Dear COM Students,
Welcome back to KCU for a new year and new semester. I hope you had an enjoyable and restful break and holiday season. As we enter 2022, we continue to face the increasing challenges of COVID-19 and its most recent variant, Omicron. KCU’s Health and Wellness Task Force continues to evaluate our mitigation strategies and maintain the balance between health and safety for our campus communities and the delivery of quality health science education.
Over the next two weeks, we will begin the semester taking the following precautions:
Class of 2025 White Coating Ceremony
As we approach the upcoming White Coating Ceremonies, the transmission rates of COVID and Omicron in Missouri continue to increase dramatically overwhelming many of our hospitals and health systems. Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the upcoming ceremonies scheduled for January 28 in Joplin and February 6 in Kansas City. This was an extremely difficult decision since this will be the second postponement. However, holding a signature event of this magnitude risks the health and safety of not only our students, but also our family and friends and the surrounding communities. I know this is a disappointment for you and your loved ones and I assure you that the White Coating ceremonies for the Class of 2025 are not canceled but postponed until a time when we can celebrate in the manner you deserve and when your families and friends can safely join you.
COM 24 and 25 Class and Lab Schedules
- Lectures will continue to be offered via synchronous presentations with the option of attending lectures in person or via zoom.
- Lab-based activities will continue as posted on the COM calendar and we will continue to follow the established protocols and the wearing of KN95 masks.
- The mock exam for OMS II will remain as scheduled; however, please be on the lookout for communications from COMET regarding changes in logistics, timing and location.
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The continuation of scheduled Score 1 activities for the upcoming weeks is still being evaluated.
- Additionally, for the first two weeks especially, please do not bring food or drink in to lectures or labs so that masks are not removed during these times.
COM 22 and 23
- Students on clinical clerkships who become symptomatic and/or test positive for COVID 19 should work directly with their clerkship site and follow the site’s established guidelines. Please also be sure to keep your clerkship coordinator apprised of any changes to your schedules during this time.
Practice KCU Mitigation Strategies
- Wear a KN95, N95 or surgical mask at all times when around others. Recent data indicates that cloth masks are less effective against the Omicron variant.
- Maintain at least a 6-foot distance between yourself and all others outside your household, even when wearing KN95, N95 or surgical masks. (Note: Lab partners who are vaccinated and wearing appropriate masks may be closer than 6 feet.)
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If you have not done so already, be fully vaccinated and boosted. This resource will assist you with finding where you may walk in for vaccines and boosters in Missouri, beyond the nation-wide programs available at CVS, Walgreens, Target and Walmart.
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Complete the KCU Health Screen App each day prior to coming to campus.
- If you test positive for COVID-19, or if you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 and have known close contact, please do the following:
- Call the KCU COVID Response Line (877-425-0251). Your detailed message to the line will help expedite a response.
- The Response Team will no longer perform contact tracing. Therefore, as soon as possible, please contact those KCU members you have had close contact with of your status and ask them to contact the COVID Response Line.
- The Response Team will provide you with KCU protocol for isolation, quarantine and your return-to-campus date depending upon your particular scenario.
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Please review the ACT video.
Your cooperation in following all KCU protocols has kept our campus safe and open during the Fall semester as the transmission of COVID-19 and its variants continued to challenge our communities, our nation and the world. As we begin a new semester, our ability to remain open and keep our curriculum on track is dependent on all of us. We will continue to monitor and reassess the situation and will update our campus community within the next two weeks.
Protect yourself and protect each other.
Respectfully,
