Announcements 
COVID-19 Information and Resources

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has announced that masks are no longer required. Effective immediately, Friday, April 22, 2022, masks are optional in indoor public spaces at all PCOM locations.

Masks continue to be required in the OMM and PCS labs, healthcare centers and the simulation center.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Rapid Response Team

At the direction of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, masks are required in indoor public spaces on the Philadelphia Campus effective Monday, 4/18/22. The following areas are designated as indoor public spaces: Rowland Hall and Evans Hall lobbies and hallways, the cafeteria when not eating or drinking, and all healthcare facilities.

Masks continue to be required in the OMM and PCS labs and the simulation center.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Rapid Response Team

The following changes are now in effect:

PCOM

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has announced that the City's COVID-19 metrics have dropped enough to move the City into the "All Clear" response level and therefore the use of masks on college campuses in the City is no longer required.

Accordingly, effective immediately, PCOM no longer requires that masks be worn except in our healthcare settings and in the OMM and PCS labs and Simulation Center. It is recommended, however, that masks continue to be worn by those who are immunocompromised or otherwise at high risk and in large crowds indoors.

COVID-19 symptoms, exposures, and infections must continue to be reported to covidnotice@pcom.edu, and our on-campus COVID-19 testing center located in Rowland Hall 518 remains open. Current hours are M-F, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

PCOM Georgia

Effective immediately, PCOM no longer requires that masks be worn except in the OMM and PCS labs and in the simulation center. It is recommended, however, that masks continue to be worn by those who are immunocompromised or otherwise at high risk, and in large crowds indoors.

COVID-19 symptoms, exposures, and infections must continue to be reported to covidnotice@pcom.edu, and our on-campus COVID-19 testing center located in the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center remains open. Current hours are M-Th, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

PCOM South Georgia

Effective immediately, PCOM no longer requires that masks be worn except in the OMM and PCS labs and in the simulation center. It is recommended, however, that masks continue to be worn by those who are immunocompromised or otherwise at high risk and in large crowds indoors.

COVID-19 symptoms, exposures, and infections must continue to be reported to covidnotice@pcom.edu, and our on-campus COVID-19 testing center remains open. Current hours are Monday 8 a.m. – noon, Tuesday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Wednesday 8 a.m. noon, Thursday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and Friday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Thanks to everyone for their continued cooperation.

Rapid Response Team

The PCOM COVID-19 Rapid Response Team continues to monitor COVID case rates on our three campuses and the guidance provided by multiple sectors/sources regarding masking. At this time, fitted N-95 respirators are required by students/faculty/staff in campus laboratory settings (e.g.: OMM labs, pharmacy labs, PT labs, simulation center and standardized patient clinics and research labs to name a few) while surgical masks or other appropriate high-quality face coverings are required in all other settings (i.e.: lecture halls and classrooms, libraries, study rooms, exam centers, campus commons areas, etc.). Should you have any questions, please contact your program director or Pat Wolf, PCOM Chief Environmental Services Officer, at patrickwo@pcom.edu.

Rapid Response Team

In-person classroom instruction will resume on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility as we adjust to this new normal. Since day one, decisions have been made following the science, considering the safety of the college community and acknowledging the need for in-person instructional training. While we may from time to time find it necessary to roll back on-campus activities, our goal will always be to provide PCOM students with opportunities to engage on the physical campus.

Students who are in isolation or are quarantining are not allowed on-campus until their isolation/quarantine period ends. Please continue to utilize #CampusClear and covidnotice@pcom.edu. Any questions you might have about your specific academic program should be directed to your dean or program coordinator.

While on campus, students should continue to socially distance and wear masks at all times and, where appropriate, wear properly fitted N95 masks. Study spaces, libraries and fitness facilities will reopen subject to the mask requirement. Cafeteria lines will reopen for full service but dining areas will remain closed at this time.

COVID-19 testing on campus remains available, and surveillance testing will resume on January 18.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.

Rapid Response Team

The recommendation to only require essential personnel to be on campus will sunset on Tuesday, January 18. At that time, your department should revert to the return to campus schedule you previously had in place. In-person classroom instruction will resume on January 18.

Employees who are in isolation or are quarantining, if physically able, should be permitted to work remotely until their isolation/quarantine period ends. Employees who claim a medical or other reason for not being able to return to campus—and who cannot be accommodated at the department level—should be referred to Human Resources.

All on-campus personnel should continue to socially distance and wear masks at all times and, where appropriate, wear properly fitted N95 masks. Study spaces, libraries and fitness facilities will reopen subject to the mask requirement. Cafeteria lines will reopen for full service but dining areas will remain closed at this time.

COVID-19 testing on campus remains available, and surveillance testing will resume on January 18.

Thank you for your continued cooperation.

Rapid Response Team

Dear Members of the College Community:

Approaching the end of December can often bring a renewed sense of hope and anticipation for the New Year, and I want to share my profound gratitude for your commitment to keeping our community safe this past year. As we move forward, I would be remiss if I did not remind all of you that your continued vigilance will be necessary throughout the holidays and upon our return to campus in January.

I am sharing guidance for your return as we manage the continued impact of the global pandemic in a safe and responsible manner.

The College will operate in a hybrid model from January 3-17, 2022. During this time, on-campus COVID testing will be available at all three campus locations in the same locations it has been.

Libraries, study spaces, gyms, game rooms, and cafeteria seating areas will be closed. Cafeterias will remain open for grab-and-go service.

