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Message From the Chair
We are watching the ongoing actions being taken by the federal government related to immigration, research funding, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), gender identity, gender-affirming care and more, and share the concerns that many of you have expressed. In the midst of much uncertainty, the leadership team remains committed to our mission, to identifying ways to serve our communities, and to keeping you informed about institutional response and policies, both from UMass Chan and from UMass Memorial.
A number of you have inquired about the med center’s guidance related to at-risk populations and the recent Executive Order rescinding a long-standing policy that directed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to not engage in enforcement actions in “sensitive” or “protected” areas such as schools, shelters, places of worship, and medical settings. Under the new Executive Order, ICE is no longer restricted from carrying out immigration-related enforcement actions in health care settings. Guidance to help caregivers navigate these situations should they arise is here.
Access to reliable information is also under threat. Examples of clinical information that our teams use every day, recently pulled from the CDC website along with their associated apps, include:
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CDC STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) Treatment Guidelines
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CDC US MEC (Medical Eigibility Criteria ref Contraception)
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CDC US SPR (Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use)
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CDC MMWR DoxyPEP (PostExposure Prophylaxis) 2024
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CDC HIV PrEP (PreExposure Prophyaxis) guidelines
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ACIP (Advisory Council on Immunization Practice) immunization schedules for adults and children
Planned Parenthood Foundation of America collated the above and they are attached here. We will be working with the UMMMH/UMMMG Clinical Content Committee and other departments to ensure access to clinically important, reliable information, and will share additional resources as this evolves.
With regard to federally funded grants, we should continue to meet the objectives of any funded grant unless you have received other guidance directly from a funding agency. If so, please communicate immediately with the Office of Sponsored Programs and with me. The expectation is that for future grants, agencies will be issuing new notices of funding opportunities and these will likely correspond to the new Administration’s priorities. We are gathering input from institutions across the country but for the moment we are in uncharted territory.
Our mission remains to provide outstanding, respectful and patient-centered care to all people of central Massachusetts, support all of our faculty, staff and learners, and conduct impactful research. With regard to anti-DEI executive orders and messaging, let us all support our colleagues and learners through the barrage of hurtful words and actions. If you have ideas about other ways to maintain our mission, please make suggestions. If you need help, please contact any member of the senior leadership team, or the UMass Chan Employee Assistance Program or the UMass Memorial resources outlined in the attached.
Diane
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