here’s a list of outdoor opportunities around the Gulf South: https://campusrecreation.tulane.edu/outdoor-adventures/outdoor-opportunities-nearby

   

My Best, 

 

Hannah Stiller

Assistant Director of Fitness & Wellness | Department of Campus Recreation

504.314.2864 (o) | 504.862.8211 (f) | hstille@tulane.edu

 

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March 24, 2020 - 8:43 AM

Update on Research activities from Deans Hamm and Delafontaine

RESEARCH Activities

While research activities of the University and SOM are mission critical and are continuing, department chairs and leadership must maximize the opportunities for faculty and personnel to work from home.  

 

Continuing in-house research and laboratory activities must be performed such that social distancing guidelines are strictly adhered to.

 

In person meetings of more than 10 persons are prohibited, and all meetings must adhere to social distancing guidelines.

 

Faculty, postdoctoral fellows, staff, and students performing tasks that can be done from home, must be able to do so, should they prefer.

 

New clinical research studies that are not COVID-19 related, can move through the approval process as per the March 16^th guidelines but cannot be initiated until Monday April 23^rd, except if approved by the Dean’s office (email mlampp@tulane.edu).

 

Thank you for all you are doing during this critical time for the School and University.

 

L. Lee Hamm, MD                                                                             Patrick Delafontaine, MD

Senior Vice President & Dean, SOM                                                Executive Dean

James R. Doty Distinguished Professor & Chair                              Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology & Physiology

 

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March 23, 2020 - 5:56 PM

From Dr. Garry:

 

An undergraduate student recently tested positive for COVID-19 after returning home to China from New Orleans. This information was unfortunately circulated with the person’s name.  Please do not disseminate names or other Personally Identifiable Information (PII) regarding COVID-19 cases.

 

Please do notify our campus health officials who will work with COVID-19 positive individuals to ensure they are self-isolating, getting the care they need and that their contacts are promptly notified and followed.  If you know of anyone downtown who has tested positive or been exposed to the virus please contact Marla Lampp, Director of SOM Research Operations at (504)988-9128 or mlampp@tulane.edu.  If the exposure was uptown, contact Scott Tims, Assistant Vice President Campus Health Services at (504) 314-7401 or mtims@tulane.edu. We can’t do contact tracing unless this advice is followed

 

Per President Fitts message this morning a member of the Tulane Administration is also COVID-19 positive. There will be other cases amongst students, faculty and staff and we must walk the fine line of respecting privacy and expeditiously informing and tracking contacts.

 

Stay Safe,

Jake

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March 23, 2020 - 8:41 AM

Dear Tulane graduate students and postdocs,

I hope all of you are doing OK -- safe, secure, and healthy – during a very challenging time.  I know that some of you are here in New Orleans, and others have traveled to be with family members in other parts of the US or abroad.  The last couple of weeks have been very stressful for sure and I hope that each of you is doing what you need in order to take care of yourselves and the people close to you.

Going forward, I will be conducting confidential, individual career advising appointments via zoom.  You can still schedule appointments here, and I will contact you via email with zoom details before your scheduled meeting time. 

The group workshops for the remainder of the semester are cancelled.

When the coming days, weeks, and months are so uncertain and unsteady, it can be especially difficult to engage with career-related questions or actions.  In addition, priorities that impact your long-term goals or plans may be changing quickly.  I’m happy to incorporate these kinds of considerations into any discussions we may have.

Please stay well and in touch.

Sincerely,

Briana

Briana Mohan

Sr. Academic and Career Advisor

Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Tulane University

    Mailing address –

6823 St. Charles Ave., Gibson Hall 200

New Orleans, LA 70118

   Physical location

Mussafer Hall #226

(504) 314-2402

bmohan@tulane.edu

Appointments can be scheduled here.

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March 23, 2020 - 7:56 AM

Good morning. Links to the Stay at Home order from the Office of the Governor and EAP information from the university.

 

BMS policy is unchanged.  Please do let us know if you have general or specific concerns.

 

Be well,

Jake

Governor's stay at home order. 

Tulane EAP information

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March 21, 2020 - 10:38 AM

New Orleans Mayor's "Stay at Home Mandate" and School of Medicine research activities

According to Tulane's VP for Government Affairs, the "Stay at Home Mandate", released by Mayor Cantrell yesterday afternoon, is directed primarily to retail businesses and restaurants that "touch people". The general prohibition does not apply to  employees of educational institutions performing essential functions (https://ready.nola.gov/home/?utm_source=nola_gov&utm_medium=banner). Research is an essential function of Tulane SOM and PhD students are therefore permitted to be at the Medical Center in support of the research mission.  

If you do come into Tulane buildings, please observe all safety protocols and social distancing guidelines (https://campushealth.tulane.edu/health-center/primary-care/infectious-disease-care/coronavirus-covid-19/social-distancing-guidelines). Please inform the BMS office (Jake, Zylkia, and/or Dr. Blake) immediately if anyone stops and questions you during your travel to or from Tulane research sites.   

 

If you are feeling uncomfortable about coming to work due to the potential of exposure, please communicate this in an email to your mentor and the BMS office.

Take care and stay safe.

 

Dr. Diane Blake

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March 20, 2020 - 11:12 AM

Since I immediately received about 10 requests for the email on COVID-19 drive through testing, I am sending it along to everyone:

To the School of Medicine:

Beginning Monday, March 23rd, the School of Medicine plans to begin operating a drive-thru Covid-19 testing site for our Tulane Faculty, Residents, Staff and Students.  This will be located at the university building at 1700 Perdido Street.  The site will operate under guidance of David Mushatt, MD, Infectious Diseases with support from John Carlson, MD, Allergy & Immunology.  Testing will be done by appointment only after a telehealth visit performed by our Employee Wellness clinic. These virtual visits will help to prioritize cases to determine whether our patient-care faculty can be returned to work.  After that priority is met, it will also help the university community.

If an employee is feeling ill, that employee should call or email the Employee Wellness Clinic at 988-HEAL (4325) or wellnessclinic@tulane.edu.   They will be triaged by phone and a virtual visit will be completed the same day or the next day.  If the testing criteria are met for that employee and sufficient testing supplies are available, orders and information will be passed to the testing program, along with a scheduled time to be tested.

This program is being established with every security and safety concern for the testers, for the persons being tested, and for the others in the area, and especially for those employees in the Perdido building.  At no time will anyone be put at greater risk due to this testing program.

Thank you for all that you are doing and if you have any questions regarding the drive-thru testing, please email Joe Esneault at desneaul@tulane.edu. 

Lee

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March 20, 2020 -11:05 AM

This message will serve as an addendum to the instructions that the BMS Office sent by email yesterday.

Tulane is continuing to allow PhD students already matched with mentors (2nd year and beyond) to use their offices and labs, as long as you observe all safety protocols and social distancing guidelines (https://campushealth.tulane.edu/health-center/primary-care/infectious-d…). However, if you are feeling uncomfortable about coming to work due to the potential of exposure, please communicate this to your mentor, and to the BMS office.

Starting Monday, March 23, the School of Medicine plans to begin operating a drive-thru Covid-19 testing site for Tulane Faculty, Residents, Staff and Students. Please let the BMS staff know if you did NOT receive the March 20, 2020 email explaining how this testing will be administered. We will forward it to you.

Jake

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March 19, 2020 - 4:42 PM (Senior Teaching Assistants)

Senior TAs who's work may be affected by the virus can expect full payment of their TA in May. 

Jake

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March 19, 2020 - 12:53 PM

Here is some new guidance from program leadership:

1.      Maintaining the Research Enterprise:

Teaching and research are critical work of the University. PhD students already matched with mentors (2nd year and beyond) WILL BE allowed to use their offices and labs. Please contact your mentor about the best way to keep your research project on track. Be aware, however, that when on campus, you need to maintain proper social distancing. Coordinate with your mentor to insure that you observe all safety protocols and social distancing guidelines.

2.      Maintaining Educational Activities:

All didactic courses will resume on-line on March 23. First year PhD students rotating in Research Methods can start a new rotation on/after March 23 if they are comfortable doing so. There will also be an opportunity to make up any missing rotations during the summer. MS students doing research for credit should contact their mentors about how to fulfill their course requirements. Any student who has child care issues or an underlying condition that might put them at higher risk for lab work should contact Dr. Blake for accommodation.

3.      Thesis defense and graduation

The BMS program recommends that all dissertation defenses be conducted via Zoom. Please contact Dr. Blake, me or Zylkia Lozano for more details. Because of the current situation, the deadline for submitting graduation materials for PhD students and MS students presenting a dissertation will be extended to April 28, 2020.I have sent a separate email to all those who have submitted an Application to Graduate this spring.  If you expect to graduate and have not received that email, please let me know immediately.

Stipends: PhD Candidates will continue to get a stipend.

Emergency Leave: If there is a need for COVID-19 emergency leave, please advise your mentor and contact the BMS office

Please bring any questions or issues to the BMS office (virtually of course as we are working remotely)

Regards,

Jake

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March 18, 2020 - 5:21 PM (May Graduates)

 

Congrats on your upcoming graduation!  Covid-19 is going to make this a little more interesting so I’m sending this so we can stay ahead of requirements.