Lab courses and testing will still meet between January 3 and 14; faculty and students will be required to wear N95 masks during lab classes and exams. Anyone requiring N95 mask-fitting should contact Pat Wolf, chief occupational and environmental safety officer, at 215-871-6360 or patrickwo@pcom.edu.

Work study students may continue to work, but should consult with their supervisors regarding remote work arrangements. Research labs will remain open with the use of N95 masks. We encourage students who do not need to be on campus for tests or labs to return to the area and self-isolate until returning to campus on January 17.

For faculty and staff, individual departments will make their own decisions about which employees need to be on campus and cannot work remotely between January 3 and 14. Please consult with your supervisor.

This has been a time of challenge unlike any other in our history, and we have made it through by working together. I am immensely proud and deeply grateful for the sacrifices you have all made and for your unwavering dedication on behalf of our College.

Please stay safe this holiday season, and be sure to get your booster shots if eligible. I wish you and your families the very best in the year to come.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81
President and Chief Executive Officer
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

PCOM will utilize a hybrid model for lectures for the first two weeks after the holiday break (Jan. 3-14, 2022). Please visit the student COVID-19 frequently asked questions page for additional details.

PCOM Community:

As you are aware, our number one concern is the safety of our community. PCOM's COVID-19 vaccination requirement has been an essential part of the College's comprehensive program to keep our PCOM Community safe.

We have been consistent in following CDC guidance and the CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for optimal protection against the COVID-19 virus and the Delta and Omicron variants. Accordingly, as of January 15, PCOM will require all employees and students to have a COVID-19 booster shot. This requirement applies to all students, faculty, staff, full-time, part-time, and temporary/contracted employees, regardless of location, who do not have an approved exemption.

Booster shots are widely available. For convenience, booster shots may be obtained on the Philadelphia campus by contacting 215-871-6380. In Georgia, a booster shot clinic will be held on the Suwanee campus on Friday, January 7; details regarding this clinic will be forthcoming shortly. South Georgia, booster shots can be obtained by appointment at Colquitt Regional Medical Center or Publix.

Employees must send proof of having received a booster shot to PCOMvaxproof@pcom.edu, Georgia and South Georgia campus students: gavaccine@pcom.edu, Philadelphia campus students: pavaccine@pcom.edu.

Presentation of proof of having received a booster shot or of an exemption will be required for entrance to PCOM facilities and events as of January 15. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, beginning with a warning and progress further.

As always, we appreciate your cooperation in helping to keep our PCOM Community safe.

Regards,
PCOM COVID-19 Rapid Response Team (RRT)

The CDC recommends that everyone ages 18 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Read more details on the CDC's COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots page.

Philadelphia campus:

PCOM students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to get the booster shot. You may make an appointment at a PCOM Healthcare Center by stopping by or by calling 215-871-6380. You can also go to your local pharmacy or medical office. It is not necessary for you to go back to where you were originally vaccinated to get your booster shot.

Moderna is offered at PCOM’s Lancaster Ave. and W. Cambria Health Care Centers, and Pfizer is available on campus at Suite 100.

Please remember to bring your Vaccine Record Card when you get your booster shot so that the booster can be added to your Card.

PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia:

Students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to get the booster shot at your local pharmacy or medical office. It is not necessary for you to go back to where you were originally vaccinated to get your booster shot.

Please remember to bring your Vaccine Record Card when you get your booster shot so that the booster can be added to your Card.

PCOM COVID-19 Rapid Response Team (RRT)

To the PCOM Community:

The Philadelphia Health Department officially stated its current recommendations regarding an additional dose and booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines. Based on the CDC’s announcement on September 24, the recommendations for each vaccine manufacturer are identified on the chart linked below. You may read the entire recommendation on the City of Philadelphia website.

PCOM students, faculty and staff that fall in a category recommending receiving an additional dose or booster dose may make an appointment to do so at a PCOM Healthcare Center by stopping by or calling 215-871-6380. We also encourage you to do so at your local pharmacy or medical office. It is not necessary to receive the additional dose/booster where you received the previous dose(s).

Moderna is offered at PCOM’s Lancaster Avenue Division and Cambria Division, and Pfizer is available at Family Medicine at PCOM (4190 City Avenue, Suite 100). The guidance states that manufacture brands should remain consistent throughout the series. We will not mix brands. Note that while it is recommended that individuals with immune deficiencies may receive an additional dose of Moderna, a Moderna booster dose is not recommended at this time for additional categories that do qualify for Pfizer. Again, for clarity please refer to the chart below and the link above.

We will continue to share additional recommendations as they are announced.

PCOM COVID-19 Rapid Response Team (RRT)

To PCOM Faculty and Staff:

This is the final reminder that PCOM's employee vaccination requirement is effective next Wednesday, September 15.

PCOM's employee vaccination requirement is an essential part of the College's comprehensive program to keep the PCOM Community safe. People who have not been vaccinated are at higher risk of severe disease and of transmitting COVID-19 to others, especially other unvaccinated individuals such as young children and those who are immunocompromised. Your proof of vaccination (scan or photo of your vaccine card) must be emailed to PCOMvaxproof@pcom.edu by close of business on Thursday, September 23. For security purposes you must email your vaccine card using your PCOM email address.

Proof of vaccination or of an approved exemption may be required for entrance to PCOM facilities and events. This policy applies to all faculty, staff, full-time, part-time, and temporary/contracted employees, regardless of work location.

Vaccination means at least two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of the J&J vaccine.

For those that have an exemption, are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, you must comply with the following:

1. Wear a mask both outdoors and indoors;

2. Adhere to weekly serial testing; and

3. You will be assigned Safecolleges videos. (Will be sent out the week of September 13-17)

Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, beginning with a warning and progress further if not in compliance to an unpaid leave of absence and then termination.

As always, we appreciate your cooperation in helping to keep the PCOM Community safe.

Regards,

PCOM COVID-19 Rapid Response Team (RRT)

In PCOM’s ongoing efforts to keep the campus safe, the college will continue to conduct serial screening for COVID-19. Effective 8/23/21, a weekly COVID-19 test will be required for any member of our community that has not been vaccinated against COVID-19. Anyone that does not comply with the testing directive will not be cleared to access campus.

On-campus COVID-19 testing times and locations are available on myPCOM.

Regards,

PCOM COVID-19 Rapid Response Team (RRT)

PCOM Faculty and Staff -

As you know, PCOM will soon require all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 virus (or obtain an approved exemption).

For individuals needing to get vaccinated, the PCOM Health Center in Rowland Hall’s Suite 100 is able to administer the Pfizer vaccine Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. On occasion they are able to accommodate walk-ins. You may stop by and ask for availability and to make an appointment. You may also request an appointment by emailing COVIDvaccine@pcom.edu.

Please bring your driver’s license and insurance card if you have one.

Regards,

PCOM COVID-19 Rapid Response Team (RRT)

Effective Wednesday, Sept. 15, PCOM will require all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This date will provide sufficient time for compliance. This institutional directive comes with the support of the COVID-19 Task Force and PCOM Leadership.

Although a large majority of our faculty and staff are already vaccinated, as a health care institution, it is important for us to be proactive and lead by example, especially now with the threat posed by the COVID-19 variants. People who have not been vaccinated are at higher risk of severe disease and the CDC has reported that 99.5% of hospital deaths in the U.S. are from unvaccinated individuals. Those who are unvaccinated also are at much higher risk of transmitting COVID-19 to others, especially other unvaccinated individuals.

Employees may seek an exemption from this requirement for medical or religious reasons by applying to disabilityservices@pcom.edu. Employees may also state their intent to decline to be vaccinated by sending an email to Human Resources at humanresources@pcom.edu. All unvaccinated employees must complete COVID-19 safety education modules and will be required to undergo continual COVID-19 testing, wear masks, and socially distance when on campus, whether indoors or outdoors.

At this time, employees will continue to record their vaccination status using CampusClear. The uploading of proof of vaccination for verification purposes may be required at a future time, so it is important to keep proof of vaccination in a secure place and to keep a copy as well. Failure to comply with this policy by September 15 will result in disciplinary action, beginning with an unpaid leave of absence.

This policy applies to all faculty, staff, fulltime, part-time and temporary employees, regardless of work location. Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to humanresources@pcom.edu. As always, we appreciate your cooperation in helping to keep the PCOM Community safe.

Regards,

PCOM COVID-19 Rapid Response Team (RRT)

To PCOM community members

Over the next week, hundreds of new students from all over the country will be coming to the Philadelphia campus, some from areas which are COVID-19 Delta variant hotspots. So while Philadelphia is fortunately not one of the counties that is currently included in the CDC’s new masking recommendations, out of an overabundance of caution we will be requiring ALL students and employees to wear masks when indoors on campus as of this Monday, August 2. While we continue to have full confidence in the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines, this indoor masking requirement will apply to both unvaccinated AND vaccinated students, employees and approved visitors.

Thank you for your cooperation.

PCOM COVID-19 Rapid Response Team (RRT)

To the PCOM Georgia community:

Effective immediately, all employees and students on the Suwanee campus MUST wear a mask. With the increase of activities on the campus and a "breakout case" (a fully- vaccinated individual who has tested positive) that has been reported, we want to ensure that all students, faculty, staff and visitors are protected from any potential outbreaks. Therefore, we are requiring everyone to wear a mask at all times when in the buildings.

PCOM COVID-19 Rapid Response Team (RRT)

Dear PCOM Community,

I am pleased to announce that consistent with governmental guidance and continued declines in local community and PCOM employee/student infection rates, effective this Friday, June 11, most of our institutional COVID-19 restrictions will sunset.

We have already eliminated the requirement to wear masks outdoors and have ended travel restrictions for those who are fully vaccinated. As of Friday, masks will no longer be required indoors for those who are fully vaccinated, room capacity limits will cease in most cases, and social distancing requirements will also end.

MASKS WILL STILL BE REQUIRED TO BE WORN INDOORS BY ANYONE WHO REMAINS UNVACCINATED. You may certainly continue to wear a mask indoors even if vaccinated if it makes you more comfortable.

The use of PPE, such as masks and N95 respirators, will still be required in clinical patient centers, higher-risk environments and OMM/PCS/Lab settings for all employees, students and patients.

The College’s #CampusClear app is in the process of being simplified, but it will continue to be an essential part of our continued mitigation efforts. Likewise, required serial COVID-19 testing will continue for those who remain unvaccinated.

Many of the College’s facilities, including cafeterias, libraries and fitness areas, will begin to reopen more fully starting on Monday, June 14.

Current employee telework (work from home) agreements, which are due to expire on August 3, are being extended until September 7. At that time, as a general matter, telework arrangements made primarily due to COVID-19 considerations (such as workplace density) will come to an end. Human Resources will be providing further guidance to managers in this regard over the next several weeks.

While there is the possibility of a COVID-19 resurgence and the need to re-impose restrictions, I am hopeful that our continued return to a pre-pandemic normal will proceed smoothly with your steadfast cooperation, for which I am truly grateful.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81
President and Chief Executive Officer

Dear PCOM Community,

We are pleased to report that as of today, over 1,500 of our students and 500 of our employees have been vaccinated against COVID-19. These outstanding numbers will only increase after the mass vaccination events we are hosting this Saturday on both our Philadelphia and Georgia campuses, as well as the ongoing expansion of vaccine availability and eligibility.

This demonstrated voluntary support for vaccination across all three of our campuses demonstrates our understanding, as health care professionals, that broad immunization will help stop the current pandemic generally and protect our PCOM community from COVID-19 specifically.

Widespread immunization as well as continuation of our other safety measures such as masks, distancing, surveillance testing and #CampusClear will allow us to follow through on our plans to return to on-campus classes, events and activities as soon as possible.

To help enable a safe return to campus for the fall semester, as of July 12, 2021, all incoming and returning PCOM students will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

This policy will also ensure our students will be prepared to meet the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements of their experiential and clinical education rotation sites.

Students may request an exemption from the vaccination requirement for valid medical or religious reasons by filling out and submitting an exemption request form that will be available starting June 1 on myPCOM. Students who are granted such exceptions will be required to be tested for COVID-19 periodically.

While there is no vaccination requirement for employees at this time, we continue to urge all employees to get immunized against COVID-19 at their earliest opportunity.

With the extra protection of widespread vaccination, our PCOM community will be able to resume more activities and operations sooner, leading to a more engaged educational and professional experience.

Thank you for your continued cooperation with our efforts to both keep our PCOM community safe and to get back to normal safely.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81
President and Chief Executive Officer

Kenneth J. Veit, DO, MBA, FACOFP
Provost, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean

Dear Members of the PCOM Community:

As COVID-19 cases surge across our nation, I remind you that the College mandates that all PCOM faculty, staff and students conduct and self-report daily symptom checks via #CampusClear—whether or not you are on campus. Usage includes weekends, holidays, vacation days—each and every day even if you are not planning to be on campus.

As a diagnostic tool, #CampusClear works by tracking the onset and progression of COVID-19 symptoms across communities, keeping tabs on possible cases of infection and exposure and providing authorized College leaders with guidance and concrete steps on how to manage a public health response to any outbreak detection. National research data shows that consistent and collective symptom screening is indeed effective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

I also remind you that compliance with health and safety guidelines is a condition of study and work at the College. You will not be admitted to campus—for any reason—if your self-assessment does not clear you to go to campus or if your self-assessment is not completed prior to arrival.

In less than 10 seconds each day, you can do your part to protect the health of our community and help the College move forward with plans to return to campus safely.

Turn on your #CampusClear app notifications for a friendly reminder each day. Use the app faithfully. Should you have any technical problems with the app, contact support@pcom.edu.

Thank you for your continued dedication to protecting the health and safety of our College community.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81
President and Chief Executive Officer

Dear Members of the PCOM Community:

I am writing with a simple and direct message: wear your mask whenever on campus, follow social/physical distancing guidelines, wash and sanitize your hands, and conduct and self-report daily symptom checks via #CampusClear. Follow our College’s health and safety guidelines. Think of the practice as good hygiene and common courtesy.

These measures—when combined—have been proven to be effective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. They protect your health; the health of your fellow faculty and staff; the health of our students; and the health of your loved ones, your neighbors and people you don’t even know.

As a College, we teach and practice medicine and the health sciences. Let’s observe and follow our mission.

Significant time and resources were allocated to allow for faculty, staff and students—in limited numbers—to return to campus safely. Many people, across our College, continue to work around the clock on our COVID-19 response. Our plans follow directly from CDC, state and local guidelines.

I remind you that compliance with health and safety guidelines is a condition of in-person enrollment and work.

Please, let’s band together to protect the health and well-being of our College community so we may move forward with our return to campus and re-establishing a sense of normalcy for this semester and beyond.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81
President and Chief Executive Officer

Dear Members of the PCOM Community:

Please be reminded that as we return to campus, we all need to continue to work to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Follow social distancing guidelines, wear your mask and be smart.

As you know, the College is requiring all faculty, staff and students—whether or not you are planning to return to campus at this time—to use #CampusClear. If you have not already, make a point to download, install and use #CampusClear today. #CampusClear, a mobile/web app, enables users to self-report to the College daily on whether they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

It takes less than a minute to self-screen. Based on your answer, #CampusClear will assign you a “clear” designation or a “not clear” designation.

You cannot come to campus if your self-assessment does not clear you to go to campus or if your self-assessment is not completed prior to arrival. And effective September 8, 2020, you will have to show PCOM Public Safety the green screen/no symptoms smiley face on your smartphone or a screen capture/printed image of your green screen to gain access to any campus building.

The #CampusClear mobile/web app can be downloaded for free on your Apple or Android device.

Once installed, you will go through a one-time secure registration with PCOM; all information will be held confidential. Thereafter, every day, including weekends and holidays and vacation days, you will use #CampusClear to communicate the results of your self-assessment regardless of your intent to come to campus.

Should you have any questions troubleshooting or downloading the app, please contact support@pcom.edu. Human Resources can address any questions regarding app usage policy: humanresources@pcom.edu.

