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Responding to the Challenges of the Coronavirus

  • 1.  Responding to the Challenges of the Coronavirus

    Posted 03-05-2020 11:42:00 AM
    Community Members - please see the message below that was sent last night from @David Skorton:​

    Colleagues:

    I know you share my concerns about the rapid growth and spread of the novel coronavirus in the United States. Although we can't yet know the eventual magnitude of the threat we will face from COVID-19, the way our community is preparing and responding exemplifies academic medicine at its best.

    The AAMC is engaged on multiple fronts: communicating with federal officials to offer the assistance of academic medicine and the AAMC, as well as to highlight the challenges our members are facing as they support their patients, learners, and staff; reaching out to and tapping the expertise within our community; adapting the business continuity plans of our services programs to ensure continued operations; and serving as a trusted voice to the media in the national conversation.

    With our spring meeting season about to start, we have also made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel four upcoming meetings: next week's joint meeting of the three AAMC councils; the meeting of the Southern Group on Educational Affairs; and two leadership development offerings, Transforming Conflict Into Collaboration as well as Leadership and Management Foundations for Academic Medicine and Science. Registrants for these meetings were notified by email earlier today.

    Going forward, we will communicate cancellation decisions about future AAMC meetings to registrants at least 10 days prior to the start date of each meeting. You may also check the AAMC website for the latest information. I want to assure you that our decisions will be based on our concern for the health and safety of our community and our understanding that participants from our member organizations are most needed now at their home institutions.

    Lastly, I have an important request. When time allows, please write to me at aamcpresident@aamc.org with your thoughts and suggestions on the following:
    1. How academic medicine and the AAMC can better lead and serve our community during this crisis;
    2. Examples of efforts of which you'd like us to be aware; and
    3. Any impediments you face in delivering optimal care as we collectively face this challenge.

    My deep appreciation and gratitude for all you do to protect the health of all and to aid our nation and the world in responding to this crisis.

    Best,
    David