Announcements
BeWell Blog — "Try This Tuesday: Take a REST"
Have you noticed yourself often saying things in the heat of the moment that you did not mean? Or perhaps you frequently make decisions that you later regret. Maybe sometimes your emotions overwhelm you like a tidal wave, and you feel helpless against them.
Mask guidance updated for WVU Medicine employees located at Health Sciences Campuses
WVU Medicine recently updated masking guidance for all employees who work at non-clinical, administrative sites, including the Health Sciences campuses in Morgantown, Eastern and Charleston. Individuals who are employed by the WVU Health System, including WVU Hospitals and University Health Associates, are required to resume wearing masks when working at the Health Sciences campuses, regardless of whether the employee is vaccinated or not. The Delta variant, now the predominant variant in the United States, is highly contagious, much more so than the original virus and some of the earlier variants. The best protection against the Delta variant however remains the available vaccines: initial studies indicate that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 88% effective against symptomatic disease and 96% effective against hospitalization from Delta, while Oxford-AstraZeneca (which is not an mRNA vaccine) was 60% effective against symptomatic disease and 93% effective against hospitalization. The studies tracked participants who were fully vaccinated with both recommended doses. All employees are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated – they’re free; they’re readily available at Employee Health and through the Monogalia County Health Department or local health departments in areas around the State; they’re safe; and they work. WVU is hosting a series of pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics this weekend for all students, faculty and staff on the Morgantown campus as well as members of the community. Questions may be directed to Health Sciences Incident Command at HSIC@hsc.wvu.edu.
Application for Rural Community Health Scholars now open to WVU health professions students
The West Virginia Area Health Education Centers (WV AHEC) are pleased to announce that applications are open for the Rural Community Health Scholars program.
Announcing the first David H. Wilks Memorial Award for Excellence in Simulation
In honor of the late Dr. David Wilks, who led the foundation of STEPS—Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety at WVU Health Sciences—the David H. Wilks Memorial Award for Excellence in Simulation has been established.
BeWell Blog — "Try This Tuesday: Strengthen that Funny Bone"
The BeWell team is offering a series of helpful tips for mental health and wellbeing called "Try This Tuesday." This week, Layne Hitchcock discusses the power of laughter. Research says that laughing can help with improving overall wellbeing, reducing unpleasant emotion, and directly impacting our mental health. It also assists with decreasing pain, promoting muscle relaxation, and reducing stress hormones.
Vice President’s Awards 2021
WVU Health Sciences is recognizing 10 individuals and two teams with Vice President’s Awards, as well as two individuals with WISH (Women in Science & Health) Awards, for their significant contributions to the mission of the Health Sciences Center.
HSC Faculty Development Zoom session: "Navigating Mentoring Relationships in an Academic Setting"
All faculty are invited to attend the WVU Health Sciences Center Faculty Development Program presentation "Navigating Mentoring Relationships in an Academic Setting" Tuesday, August 24, 2021, from noon to 1 p.m.
New population health program at WVU prepares students to address local health concerns
While the world has been focused on COVID-19 as a health crisis, individual communities may have other specific health concerns that need attention. Population health, which integrates healthcare and public health practices, is an emerging healthcare field that allows professionals to identify a locally pressing health issue, intervene and transform the community’s health outcomes.
WVU provides additional guidance for fall 2021, plans Return to Campus Conversation
West Virginia University is providing additional guidance to students, faculty and staff as campuses prepare to fully reopen for the fall 2021 semester.
BeWell Blog — "Try This Tuesday: Journaling"
The BeWell team is offering a series of helpful tips for mental health and wellbeing called "Try This Tuesday." This week, Seth Haxel discusses journaling, which can be a powerful tool to improve your mental health. Numerous studies have shown the mental health benefits of journaling, including reduced stress, anxiety and depression.