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Dear Friend of Penn Medicine,
The past two weeks has seen tremendous and unsettling change in our world – from the curtailing of the simplest daily routine to the way we connect with each other. Our physicians, nurses, scientists, and medical students have responded heroically to the spread of COVID-19, and I want you to know that each and every one of us at Penn Medicine are standing with you, more committed than ever to our life-saving mission.
And so, I first want to thank you: every gift, every meeting, every event has brought our institution to this unprecedented moment. The same research enterprise leading the world in immune therapies can now turn its sights to COVID-19 and other novel viruses. Our superlative, compassionate health care teams preparing for our hospital of the future are focused entirely on the health and safety of every patient – from Lancaster to Philadelphia, Chester County, and Princeton.
Yes, we have made some very difficult decisions, not the least of which includes the cancellation of many receptions, our graduation exercises, and Medical Alumni Weekend. While I often say that the power of Penn Medicine is in its people, bringing such large numbers together would be irresponsible. We will not let this time go by without finding a way to celebrate you, and your part in our story remains as vital as ever.
Our own “social distancing” is far from the only step being taken here at Penn Medicine to help curtail the outbreak, save lives, and ensure the safety of our community. Please visit Penn Medicine’s coronavirus website, which is being updated as new information emerges. For information about the University’s response, visit the University of Pennsylvania’s coronavirus website.
Even with this continuing whirlwind of updates, there is much activity taking place that’s not obvious to the general public – and that I would like to share with you.
Just last week we launched the all-new Penn Center for Research on Coronaviruses and Other Emerging Pathogens. Harnessing the collected power of our world-class researchers in coronavirus alongside colleagues at The Wistar Institute and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, this Center will expand and accelerate SARS-CoV-2 research; provide centralized information on SARS-CoV-2 research developments; and create new, innovative funding opportunities for research on SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging pathogens.
I am tremendously pleased that Susan R. Weiss, PhD, Professor of Microbiology, and Frederic D. Bushman, PhD, William Maul Measey Professor in Microbiology, have agreed to serve as the Center’s co-directors.
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- Thanks to your support of the Dean’s Innovation Fund, Perelman School of Medicine researchers are now screening all known FDA-approved drugs for activity against the novel coronavirus.
We have also begun a collaboration with Penn’s School of Engineering, Homodeus, and the Gates Foundation to speed development of an at-home testing kit; we are working with Regeneron to join a clinical trial for critically ill patients.
- Working with Health System CEO Kevin Mahoney, we have created the Penn Medicine Emergency Employee Assistance Fund for members of our staff who are experiencing financial distress as a result of this situation. The fund will provide emergency grants and interest-free loans to staff who are most in need of help to assist with needs such as child care, housing, and food.
- While students at the Perelman School of Medicine had their clinical activities suspended in the wake of the pandemic, many have stepped forward to volunteer their time supporting every facet of our mission. These remarkable students have expertise in information technology, machine learning, gamification, language, education, writing, graphics, videography, and animation. Our faculty and staff are reaching out to them to participate in tele-health initiatives, FAQs and protocols, and app development.
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Each of you have seen, first-hand, our institution’s dedication to excellence and innovation in changing the health of the world. Indeed, many of our alumni are being called to the front lines as well — and we cannot be more proud to be their alma mater. Please know we cannot express enough how grateful we are for your advocacy, philanthropy, and community. I am honored to have your partnership.
Thank you,
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J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD
Executive Vice President, University of Pennsylvania for the Health System
Dean, Perelman School of Medicine
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