Vision 2020 kickoff

This month we launched Vision 2020, a major strategic initiative to create a new vision statement and to provide an opportunity to reflect on our mission and values.

All members of the SMPH community are invited to complete a survey, which is open through January 31 (today), and to participate in an in-person or online focus group between February 26 and March 3. The results of these activities will be used to draft mission, vision, and values statements, which will be circulated widely for comment. A new vision statement and new or reaffirmed values and mission statements will be finalized by summer 2020.

Your participation is encouraged!  Take the survey and register for a focus group.

SMPH hosts successful panel discussion on novel coronavirus outbreak

On Wednesday Jan. 29, a standing-room-only crowd gathered in the Health Sciences Learning Center for an expert panel discussion on the novel coronavirus outbreak that has infected 9,776 and resulted in 213 deaths worldwide as of today. Nine scientists, physicians, epidemiologists, and experts in infection control, global health, clinical testing, vaccine development and health system responses discussed the topic from their areas of expertise in a "lightning round" of comments, followed by a question-and-answer session. A total of 380 people attended in person, with another 382 viewing the livestreamed video.

The hour had originally been slated for a public talk by Robert R. Redfield, MD, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Redfield’s duties prevented him from being able to follow through with his visit to UW–Madison.

Winter Town Hall on Feb. 24

All are welcome to attend the Winter Faculty and Staff Town Hall on Feb. 24, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. in Health Sciences Learning Center room 1335.

Gathering to observe MLK Jr. Day

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a showing of Bryan Stevenson’s recent AAMC talk "American Injustice: Mercy, Humanity and Making a Difference” was presented on Friday, Jan. 24. Staff, faculty, and learners gathered to watch and to participate in a panel discussion. The event was sponsored by the SMPH Office of Multicultural Affairs and Building Community.

Review the new year's message from Dean Robert Golden

Please take a moment to watch as Dean Robert Golden, MD, shares some of the school's successes from 2019 and outlines priorities for 2020.

Save the Date: SMPH Diversity Summit

Mark your calendar for the third annual UW School of Medicine and Public Health Diversity Summit on April 6, 2020 from 4:30–7:30 p.m. in the Health Sciences Learning Center. A reception and social hour will follow. 

Our keynote speaker is Elena V. Rios, MD, MSPH, FACP. Dr. Rios serves as President and CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association, (NHMA), representing Hispanic physicians in the United States. She also serves as President of NHMA’s National Hispanic Health Foundation to direct educational and research activities. 

AAMC features SMPH class on improv and medicine

In Summary: The Association of American Medical Colleges recently reported on how theatrical improvisation is being used in medical education. The story described a class led by Amy Zelenski, PhD.

Physical therapy program faculty recognized

Two faculty members affiliated with the Physical Therapy program have recently received national recognition:

• Susan Wenker, PT, PhD has been selected by the American Physical Therapy Association for the 2020 Distinguished Educator Award.  
• Evan O. Nelson, PT, DPT, PhD has been selected by the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy for the Excellence in Research Award. 

Partners in Giving reaches milestone

In Summary: A total of 704 SMPH employees have contributed more than $341,600 during this year's Partners in Giving campaign to aid nonprofit organizations. This represents a participation rate of 15% - very close to our goal of 17%. It's not too late to give! 

HR highlights

Midpoint performance review conversations are due soon:

• Midpoint conversations (for the time period of July 1, 2019-December 31, 2019) should be completed no later than February 14, 2020. Supervisors received an email with detailed instructions on January 9. 

Verify your preferred business e-mail address: 

• All employees must have a business email address to access Human Resource System (HRS) self-service and to receive payroll and benefits communications from the UW Service Center. Employees are assigned a default address but can choose a preferred business address in the MyUW Madison Personal Information module. Verify your address​

Title and Total Compensation Project updates: 

• TTC Project timeline shifting to allow more time for quality assurance. Managers and supervisors will also have more time to complete training and engage in conversations with employees. New titles and position descriptions are expected to be effective in July, 2020. Employee conversations, some of which have already begun, will be extended through the spring. More information will be presented during forums in February.​

Mark your calendar for these faculty development events and opportunities

SMPH events:

• Career Conversation series, Feb. 26 and April 22
• Pathways to Promotion – Tenure, Biological Sciences, Feb. 11
• Pathways to Promotion 101, March 12

Learn more about these events at the Office for Faculty Affairs and Development event website

Headlines and announcements

School news:

• UW–Madison inventors aim to replace old-style breast-surgery marker
• Access to Medicare increases cancer detection, reduces cancer mortality rate
• UW–Madison study finds where you live affects brain health
• Stem cells could help cancer patients fight dangerous infections
• Scoring system predicts seizure risk in hospitalized patients
• 2020 Community Impact Grant request for partnerships now available
• Applications open for new UW-Madison planetary health scholars program

School and Continuing Medical Education events:

• UW–Madison celebrates Black History Month – Afrofuturism: B(l)ack to the Future
• Feb. 26 — Immunization Summit: Supporting Access Expansion and Vaccination Efficiency in Clinics and Communities (Wisconsin Dells)
• April 17-18 — Navigating the Transition Zone: Adolescence through Young Adulthood (Madison)
• April 7 — Global Health Symposium: Connecting Scientific Knowledge and Indigenous Wisdom (abstract submission deadline Feb. 18)
• ICEP launches Safe Opioid Prescribing for Pediatric Patients course (free for UW and UW Health providers and staff)
• See additional upcoming events