Two new positive cases of COVID-19

Since Monday’s notice in @Rochester, there are two new cases of COVID-19 to report: two River Campus students. Please note that the University’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily. Whenever a new case is known, the contact-tracing process begins immediately with confirmed exposures being contacted and required to quarantine.

The Medical Center is continuing to make vaccine clinic appointments available to all University faculty, staff, and students. See this URMC COVID Clinic List to register.

It’s extremely important for the health of the University community that individuals continue to adhere to the face masking and social distancing protocols. Even as some individuals are now receiving their first or second dose of the vaccine, these practices to prevent the transmission of the virus cannot be relaxed.

Feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed in these COVID times? Students can reach out to the University Counseling Center for help. UHS also maintains a site with COVID Coping and Resources for students. Employees can contact the UR Medicine Employee Assistance Program, one of several support services for faculty and staff.

17 sophomores honored with O’Brien Book Award

Seventeen current University sophomores have been honored with the Suzanne J. O’Brien Book Award, which recognizes students who excelled academically and in leadership roles in their first year at the College.

• Dr. Chat Bot: Non–Medical Center faculty, staff, and all students | Medical Center employees
• What to do if you or your close contacts have symptoms or have been exposed
• University’s COVID-19 Resource Center
• Medical Center’s COVID-19 update page
• COVID-19 Concern Report

Studies show vaccinated moms can pass COVID antibodies to babies through breast milk

People, April 9

“These early results suggest that breast milk from mothers who have had a COVID-19 infection contains specific and active antibodies against the virus and that they do not transfer the virus through milk. This is great news!” says Bridget Young, an assistant professor of pediatrics and of public health sciences and coauthor of a recent study.

Wednesday slots available for one-dose COVID-19 vaccine

University Health Service is administering the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) one-dose COVID-19 vaccine to students, and there are slots available for tomorrow’s clinic at the Goergen Athletic Center. Register now at uhsconnect.ur.rochester.edu; the vaccination is free and open to all currently enrolled University students. More information and directions on how to register can be found here.

Virtual writing retreat for AS&E grad students and postdocs

Learn about benefits and resources available through the Office of Total Rewards

The Office of Total Rewards offers eligible employees a vast number of resources to learn more about your benefits.

• Benefits Overview Webinar: Newly hired or newly benefit eligible employees can attend a live webinar Tuesday, April 20, at noon EDT to review and explain all benefit options. Representatives will be available to answer questions live throughout the presentation.
• Lifestyle benefits from Securian Financial: A suite of resources is automatically available to active employees covered under the University’s life insurance plan. There is no additional fee or enrollment and these programs are available to spouses, domestic partners, and insurance-eligible children. Travel assistance services from Redpoint, legacy planning resources from Securian Financial, and beneficiary financial counseling from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are all accessible for benefit-eligible employees.
• Financial tools and webinars: TIAA offers virtual one-on-one consultation sessions, at no cost, to help you with your retirement and other financial goals. You can sign up for a session at TIAA.org/URschedulenow or by calling (800) 410-6497, weekdays, between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. EDT.
• Your health story starts now: It’s your health, your opportunity, and your tale to write. Take your Personal Health Assessment, then a quick one-on-one with a nurse for a biometric screening, and create your vision to build healthy habits for a lifetime with the help of Well-U.

Center for Robotic Surgery and Innovation and 3D models as the future of surgery

At the Center for Robotic Surgery and Innovation, Jean Joseph ’92M (MD), ’98M (Res), the Winfield W. Scott Professor and chair of the Department of Urology, and Ahmed Ghazi ’12M (FLW), ’20W (MS), an associate professor of urology and director of the Simulation Innovation Laboratory, are using state-of-the-art research, innovation, and technology to train the next generation of surgeons. A new approach involves 3D-printing lifelike models of organs that look, feel, and react as though they are real, allowing trainees and surgeons to replicate the operating room experience and rehearse complex surgery techniques. Through virtual reality glasses worn by the surgeons as part of their presentation, viewers will be able to see a live robotic surgery, on a model, utilizing 3D-printed organs. Register here for this event, presented as part of the Experience Rochester series, taking place at noon EDT on Wednesday, April 14.

Panel event on economic sanctions

Join the Committee for Political Engagement, Center for Community Engagement, and other experts to learn more about the function of economic sanctions, the ethical questions on sanctions, as well as a review of close studies of current cases. This panel will be held virtually through Zoom on Thursday, April 15, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. EDT.

Integrated Care and Medical Family Therapy intensive

Registration is open to attend this year’s intensive in “Integrated Care and Medical Family Therapy.” Attendees will receive a week of interdisciplinary training, June 7 to June 11, that blends clinical presentations, small group learning, and skill development. The primary goal is to provide training for professionals interested in health care and mental health collaboration when working with patients and families dealing with illness, health concerns, and trauma. Learn more here.