COVID-19 Communications and Guidance

Tuesday, March 24th - Updates & Town Hall on Friday

Dear TUSM Community,

Given Governor Baker’s recent order, Tufts University believes our current work guidelines comply with the new definition of essential services. While our TUSM buildings will remain open, we prefer that everyone work and study at home whenever possible. For those who work in labs, OVPR sent out an announcement last week with helpful information. Additionally, further restrictions on personal and work travel may be forthcoming as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.

To continue our open flow of communication, I am hosting another virtual TUSM Town Hall for faculty and staff on Friday (3/27) at 3pm ET and I ask that you email medical_dean@tufts.edu with any questions or concerns so we can talk through them together on Friday. 

• After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing personalized information about how to join the meeting.
• We will continue to record these town halls so if you’re not able to attend, you will find it posted after the meeting on TUSM’s YouTube channel.

Thanks and I look forward to seeing you on Friday.

Sincerely,

Peter W. Bates, MD
Dean ad interim
Professor of Medicine

Monday, March 16th - A Video Message from Peter W. Bates, Dean ad interim

Dear Tufts Community,

Although my video covers some of the major news and guidance that university and school leaders have shared in recent days, I also wanted to briefly recap some of those details should it be useful.

• Our administrative offices on the Boston campus remain open, and new measures are immediately being put into place that will assist staff in working remotely. You will find that information here.
• We encourage individuals to communicate electronically as much as possible and to be understanding of delays in responsiveness that occur due to this unprecedented situation.
• Everyone should continue to practice meticulous hand hygiene and social distancing practices.
• For faculty, students and staff who believe they may need evaluation and possible COVID-19 testing, please see the University’s FAQs relevant to this concern or contact your supervisor or dean for guidance.
• Tufts University and TUSM will continue to send you further information and guidance as it becomes available.
• For general information from the University, you will find all of President Monaco’s messages as well as other helpful resources here; you can also email covid19@tufts.edu if you have any follow-up questions.
• For urgent questions or concerns that remain, please contact me at peter.bates@tufts.edu.

Thank you for your continued patience and solidarity during this time.

Sincerely,

Peter W. Bates, MD
Dean ad interim
Professor of Medicine

Wednesday, March 11th - A Message from Peter W. Bates, MD, Dean ad interim

Dear Tufts University School of Medicine Colleagues,

I’m writing to follow up on President Monaco’s message of last evening which announced unprecedented changes in our academic programs and day-to-day work life in response to the entry of COVID-19 into our community. As disruptive as these may seem, these changes are designed to protect all of us, sustain our academic mission, and reduce potential viral transmission. Let me first address adjustments that all of us will need to make.

Effective immediately through April 30

• School offices and research facilities will remain open; this policy may be revised as new information develops, so it’s important to check coronavirus.tufts.edu for updates and helpful information. Faculty and staff may have some flexibility to work from home but will need to coordinate with their supervisor. Tufts Technology Resources has put together the following materials to support staff and faculty members with technology needs.
• All University-related international and domestic travel (including air, bus and train) is prohibited. Personal travel is strongly discouraged. Commuting is not included in this ban, so consult your supervisor if you have concerns about public transportation. Options could include adjusting your schedule so you are commuting during non-peak hours.
• In an effort to reduce the potential spread of the virus, it is important to limit the density of gatherings, and whenever possible alternatives to in-person gatherings should be pursued. If necessary, an upper limit of 25 attendees is recommended. This ban includes seminars and related activities. If you work in an open large-group setting, consult with your supervisor about working in shifts.

Beginning March 23

• Academic instruction for medical students will be virtual with rare exceptions approved by the Dean for Educational Affairs. Clinical rotations for medical students will continue but may be adjusted by the Dean of Student Affairs or the sponsoring clinical site.
• PA, MBS, HIA, Public Health, GSBS and other program learning activities will be governed by similar principles – students should consult with their dean and program leaders.

