Top news:
- COVID-19 updates:
- Weekend changes for test site hours: This weekend, the 21 N. Park St. site location will be closed (and may remain closed on future weekends). The Kohl Center site is now open on Sundays. On Feb. 28 only, the Dejope Hall site will be open noon to 4 p.m. Refer to the Safer Badgers app for the latest information on site locations and availability. Read more
- Changes to PPE ordering: Starting on Friday, Feb. 26, SMPH will no longer be taking orders of personal protective equipment (PPE) through this form. Instead, submit PPE orders to central campus Materials Distribution Services (MDS). There is no cost to units for PPE needed for on-site work. Read more
- Vaccine Town Hall: On Thursday, March 4 from noon to 1 p.m., campus experts will discuss COVID-19 vaccine efforts at UW–Madison. Topics include eligibility in the campus community, questions about vaccines, and next steps to get faculty, staff and students vaccinated. The livestream will be available here.
- There is still time to donate to Partners in Giving: The UW–Madison community has thus far raised more than $1.18 million in the Partners in Giving campaign, despite the challenges of this year. Continued support can aid your choice of non-profit organizations throughout our community and beyond. Donations are still being accepted. The School of Medicine and Public Health has been recognized by the Partners in Giving Board with an award for First Place in Total Dollars for the 2020 campaign — thank you to all who have given. Please join us in thanking SMPH Campaign Chairs Taylor Cluff, MBA, department administrator for Biomolecular Chemistry, and Rachel Kulow, MBA, department administrator for Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, for their leadership in organizing the school’s participation.
- Tonight’s Wisconsin Medicine Livestream examined how SMPH and UW Health are pushing the boundaries of transplantation. A recording of the video is available. The next episode in the series occurs on March 10 at 7 p.m. and will focus on innovations in immunotherapy. Read more
Building Community: Examples of Excellence
A collaboration between students and faculty has resulted in a unique science coloring book aimed at building community and driving interest in science and genetics, with designs that appeal to children and adults alike. Ahna Skop, PhD, professor of genetics and life science communications with tenure appointments in both SMPH and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, teamed up with two undergraduate students on the effort. 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
A “Saturday Science” educational activity helps connect K-12 youth with Black innovators in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Each month, Saturday Science at Discovery releases child-friendly online portals of interactive virtual exploration stations centered around a particular topic. February’s portal is titled “Celebrating Black Excellence in Art, Science & Society.” The program is supported by the Morgridge Institute for Research, UW–Madison, and WARF. Read more
- View upcoming events relating to anti-racism and/or diversity, equity and inclusion 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.
Wellbeing Wednesday
How to help children avoid the winter blues: Cold weather and feeling cooped up can take a toll at any age — and the pandemic can bring particular challenges for households with children. SMPH and UW Health psychologist Shilagh Mirgain, PhD shares some techniques to help kids cope.