Thank you for helping to protect the health and safety of our College community.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81
President and Chief Executive Officer

Dear PCOM Community,

Attached you will find the revised PCOM Guidelines for Health and Safety While on Campus.

The changes below outline the changes in the guidelines. These changes help to better clarify the notification process if you have been exposed or tested positive for COVID-19.

1. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 symptoms, or if you have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or has any COVID-19 symptoms, you must stay home, seek medical advice, and immediately provide notifications as follows:
   1. Faculty and staff must notify their supervisor that they are unable to return to campus and email covidnotice@pcom.edu to inform PCOM officials.
   2. Students must notify their program director and email covidnotice@pcom.edu.
2. When sending an email to covidnotice@pcom.edu, please include:
   1. Your name
   2. PCOM campus
   3. Department or program
   4. Name of supervisor or program director
   5. COVID-19 information: positive test or symptoms; or close contact with someone with positive test or symptoms
3. Your cooperation in reporting is essential to helping your colleagues and classmates stay safe from infection.

These guidelines can also be found on my.pcom.edu.

Dear Members of the College Community:

Pennsylvania and Georgia are presently seeing an uptick of COVID-19 cases. So as to safeguard the health of all members of our community, I am writing to advise that the College will not be reopening—beyond essential services/essential personnel—any of its locations on Monday, July 6.

All non-essential faculty and staff are to continue to telework/work remotely until further notice. This delayed opening decision does not impact the reopening schedule for the PCOM Healthcare Centers.

I feel your frustration as we had hoped to move into new phases of our Return to Campus Framework following the Fourth of July holiday, but it is imperative that we open our facilities cautiously and carefully. I promise to keep you abreast of revised return plans. In the meantime, departments should continue to file Return to Campus plans and paperwork. Any questions may be directed to the Office of Human Resources.

Even as we are dealing with the evolving situation each day, we are looking ahead to the fall semester, and what comes afterward. I trust we will all be together soon.

Be well. Be safe.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81
President and Chief Executive Officer

Dear College Employees:

As we work through the uncertainty of the coming months, our primary goal is to continue to safeguard the health of all members of our College community while providing an outstanding academic experience for our students.

To that end, we have convened a Return to Campus Task Force. This group has been charged with navigating a path forward for our College to meet its critically important missions of education, research and patient care while coexisting with COVID-19. The task force has created a Return to Campus Framework to begin—in phases—to transition employees back to their respective College locations. Students and their return to academic instruction will be addressed through plans crafted by individual deans/programs.

The framework is aligned with local, state and federal public health guidelines; PCOM locations may be coded differently depending on regional virus data. A color code system coordinates and integrates operational procedures across the institution. Each level defines a different set of work criteria, rules, regulations and plans.

I ask you to please visit myPCOM (COVID-19 Return to Campus tab) to review the Return to Campus Framework and the Individual Employee Checklist, understanding that the return process is highly dependent on the evolution of COVID-19. The College will have the ability to determine if we need to remain in any phase for an extended period of time or if we need to revert to a prior phase due to a resurgence of the virus.

In addition, soon you will receive a link to a SafeColleges training module, which all employees must complete before returning to campus.

To find our way ahead to the fall semester and beyond requires us to continue to adapt to change, to adopt new approaches, and to act always with the safety and well-being of our College community foremost in mind. Cooperation and communication are crucial, now more than ever.

Whether virtually or in-person, know that I am here for you. You are welcome to contact me at any time.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81
President and Chief Executive Officer

Dear Students:

I am writing to inform you that the College’s traditional Graduate Programs Commencement (Philadelphia) and Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences, and Physician Assistant Studies Commencement (Georgia) will be moved to virtual ceremonies that will be broadcast online.

We, at the College, feel the need to protect the health and well-being of you, our graduates; your families and friends; and the larger community during this uncertain time. While some states are beginning to reopen for business after coronavirus lockdowns, CDC guidelines recommend that we do not convene such large gatherings throughout the summer months.

Know that we are incredibly proud of the Class of 2020, of all that you have achieved. We promise to honor your years at the College and welcome you to the ranks of PCOM alumni.

Please look for event details to follow from the Office of Student Affairs.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81
President and Chief Executive Officer

Dear Members of the College Community:

I am writing regarding a few updates to our PCOM Coronavirus Action Plan, which can be found on my.pcom.edu. These updates focus on the extension of our original projected date of May 1, 2020.

• Pennsylvania has mandated that colleges and universities may not resume in-person instruction or reopen their physical locations until the governor permits them to open or lifts the closure of non-life sustaining businesses. Georgia has issued a similar executive order, requiring all schools to remain closed through the duration of this academic year.
• Delivery of all classes and labs—at all College locations—will remain in a virtual, online instruction environment (consistent with other medical and graduate schools) until further notice.
• Until further notice, all individuals who can work remotely are required to work remotely unless deemed an "essential employee."

The guiding priority of our College, from the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been to protect the health and safety of our faculty, staff, students and other community members. This priority continues and will continue.

I thank you for your patience and support, and I will continue to keep you updated as the situation moves forward.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81
President and Chief Executive Officer

Dear Faculty and Staff:

While the impacts of COVID-19 have affected many aspects of the life of our College, I remain in awe of the dedication, resilience, creativity, and kindness you have displayed.

Across our three campus locations, you have worked collaboratively to accomplish what seemed to be an impossible task. In mere days, you transferred doctoral and graduate program courses to online instruction; approximately 200 faculty from 25 academic programs transformed over 300 face-to-face spring courses online. And you moved clinical clerkships for third- and fourth-year students to online teaching modalities encompassing all core specialties: family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, surgery, emergency medicine, and psychiatry.

You shifted the medical practice at our PCOM Healthcare Centers to a telehealth model so we can continue to serve vulnerable populations even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, PCOM Family Medicine is averaging 30 to 40 tele-health visits each day.

Together, we made tough decisions on matters we never dreamed about addressing, the latest being the cancellation of our traditional Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Pharmacy Commencement Exercises. In this—and in all decisions—you have shown compassion and empathy for our students whose lives have been disrupted, who are encountering unique challenges, stresses, and anxieties. Your work has embodied the very tenets of osteopathic medicine, the unified perspective that mind, body and spirit are interconnected, lending us a unique ability to heal the whole person.

On a personal level, you have adapted to this time of crisis. You are now working from home, balancing the responsibilities of your job and care for your families, including schooling young children. A few of you continue to perform essential, life-sustaining services onsite.

Finally, many of you are engaged in philanthropy, volunteerism, and/or advocacy as a part of your personal approach to navigating the pandemic. On behalf of our College, you have donated our supply of PPE materials—N95 respirators, surgical masks, gowns, and gloves—to be used by health professionals in Philadelphia, Gainesville, Lawrenceville. Albany, and Moultrie.

I’ve never been more proud of a College community. I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart. I wish you and your families continued health and safety.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81
President and Chief Executive Officer

Dear Members of the PCOM Community:

It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you that our traditional Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Commencement Exercises, to be held this May in Philadelphia and in Georgia, will be canceled. PCOM Georgia Biomedical Sciences students, who are on a different academic schedule, will receive notification about alternative Commencement plans. Given the directives of public health and government agencies regarding the coronavirus outbreak, it is inconceivable that we could convene such a large gathering this spring.

I am truly saddened that we had to make this decision, but we feel the need to protect the health and well-being of our graduates, their families and friends, and the larger College community during this uncertain time.

It will be a little longer before we know the details, but we do intend to give the Class of 2020 as full a celebration as possible. The College is in the process of working with student representatives to develop alternative celebratory plans. We will be communicating updates soon.

Now is a difficult moment. Thank you for working together to do what is right even though it means altering traditions we all cherish. Change does not take away the pride we hold as we recognize our graduating students and their countless successes and profound contributions to the life of our community.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81
President and Chief Executive Officer

Additional information is available at pcom.edu/commencement.

Dear Members of the PCOM Community,

Every single one of us has the responsibility and the power to keep our community safe. Please continue to take steps to keep yourself and those around you safe, especially those most vulnerable.

As we begin a new week, I have a few updates to share:

PCOM Healthcare Centers Implementing Telehealth/Tele-visit Appointments

• Effective immediately, all PCOM Healthcare Center facilities will be physically closed. However, the centers will continue to serve their patients through telehealth/tele-visit appointments. PCOM Healthcare Center physicians remain committed to serving vulnerable populations every day, and that commitment will not waiver in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Staff will work to inform and educate patients about telehealth/tele-visit appointments.
• For the purpose of public notification, College security will place signs at the PCOM Healthcare Center entrances to notify patients/the public of the temporary move to telehealth/tele-visit appointments. The signs will also include instructions on how to contact center personnel.

Closure of Evans Hall, PCOM

• Effective immediately, Evans Hall, PCOM, will now be closed. There will be an exception to this closure for a few select researchers whose access to ongoing projects is critical. Security has a list of essential personnel (provided by supervisors) and will be carefully monitoring the building entrance. *If you are essential personnel your supervisor has told you this.

Continued Suspension of/Changes to Clinical Clerkships and Experiential Learning Opportunities

• Until further notice, all clinical clerkships and experiential learning opportunities (practicums, but not psychology internships) are suspended. Students should continue to communicate with their program directors. Other clinical teaching modalities have been implemented.
• PCOM pharmacy students will continue to have strict restrictions on direct patient care experiential learning opportunities.

Point of Clarification: May 1 as End Date

• The College’s COVID-19 Action Plan (available on myPCOM, updated frequently) lists May 1 as an end date. This date is fluid. It is impossible to determine when the pandemic will reach its peak and when restrictions will cease. We are monitoring the situation daily, following national and local guidance; furthermore, we urge all students, staff and faculty to abide by all local, state and national public health directives. The safety and well-being of our community is paramount.
• Until further notice, the College has suspended all operations performed onsite except those that are life-sustaining (only essential employees—those whose work directly involves the safety of human life or the protection of property—will be allowed onsite). Faculty and staff will continue to work from home and students will work virtually.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81
President and Chief Executive Officer
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all employees are temporarily authorized to work at home (also known as "telework" or "telecommuting") unless they have been specifically designated as essential to on-campus operations. Supervisors are responsible to ensure to the extent possible that their departments perform critical work to care for the PCOM community and maintain operations to the appropriate extent communicated by the College. While employees at home are expected to work at home to the extent reasonably possible, it is recognized that all or part of the job responsibilities for some employees may not be able to be accomplished remotely.

The following emergency guidelines related to working at home are effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice. Given the Covid-19 emergency situation, these guidelines should be applied flexibly with the best interests of the health and safety of PCOM's employees and their families in mind. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, change an employee's classification, compensation, or benefits, or alter PCOM's expense reimbursement policies unless otherwise stated. The accrual and charging of PTO and EST time is subject to the same policies and procedures applicable to non-telecommuting employees.

