COVID-19 Information

Faculty are using virtual strategies to continue classroom instruction for the school’s almost 1,600 students.

Given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IHP will continue online learning for all didactic classes through the end of August. As scheduled, the summer term will begin on May 18, 2020 and continue through August 24, 2020.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

artist rendering of coronavirus molecule

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Latest Updates

teal_Star.svg [1]

Effective Tuesday, May 19

Commencement will be held virtually and is scheduled for Sunday, August 30 at 2:00 p.m. It will be followed by a virtual cocktail party at 4:00 p.m. The Commencement Committee will be reaching out to graduates with more detailed information.

teal_Star.svg [2]

Effective Thursday, April 16

The IMPACT Practice Center, [3] which includes the Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Language and Literacy, and Aphasia Centers, will remain closed to all on-site client visits for the foreseeable future, including the beginning of the summer semester.

teal_Star.svg [4]

Effective Thursday, April 9

The IHP will continue online learning for all didactic classes through the end of August. As scheduled, the summer term will begin on May 18 and continue through August 24, 2020. For some programs, we are hopeful that we will be able to resume some direct patient care clinical experiences during the summer semester. We will evaluate these possibilities over the coming month. See cohort info [5].

IHP-wide Messages

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IHP Student COVID-19 Emergency Fund

With so many of our students facing unexpected financial challenges due to job loss, clinical placement changes, and travel restrictions, the IHP created this fund to allow some relief during these unpredictable times. Through your generous gift, you are providing much-needed support for these students.

Donate Here [32]

Business As Unusual

People in the greater IHP community are doing their part on the front lines, whether caring for patients, volunteering, improving existing techniques, and more.

Visit Business As Unusual to read stories [33] of how the IHP community is pitching in during the pandemic.

Information for Students

Your health and well-being is foremost in our minds. Please reach out to your academic advisors, professors, and program leadership with specific questions.

To help with the transition to online learning, below are some resources and tips.

Frequently Asked Questions for Students [34]

Commencement is postponed until Sunday, August 30 at 2pm. It will be held virtually.

Zoom - Virtual Meetings

Get comfortable using Zoom. Zoom is the IHP’s web conferencing tool and can be used for synchronous class sessions and meetings. You can expect faculty instruction to be coming via Zoom, with your instructor posting a link you can use to join the session. If you want to host meetings in Zoom yourself using Zoom’s premium features, you must create your own free Zoom account [35] using your IHP email address. Visit the Zoom Help Center [36] for more information on using Zoom.

Plan ahead for study space

Some instructors will hold synchronous sessions and you'll want to attend from a place off-campus with reliable internet connection and few distractions. Check out IHP's 12 Tips for Success when adapting to learning in a virtual environment [37].

Check your IHP email regularly

Individual programs will be sending you additional information regarding practicums, labs and other course content that cannot be moved fully online. You can view IHP-wide announcements in the list further up on this page, but not all emails to students are listed there.

Submit a ticket to the Helpdesk

Submit a ticket to the Helpdesk [38] if you need personal assistance with D2L or Zoom. Instructional technologists, information technology support staff and librarians can all be contacted via the Helpdesk.

Mental Health Assistance

The Partners Employee Assistance Program/Student Assistance Program is also another resource for you. Visit the EAP/SAP website [39] for common reactions and self-care tips. If the feelings of worry or anxiety become prolonged or too intense, contact the EAP/SAP at (866)724-4327. Other resources:

• EAP/SAP Tips on Managing Fear of COVID-19 [40]

• Create an emergency plan to prepare for COVID-19 [41]

• Talking with Children about the COVID-19 Pandemic: 7 Ways to Support Kids and Teens Through the COVID-19 Pandemic [42]

• EAP availability and Mini-Sessions on Relaxation [43]

• MGH Guide to COVID-19 Mental Health Resources [44]

• McLean Hospital article on Caring for your Mental Health During COVID-19 [45] and Five Ways to Reduce Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic [46]

• Massachusetts & Rhode Island Therapists of Color Directory [47]

• Mental Health Webinar Series - Join us for a webinar series offered by McLean experts to help you feel mentally balanced and safe during these difficult times. Access the upcoming and recorded webinars [48]

• Mental Health Self-Care Resources from McLean [49]

Food Resources and Emergency Preparedness

Our office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has compiled a list of resources [50] helping to alleviate food insecurity, not only during this health crisis, but any time.

