CVM Operations Update March 20, 2020

Colleagues,

I am writing to update everyone on where we are on the ISU CVM response to COVID 19.  If you read nothing else, please read the following three bolded paragraphs.

First of all, these are unprecedented times and I know all of you are understandably anxious about what lies ahead. Now is the time to come together to support each other. I encourage you to take the time to show everyone a bit of kindness and understanding. And this extends beyond ISU CVM.  We need to be supportive of our family, friends and neighbors.  That is how we will move forward. And I am confident that working together as Cyclones always do, we will get through this.

I would also like to remind you that the human-animal bond is critical to our society and a major factor in maintaining mental and physical health, ranging from the companionship of pets to reducing the threat of zoonotic diseases to sustaining the economic welfare of those whose living is dependent on the animals they raise. For this reason, what we are currently doing to maintain essential health care and diagnostic services is critical…and I thank you for being part of this. The extraordinary things I have seen our faculty, staff and students doing to adjust during this difficult time makes me proud.  THANK YOU!!

A reminder 1) practice social distancing, 2) stay at home if possible and absolutely if you are sick, 3) practice good hygiene, 4) use common sense

We are indeed in extraordinary times and business as usual does not exist. During this difficult time, we need to adjust our expectations and priorities.  Our guiding principles at this time in making decisions are 1) Safety of our students, staff, faculty and their loved ones, 2) Maintain and deliver a quality education to our students, 3) Maintain services as much as possible that meet critical animal and public health needs. 4) preserve critical research resources. Everything outside of these 4 priorities can wait.  I would encourage you to think the same.  

Again, 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. 

I would also ask that you stay up-to-date with what is going on in Iowa and nationally.

Following is a brief synopsis of where we are at CVM as of March 20 at 1 pm:

YOUR HEALTH

  1. Again, I want to reiterate that the health of our students, staff and faculty is a priority.  Also, doing our part to “flatten” the curve is imperative. All of us should be taking precautions to limit our exposure to COVID-19 including frequent hand washing, social distancing, avoiding large gatherings of people, working from home if your job allows it and absolutely staying at home if you are sick.  I encourage you to limit as much as possible gathering in groups unless it is absolutely necessary.
  2. Until further notice, you are encouraged to work at home if your job allows you to do so.  We ask that supervisors and employees work together to make the best decisions for their units. Here is further guidance.
  3. I again want to remind you that COVID 19 does not discriminate and neither should we.  As I scan social media on occasion and watch the news, it amazes me some of the xenophobic messages that are out there. Please reach out and show care and support to each other and continue to reject stigmas associated with this pandemic. 

STUDENT TRAINING

  1. VM1-3 education – Following spring break (starting March 23), all VM1-3 education will be delivered on-line for the remainder of the semester. The OASA team continues to work with all instructors to facilitate on-line instruction. Further FAQ’s can be found online. Look for further communications to students, staff and faculty coming from Dr. Danielson and OASA.
    1. JUST A NOTE: Some of the creative ways to deliver material on-line is blowing my mind!!
  2. VM4 clinical rotations – VM4 clinical rotations are being transitioned to on-line as of March 23rd.
    1. JUST A NOTE: Ditto earlier comment
  3. Graduate student classes – Following spring break, all graduate student classes will be moved to on-line for the rest of the semester.
  4. We are asking all students to not come to the CVM and that they access on-line training from their home or other locations.
  5. Commencement has been cancelled.  OASA is working on a plan for an alternative ceremony.

LVMC

  1. 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. 
  2. Policies and procedures have been put in place to reduce risk of COVID 19 transmission. Upon arrival, clients will contact the hospital and the LVMC will bring the patient inside the facility and then consult via phone with the client. 
  3. LVMC operations are being evaluated daily. Updates on the LVMC operations can be found online.

VETERINARY FIELD SERVICES

  1. As of now, VFS continues to make client calls when it is critical to the health of the animal or the economic viability of the client.
  2. VFS operations are being evaluated daily. Updates on the VFS operations can be found online.

VDL

  1. As of now, the VDL is open.
  2. VDL operations are being evaluated daily. Updates on the VDL operations can be found online.

RESEARCH

  1. 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.

TRAVEL

  1. All university international travel is prohibited until further notice.
  2. All university-related non-essential domestic travel is prohibited until further notice, effective immediately. This restriction applies to university-related interstate travel.
  3. Travel within the state of Iowa can continue but the university strongly recommends that, where possible and practical, decisions are made to reduce in-state travel, consistent with our goal of taking reasonable actions to reduce transmission risk.

CVM EVENTS

  1. CVM Events that have been canceled can be found online.  ISU canceled events can be found online
  2. Again, commencement has been canceled and we are working on an alternative.

OTHER MISCELANEOUS UPDATES

  1. The CVM gym is closed until further notice
  2. The front desk by the Deans office will remain open from 8am-4pm until further notice.

I will update the community frequently as things evolve and things change.  In the meantime, do the things necessary to keep yourself well.

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