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
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.