1. Mandate Injunction

This week, the United States District Court in Kentucky entered a preliminary injunction that prohibits the federal government from enforcing President Biden’s executive order for federal contractors and subcontractors in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio. As such, our exemption from the state comptroller that allows us to comply with the federal vaccine executive order has been suspended.
 
In compliance with the state law, we are lifting the mask requirement effective immediately on all UTHSC campuses and suspending the requirement to meet the federal vaccine mandates while the legal process continues. This includes all of our UTHSC-operated clinics that bill Medicare and/or Medicaid, and which may have been subject to the CMS mandate (e.g. Dentistry, Audiology and Speech Pathology, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy). We will continue to follow the rules and guidelines of our partner hospitals and practice plan clinics when in their facilities. 
 
As new strains of COVID-19 continue to appear, I strongly urge all UTHSC employees and students who have not been vaccinated to once again consider getting vaccinated. You can find COVID-19 vaccines in your area at https://www.vaccines.gov/search/. Employees who wish to upload their proof of vaccination can do so in IRIS. The UT System has compiled answers to frequently asked questions and will continue to update these as we learn more information. 
 
I appreciate your patience as we continue to navigate this changing environment. We will continue to keep you updated as new developments arise.


Steve Schwab, MD
Chancellor

2. Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Available at University Health Services

Looking to get your flu or COVID-19 vaccination? University Health Services (UHS) has flu and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine available for employees and students. The vaccine is in limited supply and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. UHS is supplying all doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of where you are in the series. UHS is located on the 9th floor of the 910 Madison Building on the Memphis campus.

Flu vaccinations can be self-scheduled on the UHS patient portal. COVID-19 vaccination appointments must be scheduled by UHS staff due to the difference in preparation. Please call UHS at 901.448.5630 to schedule your appointment.

3. UTHSC's New Choir – Hippocratic Notes – Performs on December 10

Come listen to a holiday concert by the Hippocratic Notes, a new UTHSC choir started by the M1s! The Hippocratic Notes Holiday Performance will be held on Friday, December 10 at 12:15 pm in the Schreier Auditorium on the first (bottom) floor of the Student-Alumni Center on the Memphis campus. All UTHSC employees and students are invited! Ugly sweaters encouraged!

4. UTHSC Impact Awards – December 10

You are cordially invited to the inaugural UTHSC Impact Awards honoring UTHSC's exceptional staff, faculty, and students. The UTHSC Impact Awards will be held via Zoom on Friday, December 10, at 12:00 pm, CST. Winners will be announced for the Thomas C. Lichterman Outstanding Employee Award, Chancellor's Exempt Staff Award, Student Social Justice and Diversity Healthcare Leadership Award, and the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Faculty Award. Registration is required.

5. Campus Drives

Please consider donating to one of the drives we currently have open on the UTHSC campus in Memphis: