1. Employees: Important Information Regarding Vaccinations

UT President Randy Boyd sent an email out to all employees this morning regarding the federal COVID-19 vaccination mandate and how it impacts UT employees. Please read President Boyd's full message on our coronavirus website under "Campus Updates".

2. Last Day for COVID-19 Booster Vaccinations

University Health Services (UHS) is now providing free Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 BOOSTER vaccinations for eligible faculty, staff, students, and their dependents 18 and older on the Memphis campus. This booster is available regardless of where you received your initial Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 doses. 

Please check in on the first floor of the Madison Plaza. Booster doses will be given TODAY, October 21, from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Please note:

• COVID-19 vaccination cards are required
• Only Pfizer-BioNTech booster doses will be offered
• Those eligible can only receive the Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose if at least 6 months past the Pfizer-BioNTech primary vaccination series
• No appointments – walk-ins only with a limited supply to first come, first served

Here are the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on who is eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html#HighRisk.

Here is the CDC's Statement on Booster Recommendations: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0924-booster-recommendations-.html 

If you have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19, please use the VaccineFinder website to locate COVID-19 vaccines available near you. 

Please contact University Health Services at 901.448.5630 if you have any questions about COVID-19 vaccinations or the booster shot.

3. Wear Purple on Monday, October 25

Wear purple in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Monday, October 25 and join the Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity in front of the 930 Madison Building at 12:00 pm on the Memphis campus for a group photo and special meet-and-greet event with Dr. Michael Alston, Title IX Coordinator for UTHSC.

Bring your questions and wear purple for a free mask and entry into a drawing for a Starbucks gift card!

You can also take a selfie wearing purple and send it to hsc-oied@uthsc.edu to be entered into a drawing for a FREE T-SHIRT! Be sure to include your first and last name and classification.

In addition, please consider giving back during Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Donate items found on the YWCA Shelter Wish List and receive a FREE MASK and entry for a FREE T-SHIRT! The Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity will be collecting donations in the Madison Plaza Lobby on October 26th from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. Donations can also be dropped off directly to the Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity located at the 920 Madison Building, Suite 825 between 8:30 am and 3:00 pm.

4. Students: Trick or Treat Pop-Up Events!

Students, this time of year can be stressful, so trick-or-treat your way on over to the Student Affairs and Community Engagement (SACE) event on October 26 and 27, and let us "treat" you with candy and cupcakes! SACE will be outside the GEB on Tuesday, October 26, 12:00 – 1:00 pm and inside the Madison Plaza on Wednesday, October 27, 12:00 – 1:00 pm. RSVP on Engage. 

5. Nominate Students, Residents, and Fellows for Social Justice Awards By Tomorrow, October 22

Are you, or do you know, a current student committed to social justice advocacy? Or a resident or fellow who is committed to social justice in healthcare?

Would you like to win, or nominate, a friend, colleague, classmate, student, resident, fellow, or mentee to win $500?

The Student Social Justice and Diversity Healthcare Leadership Award recognizes UTHSC students (i.e., undergraduate/graduate) in each college whose actions demonstrate the importance of social justice activism and equity and diversity while positively impacting UTHSC and the community.

The Social Justice in Healthcare Leadership Award is a collaboration between the Office of Equity and Diversity and Graduate Medical Education at UTHSC targeting medical residents and fellows who have advocated for social justice and equity and diversity while positively impacting the UTHSC and the community; specifically, residents/fellows currently registered as a trainee at UTHSC.

Nominations close tomorrow, Friday, October 22. 

Contact Tiffinie Snowden at tsnowde3@uthsc.edu for questions.