Redirecting our resources to tackle COVID-19
Tue, April 28 2020, 11:30am
Message from Jakub Tolar
UMRA’s April forum has been canceled. In place of the article that would normally appear in this space, Dr. Jakub Tolar, dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School, vice president of clinical affairs, and campus public health officer, has provided us with this update on the U’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. - Editor
By Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD
The onset of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota engaged the University’s public service responsibility in a very direct way. A research university is designed to do this, and we have redirected our resources to tackle COVID-19.
Our healthcare faculty and staff pivoted our clinical practices to focus on preventing and treating COVID-19. Quickly, we migrated more than 90 per cent of our patient visits from in-person to phone or video consultations. And M Health Fairview dedicated Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul entirely to the care of patients with COVID-19.
We have experts in all fields necessary to perform research to better understand and fight this virus: immunology, microbiology, public health, veterinary medicine, bioengineering, and a multitude of other relevant disciplines. Here are a few examples of the work we are doing to help our communities and state.
Testing capacity
There was a clear need to increase testing capacity in Minnesota. We gathered equipment and resources from across our campuses and created an accredited testing laboratory on the first floor of the Microbiology Research Facility. Within one week, scientists and researchers deployed this single-focus resource to reduce the testing backlog.
Clinical trials were operational for three drugs repurposed in the fight against COVID-19:
- Hydroxychloroquine for those directly exposed to, but not yet demonstrating signs of, COVID-19 infection. In one week, this trial enrolled 10 percent of the expected 1,500 participants.
- Losartan for those with minor symptoms of a positive COVID-19 virus diagnosis. The University is part of a national, multi-site trial.
- Remdesivir, originally developed to treat Ebola, is being used for patients who are critically ill with COVID-19.
Another clinical trial using natural killer cells to target the coronavirus is in development.
We launched Rapid Response Research Grants for projects designed to give actionable results within a short timeframe. In the first week, 11 grants were awarded to departments across the University. The grants support a range of projects, including biophysical modeling of COVID-19 clinical trials, creating faster diagnostic tests, and developing a vaccine.
In the spirit of Minnesota biotechnology innovation, one project harnessed the know-how of engineers and anesthesiologists to create a low-cost mechanical ventilator by combining a common tool tray and a manual resuscitator known as an Ambu Bag with a motor to automatically compress the bag.
All of these initiatives are possible thanks to the hard work, dedication, and compassion of our faculty, staff, and students. We hope you’ll share our pride in these accomplishments.
For more information about the U’s response to COVID-19, here are links to three frequently updated websites. - Editor
clinicalaffairs.umn.edu/news-events/updates-covid-19
Upcoming Events
We are fortunate to have UMRA member and former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director Peter Moe to lead this approximately 3.7-mile hike at the Arboretum on Monday, May 6. Plan to have lunch together after the hike at the Eatery café inside the Oswald Visitor Center.
This session will continue the discussion begun in the May 8, 2023 session. See that article for details.
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.