In the Know Quick Links – Week of December 13, 2021

Resources for everyone

COVID-19 operational updates: 
  • New: Update as of Dec. 13, 2021: The university is pausing the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement due to a recent federal court decision in which a nationwide injunction to the vaccine mandate was issued. Read more
  • University Health Services (UHS) offers COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for employees and students. COVID-19 vaccine appointments are fully booked at University Health Services this year, but more will be available soon for January 2022. Sign up for an appointment in through the MyUHS app or the MyUHS web portal.
  • Employees and students who have not shared proof of COVID-19 vaccination with UHS must test weekly on campus. Read more If you are vaccinated and have not shared your record with UHS, do so now.
  • All students, employees and visitors to the UW–Madison campus must wear masks when inside campus buildings, including SMPH facilities. The Chancellor’s order has been extended through Jan. 15, 2022 (see announcement and FAQ).
  • Ordering workspace personal protective equipment (PPE): Order items like face masks, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, mask fitters, or face shields from the MDS warehouse through ShopUW+ (available at no cost to campus units until existing inventory is distributed). Contact your department fiscal specialist for help. For questions on accessing ShopUW+, contact your department fiscal representative or the Dean’s Office transaction team.
  • A cart with masks and disinfecting wipes is in the HSLC atrium near room 1335 (see photo). Employees are welcome to take supplies for their unit. The cart will be re-stocked regularly. Hand sanitizer dispensers are present in all common areas and building entrances.
  • UW Health requirements include:
Non-COVID policy, procedure, guidance, and operational news:
  • All SMPH employees are required to get their flu shot or fill out an appropriate waiver each year (the deadline was Dec. 6 – submit your information now if you haven’t already). Read more
  • Reminder: All purchasing card (P-card) holders and site managers must complete refresher training by Friday, December 10 to remain eligible to use their P-card or maintain site manager duties. Failure to do so will result in a temporary card suspension until the training is complete. The training also will provide instructions on how to use the new P-card module launching December 11. Click on the links below to register.
  • When a paid legal holiday falls on a Saturday, employees are granted eight hours of floating holiday time. For the upcoming hours from Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, note that the deadline to use these hours depends on whether you are University Staff or Faculty, Academic Staff, or Limited (FAASLI).
    • University Staff will have 8 hours (prorated to FTE) to use before Dec. 31, 2021 (these are the hours from Christmas Day) and will have 8 hours (prorated to FTE) to use before Dec. 31, 2022 (these are the hours from New Year’s Day). This is because University Staff earn leave on a calendar year basis.
    • Faculty, Academic Staff, and Limited employees will have 16 hours (prorated to FTE) to use by June 30, 2022. This is due to these groups earning leave on a fiscal year basis.
    • To use the floating legal holiday hours, select “Legal Holiday” in the drop down menu when recording time . Learn more about legal holidays here and more about deadlines for using them here.
  • Learn about SMPH guidelines on advocacy, political campaign activity and lobbying at our public institution. An overview article explains how state laws regulate employee involvement in such activities. Read more
  • Campus travel policy updated: UW-Madison employee and students traveling for in-person business, research or instructional field activities no longer need an approved extension form for international travel. Learn more
  • Are you working a hybrid schedule but paying for full-time parking? You may save money by switching to a flex permit and/or a multi-day pass. Learn more and email the Health Sciences parking desk for information or assistance.
  • Title and Total CompensationThe TTC Salary Structure was published on Nov. 1. The new job library and salary structure are based on recent market-informed title and compensation data. TTC went into effect on Nov. 7.
  • The UW–Madison Remote Work Policy is in effect. If your role is in scope of the policy, you must have an approved remote work agreement to work offsite. If you do not, you must be working on site.
  • UW Health construction: Impacts to University Hospital front entrances and travel routes through December 2021. Employees and providers should avoid the main drive and both the Clinics and Hospital entrances at University Hospital during construction. Clinics entrance will be closed through Dec. 31, 2021. Staff entry from Lot 75 will be limited and may require use of stairs. A video and directions on alternative employee entry points are available on U-Connect (requires UW Health login or VPN). SMPH employees who cannot use stairs should request a “fast pass” badge backer by filling out a UW Health accommodation form available on U-Connect. Contact the UW Health HR Service Center at (608) 263-6500 with questions about the fast pass request process.
Gathering, giving, and connecting:
  • Celebrating creativity: Featuring 29 pieces covering a wide range of themes and emotions, the fall 2021 issue of Corpus Callosum – Ebling Library’s journal of the arts – is now online. It includes audio/multimedia, visual art and writing created by students, staff, and faculty of the UW–Madison health sciences community. Access the issue here
  • Spark cheer by volunteering: United Way of Dane County has a database of volunteer activities for individuals, families, and work teams. Find holiday-specific needs, virtual opportunities, and more.
  • Giving thanks: Throughout 2021, members of the SMPH community submitted more than 70 Shout-outs — nearly 7,000 words of gratitude — to recognize the incredible dedication of colleagues. Check out a word cloud of these Shout-outs
  • The third installment in the series on Building Community initiative work teams highlights the efforts of the Well-Being Strategy Work Team. This group worked to identify strategies to encourage personal and professional fulfillment while fostering an environment that inspires healthy lifestyle choices and supports well-being. Read about their process and recommendations
  • Partners in Giving campaign: Under the theme “Make an Impact,” the campaign joins together state, UW–Madison, and UW Health employees to support hundreds of nonprofit organizations. Active phase of the campaign has ended but gifts are still welcome through May 2022 – Give today
  • See a recording of the Fall Faculty/Staff Meeting, which was held on Oct. 11. Watch the recording
  • The SMPH Office of Global Health and the UW–Madison Global Health Institute invite you to support Afghan individuals and families who are currently being housed at Fort McCoy. To aid with sorting through information about how to help, the units have summarized recommendations in order to make it as simple as possible to contribute in whatever way is best for you. Learn more
  • Current issue of Quarterly online: Read more
Leadership searches:
  • Candidate visits for the chair of the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine have occurred. See details and recordings here. The password to access video recordings is EmergencyMedicine2021.
  • SMPH invites applications and nominations for the position of chair of the Department of Pediatrics. Please share the position information with qualified candidates in your professional network and/or send their names in for nomination. Read more
  • SMPH invites applications and nominations for the position of chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Please share the position information with qualified candidates in your professional network and/or send their names in for nomination. Read more
  • Candidate visits for the Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology position have occurred. See details here.

Resources for researchers

  • Grants available from the State Economic Engagement and Development (SEED) research program: Administered by UW–Madison’s Discovery to Product, SEED grants allow UW–Madison faculty and academic staff with ownership in a Wisconsin company to engage in innovative research, generate additional private and public sector support for their research programs, and promote technology transfer between the university and industry. Deadline: Feb. 15Read more
  • The UW–Madison Global Health Institute is taking applications for its 2022 grants and awards program. This competitive program is designed to support global health efforts of faculty, staff, clinicians, and graduate students across campus, fostering a spirit of collaboration with colleagues and communities, locally and worldwide. Applications for all grants and awards are due Jan. 24. Read more
  • The school’s Mentoring to Achieve Research Independence (MATRIX) program is seeking mentees and coaches for its 2022 cohort. Apply by Dec. 19 (note: deadline extended). MATRIX is an intensive 9-month mentoring program designed to help faculty members (mentees) successfully land their first NIH R01 Research Project Grant or equivalent. Read more and apply
  • The UW Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) program is now accepting applications for two new scholars. Apply by Feb. 28. The start date for the scholar positions is June 1. This opportunity is available for early-career faculty at UW–Madison whose research focuses on women’s health or sex and gender differences. Read more and apply
  • Funding opportunity: Eligible faculty and staff are invited to submit a preliminary application for a Collaborative Health Sciences Program grant. Through this grant program, the Partnership Program supports novel interdisciplinary research or education advancing health, health care and health equity in Wisconsin and beyond. Preliminary applications are due Dec. 16. Learn more and apply
  • For clinical researchers:
    • Chief Clinical Research Officer Betsy Nugent shares, “The OnCore Integration Project is underway at our institution. The first step has been to create a single team to support OnCore users across SMPH with a new portal for requests. Please reach out to this team using their new portal starting immediately.” Access the Biomedical Informatics Systems Support Portal
  • The second round of the Research Forward initiative is now accepting proposals: A cover sheet with 300-word abstract was due Dec. 6. The complete proposal is due Jan. 24. The Research Forward competition from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education funds projects that have potential to fundamentally transform a field of study, as well as projects requiring significant development prior to applying for external funding. Read more
  • Nominations are being accepted for the 2021-22 H.I. Romnes Faculty Fellowships, Kellett Mid-Career Award, Vilas Associates Competition, and WARF Named Professorship. Earlier in 2021, seven faculty members from our school received fellowship awards – the highest number in a decade. Submit a nomination by Feb. 4.
  • Looking for insights on inclusive language? Read the SMPH Presenter’s Guide. Originally written by a group of medical students in fall 2019, it is reviewed annually, revised as needed, and has been endorsed by the Building Community Steering Committee. The Presenter’s Guide gives examples of how to talk about underrepresented identities in medicine. Read the guide
  • Office of Faculty Affairs and Development news:
    • Mentoring workshop: a free, virtual workshop on “Making the Most of Your Mentoring Relationships” will be held on Jan. 19 from 5:15-6:15 p.m. via Zoom. Register here
    • New resource webpage: Faculty Award Opportunities. The page contains a downloadable chart and award opportunities categorized by career stage. See the page
    • The newest issue of Faculty Central is available. Read the newsletter and subscribe
    • Resource: Promotions Oversight Committee Guide and the SMPH Mentoring Guide. The Promotions Oversight Committee Guide provides clarity about the process of promotion from assistant to associate professor on the CHS and Tenure tracks. The Mentoring Guide gives an overview of mentoring functions and structures to support faculty development.
    • 2021-2022 Pathways to Promotion workshops: 
      • Pathways to Promotion Tenure, Feb. 8, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (location TBD). In-depth examination of the UW–Madison promotion and tenure process. Learn more and register
      • Pathways to Promotion 101 for CHS/CT track faculty, March 7, 1-5 p.m. (Virtual; in-person option TBD). Recommended for CHS and CT track faculty in their first few years at SMPH. 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:

Resources for medical educators and clinicians

  • Internal position opportunity – Academic Career Advising Program (ACAP) House Mentor: Faculty physicians are invited to apply to be an ACAP House Mentor for the MD program. Enagage with a vibrant medical student body and support student wellbeing in a role that provides protected time (20% FTE). Apply by Dec. 20. Read more
  • The UW–Madison Global Health Institute is taking applications for its 2022 grants and awards program. This competitive program is designed to support global health efforts of faculty, staff, clinicians, and graduate students across campus, fostering a spirit of collaboration with colleagues and communities, locally and worldwide. Applications for all grants and awards are due Jan. 24. Read more
  • Internal position opportunity – Medical Director of the UW Health Clinical Simulation Program: A part-time (estimated 0.25 FTE) physician administrative appointment is available as medical director of the UW Health Clinical Simulation Program. Apply by Dec. 31Read more
  • Funding opportunity: Eligible faculty and staff are invited to submit a preliminary application for a Collaborative Health Sciences Program grant. Through this grant program, the Partnership Program supports novel interdisciplinary research or education advancing health, health care and health equity in Wisconsin and beyond. Preliminary applications are due Dec. 16. Learn more and apply
  • Resource for instructors and advisors: University Health Services has issued the Healthy Academics Toolkit focused on how to support student health and well-being. Read more and access the toolkit
  • The latest quarterly issue of Wisconsin Medical Journal (WMJ) is now available online. The issue, which includes research and commentary published by SMPH faculty and learners, features a collection of papers on rural health, COVID-19, opioid overdose mortality rates and more. WMJ is a peer-reviewed, indexed journal owned jointly by SMPH and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Access the full issue here.
    • If you’d like to receive email updates when new content is posted online, sign up here
    • Continuing education available: 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.
    • The journal is continually seeking to expand its pool of highly qualified reviewers. Learn more and sign up
  • Nominations are being accepted for the 2021-22 H.I. Romnes Faculty Fellowships, Kellett Mid-Career Award, Vilas Associates Competition, and WARF Named Professorship. Earlier in 2021, seven faculty members from our school received fellowship awards – the highest number in a decade. Submit a nomination Deadline: Feb. 4
  • Looking for insights on inclusive language? Be sure to read the SMPH Presenter’s Guide. Originally written by a group of medical students in fall 2019, it is reviewed annually, revised as needed, and has been endorsed by the Building Community Steering Committee. The Presenter’s Guide gives examples of how to talk about underrepresented identities in medicine. Read the guide
  • The Office of the Provost offers a web resource about Fall 2021 instruction focusing on how campus COVID-19-related policies and guidelines impact instruction. Read more
  • Office of Faculty Affairs and Development news:
    • Mentoring workshop: a free, virtual workshop named “Making the Most of Your Mentoring Relationships” will be held on Jan. 19 from 5:15-6:15 p.m. via Zoom. Register here
    • New resource webpage: Faculty Award Opportunities. The page contains a downloadable chart and award opportunities categorized by career stage. See the page
    • The newest issue of Faculty Central is available. Read the newsletter and subscribe
    • Resource: Promotions Oversight Committee Guide and the SMPH Mentoring Guide. The Promotions Oversight Committee Guide provides clarity about the process of promotion from assistant to associate professor on the CHS and Tenure tracks. The Mentoring Guide gives an overview of mentoring functions and structures to support faculty development.
    • 2021-2022 Pathways to Promotion workshops: 
      • Pathways to Promotion Tenure, Feb. 8, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (location TBD). In-depth examination of the UW Madison promotion and tenure process. Learn more and register
      • Pathways to Promotion 101 for CHS/CT track faculty, March 7, 1-5 p.m. (Virtual; in-person option TBD). Recommended for CHS and CT track faculty in their first few years at SMPH. Tailored to those who would like an introduction to promotion processes or have never attended a Pathways to Promotion seminar. Learn more and register
  • Clinic focuses on diagnosing rare genetic disorders: The Center for Human Genomics and Precision Medicine has launched the UW Undiagnosed Genetic Disease Clinic and Research Program, which aims to improve the health and well-being of individuals with undiagnosed genetic disorders. Clinicians may refer patients using this form.
  • Renewing Your WI Medical License? Need a transcript of your continuing education credits? Access CME / CE transcripts: Log in to your ICEP Learner Profile (https://ce.icep.wisc.edu), click “My account”, and then “My Activities” to download a full listing of your credits earned since 2018. For help, view ICEP’s FAQ page for more information or contact the ICEP helpdesk at help@icep.wisc.edu. If you are looking for a record of an activity that took place before Jan. 1, 2018, or you are requesting a transcript for RSS sessions (Grand Rounds, Case Conference, Journal Club, etc.) that took place before June 30, 2018, complete the CE Credit Reprint Request Form.
  • 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. 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

  • MLK Day event on January 14: All SMPH and UW Health staff, faculty, employees, and learners are invited to a film screening of “Trace the Line” and a conversation with the filmmaker Alejandro Miranda Cruz on Friday, Jan. 14. Participants can watch the film as a group from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., or register to receive a link to watch the film on their own. A conversation with the filmmaker will take place after the group screening from 12:30-1 p.m. Read more and register today
  • Amy Kind, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, has been named the school’s inaugural associate dean for social health sciences and programs. She oversees the school’s initiatives focused on identifying underlying mechanisms of health disparities and eliminating disparities including the Center for Health Disparities Research, the Wisconsin Partnership Program, and the Milwaukee-based Center for Community Engagement and Health Partnerships. She will also facilitate collaborations between basic, clinical, and social scientists and will serve as a resource for researchers new to the field. Read more
  • Inclusion of learners with disabilities: In a commentary published in Academic Medicine, Dean Robert N. Golden, MD and Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Elizabeth Petty, MD urge medical schools to provide inclusive education for learners with physical and sensory disabilities. Read more
  • In recognition of Native American Heritage Month in November and the City of Madison’s Ho Chunk Day on the day after Thanksgiving, SMPH reaffirmed our commitment to advancing the health of Native Americans and increasing the representation of Native Americans in the health care workforce. The school’s Native American Center for Health Professions (NACHP) leads efforts that boost inclusion of Native Americans in all of the school’s missions. Read about the impact of NACHP and profiles on Native students and faculty in the school:
  • Looking for insights on inclusive language? Read the SMPH Presenter’s Guide. Originally written by a group of medical students in fall 2019, it is reviewed annually, revised as needed, and has been endorsed by the Building Community Steering Committee. The Presenter’s Guide gives examples of how to talk about underrepresented identities in medicine. Read the guide
  • The next installment of the Interprofessional Diversity and Equity Lunch and Learn series on “Decolonizing Professionalism” will be on Dec. 15, noon-1 p.m. The series addresses issues related to equity and inclusion across health care settings and is hosted by the Schools of Nursing, Medicine and Public Health, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine. Read more and register
  • New resources added to the Racial Equity Tools collection: Racial Equity Tools is a website designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity. It offers resources, research, tips, curricula, and ideas for people who want to increase their understanding and to aid those working for racial justice in systems, organizations, communities, and society at large. This fall, 101 new tools were added to a collection that now includes over 3,200+ resources and 98 “bookcases” (category pages). Search the collection and see the expanded RET Glossary.
  • A Hot Topics in Public Health Symposium was held on Oct. 6. The event was titled “Immigrant Health: An Insider’s View” and a recording is available on the school’s YouTube channel. Read more
  • Meet the 2021 cohort of the Centennials Scholars and Clinicians Program, a community of diverse SMPH faculty from backgrounds underrepresented in science and medicine. Administered by the SMPH Office of Faculty Affairs and Development, the program initiated in 2009 to provide departments the resources to recruit and develop faculty from groups that experience health disparities in Wisconsin. Read more
  • Treaties: How we come to be where we are: View the recording of an event with Ho-Chunk Nation’s leading legal experts about treaties and how our ongoing nation-to-nation agreements with the Ho-Chunk Nation are fundamental to daily life here at Teejop (day-JOPE), the place currently known as Madison, Wisconsin. Watch the video and read more
  • Leadership announcement – Associate Dean for Diversity and Equity Transformation: As of Oct. 11, Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, MA, CDM, UW Health Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, has expanded the scope of her work to also become the inaugural Associate Dean for Diversity and Equity Transformation for SMPH. Her appointment establishes a multifunctional SMPH Office of Diversity and Equity Transformation that will be integrated with the existing UW Health Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Read more in a message from Dean Robert N. Golden, MD
  • Continuing education credit is now available for four papers published in a special issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal focused on the impact of race and racism on health. No-cost 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. WMJ is a peer-reviewed, indexed journal owned jointly by SMPH and the Medical College of Wisconsin.