This  continues to be a challenging time at every level of our societal structure - from our School of Medicine and university community, to our Commonwealth and to nations throughout our world.       

I realize our routines have been upended and we are all grappling with magnitude and complexity of these times. I encourage you to remain informed but to also remember to take time to take care of yourselves to stay as safe and healthy as possible.  And don’t forget the immense value of reaching out and calling, texting or e-mailing friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members.  In addition, please know that there are structured mental health resources that are available to you as a member of the Cardinal Family. 

Students  have access to HSC Student Counseling Services.  Faculty and Staff  have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  These structured support systems are always available to you.

I encourage you to find ways to actively applaud the many brave and selfless UofL Health nurses, physicians, technicians and administrators who are working  around the clock to meet the health care needs of our community.  We are also very grateful to our dedicated teachers and learners who are continuing our educational mission and to our steadfast researchers that are continuing our most essential research and life saving clinical trials.  We also thank the many staff that are supporting them.

I could not be more proud of our teams and of each and every one of you. 

Toni

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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