Four new positive cases of COVID-19

Since Thursday’s notice in @Rochester, there are four new cases of COVID-19 to report: four 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. Visit the 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.

Eastman Institute for Oral Health to study novel approach against severe tooth decay

The Eastman Institute for Oral Health has been awarded $6 million from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to study a novel approach to severe tooth decay among children.

Kudos: Honors for members of the University community

Members of the University community have been recently recognized with local and University awards and honors.

• The Center for Community Health & Prevention was recognized with the Outstanding Leadership in Public Health in New York State (Organization) Award at the 2021 New York State Public Health Partnership Conference Annual Awards, presented in collaboration with the New York State Public Health Association, the New York State Association of County Health Officials, the New York State Association for Rural Health and the New York State Conference of Environmental Health Directors.
• Khaleeyah Hudson ’20N; Erika Ramsdale, a graduate student at the Goergen Institute for Data Science; and Qianna Reaves-Campbell, a graduate student at the Warner School of Education, were recognized by the Rochester Area Colleges Continuing Education Consortium as Outstanding Adult Students, awarded to students who excelled academically while successfully combining their college education with other commitments to family, job, career, and service to the community.
• Andrew Wojtovich, an assistant professor of anesthesiology, pharmacology, and physiology, is the University’s Student Supervisor of the Year. The award is selected by a committee of students and staff members and goes to a person who integrates students into their roles, provides guidance and mentoring, and supports the University’s Vision and Values.

• 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

Mindfulness for finals week

Are you feeling overwhelmed from final exams, projects, and papers? The Mindful University team will offer seven sessions of mindfulness and meditation practices almost every day during finals week. Visit the Mindful University Project Instagram account to find a schedule of offerings and to drop into Instagram live sessions.

Learn about nonmatriculated registration at Simon

Students have the option of beginning their studies at Simon Business School before formally applying to the Professional MBA program through a nonmatriculated start. Nonmatriculated students may start in any term during the year and may take a maximum of two MBA core courses. Those who meet entrance criteria are eligible to waive the GMAT or GRE requirement. Register here to learn more and register for classes on Tuesday, May 11, from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. EDT.

Retiree benefits webinar

Join the Office of Total Rewards for a webinar at 1 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 14, to go over eligibility to retire, what steps to take if you plan to retire soon, health and dental benefits, life insurance, and other incentives offered to you after retirement. Register here if you’d like to attend. These webinars are offered monthly, see the University Events Calendar for 2021 offerings. If you are retiring within the next three months and have not already done so, contact retireebenefits@ur.rochester.edu.

Department of Art and Art History senior thesis exhibition

The Department of Art and Art History presents its 2021 senior thesis portfolios online starting today, Friday, May 7. A virtual reception will include one-minute artist talks followed by a Q&A period. Details and reception registration can be found online on the Sage Art Center website.

Wilmot Cancer Institute seminar

Join R. Donald Harvey, a professor of hematology and medical oncology at Emory University School of Medicine, for “Modernizing Clinical Trial Eligibility Criteria: The ASCO-Friends of Cancer Research Initiative.” The seminar takes place today, Friday, May 7, at noon EDT via Zoom.

'Help India Breathe' gathering

'Bike to Work Day' pit stop

Participate in Bike to Work Day on Monday, May 10, an annual free celebration of bicycling as a low-cost, healthy, and environmentally friendly way to get to work. The day will be celebrated with a “pit stop” hosted jointly by the Rochester Cycling Alliance, Reconnect Rochester, and the University at the cycle track on Elmwood Avenue, across from the main hospital entrance. Chat with fellow cyclists and safely grab a free snack. Even if you’re working from home that day, get exercise by biking to the pit stop and then back home to work for the day. Swing by, fuel up, and talk cycling with dedicated volunteers any time from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Summer@Eastman registration ends June 1

Summer@Eastman is accepting registrations for more than 40 online courses, programs, and workshops. Most programs will include faculty special topic presentations, Q&A sessions or roundtables with experts, and useful material shared with participants; workshops may offer masterclasses, one-on-one lessons with faculty, and the option to audit for a lower tuition cost. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, June 1. Learn more and register here.