Specific questions about academic programs should be directed to your relevant dean, program director, supervisor or research lab manager. You will also receive specific research guidance from the Office of the Vice Provost separately.

These decisions will create challenges for all of us. The potential impact of COVID-19 on our community, our health care system, our university and our school of medicine is enormous. This is our opportunity to come together as a community, to think creatively about how we teach, learn, work, and help each other through a difficult challenge.

Lastly, Tufts University Executive Vice President, Mike Howard, will send a more detailed message with staff guidelines soon. If you have questions that I haven’t addressed, please send them to covid19@tufts.edu.

Sincerely,

Peter W. Bates, MD
Dean ad interim
Professor of Medicine

We understand that COVID-19 has brought on many new stresses for students. Students are now doing work remotely, often in settings that aren’t optimal for studying; and may now be distanced from support networks and in addition to curricular obligations, students may be worried about the financial and health impacts that the pandemic has on family and friends. We want to make sure students are aware of the ongoing mental health support and wellness activities to help during these times.

What resources are available for counseling and mental health support on the Boston campus?

Boston Campus students in all programs can continue to access Counseling services now available remotely through ¬Talk One2One. The phone number to access this service is 1-800-756-3124. This is both a 24-hour emergency helpline as well as a way to access the mental health counselors assigned to the Boston campus for ongoing counseling.

The University Chaplaincy continues to be available to all members of the Tufts community for emotional and spiritual support, to talk about grief and loss, or generally to be a listening ear. Please e-mail chaplaincy@tufts.edu to be connected with a chaplain by phone, Zoom, or WebEx.

Student Wellness Programs remain in full swing during this period of remote learning. Please see the weekly Wellness Newsletter or contact our campus wellness advisor, Snaggs at Sharon.snaggs@tufts.edu or 617-636-2700.

Mindful practices can also ease stress. Christina Pastan, D91, DG94, director of Mind-Body Wellness at the School of Dental Medicine, talks about some of these practices here. She will lead virtual drop-in meditation on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. through May 28, and virtual yoga on Tuesdays at 4:30pm through April 28. Write to christina.pastan@tufts.edu to be added to the elist.

Additionally, every Wednesday from 11:30am-noon, Marathon Health is hosting virtual meditation sessions sponsored by Tufts Human Resources. Everyone is welcome, and no previous meditation experience is needed. To log in with video, click https://tufts.zoom.us/j/491278942; the meeting ID is 491 278 942. To join by phone, call 646-558-8656 and enter meeting ID 491 278 942.

Are Boston Campus Student Affairs offices open?

All Student Affairs Offices remain fully operational and are ready to support students who need additional academic support or personal advising. For the MD program, please call 617-636-6534.

GSBS students should contact Dan Volchok via e-mail at daniel.volchok@tufts.edu or during his weekly open office hours. See The Goods for details.

The PHPD Office of Student Services is currently working remotely and has opened a virtual drop in office which you can access by clicking on this link. Use the virtual office for any services for which you would normally come see us in person, and we will connect you with the correct person in our office to assist you Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm. We are also still available at our regular phone number, 617-636-0935, and are able to check voicemail and respond as needed. You may also email our Student/Academic Services Assistant for help.

The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy Office of Student Affairs continues to work remotely and may be reached by email or by calling our main phone number 617-636-3777. Staff are available Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm or by appointment outside of that time frame.

Thursday, March 19th - PHPD Town Hall tomorrow (Friday) at noon

Dear Students,

We do hope you are faring well as we adjust to a new normal. These past few weeks, including spring “break,” have certainly been full of uncertainly and unexpected challenges, however we are excited about the new virtual opportunities ahead of us.

We’d like to tell you about what to expect when we resume classes next week, and to hear your questions, so we’ve scheduled a Town Hall Zoom meeting for this Friday, March 20th at 12:00pm. Our program directors will provide an overview of how your education will continue and will provide you with some resources that will assist you in making the most of your online education.

