For the School of Medicine and Public Health Community
In the Know Quick Links – Week of May 31, 2021
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Resources for everyone
COVID-19 updates from UW–Madison and UW Health:
Action item: Upload your vaccination record if you did not receive your vaccine through University Health Services. If you were vaccinated off campus, including through UW Health, take these steps to upload your records.
Many vaccination appointments are available for employees, students, and members of the public through University Health Services. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson versions are available. Anyone age 12 and older can be vaccinated through UHS. COVID-19 vaccine appointments have transitioned from the Nicholas Recreation Center (The Nick) to the University Health Services (UHS) clinic on the sixth floor of 333 East Campus Mall. Appointments for vaccines are still recommended. Sign up at go.wisc.edu/myuhs
Please read the May 11 message to employees and students describing campus operations this summer, and last week’s message to all employees and students about changes to policies on events, face coverings, and outdoor physical distancing.
Face coverings will continue to be required regardless of vaccination status in certain areas of WIMR and HSLC. They should also continue to be worn when interacting with research participants while conducting human subjects research and when engaging in clinical simulation activities. Barrier masks are required for staff, visitors, and patients in all UW Health facilities.
UW–Madison has updated the sponsored travel policy for employees, guests, graduate students, undergraduates, and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). The travel ban on university-sponsored domestic travel has been lifted. International travel remains restricted. Read more
A workplace health and safety training module that was offered during the spring should be taken by any employees who will be returning to work on-site during the summer and who haven’t yet completed the training. Access the module
All members of the UW–Madison community should maintain green Badger Badge status throughout the summer, either through vaccination status or testing. If you have been vaccinated by University Health Services, you will not need to submit proof of vaccination for exemption from testing. Your badge will turn green automatically and you should receive a message telling you this is due to your vaccination status.
Room reservations in HSLC will only be taken for instructional purposes until the university releases updated guidance about classroom distancing and density requirements, and SMPH has determined how to operationalize this guidance in our school.
Non-COVID topics for all personnel:
Newest issue of The Quarterly released: It’s been 25 years since James Thomson, VMD, PhD, was the first in the world to successfully isolate and culture primate embryonic stem cells. Today stem stell research at UW–Madison involves nearly 100 scientists from more than 30 schools, colleges and departments. Read more about this remarkable discovery and how the research has evolved in the latest issue of The Quarterly, now online. Read more
New podcast: Bioethics Symposium, a project of the Department of Medical History & Bioethics. In lieu of the traditional in-person symposium event (which was canceled in spring 2020), this inaugural slate of episodes features SMPH bioethics faculty in conversation with leading figures on ethical issues raised by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Tune in
View the delightful Spring 2021 issue of Corpus Callosum. This issue of Ebling Library’s journal of the arts features 32 entries including music, visual art and writings from students, staff, and faculty of the UW–Madison health sciences community. Access the issue here
Furlough reminder: Employees with furlough time obligations must record that time no later than June 30. An online calculator is available for checking your furlough balance. Only hours already approved by your supervisor will be reflected. Furlough obligations have been reduced by one day (8-hour equivalent).
The SMPH Shared Services IT group has created device connection guidance for employees who will be returning to on-site work locations after working remotely during the pandemic. They advise taking a picture of your hardware and cable setup prior to coming back to the office. Read more and see a diagram for setup of Dell Desktops and Dell Docking Stations. Please consult with your local IT support group and leadership regarding safe return to onsite work.
Transportation Services will resume regular parking operations September 1. To secure parking, you must apply before the June deadline. First-round applications for fall parking permits open through June 25, followed by Round 2 applications July 19-August 3 and Round 3 August 4-17. Anyone who wishes to obtain parking beginning September 1, including current permit holders, must apply for a 2022 permit. Current permits expire August 31. Learn more here. Questions? Email healthsciencesparking@mailplus.wisc.edu or leave a message at 608-263-7943.
A new cybersecurity awareness training has rolled out. The mandatory, microlearning format training must be completed by all UW–Madison faculty and staff (excluding graduate students and undergraduate student employees) by June 30. Students will undergo training this fall. Read more
Payroll schedule and benefits deductions changes coming in 2021: Beginning in July, employees who are paid monthly will be moved to a biweekly (every other week) pay schedule. Read more Also, SMPH HR/Payroll has put together a series of resources on Single Payroll and is offering one-on-one appointments with two payroll and benefits experts to answer your questions on the topic. Read more and schedule an appointment
Title and Total Compensation (TTC) Project: Staff job titles and compensation structures are being redesigned across all UW System campuses, and will be implemented November 7, 2021. See this update from the SMPH HR team. Many informational resources are available on the UW–Madison TTC Project website. Managers are encouraged to take advantage of training available online. Comprised of six modules, this training provides managers an overview of the TTC project, the job title process, how to confirm employees’ new titles, how to create a position description, how to engage employees and more. Register here Additionally, live virtual training sessions for managers will be offered in June and early July to prepare for effective employee conversations. During “Engaging Your Employees in the TTC Conversation,” managers will practice how to adapt communications to meet employee needs, empathetic listening to understand employee concerns, and ways to empower employees during change. Learn more and register
Visit the leadership search candidate pagefor details on candidate interviews. Visits have ended for the Chair of the Department of Medical Physics, Chair of the Department of Neuroscience, and Chair of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, but recordings of the visits are available. Passwords to access video recordings are “Neuroscience2021,” “MedMicroImm2021,” and “MedicalPhysics2021” for each respective search.
Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology position now open: The online position profilecontains extensive information on this opportunity and a PDF is also available for download. Please recommend this opportunity to colleagues in the field of alumni relations and send suggestions to the search committee co-chairs. The application closes June 6. Read more
Resources for researchers
Update for clinical researchers: The implementation of automated two-step billing has been delayed until September 1, 2021. It is still important for research teams that use Health Link to continue to link research encounters and orders. More information for research teams will be coming this summer.
The 2021 Research Professionals Conference will be held via Zoom, with sessions scheduled for Tuesday, June 15–Thursday, June 24. This free conference is designed for research staff functioning as laboratory technicians or laboratory managers. The theme this year revolves around science communications. Read more and register
Clinical studies update: Following the guidance provided by UW-Madison, while remote monitoring is still preferable, on-site research monitoring can be made available if a department feels it is necessary and appropriate. Monitors who will be on site at UW Health will need to work with the UW Health Vendor Liaison Office prior to arrival. Please direct questions about on site monitoring to the Clinical Research Office via rannow@wisc.edu.
Research funding opportunity: The Ride raises funds to support state-of-the-art cancer research at UW–Madison and is now accepting grant applications, with a deadline of August 15. Applicants must have a UW–Madison professor title series and be involved in cancer research in basic, translational, clinical, social/behavioral and population sciences. Read more and apply
There has been a change affecting the number of people who can be in research spaces at one time. People in research labs must maintain 6-foot physical distancing and continue to use face coverings in indoor locations when others are present. Read more
The Office for Faculty Affairs and Development has released the Promotions Oversight Committee Guide and the SMPH Mentoring Guide. The Promotions Oversight Committee Guide provides clarity for departments, faculty and committees for the process of promotion from assistant to associate professor on the CHS and Tenure tracks. Topics include committee composition, responsibilities for those involved with the Promotions Oversight Committee, and a playbook with timeline and committee processes. The Mentoring Guide gives an overview of mentoring functions and structures to support faculty development. It also offers tools and strategies for selecting mentors and meeting mentoring needs. This guide can be used by both faculty mentees and mentors.
The Office for Faculty Affairs is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the following 2021-2022 Pathways to Promotion workshops. These workshops may be attended multiple times. Contact ofad@med.wisc.edu with questions.
Pathways to Promotion 102 for CHS and CT track faculty, Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, 1-5 p.m. (virtual). This interactive workshop is tailored to CHS and CT track faculty who expect to go up for promotion within the next year or two. Mentors are also welcome. Learn more and register
Pathways to Promotion Tenure, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (Location TBD). This workshop will offer an in-depth examination of the UW Madison promotion and tenure process from the perspective of UW–Madison and SMPH. Learn more and register
Pathways to Promotion 101 for CHS/CT track faculty, Monday, March 7, 2022, 1-5 p.m. (Virtual; in-person option TBD). Recommended for CHS and CT track faculty in their first few years at SMPH, this interactive course is tailored to those who would like an introduction to promotion processes or have never attended a Pathways to Promotion seminar. Learn more and register
Principal Investigators: The SMPH Office of Research is your information source for funding opportunities. Bookmark these links:
The Dean’s Teaching Awards and the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Medical Student Research Mentorship were announced at Medical Education Day. “These individuals exhibit excellence in teaching and mentoring – activities that are central to our school’s academic enterprise and to the success of the next generation of physicians and investigators,” said Dean Robert N. Golden in recorded remarks played at the award ceremony. Read about the awardees
Blackboard Collaborate will no longer be available after June 30, 2021. Campus recommends instructors and staff begin using Zoom in place of Blackboard Collaborate starting this summer, if they have not already done so. Instructors teaching remote summer courses in particular should plan to use Zoom because the Blackboard Collaborate contract will end in the middle of some summer sessions. Read more
The Wisconsin Medical Journal (WMJ) is seeking to expand its pool of highly qualified reviewers. Volunteers are sought in all medical specialties, and there is particular demand for reviewers with an interest in public health. Reviewers are invited to review manuscripts electronically and are asked to submit reviews within 3 weeks. WMJ is a peer-reviewed, indexed journal owned jointly by SMPH and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Learn more and sign up
The Office for Faculty Affairs and Development has released the Promotions Oversight Committee Guide and the SMPH Mentoring Guide. The Promotions Oversight Committee Guide provides clarity for departments, faculty and committees for the process of promotion from assistant to associate professor on the CHS and Tenure tracks. Topics include committee composition, responsibilities for those involved with the Promotions Oversight Committee, and a playbook with timeline and committee processes. The Mentoring Guide gives an overview of mentoring functions and structures to support faculty development. It also offers tools and strategies for selecting mentors and meeting mentoring needs. This guide can be used by both faculty mentees and mentors.
