Stay well and keep informed
The Center for Student Wellness and Counseling Services (CSWCS) remains open Monday -Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Center’s director, Jennifer Dougall, Ph.D., reminds students that in addition to counseling, alternative support services are available — a good option especially for those who not feeling physically well. Free self-help options are also available through TAO Connect for all students.
College of Graduate Studies
Because the curriculum for several of the College of Graduate Studies programs is already delivered through distance learning, those students will not be disrupted significantly, said Steven Schmidt, Ph.D., dean of the College of Graduate Studies. However, Dr. Schmidt noted in an email to students that NEOMED/Kent Biomedical Sciences graduate students, NEOMED Integrated Pharmaceutical Sciences (IPM) graduate students and Modern Anatomical Sciences graduate students enrolled in professional courses delivered alongside NEOMED medical students must follow the guidance related to the M1 curriculum sent in an email Tuesday, March 10, by Elisabeth Young, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine.
College of Medicine
Students were sent an email by Dr. Young Tuesday evening, detailing expectations for each year of medicine students. Of special note: Third-year students should continue to report to their clerkship sites, where they will follow the guidelines provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). If hospitals impose more restrictive guidelines, hospitals guidelines will be observed beyond those of the AAMC.
Contacts for College of Medicine students are as follows:
M1 and M2: Daily/weekly details regarding educational activities will be communicated via email by Dr. Ryan Palmer.
M3: Details regarding educational activities will be communicated via email by Dr. Susan Nofziger.
M4:
Revising travel plans to foreign countries for electives —Dr. David Sperling
Clinical Epilogue and Capstone – Dr. Austin Fredrickson
The Match — Anita Pokorny
College of Pharmacy
Students received details from the College of Pharmacy regarding campus activities in an email sent Tuesday, March 10. As noted by Sue Bruce, Pharm. D., senior associate dean of education, students are still expected to complete IPPE and APPE experiences. More details will be provided by the Office of Experiential Education.
Dr. Bruce noted that specifics about accommodations for classes and activities between now and April 3 were expected to be communicated through AIMS no later than the end of day Wednesday, March 11. Follow-up questions specific to courses should be directed to the course directors.
Student Services
Sandra Emerick, senior executive director of academic affairs and student services, noted that in keeping with President Langell’s COVID-19 Continuity Plan announcement, NEOMED Student Council will not fund events or research travel requests for the remainder of the term. Students scheduled to travel for research should contact their sponsoring organization regarding the process for reimbursement and should cancel travel arrangements. Student organizations are encouraged to notify their membership, facilities, vendors and other expected participants of the need to cancel events.
NEW Center
Andy Malitz, the executive director of the NEW Center, said, “As an Education and Wellness Center, the safety and health of our patrons, tenants, visitors and staff are our first priority. The services we provide though our tenants - Summa Health Medical Group (Family Medicine and Corporate Health), Yunbelievable Smiles Dentistry, Ferrell-Whited Physical Therapy, Rootstown Community Pharmacy and Sequoia Wellness – are among the many ways we provide access to care, wellness and medical education to our surrounding community. Such services are key to reducing the spread of viruses like COVID-19.
“We are also following guidelines as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding appropriate measures for the safety of all – internal and external customers. And while the nature of our facility, which also provides event services, means that many private and public events have already been scheduled, the recent announcements by Gov. Mike DeWine have guided our recent discussions concerning the types of services that should remain during this public health concern.
“The NEW Center is in the process of discussing solutions with our clients to determine how they would like to move forward, and though we are maintaining regular business hours for now, further directives from the governor’s office may dictate that we decide sooner than later.”
Further updates forthcoming
Students in all three colleges should check their emails regularly for updates.
Updates for faculty, staff and students will continue to be made at neomed.edu/coronavirus.
Photo Credit: Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM