Dear Faculty, Staff, Residents and Students,

The COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.
Many new recommendations and actions have been implemented and are summarized below.

My leadership team and I hold your health and safety among our highest priorities.

In these difficult times we remain committed to maintaining our mission and the important work, to which you contribute, to advance education, research, patient care, community engagement and diversity. 

I will continue to post School of Medicine updates to this site as they occur. Please check it regularly.

We will get through this together.

Toni

Phishing is on the rise in emails and text messaging. Click here for information on how to stay safe.

New Information is posted below. Other information will be provided as soon as it becomes available. (Updated 3-26-2020)

Kornhauser Library will officially close its doors on Friday, March 27th at 5 p.m. with the anticipated re-open date of April 28th. All services that do not include print materials will be provided remotely. Librarian support may be accessed via the library homepage: https://library.louisville.edu/kornhauser

M1 and M2

The University has extended remote and on-line instruction for undergraduate students through the end of the semester, the School of Medicine will also apply this extension to M1 and M2 instruction.

All curricula has been transitioned to remote education platforms. 

Problem Based and Team Based Learning, and Question Attack sessions are ongoing. 

Preceptorships are postponed.

Standardized patient encounters and clinical skill exams have been cancelled for the remainder of the semester.

Written block exams will be administered online on scheduled dates via secure proctoring software.

Global Health electives have been cancelled through the end of June.

End of semester NBME exam has been cancelled.  

M3 and M4 – The AAMC and LCME have provided an update that EFFECTIVELY IMMEDIATELY, medical schools should pause all student clinical rotations until at least March 31. This pause will allow the medical education community, including learners, to develop appropriate educational strategies and alternative clinical experiences to best assure safe, meaningful clinical learning for students. It will also help with current concerns about the availability of personal protective equipment.  We have communicated this to our students, clerkship directors, clinical chairs and faculty, and hospital leaders.

Updates for M3 -  On March 18th, the EPC approved Virtual Patient Cases for M3 students to replace some aspects of a clerkship while students are off clinical rotations.  Shelf exams for four-week and six-week clerkships are moved to the week of April 7th, possibly being held on either April 9 or 10 remotely. 

Updates for M4 – On March 18th the EPC approved the transition of ICU, Ambulatory, and Palliative Care rotations to non-clinical rotations. M4 students have been contacted with information on rotation and elective requirements for graduation.  May 9, 2020 remains the date for Spring degree conferral.  Spring Commencement is postponed. Spring graduates are invited to participate in the December 2020 Commencement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAMS (Masters, Doctorate, and MD - PhD) : 

The Graduate Council continues to meet regularly to assess our situation and determine the best outcomes for Graduate Education Programs and our students enrolled in them.  Current assessments support that students will be able to complete the semester successfully.  Dr. Russ Salter remains in close contact with our graduate directors and course directors.  All questions related to Graduate Education should be directed to Dr. Salter at russell.salter@louisville.edu

FACULTY and STAFF:

Remote work will continue through the end of the semester, April 28.  International and domestic university-sponsored travel is suspended through the end of the fiscal year, June 30. Events hosted by any University of Louisville entity, or at any University of Louisville facility, are to be postponed or cancelled through at least April 28.

From Area Health Education Centers (AHEC)  and Community Engagement:

AHEC Centers  are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with educational and outreach programs in their communities. The Office of Community Engagement and Diversity is reaching out to our community partners to identify opportunities for the School of Medicine to engage in community  education and service during the COVID-19 crisis.

Requests for School of Medicine Community Engagement related to COVID-19 should be directed to Dr. Kelli Dunn at kelli.dunn@louisville.edu  

From The School of Medicine Chief Diversity Officer:

Due to COVID-19, many of the School of Medicine diversity initiatives have been placed on hold. During this time, we recognize that there is a potential for bias and hate towards certain populations. The School of Medicine reiterates its stance on being a place where all students, faculty, and staff feel welcomed, included, and supported. As we navigate these unprecedented times, it is important that we collectively support each other regardless of identity characteristics that include but are not limited to: nationality, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender-identity, socio-economic status, immigration status, religion, and/or ability. If any members of our community feel they have encountered bias, harassment, or discrimination they should contact the Office of Community Engagement and Diversity at somdiv@louisville.edu or Dr. Dwayne Compton  at dwayne.compton@louisville.edu .

Toni Ganzel, Dean