or 30 percent, is now fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of April 29. But along with that news, is a softening demand for the shots, as more and more states report a slower pace in their vaccination campaigns. And that is why the push to vaccinate more people is important, as the nation strives to achieve herd immunity, said Dr. Roy E. Weiss, professor and chair of the Miller School’s Department of Medicine and the University’s chief medical officer for COVID-19. “The way in which we’re going to be able to return to normalcy both in our professional lives here at the University and in our private lives is to get to a number of approximately 90 percent of people being vaccinated,” he said. “Why do I say 90 percent?” Weiss continued. “We don’t know exactly what the number is, but we do know that with the variants and other challenges, that if we strive for that number, we’re likely to be able to reach a safe situation where there would be herd immunity and people wouldn’t be getting very ill. It’s just imperative for everyone to take that responsibility to protect themselves and to protect their co-workers and colleagues in society by getting the vaccine.” Dispelling some of the myths surrounding the coronavirus vaccines, Weiss pointed out that vaccines have been used for decades and are the primary weapon employed to fight infectious diseases. “When you think about other things that have cost human lives and high economic tolls, think of polio, think of diphtheria, think of smallpox,” he said. “The devastating effects that these diseases have had have all been essentially eradicated due to the use of vaccines. They’re safe and they’re effective.”
COVID-19 REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY REFLECTS BOTH PAINFUL LOSSES AND RENEWED HOPE FOR THE FUTURE Written by Richard Westlund Published on April 23, 2021 Category: Miller School of Medicine Dean, Faculty, Students For Gabrielle Benesh, a student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the COVID-19 pandemic brought an intense personal challenge. “My father spent six weeks fighting for his life, while I couldn’t be at his bedside to hold his hand,” she said. “When he came home after 42 days on a ventilator, it was the happiest day of my life.” Medical student Jacqueline Baikovitz also had a difficult experience during the pandemic. “I was in the intensive care unit with the parents of a dying patient in his 40s,” she said. “In their time of grief, I was able to be there to comfort them. It was a reminder that regardless of COVID-19’s tragic numbers, we must always remember the humanity in medicine.” Benesh and Baikovitz were among the members of the UM chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society
who took part in a COVID-19 Remembrance Ceremony on Earth Day, April 22. To commemorate the year’s painful losses, as well as symbolize the Miller School’s hope for the future, Henri R. Ford, M.D., M.H.A., dean and chief academic officer, led the planting of a new Royal Poinciana tree in the park near the 15th Street garage on the medical campus. “We pause today to reflect on the ravages of the pandemics of COVID and racism facing our nation,” said Dr. Ford. “In the face of those challenges, we must never waver from our commitment to heal and alleviate human suffering.” Dr. Ford paid tribute to the Miller School and UHealth community for mounting a heroic response to COVID-19. “While our frontline workers were saving lives, our researchers were busy working on tests, treatments and vaccines. This tree will serve as a symbol of renewed hope for our society and a reminder of our unflagging resilience in facing adversity.” Latha Chandran, M.D., M.P.H., exec-
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