These guidelines will be updated as necessary depending on the duration of the Covid-19 emergency and to otherwise meet changing conditions. Nothing in these guidelines overrules or supersedes the emergency directions of governmental authorities related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Employees who are working at home are required to:

• Be in regular communication with PCOM generally and your supervisor specifically via email, telephone, and other modalities.
• Fulfill the expectations of your supervisor regarding your work at home, including but not limited to:
  • Duties, responsibilities, assignments and tasks while working at home.
  • Hours of work, including when you are expected to be reachable. Overtime will only be authorized in extraordinary circumstances, and then only by way of a specific authorization.
  • Times and frequency of contact (in both directions).
  • Communication of work assignments and personal needs, including reporting absences of work due to injury, illness, or caring for a family member.
  • Methods of contact (such as dedicated phone line, voice mail, email, video conference, etc.).
  • The use of PCOM equipment and materials.
  • Reporting your inability to attend at work as you would on a non-telework day.
• Protect confidential information by following all PCOM information security, software licensing, and data protection policies; if in doubt, consult your supervisor. To avoid HIPAA, FERPA or PCOM policy compliance issues, do not exchange or transmit protected or confidential information by unencrypted email.
• Inform your supervisor and Human Resources of any disability or safety issues that prevent you from fulfilling the expectations of your supervisor.
• Maintain a safe and secure environment in which to work and report any occupational injuries in accordance with PCOM workers' compensation policies. PCOM will not be responsible for injuries to others that occur at home.
• If you do not have and it is essential that you have a printer, headset, camera or other computer or telecommunications equipment to telework, notify your supervisor and they will attempt to get you one.
• Specifically with respect to printers, upon notification to your supervisor you may buy and set up one yourself and submit a one-time request for reimbursement of up to $100 for the printer and printer paper.

Christina Mazzella, MS, sHRBP
Chief Human Resources Officer

As we continue to monitor the progression of COVID-19, we want you to know that your safety, health and well-being are important to us. This is going to be a longer period than originally thought, but we have come together and are utilizing the modalities of communication that are critical in these times.

A few updates and changes that need to happen to ensure safety for all, these are effective as of March 20, 2020:

1. All individuals that can work remotely are required to work remotely unless deemed an "essential employee". (The operations cease to move forward if not on site)
2. Essential employees should report to work in person. If you are unsure if you are essential, please check with your supervisor.
3. As before, anyone who is COVID-19 symptomatic should NOT report to work, even if deemed an essential employee. Please contact your supervisor or HR at 215-871-6503 if you have any questions before coming to work in person.
4. Distribution Services has reduced their days for mail distribution and pick up to Tuesdays and Thursdays.
5. Printing Solutions department has closed.

Any questions, please email humanresources@pcom.edu.

Department of Human Resources
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Dear Members of the PCOM Community,

I am writing to share a number of updates with you:

• Effective immediately, the end date of our PCOM Coronavirus Action Plan will extend to May 1 (rather than the initial date of March 27).
• Effective tomorrow, March 18, the cafeterias/snack areas and libraries at all campus locations will close. All three campus locations will close to students (with the exception of students engaged in active research).
• Students will still be able to access the food pantry at their respective campus location:
  • PCOM – Main security desk in Rowland Hall
  • PCOM Georgia – Security desk at the back of the Main Building
  • PCOM South Georgia – Main entrance security desk
• Faculty and staff are still able to come to their respective campus location as needed. Please adhere to social distancing guidelines and proceed with an abundance of caution.
• All gatherings of 10 or more (changed from 25 or more) must be canceled or postponed through May 1.
• At this time, discussions continue regarding 2020 Commencement Ceremonies. The College asks that families and friends hold on making advanced travel plans and reservations.

I encourage you to continue to check your email for updates and refer to our website, which has a FAQ that will also be updated regularly.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81

Dear Members of the PCOM Community:

I am writing to update you about facility closures/reductions in food service hours at our Philadelphia and Suwanee campuses.

Effective today, the PCOM Activities Center and PCOM Georgia Fitness Center will close.

Cafeterias at PCOM and PCOM Georgia will have reduced hours (see schedule below). Self-service food areas will be closed where feasible; grab-and-go options will be available.

PCOM: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
PCOM Georgia: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Also, please remember to follow social distancing guidelines while in the cafeteria and other common campus areas (e.g. the library). Thank you for your continued understanding as we keep the safety and health of our community at heart.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81
President and Chief Executive Officer
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Dear College Faculty and Staff:

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, so has the situation across the United States. I am writing to inform you that effective tomorrow, Monday, March 16 – Sunday, March 29, we are temporarily suspending all clinical clerkships and experiential learning opportunities (practicums, but not psychology internships). Students are not to report to their assigned clinical sites (hospitals, physician offices, inpatient units, outpatient clinics, correctional settings, therapeutic schools, etc.).

Also, effective immediately until further notice, PCOM pharmacy students will have restrictions on all direct patient care experiential learning opportunities. Preceptors are being notified that PCOM student pharmacists are not permitted to engage in direct patient contact. Consistent with regional health-systems, all ambulatory-care experiences may only continue with telemedicine appointments; in-patient rotations will be confined to the pharmacy department (and not round in patient rooms or the ED). Community pharmacy experiences must avoid immunization requests and fever/respiratory consults.

