Top news:
- Thanks to all who tuned in today for the Winter Faculty/Staff Meeting. Follow-up items to note:
- The PowerPoint presentation is available, and the video recording will be added soon.
- As announced at the meeting by Elizabeth Petty, MD, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: the School of Medicine and Public Health Shared Guidelines for Professional Contact document has been released on the Building Community website.
- During the Q&A, Senior Associate Dean for HR Hope Broadus, JD recommended several resources to support employees who work remotely.
- Safer Badgers/COVID-19 Testing updates: Continue to refer to the university’s Covid Response FAQs. Additional information is added on a frequent basis.
- Reminder: testing requirements are for UW–Madison employees and students who are accessing university buildings.
- A recording is available of the Jan. 21 forum for employees, gradute students and professional students.
- Final reminder: The Hot Topics in Public Health Symposium titled, “The Coronavirus Pandemic at One Year” is this Wednesday at 4 p.m. and will be livestreamed to the school’s Facebook page. RSVP and submit a question using this form. Co-moderator Jonathan Temte, MD, PhD, Associate Dean of Public Health and Community Engagment, states:
“When our panel of experts met last year, we had an inkling that the novel coronavirus had significant pandemic potential. Few of us realized, however, how dramatically our lives—both personally and professionally—would change. This reconvening of our panel provides a forum to discuss what we got right, what we got wrong, and what has surprised us about COVID-19, as well as where we are heading into the second year of the pandemic.”
- On Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 4-5 p.m., the Kern National Network (KNN) for Caring & Character in Medicine will present “Human Flourishing, Caring and Character in the Medical Profession: To What End?” During this free online event—the first in a series—medical leaders from across the country will lead an interactive discussion on the concepts of caring and character within medicine and engage in a conversation with other healthcare professionals on the topic of promoting human flourishing. Continuing Education credits are available. Details and registration instructions are here.
- Reminder: The deadline to submit artwork for the special issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (WMJ) on the impact of race and racism on the health of people of Wisconsin is January 31. Works in the following media are invited: photography, digital design, or well-rendered photographs of painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, or textile/fiber art. WMJ is a peer-reviewed, indexed journal owned jointly by SMPH and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Learn more
- Research update: Participants who donated biosamples as part of the historic “All of Us” Research Program may soon see a return of their genetic results. The National Institutes of Health, which leads the “All of Us” program, has begun returning genetic ancestry and trait information to its research volunteers. Read more
- View this week’s Quick Links, with valuable information for all personnel, as well as information for researchers and clinicians.
Building an Anti-Racist SMPH
The Boston University School of Medicine is hosting a series of virtual events Feb. 8-12 to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, who in 1864 became the first Black American woman to earn a degree in medicine. The series will feature prominent Black women leaders from throughout academic medicine speaking on topics that include “Building a Different Future,” “COVID and the Black Community,” and “What is Possible: Stories From Trailblazing Healthcare Leaders.” CME credit is available for some sessions. Learn more
Our partners at UW Health have gathered a wealth of information on diversity, equity, and inclusion resources and action items, including articles for self-reflection, podcasts, films, books, and more. Find more on the school’s Spring 2021 Initiative: Advance Health by Acting Against Racism page, including resources and events co-sponsored by UW Health and SMPH.
- 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
Working from home in winter: Yes, the days are getting longer, but warmer temperatures are still a few weeks in the future. Get tips and actionable microsteps to help you thrive while working from home during winter.