June 24, 2020

1. "Why Aren't We All Mad?" A Dialogue Series on Structural Racism in Health Care

The UTHSC College of Medicine (CoM) is hosting a virtual community discussion via Zoom TODAY, June 24 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm CDT that will include administration and faculty from the college, as well as community and faith leaders in Memphis. As the state’s academic medical institution, the College of Medicine is uniquely positioned to host this important dialogue to better understand the role of the college to make necessary changes to improve a system of structural racism that has created inequities in health care.

This dialogue is the first in a series planned by the college and is supported by the UTHSC Office of Equity and Diversity. While a large portion of the focus will be on the College of Medicine, this event is open to the public and we invite you to join us and participate.

For more information and to get the Zoom link, please visit the event website.

2. Leading Amidst Crisis: Nursing Through a Pandemic 

The UTHSC College of Nursing is hosting a virtual symposium via Zoom TOMORROW, June 25 from 12:00 – 2:30 pm in which CoN faculty and students will share stories of hope and perseverance from their service on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Alisa Haushalter, director of the Shelby County Health Department, will make the keynote presentation.

Registration is required. This event offers two Nursing Professional Development credit hours. There is no charge for the Nursing Professional Development credit. For registration and more information, visit https://uthsc.edu/nursing/symposium/.

3. COVID-19 Updates

Keep up with the latest campus updates relating to COVID-19 by visiting the Campus Updates section of the UTHSC Coronavirus website. Here are a few recent updates:

Continued Ramp Up to Fall Semester (Faculty/Staff/Students)
Please read Chancellor Schwab's announcement regarding the "new normal" for campus and facilities, research programs (including laboratory research and clinical research), and educational programs (including didactic lectures, labs, and clinical rotations).

COVID-19 Testing Available on Memphis Campus (Faculty/Staff/Students)
COVID-19 testing site has been set up on the Memphis campus in the Student-Alumni Center (SAC) gymnasium at 800 Madison Ave. The gymnasium is located on the backside of the SAC and patients should enter via the breezeway, and not through the front door of the SAC.

The SAC testing site is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 12:00 – 4:00 pm and Saturdays 1:00 – 3:00 pm with no appointment necessary for faculty, staff, and students. The site is closed on holidays.

The SAC testing site is for those who are asymptomatic (no symptoms). Those with symptoms may continue to be tested at the Tiger Lane mobile testing site or any other UCH mobile testing sites by texting "COVID" to 901.203.5526. Test results will take about 48 hours to be returned to the patient.

Phase Two Re-Entry and Childcare Issues (Faculty/Staff)
With some employees coming back to campus as part of the re-entry plan, Human Resources has received several questions about university paid leave for faculty and staff to care for children who remain out of school or daycare. UTHSC is not offering paid leave for faculty and staff to stay home to care for children. However, the state has provided many free resources, support services, and childcare for its residents. Please visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Guidance website to access specific resources for several of the counties where UTHSC employees may live and work across the state, and childcare information from the YMCA.

The full message is available here. If you have any questions regarding FFCRA, FMLA, ADA, or paid leave, please contact Human Resources at 901.448.5600 or hr@uthsc.edu.

Reporting Positive COVID-19 Diagnosis (Faculty/Staff)
If you test positive for COVID-19, or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive, please continue to report that to Human Resources via their Notice of COVID-19 Occurrence Form.

Human Resources has put together a Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Guidance website that provides a helpful FAQ section to address questions regarding what to do if you become sick, leave and pay procedures, expectations for essential employees, information on telecommuting, changes to the hiring process, etc.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at 901.448.5600 or hr@uthsc.edu.

Concerns about COVID-19 guidelines? (Faculty/Staff/Students)
UTHSC Campus Safety is available to answer questions or respond to concerns about compliance with COVID-19 guidelines for individuals on campus. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Campus Safety at 901.448.6114 or labsafety@uthsc.edu.

4. Reserve your UTHSC license plate soon – the first 1,000 reservations are FREE – and we have less than 150 left! 

UTHSC is working to get our FIRST specialty license plate created in Tennessee! However, we must generate 1,000 commitments to move forward with production, and we currently have over 850 orders.

The UTHSC administration has generously agreed to pay the $35 fee for the first 1,000 people to reserve the new license plate! Don't miss out on this great deal – reserve a license plate today (or even a few license plates if you want to outfit all the drivers in your family) to show UTHSC pride and help support educational outreach! These license plates also make great gifts for UTHSC students and alumni. 

For more details, visit uthsc.edu/license-plate.

5. Soi No. 9 is open!

Soi No. 9 in the Madison Plaza Food Court (920 Madison Building, first floor) has reopened! Come get some delicious Thai food from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday.