To kick off the school year, UW-Madison is teaming up with the Red Cross for a major blood drive.It started Tuesday and runs through Thursday at the Nicholas Recreation Center.
UW-Madison partners with Red Cross for blood drive
WKOW-TV 27
Category: Health
‘It’s exhausting, it really is’: UW Health workers face fourth COVID surge, worry things could get worse
WKOW-TV 27
Hillary Krieger is a nurse at UW Health and treats COVID-19 patients every day — most days for 12 hours or more.”It’s exhausting, it really is,” Krieger said. “When all is said and done, I leave my house at 6:30 in the morning and don’t get back until 8:30 at night.”
‘People are looking for other jobs’: As COVID surges again, frontline staff at UW Health are burning out
WISC-TV 3
“People are burnt out. People are exhausted,” said Registered Nurse Mackenzie Lee, who joined the staff at UW Health in 2018. “People have compassion fatigue. People who are the nicest people outside of work, they come in, they’re a different person. It’s sad to see. The second surge (of COVID) has only made that 10 times worse.“
One year later: An update on the UW Health AstraZeneca trial
NBC-15
On September 2, 2020, participants in Dane County became some of the very first to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Jeff Pothof, the Chief Quality Officer for UW Health, was one of them.“It was impossible to predict all the twists and turns that would happen in the next 365 days,” said Pothof.
From HBO/Showtime production to UW Health doctor; how witnessing 9/11 changed her life
WISC-TV 3
Dr. Lisa Arkin, the Director of Pediatric Dermatology at UW School of Medicine, says working with children and their families is what she was put on this earth to do. A career she only discovered after the terrorist attacks in NYC on September 11, 2001.At the time of the attacks, Arkin was working as a story editor for HBO and Showtime. But on 9/11, she was called in for jury duty.
UW-Madison reports 90% of campus fully vaccinated even without vaccine mandate
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison reported on Thursday that nine out of every 10 members of the campus community are fully vaccinated — even without mandating students and employees to get the shot. “I’m proud of our students and employees for taking this important step to protect themselves and others,” Chancellor Rebecca Blank said in an announcement. “And I’m grateful to our staff, who worked tirelessly to achieve these results.”
UW Health: RSV cases on the rise since July
WKOW-TV 27
Cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common respiratory virus among children with similar symptoms to COVID-19, are on the rise.
Madison officials support UW Health nurses’ effort to form union
The Capital Times
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and City Council members are supporting the efforts of local UW Health nurses to form a union and urging the hospital’s board to hold a union election by the end of the year.
UW Health launches new comprehensive sickle cell disease clinic
Madison365
UW Health announced the creation of a new clinic Tuesday that will provide coordinated care for patients with sickle cell disease, an often-misunderstood condition. The month of September, which starts on Wednesday, is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
UW Health launches collaborative clinic for sickle cell disease patients
WKOW-TV 27
The illness causes red blood cells to be shaped abnormally, and that impacts blood flow. Sickle cell disease can be painful and cause further issues with bones, joints and organs.
UW Health launches clinic to care for those with sickle cell disease
NBC-15
The health group said this “often-misunderstood condition” causes red blood cells to have an abnormal shape and structure, which impacts blood flow. It can cause pain, as well as issues with bones, joints and organs.
UW Health to launch clinic to fight sickle cell disease
WISC-TV 3
The clinic will help fight a disease that disproportionately impacts people of color.
COVID-19 booster shot plan raises hope and questions, UW experts say
Wisconsin State Journal
Quoted: Dr. Nasia Safdar, medical director of infection control at UW Hospital, and Dr. James Conway, a UW Health pediatrician who specializes in infectious diseases.
UW Health asks drivers to look out for children as school begins
WISC-TV 3
UW Health is encouraging drivers to keep an eye out for children who are walking or biking on the roads as they return to school in the next week. The number of traffic deaths in Dane County has already exceeded the total for all of 2020, especially when it comes to pedestrian crashes.
Shiva Bidar named Associate Dean for Diversity and Equity Transformation for UW School of Medicine and Public Health
Madison365
Shiva Bidar, vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, will expand the scope of her work to also become the inaugural Associate Dean for Diversity and Equity Transformation for the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, the organization announced on Monday. Bidar starts her new position on Monday, Oct. 11.
UW Hospital receives award for heart attack care for 10th straight year
WKOW-TV 27
The American College of Cardiology awarded UW Hospital with its Platinum Performance Achievement Award Friday.It marks the 10th consecutive year that UW Health has gotten an award for exceptional care of heart attack patients.
University Hospital named one of top in nation for heart attack patient care
NBC-15
This is the tenth year in a row University Hospital has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain- MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award
UW surgeon shines light on operating room headlight challenge
Wisconsin State Journal
After wearing a headlight during long operations gave him neck and back pain, a UW Health transplant surgeon developed a flexible snake light that might improve doctor comfort.
Headed away to school? Here’s what students with health issues need to know about insurance
Kaiser Health News
Many schools require students to have health insurance and offer university-sponsored plans, said Jake Baggott, a past president of the American College Health Association and an associate vice chancellor of student affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He said that while some university health programs are equipped to deal with more complex medical issues or diagnostics, others are not. Students need to be clear on the details, such as whether their policy covers off-campus care.
UW’s Strategy on Delta Variant of COVID for Fall Classes
PBS Wisconsin
Video: UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank details the university’s plans to combat a likely increase in COVID cases on campus due to the highly-contagious delta variant with in-person classes starting September.
Republican Assembly Leader not interested in suing UW System for control of COVID policies on campus
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Assembly Majority Leader said Thursday he is not on board with suing the University of Wisconsin System over control of its COVID-19 policies, as one Republican senator has called on legislative leaders to do.
Tommy Thompson is right: Lawmakers shouldn’t micromanage UW’s response to COVID-19
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin needs more Tommy Thompson and less Steve Nass.
Thompson, the former Republican governor, put his foot down this week when a meddlesome group from his own party tried to tell him how to run the University of Wisconsin System.
Alverno joins the list of private colleges requiring COVID-19 vaccination on campus this fall
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Alverno College announced Thursday that all students, staff and faculty must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Nov. 1.
GOP leader doesn’t support suing UW System over control of COVID-19 policies
Wisconsin State Journal
The second-highest ranking member of the state Assembly said Thursday he does not support suing the University of Wisconsin System to control campuses’ COVID-19 policies, an idea pitched by a fellow Republican earlier this week to legislative leaders.
UW-Madison Launches New Center To Research Psychedelic Substances
WORT FM
UW-Madison is launching a new research center to study the applications of certain psychedelic substances. The Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances will study the scientific, cultural and historical aspects of everything from ecstasy to magic mushrooms.
Here’s why mosquitos are so bad right now — and why you don’t have to worry too much about West Nile virus
Green Bay Press-Gazette
“We typically don’t have significant disease concerns with them,” said PJ Liesch, a University of Wisconsin entomologist. “These floodwater mosquitoes can be a nuisance, and they can lead to lots of bites and things like that, but in many cases they aren’t carrying diseases like West Nile virus.”
Wisconsin Pediatricians, State Superintendent Plead For Universal Masks In Schools As Cases Continue Rapid Rise
Wisconsin Public Radio
Quoted: “This is an appeal, really, to school administrators and other officials in schools, and most importantly to parents and anyone whose decision-making about masks in schools,” said Dr. Ellen Wald, a University of Wisconsin-Madison pediatrician who was one of nearly 500 doctors to sign the open letter from UW Health released Wednesday. “We think this is such an important intervention.”
Wald emphasized that masking everyone in schools has universal support among the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and other health agencies.
Tommy Thompson says UW System will enact COVID-19 policies without legislative approval
The Capital Times
UW System interim President Tommy Thompson won’t be deterred by Republican lawmakers who say he needs their approval to enact COVID-19 regulations on campuses, he said Tuesday.
UW System asserts its authority to set COVID-19 policies, pushing back against GOP
Wisconsin State Journal
The University of Wisconsin System will not cooperate with legislative efforts to control campuses’ COVID-19 policies, interim System President Tommy Thompson said Tuesday in his strongest rebuke of Republicans to date.
Tommy Thompson: I have no plans to cede UW COVID policies to lawmakers
The Capital Times
Column by interim UW System president Thomnpson: The University of Wisconsin System owns a critical responsibility to open our classrooms this September to deliver the in-person education students deserve and parents expect. And we are planning to do just that. Unfortunately, some want us to ignore our unambiguous authority and duty under Wisconsin law to protect the “health, safety, and welfare of the university.”
Healthcare Workers Join Indigenous Activists Protesting Line 3
WORT FM
Noted: We discuss the public and mental health ramifications of climate change and climate advocacy among health professionals with Dr. Claire Gervais.
Claire Gervais, MD is a family practice physician and is a Clinical Associate Professor with the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is a member of the Wisconsin Environmental Health Network and actively works on a number of environmental issues including climate change and eliminating fossil fuel dependence.
UW System Refuses To Submit COVID-19 Safety Restrictions For Republican Approval
Wisconsin Public Radio
University of Wisconsin System interim President Tommy Thompson says he will not comply with an order from Republican state lawmakers to submit COVID-19 safety restrictions and requirements for their approval. Thompson said he doesn’t think the state Legislature will sue over the matter but said if it goes to court he’s confident the UW will win.
Psychedelic drug research center started at UW-Madison
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison is starting a center to expand its research on psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin and MDMA, which have shown promise in treating conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
UW-Madison plan to house COVID-positive students in university apartments alarms residents
Wisconsin State Journal
AUW-Madison plan to temporarily house students who are exposed to or infected with COVID-19 in university-owned apartments worries residents who live there, many of whom have young children who cannot yet get vaccinated.
Chronic pain identified as long-lasting symptom of COVID-19 in UW Health
WISC-TV 3
A literature review by UW Health experts has identified chronic pain as a long-lasting symptom of COVID-19.
Chronic pain observed as long-lasting COVID-19 symptom
NBC-15
A new UW Health literature review acknowledges that pain — especially headache and chest pain — has long been associated with COVID-19 infections throughout the pandemic. However, medical director Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed says that long-lasting chronic pain indicates the virus may impact the human body in ways experts are just starting to understand.
Filipino-American college students’ mental health suffered during Covid
CNBC
Catacutan, a Filipino-American college student entering her sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said it was hard to cope with the social isolation, virtual learning environment and anxiety over her family’s well-being plus the rise in anti-Asian hate during the pandemic.
Empty Cradles: Priceless preemies, costly care
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: The U.S. health system excels at the specialized, high-tech care provided by the most advanced neonatal intensive care units in Wisconsin.
“You probably won’t find newborn intensive care that’s any better in the world,” said Philip M. Farrell, a specialist in neonatology and former dean of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
With COVID-19 Surging, Cases Will Show Up In Classrooms. Many Will Come From Community Spread.
Wisconsin Public Radio
Quoted: Because schools can’t be separated from their larger communities, some of those cases will spill into schools, as well, said University of Wisconsin-Madison pediatric disease researcher Dr. Greg DeMuri. Those are “primary cases,” or cases of COVID-19 that were picked up at home, at birthday parties and other places in the community. He said the more concerning question is whether there are “secondary cases,” or cases of COVID-19 that were transmitted between students and staff within the school.
“Those are the ones that we really worry about,” he said. “That’s the one that tells you, ‘Hey, it’s dangerous for kids to be in school.'”
Madison doctors warn of increase in small toys being ingested
NBC-15
Dr. Nicholas Kuehnel, medical director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at American Family Children’s Hospital, said the trend in these items being swallowed has grown in the past few months to about one case per week in the ER. “We have had several kids require surgery to remove Orbeez from their airway and stomach,” said Dr. Kuehnel. “We’ve also performed several surgeries to remove dead bowel from kids who swallowed Bucky Balls.”
UW-Madison will require weekly COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated students, employees
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The University of Wisconsin-Madison announced a weekly COVID-19 testing requirement Wednesday for all students and employees who do not show proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
UW-Madison announces new testing requirement for those without proof of vaccination
The Daily Cardinal
Effective Aug. 30, all individuals that have not shared their proof of vaccination with University Health Services (UHS) will be required to test weekly for COVID-19. In the previous academic year, students and employees were required to test twice a week to access university facilities.
UW Health accepting booster appointments for immunocompromised
NBC-15
The University of Wisconsin Health System has started accepting appointments for certain immunocompromised individuals who originally received the Moderna or Pfizer forms of the COVID-19 vaccine to receive a booster shot.
COVID-19 testing required for unvaccinated UW Madison students, staff
NBC-15
University of Wisconsin- Madison students and employees who are not vaccinated against the coronavirus will be subject to weekly COVID-19 testing starting Aug. 30, officials announced Wednesday.
UW-Madison mandates tests for unvaccinated staff, students
Wisconsin State Journal
University of Wisconsin-Madison students and staff who can’t or won’t show proof of vaccination will have to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing, the school announced Wednesday.