Attending this online meeting is optional, but we think that you will find it informative. Following the meeting a summary of the discussion will be sent by email for those who can’t attend the live discussion.

Faculty have been very busy with preparations for remotely conducting classes, meetings and other activities. If you have not yet heard from your instructors, you will hear from them in the next few days to let you know which technologies they plan to use. To help you prepare, later today we will send updated information about how to use WebEx, Zoom, and other technologies that may be part of your classes. In addition, your advisors and the Student Services team are resources readily available to you.

We look forward to seeing and hearing you on Friday. Please find the zoom link below:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://tufts.zoom.us/j/706113995

Aviva Must, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Dept. of Public Health & Community Medicine
Dean, Public Health & Professional Degree Programs

Wednesday, March 11th - A Message from Aviva Must, Dean of Public Health & Professional Degree Programs

Good Morning,

I am sure everyone has had some time to review the University’s announcement with the notification that Graduate and professional schools will move predominantly to online instruction. Given that our academic calendars differ from the undergraduate/Medford campus, PHPD will continue in-person classes through Friday, March 13th and begin online instruction on Monday, March 23rd. Spring Break is scheduled March 16th - March 20th for all programs except for the PA program. Online didactic instruction will begin on Monday, March 16th in the PA program.

Additional information will be forthcoming from your program directors over the course of the next few days with course- and other campus- specific information. Faculty looking for tips, guidance and support for moving classes online may access the university-wide resources below.

Attend a training session, check out our keep teaching page, or contact us at edtech@tufts.edu.

Please be sure to check your email regularly for updates and program-specific communications.

Thank you,

Aviva Must, Ph.D.
Morton A. Madoff Professor and Chair
Dept. of Public Health & Community Medicine
Dean, Public Health & Professional Degree Programs

Announcements related to COVID-19 from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences can be found at https://gsbs.tufts.edu/news-events/covid-19-updates-gsbs.

Friday, March 13th - Tufts School of Medicine and COVID-19 Message for Alumni and Friends

Dear Alumni and Friends,

I am writing to share some important information about Tufts University’s recent response to COVID-19.

On March 10, President Tony Monaco sent a message to students, faculty, and staff outlining plans to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus on our campuses and among our communities, particularly those among us who are most vulnerable. Beginning March 23, academic instruction for TUSM students will be virtual with rare exceptions. Clinical rotations for MD students will continue but may be adjusted by the dean of student affairs or the sponsoring clinical site. Physician Assistant, MS in Biomedical Sciences, Health Informatics & Analytics, Public Health, and other program learning activities will be governed by similar principles. You can read the president’s full message to the community here.

One immediate measure we are taking that may impact you is the cancellation of all on-campus events that include external visitors, and all Tufts-sponsored off-campus events, through the end of April. Given that, we have decided it is prudent to cancel the 2020 Medical Alumni Reunion scheduled for May 1–3. If you were planning to attend, you will receive a separate email notification and information about reimbursement, if applicable.

These unprecedented changes in the school’s academic programs and day-to-day life have resulted in unforeseen circumstances for students. Circumstances like these can be difficult to overcome without support, and people have been asking us how they can help. In response, we have started an Unexpected Hardship Fund for medical, public health, and professional degree students, which will help support students who have unforeseen expenses. 

I encourage you to stay up-to-date on the university’s latest announcements regarding COVID-19 here and invite you to send any questions you may have to medicine-alumni@tufts.edu.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Tufts’ core values of community and civic responsibility and for all the ways that you may choose to support the school as we navigate these exceptionally challenging and unprecedented circumstances.

With best wishes,

Peter W. Bates, MD
Dean ad interim
Professor of Medicine

In light of directions from Tufts and public health authorities, Hirsh Library ceased in-person operations at 12pm on Monday, March 16th. Library staff will work remotely and information services will be available virtually during normal library hours. Check the Hirsch Library website for hours and more information.