In the Know Quick Links – Week of March 21, 2022

For everyone    For researchers    For medical educators and clinicians

Anti-racism and/or diversity, equity and inclusion

Resources for everyone

COVID-19 operational updates:

  • Mask updates in SMPH: Effective March 12, masks are no longer required in most campus spaces, including many in SMPH. However, masks are still required in some areas of the Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research (WIMR), such as its entrance, central elevators, basement, and patient imaging areas, due to patient care occurring in these spaces. Masks are also still required inside the Clinical Teaching and Assessment Center on the third floor of the Health Sciences Learning Center (HSLC) to enable clinical simulation learning scenarios for health professions students. Pay attention to signage to know if a mask is still required in a specific area. See this map’s highlighted areas to know where to wear a mask in WIMR and HSLC.
    • Be respectful of individual choices about mask wearing. As a school of medicine and public health, we join the Chancellor in encouraging those who want to continue to wear masks beyond March 12 to do so.
    • See this latest Q&A from campus on the mask policy changes.
    • When you work or learn in a health care setting, you must follow the requirements of that health system. When in UW Health facilities, the VA Medical Center, or engaged in patient care or clinical learning in our statewide campus locations, follow the requirements in that setting. See this mask guidance update sent to UW Health employees on March 4.
    • Questions about mask use in SMPH can be directed to smphcovid19@med.wisc.edu.
  • 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 PPE is in the HSLC atrium near room 1335 (see photo). Employees are welcome to take supplies for their unit. Hand sanitizer dispensers are present in all common areas and building entrances.
  • UW Health COVID-19 requirements, announcements, and alerts for employees and affiliate individuals are available on U-Connect (requires UW Health login or VPN to access). Read more

Non-COVID policy, procedure, guidance, and operational news:

  • UW Health: New dedicated staff entry at University Hospital opens April 15: Supply chain challenges have continued to delay progress of the work and are impacting the project schedule and scheduled opening of the new dedicated staff entry at the front of University Hospital. The revised date for opening of the new dedicated staff entry is April 15, 2022. Read more
    • Staff entry from Lot 75 is currently 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.
  • UW Health cybersecurity update for Citrix users: Starting in late January and into February, multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be required for UW Health Citrix users from additional locations outside the UW Health network, including SMPH and all of the UW–Madison campus. Read more
  • 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

Gathering, giving, and connecting:

  • Recognize a doctor on National Doctors’ Day, March 30: UW Health is organizing two ways to promote Doctors’ Day and gratitude messages to UW Health physicians. Submit a message for a specific doctor to uwhealth.org/thankadoctor and it will be delivered to that provider on March 30. Write a general message of thanks that will be seen by all doctors at this Kudoboard.
  • Mark your calendars! The Building Community/Ebling Library Book & Film Club is initiating a new program called Author Talks. The program will feature local/Wisconsin authors discussing new books or films and answering questions from attendees. The first session — being held virtually on Monday, March 28, from 4-5 p.m. — will feature Milwaukee author K. Jane Lee, MD, discussing the book Catastrophic Rupture: A Memoir of Healing. A limited number of books will be available for free, thanks to funding from the Kern Family Foundation. Learn more and register
  • Mark your calendar for upcoming events:
    • A new event series for investigators, researchers, and learners: On April 22 from 3-5 p.m., SMPH Collaborate invites individuals from across campus involved in research to foster connections through the sharing of research discoveries and building of community. The event will feature research presentations and a social hour. Read more
    • Save the date for the Spring Faculty/Staff Meeting on Wednesday, April 27: The meeting will be hybrid, with an in-person component and reception in the Health Sciences Learning Center, as well as a virtual option. It will feature information on residency program match outcomes, the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, and a routine financial update. Read more
    • The annual SMPH/UW Health Diversity Summit will take place in fall 2022 this year, rather than spring. There are four other upcoming events this semester that center on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
      • The next installment of the Native American Center for Health Professions’ Distinguished Lecture Series will be held on May 4. More information coming soon.
      • On April 6 at 12:15 p.m., John Meurer, MD, MBA, will give a public talk as part of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health’s Forum series. His talk is titled “Early childhood development: value of education, improvement in screening, and advocacy for policy investments.” Meurer is the school’s 2022 Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) visiting professor, and will also speak to this year’s AOA inductees. Read more 
      • The 13th annual Bioethics Symposium will occur on April 7 from 1-5:30 p.m. with in-person and virtual options. This year’s theme is “Valuing Health, Addressing Inequality: A Symposium in Honor of Longtime UW–Madison Bioethicist Dan Hausman.” Read more
      • The next installment of Hot Topics in Public Health — A Symposium Series is titled “A Conversation on Disability Rights.” It will be held virtually on Thursday, April 21, 5:30-7 p.m. and feature renowned disability rights activist Judith (Judy) E. Heumann and writer and activist Kristen Joiner. Read more and submit a question
  • The results from the SMPH Community Pulse survey are being analyzed and released. Continue checking this page as more are announced and shared with the SMPH community. The results will help chart future workplace climate improvement and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the school.
  • The Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center is hosting its annual Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias Research Day on Tuesday, April 5 from noon-5 p.m. Designed to encourage collaboration and promote scientific thought among faculty, students and researchers from a wide range of disciplines across the UW–Madison campus, the event is free but registration is encouraged. Learn more

Leadership searches:

  • SMPH invites applications and nominations for the position of Chief Financial Officer. Please share the position information with qualified candidates in your professional network and/or send their names in for nomination. Read more

Resources for researchers

  • Co-leader sought for faculty career development program: The Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) is recruiting a co-leader of the KL2 Scholar program. Faculty members (associate or full professor) may self-nominate. The KL2 program provides competency-based, individualized training in clinical and translational research, while creating a supportive and collaborative peer network. Apply by March 31. Read more
  • National Academy of Medicine (NAM) seeks nominations for its new Fellowship to Advance State Health Policy: The fellowship aims to provide talented, early-career health science scholars from Wisconsin with the opportunity to experience and participate in evidence-based health care or public health studies that improve the care and access to care of patients in domestic and global health care systems. The nomination deadline is June 1. Learn more
  • Reminder for clinical research personnel: Schedule access for research coordinators will be retired and replaced with reporting workbench on April 1. These changes are being made to ensure UW Health maintains compliance with HIPAA rules around access to protected health information for research participants. Currently, reporting workbench and schedule access are both operational, but teams are encouraged to utilize the reporting workbench during this period to become familiar with their functionality and to assist with identifying any technical issues that may impact the reports. Q&A sessions for teams will be held from 1-2 p.m. on March 24 and 31. Learn more and email questions to the UW Health Link research specialists
  • Principal investigators, clinical providers, and scientists interested in clinical trials are invited to attend the next Clinical Trials Community of Practice meeting on Wednesday, April 20, from 12-1 p.m. Jomol Mathew, PhD, associate dean of informatics and information technology and chief of biomedical informatics, will present on the UW Data Commons and data ecosystem, including how to leverage the electronic medical record (EMR) for recruitment. Read more and get the virtual meeting link
  • Graduate student and postdoctoral researchers can present at UW–Madison Day at the Capitol: Save the date for April 27 for this year’s UW–Madison Day at the Capitol. The event highlights the amazing faculty, students, alumni, and athletics at UW–Madison. Graduate students can apply to participate in the Graduate Research Showcase, which features outstanding graduate and postdoctoral researchers from UW–Madison. Read more
  • New recommended training for those working in laboratory environments: A new training from UW Environment, Health & Safety specifically for SMPH can help orient or refresh lab members on how we approach safety on our campus and school regarding facilities, operations, and personnel. The training is recommended for anyone working in a lab environment, including research staff, postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates. Find the training here 
  • Call for nominations: The UW–Madison Postdoctoral Association is soliciting nominations for both the 2022 UW–Madison Postdoc Excellence Awards and the 2022 UW–Madison Distinguished Faculty Postdoc Mentoring Award. Applications must be submitted electronically by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 1. Learn more
  • In-person high school student summer research: Beginning June 15, high school students may engage in in-person research internships or summer research projects involving SMPH investigators or investigators from other schools and colleges who are working in facilities managed by SMPH. The school will continue to monitor data and projections on COVID-19 cases on campus and in the community and announce changes if necessary.
  • SMPH Collaborate on April 22: All individuals from across campus involved in research — including undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, research staff, and faculty — are invited to attend SMPH Collaborate, a new event series from the SMPH Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology, and Graduate Studies. The first installment will be held on Friday, April 22 from 3-5 p.m. in HSLC 1306. Read more
  • “Write Winning NIH Grant Proposals”: This seminar, being held online April 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., is open to professors, scientists, research administrators, fellows, students, or others across the UW-Madison campus interested in NIH proposal submission. Sponsored by the Department of Medicine’s Office of Research Services, there is no charge to members of that department. Others will be assessed a $320 fee to cover costs. Read 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

  • Another successful medical student Match Day: On Friday, March 18, 170 SMPH medical students matched into a variety of specialties and will fan out to 31 states after graduation. Catch up on the excitement, including a recap story and a photo slideshow of the event, at go.wisc.edu/medmatchday.
  • Co-leader sought for faculty career development program: The Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) is recruiting a co-leader of the KL2 Scholar program. Faculty members (associate or full professor) may self-nominate. The KL2 program provides competency-based, individualized training in clinical and translational research, while creating a supportive and collaborative peer network. Apply by March 31. Read more
  • For SMPH clinical department faculty physicians: The voting window for U.S. News and World Report “Best Hospitals” and “Best Children’s Hospitals” closes on March 25. All board-certified physicians in the 15 adult and 11 pediatric ranked specialty areas are eligible to complete a survey on Doximity during the online voting period, if registered on Doximity to participate. Find step-by-step instructions on U-Connect(requires VPN or UW Health login to access).
  • National Academy of Medicine (NAM) seeks nominations for its new Fellowship to Advance State Health Policy: The fellowship aims to provide talented, early-career health science scholars from Wisconsin with the opportunity to experience and participate in evidence-based health care or public health studies that improve the care and access to care of patients in domestic and global health care systems. The nomination deadline is June 1. Learn more
  • Call for Proposals: The Kern National Network (KNN) conference program committee is now accepting proposals for presentations, roundtables, panel discussion and posters for its 2022 conference, “Connect, Convene, Catalyze Toward Flourishing.” The in-person conference is Sept. 28-30 in Milwaukee; proposals are due April 1. Suggested subtopics for submissions include caring, character, human flourishing, and practical wisdom. Learn more
  • The Wisconsin Medical Journal (WMJ) published five new papers online recently including research by SMPH faculty and learners that examines genetic providers’ perspectives on the utility and effectiveness of telehealth in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. WMJ is a peer-reviewed, indexed journal owned jointly by SMPH and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Read more and subscribe here
  • UW System COVID-19 student health care worker initiative: Instructors and mentors, please share information with students about a new incentive for UW students with nursing skills and other health backgrounds to work on the front lines of Wisconsin’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. About 1,000 students meeting specific criteria will be eligible for a $500 tuition incentive for working in hospitals and other health care settings. Read more

Resources and Upcoming Events:
Anti-Racism and/or Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

  • The annual SMPH/UW Health Diversity Summit will take place in fall 2022 this year, rather than spring. There are four other upcoming events this semester that center on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
    • The next installment of the Native American Center for Health Professions’ Distinguished Lecture Series will be held on May 4. More information coming soon.
    • On April 6 at 12:15 p.m., John Meurer, MD, MBA, will give a public talk as part of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health’s Forum series. His talk is titled “Early childhood development: value of education, improvement in screening, and advocacy for policy investments.” Meurer is the school’s 2022 Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) visiting professor, and will also speak to this year’s AOA inductees. Read more 
    • The 13th annual Bioethics Symposium will occur on April 7 from 1-5:30 p.m. with in-person and virtual options. This year’s theme is “Valuing Health, Addressing Inequality: A Symposium in Honor of Longtime UW–Madison Bioethicist Dan Hausman.” Read more
    • The next installment of Hot Topics in Public Health — A Symposium Series is titled “A Conversation on Disability Rights.” It will be held virtually on Thursday, April 21, 5:30-7 p.m. and feature renowned disability rights activist Judith (Judy) E. Heumann and writer and activist Kristen Joiner. Read more and submit a question
  • Black Arts Matter (BAM) Festival taking place March 23-26 at Memorial Union: This is an interdisciplinary series featuring a national poetry slam, panel discussion, music, and dance. Tickets will be available for individual events as well as the option of a single pass for all poetry slam rounds. Read more
  • The 2022 Global Health Symposium, “Making Connections: Health, Climate & Equity,” will be April 19 in the Health Sciences Learning Center. The evening includes a keynote speaker, a panel of UW experts, and a poster session. Faculty, staff, students, clinicians, and community partners from all disciplines are invited to submit poster abstracts of their work. Abstracts are due March 23. Learn more 
  • Serving on a faculty search committee this Spring? If so, you are encouraged to participate in “Searching for Excellence and Diversity: A Workshop for for Faculty Search Committees in SMPH, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Vet Med.” The workshop will be presented April 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. by the Office for Faculty Affairs and Development and WISELI (Women in Science and Engineering Leadership Institute). It is intended for faculty search committee chairs and members, department chairs and administrators assisting faculty search committees. Registration is required. Learn 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
  • 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
  • Gender-neutral greeting options: This article from HuffPost shares ideas to use as an alternative to “Hey, guys” when greeting a group of colleagues in the workplace. They include “Hey, team” and “Hey, everyone.” Read more
  • 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. In December, 71 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.
  • 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