We are partnering with our health systems to offload some high volume, but uncomplicated activities. For Montefiore, we are implementing coverage by MS4s to support Occupational Health Service calls on COVID-19 as they have been receiving ~800 calls/day. We are tasking MS3s with calls to check in on our vulnerable patients and to follow up to check in on staff isolated for exposures to SARS-COV2. Both of these efforts are supported by attending supervising physicians. Below are our emails to the students asking for their assistance. Additionally, our MS1 and 2 will be producing cards, signs and videos for our two major health systems (Montefiore and Jacobi, NYC Hospital) to acknowledge our gratitude for their dedicated efforts for our community during this difficult time. We have more planned activities that have yet to be actualized.
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Dear Y3 students-
Dr. Nosanchuk and I spoke with Montefiore Health System Leadership today to discuss ways in which Einstein medical students could assist in the heroic and unprecedented response to the SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 pandemic during the next two weeks while clinical education is suspended. At this time, many of Montefiore's primary care services have been suspended, particularly for highly vulnerable patient populations who should not leave their homes. As such, we are looking for Y3 volunteers to communicate with these patients from a call center to assess their health status, check in on mental health, access to food/shelter/medications, and triage active health concerns. These students would access patient health records in EPIC and would have a licensed clinician present for back up at all times. This activity would take place at the Moses Campus in a location to be determined and cannot currently be done virtually. Students would be in a non-patient care area of the center and would be significantly physically distanced from other call center operators and clinicians. Transportation would be provided by Einstein. Shifts would take place on M-F from 9AM - 5 PM. Participating in this volunteer opportunity would constitute incredible service to our health care workforce at a time of great need. It would also be recognized by a designation as a 'Montefiore Health System COVID-19 Response Team member' and may be eligible for early Y4 elective credit. Please indicate your interest in leading or participating in this opportunity. (link removed)
Sincerely,
Todd Cassese & Josh Nosanchuk on behalf of the Offices of Medical Education and Student Affairs
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Dear Y4 Einstein Students-
Dr. Nosanchuk and I spoke with Montefiore Health System Leadership today to discuss ways in which Einstein medical students could assist in the heroic and unprecedented response to the SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 pandemic during the next two weeks while clinical education is suspended. At this time, the biggest need is that of Montefiore Occupational Health Services (OHS). Pre-coronavirus, OHS typically received 30-40 calls daily. They are currently receiving 700-800 and they would like to expand access ASAP. As such, they are looking for Y4 volunteers to cover shifts answering calls from Monte Employees regarding COVID-19. They have developed protocols for answering the calls and there will be a licensed clinician present for back up at all times. This activity would take place at the Moses Campus in the Family Care Center (FCC) and cannot currently be done virtually. Students would be in a non-patient care area of the care center and would be significantly physically distanced from other call center operators and clinicians. Transportation would be provided by Einstein. Shift options include M-F 3 PM - 11 PM and 9 AM - 4 PM on Weekends. Participating in this volunteer opportunity would constitute incredible service to our health care workforce at a time of great need. It would also be recognized by a designation as a 'Montefiore Health System COVID-19 Response Team member' and may be eligible for elective credit, if needed. Please indicate your interest on the survey below as to your interest in leading or participating in this opportunity ASAP as we would like to begin operations Friday. (link removed)
Sincerely,
Todd Cassese & Josh Nosanchuk on behalf of the Offices of Medical Education and Student Affairs
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Joshua Nosanchuk
Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education
ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-17-2020 15:42
From: Latha Chandran
Subject: Mobilizing medical students to help in the COVID crisis
Hello all,
First of all thanks to the AAMC and LCME putting out a statement regarding suspending clinical activities of medical students for two weeks. We at Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University had not done that and students were pushing for it. I don't think this crisis will resolve in weeks, I think it will be months before we have clarity.
If our health care systems get stressed and we need to augment our work force, how best can we organize our medical students to help? I would like for us leaders to think about a coordinated response. We know we will be short on PPEs etc but there are so many other roles that they could serve. These are a few that come to my mind- database work, phone call triaging, scribing, working on research labs to run the tests.. etc.
Would love to hear your thoughts- Thanks
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Latha Chandran
Vice Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs
Renaissance SOM at Stony Brook University
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