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C OV I D -1 9 R E S P O N S E
AMA recognizes UChicago medical trainees for making an impact during COVID-19 pandemic
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hen COVID-19 caused significant disruptions in medical education, both in the classroom and in clinical settings, University of Chicago medical students, residents and fellows moved quickly to contribute to the pandemic response. The American Medical Association launched the 2020 Health Systems Science Student, Resident and Fellow Impact Challenge to acknowledge meaningful activities designed and led by trainees with respect to COVID-19. Eight UChicago projects — the most submissions by any institution — were accepted for recognition in the national competition. “Given how challenging the pandemic has been for medical trainees, I am particularly proud of the great work of so many of our students, residents and fellows,” said Vineet Arora, MD, AM’03, Herbert T. Abelson Professor of Medicine and Associate Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Learning Environment. “They persevered and supported innovations in medical education healthcare delivery that benefited patients and the community.” Educational support
Medical students, residents and infectious disease fellows collected COVID-19related queries from busy clinicians on the front lines. With the assistance of hospital librarians, the trainees conducted real-time literature searches on the topics and quickly provided critical, synthesized reviews of the newest findings to the providers. PROJECT LEAD: Gena Lenti, MS4
COVID units
Internal medicine residents staffed the new COVID-19 inpatient service on a volunteer basis, improving quality and efficiency of care and implementing
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Valerie Press, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, left, and residents Alexandra Rojek, MD, Jori Sheade, MD, Albina Tyker, MD, and Kevin Prescott, MD.
evidence-based data as the pandemic evolved. As the primary care providers in the COVID-19 ICUs, they worked to conserve PPE, adapt resuscitation protocols and champion the use of helmet ventilators. PROJECT LEAD: Alexandra Rojek, MD,
PGY-2 Internal Medicine
Multidisciplinary rounds
Given the need for physical distancing, multidisciplinary rounds (MDR) were transitioned to a virtual format. The project team implemented a standard
process for Zoom MDRs to improve effectiveness while maintaining highquality patient care. PROJECT LEAD: Anup Das, MD, PhD, PGY-3
Internal Medicine
Leveraging technology
The team adapted existing touchscreen consoles in patient rooms to facilitate effective communication between physicians and nurses while maintaining social distancing and preserving PPE. PROJECT LEAD: Chase Corvin, MD, MBA,
PGY-2, General Surgery
What is health systems science? Health systems science aims to train future physicians in how care is delivered, how health professionals work together to deliver that care, and how the modern health system can improve patient care and health care delivery.
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICINE AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DIVISION
American Medical Association
