SMPH Intranet
For the School of Medicine and Public Health Community

In the Know Quick Links – Week of April 4, 2022

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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 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, 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  delayed progress and impacted the project schedule. 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) became 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:

  • The Ebling Library exhibition “Parts Unknown” is being extended through April 2022.The exhibition was produced by Micaela Sullivan-Fowler, MS, MA, curator of rare books & special collections. Sullivan-Fowler worked with several artists to show them Ebling’s 16th to 19th century books of anatomical and scientific illustrations so they could respond with a 21st century print. These paired prints are on display in Ebling’s Historical Reading Room, Room 3302.
  • 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
    • 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 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 next session of the  Native American Center for Health Professions’ Distinguished Lecture Series will be held on May 4. Lyle Ignace, MD, MPH, (Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Idaho), chief executive officer at the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center in Milwaukee, will give a virtual lecture from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Link forthcoming.
  • 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:

  • Candidate visits for the next Chair of the Department of Pediatrics are currently taking place from April through early May. See the Leadership Search page for information on the candidate academic presentations and town halls.
  • 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

  • The UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research and All of Us-UW offer vouchers to researchers for the All of Us Research Workbench: The Workbench includes genomic results, surveys, demographic data, and electronic health records from almost 100,000 participants. This is a great opportunity for those interested in discovering disease-related patterns in a population that mirrors the diversity of the United States. Learn more about the voucher program and how to apply. Note that funds must be expended by June 30, 2022.
  • All researchers are invited to attend the 42nd Steenbock Symposium, “Opening Doors to Cryo-EM.” The June 7-8 event is hosted by the Department of Biochemistry, part of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. It will highlight groundbreaking developments in cryo-electron microscopy and related techniques, convene experts in structural biology, and mark the grand opening of two cryo-EM research centers at UW–Madison. Submit an abstract for a poster and/or flash talk by April 15. Register (free) to attend in-person by May 1 or virtually by June 1. 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
  • 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 
  • 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

  • Full MPH Program reaccreditation affirms academic excellence: The school’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program is thrilled to announce that it has been re-accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) for another seven years through July 1, 2029. Congratulations to all who worked on this incredibly important effort!
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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 an 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 2,000 students meeting specific criteria are 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

  • Creating a supportive and inclusive working and learning environment during Ramadan: What steps can an organization with round-the-clock operations take to be supportive and inclusive of Muslim learners, staff, and faculty who are observing the month-long Islamic tradition of Ramadan? This is the focus of an article by Moniba Nazeef, MD, assistant professor of medicine and Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, MA, associate dean for diversity and equity transformation. While many recommendations are specific to clinical environments, we encourage reflection about practices that can be adapted to academic settings. 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 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 next session of the  Native American Center for Health Professions’ Distinguished Lecture Series will be held on May 4. Lyle Ignace, MD, MPH, (Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Idaho), chief executive officer at the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center in Milwaukee, will give a virtual lecture from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Link forthcoming.
  • 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. 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
  • 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. Search the collection and see the expanded RET Glossary.
  • Treaties: How we come to be where we are: View the recording 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