 

Your public defense will be via Zoom, with only the committee members in the room (6 feet apart) or all on Zoom (which is preferred). If you want to go the Zoom route, Zylkia  would need an email list of everyone you and your advisor wants to invite (Zoom says it can handle up to 300 participants). Zylkia or I can help you set up the Zoom meeting if you provide an email list.

 

We will accept electronic signatures on the Thesis and Abstract title pages and Final Exam forms.

 

Graduation is May 15^th. Classes end April 28^th and the exam period is May 1 through May 9^th. We need to certify that you have completed all graduation requirements by around May 2^nd. So that means we need all requirements by the end of April..but please submit them as soon as possible This includes:

• Application for Degree – You all have done this
• Final exam/Oral Defense form turned in to office.  This can be with electronic signatures and emailed
• 2 copies of your thesis brought to the BMS Office on acid free paper. We are currently working remotely and still may be by the end of April so please coordinate delivery with us. Check the handbook for thesis and abstract signature page requirements.
• Complete online survey of Earned Doctorates and send proof of submission
• Submit Thesis to ProQuest MNI and send us proof of upload
• Submit Thesis to Howard Tilton Archive and send us proof of upload

 

Websites for the above submittals are on page 12 of the student handbook on the BMS Website:https://medicine.tulane.edu/sites/default/files/pictures/BMS_Student_Handbook_Sep_2019.pdf

 

Any questions, let me know,

Regards,

Jake

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March 16, 2020 - 7:40 PM

To all BMS students: Please read the below message from Dr. Blake. Note: If you have routine issues, Zylkia and I will be working remotely the majority of the time and will come in for short periods to work with Banner, uploading application material which can only be done in the office. We will answer emails promptly. My cell phone number is (305) 302-5419.

Jake

From Dr. Blake:

Per capita, Louisiana is now near the top in terms of COVID-19 cases, and according to medical professionals, the next 2 weeks are critical to lowering the number of new cases. Therefore, we want to minimize people on campus, and any work that can be conducted remotely will transition to off-campus beginning tomorrow.  All didactic graduate courses in the School of Medicine will launch as on-line courses on March 23. The research rotations in Research Methods will be suspended for first year PhD students for the rest of the semester. We will provide guidance on how make-up rotations will be handled at a later date.

Teaching and research are considered critical work of the University. PhD students and MS students in a research track WILL BE allowed to use their offices and labs. However, you should only spend the time needed to maintain their mission-critical activities. When on campus, you need to maintain proper social distancing. If critical laboratory actions need to be taken, please coordinate so that safety protocols and social distancing guidelines are maintained.  

The full information resources of the Matas Library are everyone's disposal.  Our trusted information is available online 24/7, our librarians are standing by via email, phone, or chat, and will attempt to get what you need to continue your research, teaching, or clinical care.  Please go to the Matas Library home page (https://matas.tulane.edu) for general information.  Please reach out to these colleagues directly for department-specific help: 

https://matas.tulane.edu/sites/default/files/matas/documents/Matas%20Departmental%20liaisons-2020.pdf

We will do our best to communicate the most up to date information to our graduate students, and if we do not know the answer to a question, will work hard to obtain it as soon as we can.  A lot can change in 24 hours, as you know, so please continue to check your email frequently.  Please contact Drs. Diane Blake or Robert Garry if you have specific questions.  

Diane A. Blake, PhD

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March 13, 2020 - 12:11 PM (Deming Residents)

Residents of uptown dorms have been asked to leave campus.  As of now, students have not been asked to leave Deming. However, in light of online classes, some of you may be thinking of moving home temporarily until the COVID-19 situation stabilizes. Students who break their lease at Deming are subject to losing their deposit and paying one month’s rent.

A student asked about that policy being reevaluated in light of the COVID-19 situation. I brought this to SOM and Housing Leadership and this is the response I received: “The university is evaluating the financial questions students have related to a refund/credit. More information to come on how that will work. Deming residents who are leaving will need to let Katina know so she can check them out and track. Once we have more information about housing refunds/dining refunds, we will communicate that to all of the Uptown and Downtown students.” 

So what that means is that you would still be at some financial risk, limited to one month’s rent and the housing deposit.  We wish I could guarantee refunds – That decision will be made at the highest levels of Tulane – but this is the best answer we are going to get for right now.

If you do decide to leave town, please let the BMS office and your program, if applicable, know.  This goes for everyone – not just Deming residents.

This situation is constantly changing so if you have any questions or concerns, please bring them to Zylkia or me and copy Dr. Blake and we will find the right people to get you an answer as quickly as possible.

Thanks

Jake