Dear UCSF colleagues,
The uncertainty created by this pandemic has touched nearly every aspect of our lives. And as our entire UCSF community rallies to stop the spread of COVID-19, I want you to know we are making decisions based on our commitment to our patients and also to our staff, faculty, learners, researchers, and care providers.
To be sure, we will not understand the full scale of the pandemic’s impact on our societies for some time. Therefore, we must take prudent steps now to ensure our ability to lead through, and emerge from, this public health crisis.
This is why we are working closely with the UC Office of the President on policies that provide stability, such as the extended leave program and the commitment that there will be no COVID-19 related layoffs through the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2020.
Focusing UCSF Health’s efforts on the management of COVID-19 patients, and deferring and curtailing numerous UCSF research and educational programs, were the right decisions to make. However, the cumulative impact of these actions has created unprecedented financial challenges.
Because UCSF is largely a self-supporting campus, we have to make additional difficult decisions. Consequently, effective April 7, 2020, through June 30, 2021, UCSF will implement a hiring freeze on all open and new positions—staff and academic—across the campus and in UCSF Health.
During this period, we will consider exceptions, with a focus on positions that are essential to supporting our mission and operations through this crisis. The Deans, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, Senior Vice Chancellor, UCSF Health President and CEO, and I, along with our...
Dear UCSF Community,
This public health crisis has taken a significant toll on everyone’s lives, including the financial hardships it has created for many. In the face of the economic challenges brought on by COVID-19, we are doing what we can to support our UC community and provide stability during these uncertain times.
I, along with all the chancellors across the University of California system, joined UC President Janet Napolitano in signing a letter ensuring that there will be no COVID-19 related layoffs for career employees through the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2020. You can read the entire message online.
Each campus is working with the UC Office of the President (UCOP) to confirm the details of how this will be implemented. Details are forthcoming.
In the meantime, I hope you are taking care of yourselves and looking after one another. You all have my gratitude for your commitment to fulfilling UCSF’s public health mission, especially during this extraordinary time.
Sincerely,
Sam Hawgood, MBBS
Chancellor
Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Distinguished Professor
Dear UCSF Community,
Our campus has taken critical steps to protect our community and prevent continued spread of the COVID-19 virus. These steps have included disseminating information through COVID-19 town halls and following directives from federal, state, and University leadership to reduce work performed on-site as much as possible and promote social distancing. At this time, it is crucial that we continue to take these actions.
The Office of Diversity and Outreach, UCSF CARE, the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD), Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP), Student Health and Counseling Services, and UCSF Police Department collectively recognize that sheltering in place at home and practicing physical isolation can have unintended consequences for members of our community who experience relationship or family violence. Survivors may be experiencing increased social isolation and danger due to physical distancing measures and stay at home orders.
UCSF is committed to maintaining a community free of all forms of harassment and discrimination based on protected categories, including domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual violence. UCSF takes reports of domestic and sexual violence seriously and will continue to respond promptly and effectively to such reports. All UCSF support services continue to be available, including assistance with workplace and academic accommodations.
Listed below are resources that are available to offer support and assistance to those in need:
UCSF Remote Resources
- UCSF’s ...
Dear UCSF community:
On behalf of UCSF Health President and CEO Mark Laret, Dean Talmadge E. King, Dean Catherine Gilliss, Dean B. Joseph Guglielmo, Dean Michael Reddy, and Dean Elizabeth Watkins, I am sharing this video message to thank you for your leadership and courage at a time when our communities need us most.
If you would like to learn more about how UCSF is responding to the pandemic, join me for another UCSF Health and campus COVID-19 virtual town hall on Friday, March 27, at 4:00 p.m. For those in the UCSF community who are not required to work and will be observing Cesar Chavez Day, a recording of the town hall will be available on the UCSF COVID-19 website following the event.
Sincerely,
Sam Hawgood, MBBS
Chancellor
Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Distinguished Professor
Dear UCSF community,
Daily changes in the evolving Covid-19 landscape have become the norm, in a situation that looks anything but normal.
As local and state leaders issue new orders and policies, it is important to understand the details, so please take a moment to read what follows.
UCSF is exempted under the “shelter in place” order announced by six Bay Area counties, as are many other “essential” services. That means UCSF employees can come to work if their jobs require them to be on-site. But, as I instructed last week, managers and employees are to reduce work performed on-site at UCSF as much as possible. Similarly, Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for individuals aged 65 and older to stay at home exempts those who work in “essential” services such as health care, including UCSF employees.
Our teams have determined that the actions we have been taking are consistent with the order announced yesterday. We are delaying or suspending non-essential work and creating conditions to allow for social distancing practices for those need to work on-site.
Asking people to stay home when possible increases the opportunity for social distancing. As the “shelter in place” order states, maintain at least six feet from people when you go outside, even for exercise, which is allowed under the public health order. In addition to hand washing with soap, social distancing has proven to be very effective against the novel coronavirus...
Today, Chancellor Sam Hawgood ordered an escalation of a wide range of UCSF policies and guidance already in place, as part of an expanded effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. The overriding goal of this action is the critical need to limit community transmission.
