CVM Operations Update April 5, 2020

Colleagues, a brief message to our community members:

  • To everyone, thank you for your great attitude during these complex times and importantly, being leaders in demonstrating the practices necessary to slow the transmission of COVID-19
  • To our students, thank you for your positive attitude, constructive feedback and great ideas
  • To our faculty and staff, thank you for continuing to deliver on our mission to enhance the health and well-being of animals and human beings through excellence in education, research, professional practice and committed service to the State of Iowa, the nation and the world.   

Remember, our guiding principles at this time in making decisions are:

  1.  Safety of our students, staff, faculty, their loved ones, and the general public
  2. Maintain and deliver a quality education to our students,
  3. Maintain services that meet critical animal and public health needs, and
  4. Preserve critical research resources    

I encourage you to stay up-to-date with what is happening at ISU by frequently visiting the COVID 19 web site.

Also, ISU CVM has a site with updates specific to CVM. 

Following is a brief synopsis of where we are at CVM as of April 5, 2020:

YOUR HEALTH

  • Once again, the health of our students, staff and faculty is a priority.  Doing our part to reduce risk of COVID 19 transmission is an imperative.  We need to be leaders in following the CDC recommended guidelines.  PLEASE  1) practice physical distancing, 2) work and stay at home if possible and absolutely if you are sick, 3) practice good hygiene – wash your hands, and 4) use common sense
  • NOTE: CDC has put out new guidelines recommending that you wear a cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. I would encourage you follow these guidelines
  • Take care of yourself physically and mentally. Visit online for some great resources. Also, some more resources from Lauren Youngs 
  • Please reach out and show care and support to each other and continue to reject stigmas associated with this pandemic.

STUDENT EDUCATION

  • VM1-3 education and graduate student classes – All VM1-3 and graduate student education is now being delivered on-line for the remainder of the semester. 
  • VM4 clinical rotations – After broad discussion, the decision was to suspend requiring VM4 clinical rotations (3x2 week blocks) for the rest of the semester. NOTE: We are continuing to provide on-line clinical experiences to any VM4 who wishes to participate and VM4s from the Caribbean schools who are on a different schedule. Options
  • P/NP option –  Students now have the option to receive a Pass/No Pass or letter grade for spring semester classes. 
  • VM3 transition to VM4 – OASA and the curriculum committee are working on recommendations for the for VM4 clinical education which begins in May.
  • Summer Programs – all summer programs are currently being evaluated.  We hope to have final decisions on each program early in April.
  • Commencement has been canceled.  OASA is working on a plan for an alternative ceremony.

LVMC

  • Until further notice, the LVMC will only see patients when it is critical to the health of the animal or the economic viability of the client. The LVMC will continue to reassess the situation and make adjustments accordingly.  Updates on the LVMC operations can be found online

VETERINARY FIELD SERVICES

  • VFS continues to make client calls when it is critical to the health of the animal or the economic viability of the client. Updates on the VFS operations can be found online

VETERINARY PATHOLOGY

  • Veterinary Pathology continues to provide both clinical pathology, biopsy and necropsy services to the LVMC and referring DVMs.

VDL

  • The VDL is open and continues to provide critical services necessary to protect both animal and public health. VDL operations are evaluated daily. Updates on the VDL operations can be found online

RESEARCH

  • Guidelines from the VPR office for conducting research can be found online. We are asking all CVM research labs to follow the guidelines and plan research activities accordingly.   

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS UPDATES

  • The front desk by the Dean’s office will remain open from 8am-4pm until further notice.

Again PLEASE do the right things to stay healthy! It is important for YOUR health! It is important for the health of EVERYONE around you!

Dan Grooms DVM, PhD
Dr. Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean Of Veterinary Medicine