In the Know: SMPH Updates for November 9, 2020
Top news
- Several local news outlets have produced behind-the-scenes coverage about how health care professionals are providing care during the current COVID-19 surge.
- “Inside UW Hospital’s growing COVID-19 unit, patient fates are uncertain” (Wisconsin State Journal)
- “As COVID hospitalizations in Dane Co reach record high, UW Hospital opens second critical care area for COVID patients” (Channel 3000 – part 1)
- “‘It’s very real’: As COVID hospitalizations mount, UW Health Doctor says what’s next could rely on the public” (Channel 3000 – part 2)
- “As COVID-19 hospitalizes more than ever, nurses at UW Hospital ask public to make a change” (Channel 3000 – part 3)
- On Saturday, the Association of American Medical Colleges issued a statement on the election of Joseph R. Biden Jr. to be U.S. President. Read more
- Misinformation, conspiracy theories and skepticism about COVID-19 have gone “viral” across the state, complicating efforts to combat the pandemic. Read more
- The UW–Madison 2020 Diversity Forum in late October attracted more than 5,000 registrants, including many people from our school community.
SMPH attendees respond to the question: “How will you take anti-racist action?”
“Doing my part to make clinical trials more inclusive, serving on a committee to create supports for underrepresented employees in SMPH to thrive, continuing to educate myself.” — Amy Rettammel
Did you attend the forum? Send us your thoughts, and we will include them in an upcoming issue of In the Know. Submit insights using this form.
- View this week’s Quick Links, with a call for nominations for the UW–Madison Student Worker of the Year, and valuable information for all personnel, for researchers, and for clinicians.
Building an Anti-Racist SMPH
- Recently, NPR reported on how health care systems often deprioritize patients of color, often by assuming they are exaggerating their symptoms, through the experience of COVID-19 patient Karla Monterroso. “At nearly every turn during her emergency room visit, providers dismissed her symptoms and concerns, Monterroso says. Her low blood pressure? That’s a false reading. Her cycling oxygen levels? The machine’s wrong. The shooting pains in her leg? Probably just a cyst.” Read more
- View upcoming events relating to anti-racism topics at UW–Madison and beyond.
Shout-outs:
Please send kudos about your colleagues. Honor someone at go.wisc.edu/shoutout and we’ll share the stories. Submit your thoughts and we’ll share them in a future issue.
Telecommuting Tip:
WiscList automatic migration begins Nov. 16: List administrators need to move their lists now, or they will be moved by the DoIT team beginning November 16. There is a form to request an extension, if needed. See DoIT’s post for more information.