As the Chancellor stated last week, “We must support every action that helps to ‘flatten the curve’ of new COVID-19 cases…Limiting the growth of new infections, while allowing those who are ill time to be treated and recover, will help our communities get control of COVID-19 and also help hospitals and clinics manage the increased demand for care.”
Visit the newly designed UCSF COVID-19 Resource Page and click the links below for additional details on the updated guidance that follows. In addition, to receive text alerts when updated UCSF guidance and information are available: Text 333 111 and enter “UCSF”
Escalated Policies and Guidance – Sunday, March 15, 2020
- All events of 50 or more participants shall be cancelled or postponed; events of fewer than 50 participants must prioritize alternatives such as videoconferencing.
- UCSF is restricting all non-essential university-sponsored travel, both domestic and international.
- The San Francisco Department of Public Health on Friday, March 13, 2020, issued an order restricting visitors and requiring mandatory screening for all workers entering licensed...
Dear UCSF Community,
We learned today that two health care workers at UCSF Health tested positive for COVID-19. Based on our investigation thus far, there is reason to believe that their exposure to the virus was from sources outside of our clinical facilities, but we are still working to make a final assessment. However, as part of our stringent protocol, we are taking every precaution to protect other health care workers and our patients. While we cannot be definitive about the source of the infection, we remain confident in our personal protection standards.
The health care workers are in self-quarantine, and we are identifying and notifying anyone who might have been in contact with them, including patients, staff, and clinicians. This investigation is being conducted by UCSF Occupational Health services in accordance with recommended best practices. Fellow employees who may have been exposed are being informed so they can either monitor their symptoms or be tested if they are symptomatic.
As you have read in several recent communications, we must take all appropriate actions to limit the opportunity for the community transmission of COVID-19. This includes exploring all options for reducing work performed by employees on-site at UCSF facilities through options such as telecommuting. Having our employees work from home when possible also will allow for greater opportunity to practice social distancing for employees who must work on-site. Actions like these will help “flatten the curve” of new COVID-19 cases and help reduce the demand for care in hospitals and clinics.
For our UCSF Health employees, faculty, and trainees working in clinical settings, we are taking...
Dear UCSF Community,
Since my last message to you, only two days ago, we have seen more indications of how the spread of COVID-19 is requiring changes to our daily routines. From the cancellation of major events, to the suspension of professional sports, to the closure of many local school districts, the changing circumstances of the novel coronavirus are increasingly disrupting life in the Bay Area, as in many other places around the world.
I am writing to provide you updated guidance that reflects the rapidly evolving reality of living with COVID-19 in our community for the foreseeable future.
As soon as possible, I ask all managers and supervisors to expand and accelerate efforts to reduce the amount of work employees perform on-site at UCSF facilities. Managers and supervisors should prioritize alternatives such as telecommuting. During this dynamic time, we also may need to consider redeployment of staff from areas with higher capacity to support other areas with critical operational needs.
We must support every action that helps to “flatten the curve” of new COVID-19 cases. Having as many people work remotely, along with the recent changes to our travel, visitor, and event policies, will create fewer opportunities for community transmission and greater space for social distancing practices. Limiting the growth of new infections, while allowing those who are ill time to be treated and recover, will help our communities get control of COVID-19 and also help hospitals and clinics manage the increased demand for care.
I appreciate the significant efforts already underway across all of our operational and mission areas to support the continuity of research,...
Dear UCSF Community,
Across the UCSF campus and UCSF Health, our leaders and teams continue to take all appropriate actions to help protect the health and safety of our UCSF community—while ensuring our ability to provide care to all of our patients—during what the World Health Organization is now calling a COVID-19 pandemic.
As countries step up their response to this public health challenge, and as we see actions being taken in our local community, I share your concerns about the escalating situation. I encourage you to stay informed about the sensible steps you should take to protect yourself and to stay abreast of the guidance we are providing to everyone at UCSF.
We are regularly sharing via email the latest updates and resources—all of which you can find on our dedicated UCSF COVID-19 resource page. Stay current by bookmarking this page and visiting often. Over the past week, UCSF and/or the UC Office of the President have issued interim guidance and policies regarding:
- Travel—domestic and international
- Visitors
- Research
- Education—please refer to the guidance emailed to you from your academic program
- Events and large gatherings
- Telecommuting—guidance and IT resources
- ...
Dear UCSF Community,
As the COVID-19 outbreak expands, UCSF teams across the campus and UCSF Health are actively monitoring and responding to the evolving situation to better understand the latest developments, share guidance, and keep you informed.
I encourage you to review the resources and updates available on the UCSF COVID-19 microsite, including information about UCSF’s response to the outbreak, guidance related to travel, what to do upon your return, steps you can take to help prevent getting sick, and what to do if you are showing symptoms of any flu-like illness.
In addition, we have an outstanding safety and infection prevention team that is working to ensure that frontline caregivers are well trained in safety precautions to handle any patient with a communicable illness, including COVID-19. For more information, visit the UCSF Health Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Prevention website, which includes clinical and patient screening guidance, and related resources.
Keep in mind that both websites are updated regularly, so check for the latest updates. For now, here are some actions you can take to help ensure the health and safety of the UCSF community, along with information about our current perspective on some important questions:
Stay informed: