Top news:
- Operational information for the SMPH community to be aware of:
- Ebling Library is closed to all patrons until September 25 or until further notice.
- Badger Market in HSLC is closed until further notice.
- COVID-19 testing appointments for students and employees are available on campus. See the University Health Services website for information.
- Campus flu shot clinics are continuing. Check out available appointment times this week and beyond.
- Good news: UW–Madison has risen to 42nd in a five-way tie in U.S. News & World Report’s latest college rankings, and remains 13th among public universities in a four-way tie.
- Conversations on COVID-19: Impacts on Communities of Color developed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine features a discussion with Sheri Johnson, PhD, Associate Professor (CHS) of Population Health Sciences and Director of the Population Health Institute.
- Building an Anti-Racist SMPH — reminders about upcoming events:
- White Coats for Black Lives webinar on September 16 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Register
- WISELI virtual workshops on Breaking the Bias Habit in October and November are available for faculty and staff. A specific workshop for SMPH members serving on faculty search committees occurs on October 21.
- The Building Community/Ebling Library Book and Film Club offers two discussion sessions on September 25 and October 15 for the documentary Human Zoos: America’s Forgotten History on Scientific Racism. Ebling Library will also lead a discussion of the UW Go Big Read book Parkland: Birth of Movement on September 22. Visit the Book & Film Club website to register.
Shout-outs:
Please send kudos about your colleagues. Honor someone at go.wisc.edu/shoutout and we’ll share the stories. Visit this page to see a collection of shout-outs to date. Submit your thoughts and we’ll share them in a future issue.
“Physical Therapy program administrator Sue Arneson is always on the go, looking for ways to make someone else’s day brighter and easier and has continued to keep a positive energy during COVID. Even during the toughest days she comes to work with a smile on her face asking how she can help. She works with students, staff, faculty, and people across campus in an efficient and effective manner-particularly during the ever changing landscape of COVID. She is quick to respond to a question and is always on the ready to help me in whatever way she can. Thank you for the countless ways you make my day better!” — Sue Wenker, PT, PhD, Assistant Professor (CHS), Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
“Yer Thor, research specialist at the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, stepped in to take over organizing and executing our research consensus conference every Friday and has not only embraced the virtual platform but has also made it efficient and user friendly. She is impeccably organized and has embedded links to save time which makes it more user friendly especially for those who join less frequently. She has been the brain behind the scenes keeping the weekly consensus conference going.” – Camille Conway, NP, Research Nurse Practitioner, and DaRae Coughlin, NP, Research Nurse Practitioner, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
“Bree Coffey has been unfailingly committed to finding new ways to keep important services and resources within reach of MD students. The litany of tasks she has expertly juggled in this Covid-era includes the rethinking of CPR training for 100+ students, steering the on-boarding logistics for new students (badges, lockers, health insurance, immunizations, etc.) and maintaining vigilance on the even busier Student Services inbox. To top it off, she was a driving force behind the preparation of the recently-renovated Student Services suite to be ready for action in early August. Many thanks to Bree for her dedication to the success of all MD students.” – David Bernhard, Director of MD Student Services, Academic Affairs
Beginning this week, we will include one tip per In the Know issue, and will rotate between topics. What should we include? Share your thoughts.
Anti-Racism in Action:
- Taking steps to eliminate racism in the workplace: As a method for combatting microaggressions, this article from the Society of Human Resources suggests the use of bias interrupters — tweaks to existing business systems, such as hiring practices, performance evaluations, work assignments, promotions and compensation decisions.