Tommy Thompson explains why he got vaccinated – and why you should, too
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
When I had an opportunity to become vaccinated against COVID-19 last spring, I didn’t hesitate. The vaccine clearly was the best way for me to protect myself and the people I care about from death or hospitalization due to COVID. I was also eager to do my part to help our society beat back this insidious disease.
Mask fitter created by UW-Madison engineers can help in high-risk COVID-19 situations
WKOW-TV 27
As more mask requirements return, like Dane County reinstating a mask mandate in all indoor public spaces, people are heading to Amazon or other stores to stock up on masks. A group of engineers from UW-Madison wants to remind the public about the Badger Seal.
Do we really need to wear masks again?
The Daily Cardinal
Things were finally getting back to normal, or so it seemed. Now, with UW-Madison re-instituting a mask mandate on campus as of Aug. 5 and Dane County Public Health recommending that everyone mask up regardless of vaccination status, it feels in many ways like we’re right back where we started in March of 2020.
A look into UW-Madison’s COVID-19 response this fall
The Daily Cardinal
With the fall semester fast approaching and in-person classes set to begin on Wednesday, Sept. 8, UW-Madison’s COVID-19 protocol has become central to the campus-wide discourse.
This Breast Cancer Gene Is Less Well Known, but Nearly as Dangerous
The New York Times
She is enrolled in a pancreatic cancer prevention program at the University of Wisconsin and will undergo screening. Because she had previously had a hysterectomy to treat benign ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer is not a concern.
State Republicans Are Gambling with the Delta Surge
The New Yorker
This followed a demand by state-senate Republicans that the twenty-six campuses of the University of Wisconsin submit all covid safety protocols to legislators for approval. A few hours later, the University of Wisconsin at Madison announced indoor mask requirements to protect students and staff. “Today’s action feels like a political statement,” a university spokesman told reporters, explaining that university leaders “are doing what needs to be done now to safely open for in-person teaching this fall.” (The university system is led by Tommy Thompson, a pragmatic Republican former governor, who once served as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.)
‘Overwhelming interest’: UW Health pediatric COVID-19 vaccine trial fills up in days
Wisconsin State Journal
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, UW Health said Monday its clinical trial of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in children under 12 — the only age group not yet eligible for vaccination in the United States — has already filled up after enrollment opened three days ago.
All UW Campuses Enact Mask Requirements, Expectations Amid Rise In COVID-19 Cases
Wisconsin Public Radio
Every University of Wisconsin System campus in the state has instituted mask requirements or expectations for individuals regardless of their vaccination status as the number of new coronavirus cases rises. The measures come amid an effort by Republican lawmakers to block COVID-19 restrictions at universities.
Exact Sciences, UW researchers search for cancer in ‘liquid biopsies’
Wisconsin State Journal
UW Health has opened its own lab for cancer blood tests and recruited a scientist who helped invent a related technology licensed by Exact Sciences. For some cancer patients whose tumors are hard to reach or might have genetic mutations targeted by available drugs, UW doctors have started ordering blood tests instead of traditional tissue biopsies, typically with quicker results to guide treatment.
Parents weigh in on vaccine trials for kids under 12
NBC-15
UW-Health announced Thursday it will conduct COVID-19 vaccine trials for kids under 12 through Moderna. Madison parents are weighing in on their thoughts about kids receiving the vaccine
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine study for children under 12 starting at UW Health
Wisconsin State Journal
Aclinical trial of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in children under 12 will start enrolling participants at UW Health Friday, as researchers and regulators move closer to potentially authorizing shots for the only age group not yet eligible in the United States.
UW Madison chosen to host pediatric clinical trial for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
Channel 3000
The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health has been picked as a site for a phase three clinical trial meant to test the safety and efficacy of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children.
UW School of Medicine to begin enrolling children ages 6 months to 11 years for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Vaccinating children as young as 6 months of age against COVID-19 may become the new front in the global pandemic fight, if the vaccines prove to be safe and effective.
One such trial by the American pharmaceutical company Moderna will begin enrolling children 6 months through 11 years old on Friday at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. UW will be one of 75 to 100 sites in the U.S. and Canada for the trial, which has been named the KidCOVE study.
UW-Madison selected as site for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine pediatric trial
WKOW-TV 27
The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health has been selected for a clinical trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in children.
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine study for children under 12 starting at UW Health
Wisconsin State Journal
Aclinical trial of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in children under 12 will start enrolling participants at UW Health Friday, as researchers and regulators move closer to potentially authorizing shots for the only age group not yet eligible in the United States.