The College has been tasked with decision-making regarding the content and delivery of clinical clerkships and experiential learning opportunities, keeping at utmost priority, student safety.

This is not a decision we take lightly. We are committed to providing students—in all programs—with continuity of educational qualifications with the least possible disruption. Alternative educational modalities are currently under development with further information forthcoming later this week.

Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81
President and Chief Executive Officer
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Beginning on March 16, we are making major changes—temporarily—to our operations. We are determined to ensure that our essential educational and patient care missions continue to be carried out without interruption:

• The College will move to a virtual instruction model; academic and curricular labs will be suspended. Faculty will communicate individual course processes and set curricular expectations. Classes that cannot be taught online will be held on campus. The deans of our academic schools will guide this process.
• Students on clerkships and electives will follow COVID-19 guidelines as determined by the hospital/health system/private practice where they are currently engaged. The Office of Clinical Education will guide this process.
• Staff will begin to work remotely—in conjunction with their supervisors. PCOM Human Resources will guide this process.
• PCOM Healthcare Centers will remain open with normal staffing and business hours at this time.
• The College will remain open (including the library and cafeteria); hours may be reduced. Security will be present 24/7.

Read the full announcement from President Jay S. Feldstein, DO, and Provost Kenneth J. Veit, DO, MBA.

To the PCOM Community:

As a reminder, if you have returned from spring break or vacation, and visited a COVID-19 hotspot—for example, China, South Korea or Italy—you must report your trip to the following:

Students

Faculty and Staff

You are required to self-quarantine for 14 days as stipulated by the CDC guidelines.

To the PCOM Community:

We wanted to update you on how COVID-19 is impacting our campuses. While PCOM leaders have been working to ensure the safety and welfare of our students, faculty and staff, it is important to note that no one at any of our campuses has contracted COVID-19, and no PCOM student on clinical rotations anywhere in the world has come down with the illness, as far as we are aware.

However, in light of the changing situations, we have made the following decisions to prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

If you are sick:

• Students, faculty, and staff who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness should stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants).
• Effective March 2, 2020, based on the guidelines from the CDC, any employee that is exhibiting symptoms should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick. You will be able to utilize your Extended Sick Time effective immediately and until further notice. This also applies to employees that have sick household members with the COVID-19 symptoms.
• Students, faculty, and staff who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath) upon arrival to campus or become sick during the day should be separated from other employees and students and be sent home immediately. Sick students and employees should cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or an elbow or shoulder if no tissue is available).
• Students, faculty and staff that are diagnosed positive with COVID-19 will follow the direction of their healthcare provider. In order to return to work you must provide a physician note stating that you are clear to return.

If you have sick household members:

• Students, faculty, and staff who are well but who have a sick household member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor or academic administrator and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.

If you have traveled or plan to travel:

• Students, faculty, and staff who have traveled to a country with a CDC Warning Level 3 Travel Advisory or a Department of State Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisory for the Coronavirus should voluntarily self-quarantine for 14 calendar days upon return to the country.
• If you plan to travel out of the country, check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices for the latest guidance and recommendations for each country to which you will travel.
• Check yourself for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before starting travel and notify your supervisor or academic administrator and stay home if they are sick. If you become sick while traveling notify their supervisor or academic administrator and promptly call a healthcare provider for advice.
• Students traveling on an international clinical rotation will not receive credit for the curriculum until further notice and should consider plans for alternate clinical rotations.

PCOM infectious disease procedures:

• If a student, faculty or staff member is confirmed to have COVID-19, PCOM will take action to notify those with a possible exposure to COVID-19 and provide further guidance.
• Employees will be authorized to use extended medical leave to cover any absence from work to care for themselves or household members.

Respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene:

• As always, please ensure you are using good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene including:
  • Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Clean your hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95 percent alcohol. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
• Visit the coughing and sneezing etiquette and clean hands webpage for more information.

Dear PCOM Community:

While the CDC considers the Coronavirus as a very serious public health threat, based on current information, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 to the general American public is considered low at this time and there remains no identified risk to the PCOM community.

As of yesterday’s report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there have been 14 confirmed cases in the US. An additional 45 individuals tested positive, though some remain asymptomatic, after being repatriated from China or from the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship. At present, there are no cases within the PCOM community or in Pennsylvania or Georgia. For more information regarding locations where COVID-19 cases have been identified, Johns Hopkins University has mapped all of the global confirmed cases at this link.

If you are planning spring-break travel, the CDC’s travel health notices are a good source of information on risks and precautions to take as you prepare for your trip. The CDC also provides specific health information for travel to other destinations not under the CDC Travel advisories for COVID-19 destinations not specifically affected by the COVID-19.

We encourage everyone to pay special attention to hand-washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding contact with anyone who is sick. We also remind you that as the virus shows signs of spreading elsewhere in the world, members of our community may be worried about friends and family in those areas and could benefit from a little extra support and kindness.

PCOM leadership continues to monitor all available information about the virus and follow all public health recommendations from the CDC and state and local departments of public health.

We, in the medical community, are keenly aware of a Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), initially detected in Wuhan, China. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are closely monitoring the evolving situation. PCOM leadership is actively monitoring the coronavirus situation and will make every effort, working in conjunction with federal, state, and local health authorities, to provide information and implement policies intended to ensure the continued health and safety of our communities.

For a more local look at what is happening in Georgia and Pennsylvania, please click on the links below:

• Georgia Department of Health
• Pennsylvania Department of Health

You can also access links to the CDC and the WHO.