The Office for Faculty Affairs is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the following 2021-2022 Pathways to Promotion workshops. These workshops may be attended multiple times. Contact ofad@med.wisc.edu with questions.
Pathways to Promotion 102 for CHS and CT track faculty, Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, 1-5 p.m. (virtual). This interactive workshop is tailored to CHS and CT track faculty who expect to go up for promotion within the next year or two. Mentors are also welcome. Learn more and register
Pathways to Promotion Tenure, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (Location TBD). This workshop will offer an in-depth examination of the UW Madison promotion and tenure process from the perspective of UW–Madison and SMPH. Learn more and register
Pathways to Promotion 101 for CHS/CT track faculty, Monday, March 7, 2022, 1-5 p.m. (Virtual; in-person option TBD). Recommended for CHS and CT track faculty in their first few years at SMPH, this interactive course is tailored to those who would like an introduction to promotion processes or have never attended a Pathways to Promotion seminar. Learn more and register
Continuing education credit is now available for three original research papers published in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal, including “Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Pregnancy: Early Lessons From Our Sleep Pregnancy Clinic” by SMPH faculty and learners. Credit is available through the UW-Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP). Look for articles that display a blue “CE” button at wmjonline.org, and to register, click on the “earn continuing education credit” links or visit the ICEP website. There are no fees for participating in or receiving credit for this online enduring educational activity. WMJ is a peer-reviewed, indexed journal owned jointly by SMPH and the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Faculty physicians: take action now to fulfill maintenance of certification (MOC) requirements by the end of the year. Earn MOC Part 4 credit for quality improvement work you’ve completed related to COVID-19 or other topics. Get started today by responding to this intake form, and direct questions to Cathy Means. The following courses are approved for MOC part 2 credit:
Resources and Upcoming Events: Anti-Racism and/or Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Wisconsin Partnership Program has announced $2 million in funding to strengthen and expand the capacity of community-based organizations and community models of care to help improve the health of Wisconsin’s Black mothers and infants. Eligible community lead organizations must be a Wisconsin-based, nonprofit, IRS tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization, or a tribal or local government entity. Letters of intent are due June 28. Read the news release and details about the funding opportunity
The UW Health Equity Leadership Institute (HELI) will be offered as three virtual sessions between May and August. The first session was May 27 featuring three UW HELI alumni and their community partners discussing their work, its impact, and how the efforts of health equity scholars may have value in work you do and settings you operate in. Check back for upcoming sessions
Opportunity to view and discuss a powerful documentary: The SMPH Group on Women in Medicine and Science (GWIMS) and Ebling Library for the Health Sciences invite all members of the SMPH community to view the highly acclaimed film Picture a Scientist and join for a panel discussion on Friday, June 18 from 4-5 p.m. via Zoom. The panel will consist of esteemed SMPH female faculty, who will share their reactions to the documentary. Get more information and register
Save the date: Ruth Shim, MD, MPH, Associate Dean of Diverse and Inclusive Education at the University of California–Davis, will deliver the Psychiatry Department’s annual Greenfield Memorial Lecture in person on Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m., and will present a Grand Rounds talk on Sept. 17 at noon. The talks will focus on the topic of structural racism in medicine and in the field of psychiatry. Read more
The School of Medicine and Public Health has published two case studies through the Association of Academic Health Centers that highlight the school’s work in diversity, equity, and inclusion. The first case study is focused on the Native American Center for Health Professions (NACHP) and describes the center’s extremely successful strategies for recruiting and retaining American Indian and Alaska Native students.The second case study is focused on two pre-health/pre-medicine pathway programs: the Rural and Urban Scholars in Community Health (RUSCH) and the Health Professions Shadowing Program (HPSP).
Save the date: A virtual Women’s Health and Health Equity Research Lecture & Symposium will be presented by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology on October 14, 2021. Read more
SMPH members shared their expertise during the 2021 Global Health Symposium, which was titled “Fostering Resilience Through Indigenous Wisdom and Scientific Knowledge.” It was co-hosted in April by the Global Health Institute and the SMPH Native American Center for Health Professions. View the video recordings
In April, a panel of student affairs professionals gathered to discuss strategies for supporting Asian and APIDA students at UW–Madison. They explored specific needs and cultural considerations when working with Asian and APIDA students. In addition, the video description has numerous resources for further learning. Watch the video
Continuing education credit is now available for four papers published in the recent special issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal focused on the impact of race and racism on health. Credit is available through the UW-Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP). Look for articles that display a blue “CE” button at wmjonline.org, and to register, click on the “earn continuing education credit” links or visit the ICEP website. There are no fees for participating in or receiving credit for this online enduring educational activity. WMJ is a peer-reviewed, indexed journal owned jointly by SMPH and the Medical College of Wisconsin.
SMPH Spring 2021 Initiative: Advance Health by Acting Against Racism. A webpage for this initiative served as the one-stop-shop for our anti-racism events this spring, as well as others on campus and resources for further learning.