Weekly Safe Return to BUMC Update: Aug. 20

Faculty/Staff Health Commitments, Expectations, Compliance, and Resources

Please see the recent letter from University Provost and Chief Academic Officer Jean Morrison and Senior Vice President for Operations Gary Nicksa to all BU faculty and staff regarding health commitments, expectations, compliance and resources. Faculty and staff are asked to review and agree to the COVID-19 Health Commitments and Expectations Pledge prior to returning to Campus.

Chequers Café

Chequers Café will reopen Monday, Aug. 24, with a limited menu and summer hours (7 a.m.-3 p.m.).

Research

Research recovery is fully into Phase 3, with every program now approved to resume research at some level of in-person activity. This includes human-subject research projects, which were on hold since March. While there is an increase in the number of lab members returning to the campus, all are maintaining 6 feet physical distancing, wearing proper PPE and continuing to work as much as possible remotely.

The newly renovated and upgraded Center for Biomedical Imaging (CBI) has completed installation of two new MRI machines as well as a research ultrasound platform. The newly available hardware includes state-of the-art 3.0T human (Philips Ingenia Elition) and 9.4T small animal (Bruker BioSpec 94/20 featuring CryoProbe) MRI systems, in addition to ultrasound capabilities (Verasonics Vantage 256). Directed by Drs. Stephan Anderson, MD, and Lee Goldstein, MD, PhD, the CBI is currently operational (9.4 T MRI within 2-3 weeks) and aims to serve the scientific community at Boston University and beyond.

MD Program

First- and second-year medical students have been in the classroom as part of the hybrid Learn from Anywhere approach. This week, third-year students began their orientation on campus, including practicing donning and doffing PPE observed by faculty. Next week, all third years will begin in-person clinical rotations and first years will begin in-person doctoring.

GSDM

The Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine successfully moved last week to the second phase of its resumption of in-person patient care, increasing its patient capacity to 50 percent. The patient treatment centers, 635 Albany Street and the BU Dental Health Center at 930 Commonwealth Avenue, reported very smooth transitions to the increased patient flow. In the first week of Phase II, 635 Albany Street saw just over 900 patients, and 930 Commonwealth Avenue saw about 350 patients. This week, 635 Albany Street is anticipating 999 patients, and 930 Commonwealth Avenue is expecting about 350 patients. As part of Phase II, the School also resumed Saturday appointments, effective August 15, for the Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics. The first Saturday was very successful, with a 90 percent attendance rate for booked appointments

Based on updated guidance from the University, the School was able to increase the capacity of its elevators to four individuals per car, from two, which helped maintain a smooth and efficient walk-flow throughout the building.

View previous updates here.

Back2BU

For the latest information about the return to campus and updated FAQs, visit the Back2BU website.

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