Emergency Preparedness American Red Cross Guidelines:

Have a supply of food staples and household supplies like laundry detergent and bathroom items, and diapers if you have small children.
Check to make sure you have at least a 30-day supply of your prescription medications, and have other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes and vitamins.
Massachusetts will share information in your community and stay informed here.
Learn how your children’s school or daycare, and your workplace will handle a possible outbreak. Create a plan in the event of any closings, event cancellations or postponements.
If you care for older adults or children, plan and prepare for caring for them, should they or you become sick.
Help family members and neighbors get prepared and share the safety messaging with those who may not have access to it.

Household Preparedness Checklist [51]

Action Plan if sick [52]

Student Town Halls

March 16, 2020

VIDEO [53]

March 30, 2020

VIDEO [54]

FAQ [55]

April 13, 2020

VIDEO [56]

FAQ [57]

April 27, 2020

VIDEO [58]

May 11, 2020

VIDEO [59]

Ways to Volunteer Virtually During the COVID-19 Crisis

Using our digital platform, DoSomething.org [60] members join our volunteer, social change, and civic action campaigns to make real-world impact on causes they care about.
Lend your eyes to solve tasks for blind and low vision people. Visit Be My Eyes [61].
Sew emotional support blankets for Binky Patrol [62].
Proofread eBooks for Project Gutenberg [63].
Answer texts from people in crisis using active listening and collaborative problem solving with Crisis Text Line [64].
Record audiobooks for Librivox [65].
Send a card, letter or note once a week to someone undergoing chemotherapy. Apply at Chemo Angels [66].
Train others in technology to help overcome poverty with Right Here at Home [67].
Help Harvard researchers learn the best ways to break down stereotypes by taking tests with Project Implicit [68].
Make a global difference with the United Nations [69].
Volunteer to Translate with Translators without Borders [70].
Good Neighbors [71] is a volunteer-driven platform to allow healthy neighbors to help at-risk individuals confined to their homes with no-contact deliveries and friendly check-ins (phone calls/letter writing).
IHP Teddy Talks: You will have the opportunity to develop, record, and post a short "Ted Talk" for children on the IHP’s YouTube channel. Get creative! Episode content is up to you. Whether you enjoy science, reading, crafts, math, or want to talk about your future career as a health care professional…anything age-appropriate goes! Videos will be marketed to Boston parents on the front lines who are adjusting to a new normal of full-time home schooling. Email Olivia Rotelle [72] for more information. Sign up [73].
IHP Big Buddies: You (and a partner, if you wish!) will host a live 30-minute interactive event with students from Harvard-Kent Elementary. Get creative and play to your interests! Arts and crafts, cooking, games, science experiments, etc. - anything that will make this a fun, educational, stress-reliever for both you, your buddies at Harvard-Kent and their caregiver or parent. This may be a one-time event or on-going series. Email JP Bonadonna [74] for more information. Sign up [75].

Ways to Volunteer In-Person During the COVID-19 Crisis

Pop-up Food Pantries and meal delivery opportunities in Chelsea and Revere, MA. You can sign up for a one-time commitment or get involved on an ongoing basis (although the needs may change over time). If any questions or issues arise, our point person is Leslie Aldrich, Director of the MGH Center for Community Health Improvement (CCHI), available via email at laldrich@mgh.harvard.edu [76].
- Chelsea
  - In general, opportunities are Monday - Friday during business hours (8 am - 4pm) with demand for helping out at local pop-up food pantries to emphasize social distancing and facilitate people moving through the pick-up line. Pantries are M-F 11am - 1pm, but volunteers are needed to arrive between 9 and 10am. To volunteer during these weekday hours please sign up [77].
  - In some circumstances volunteers are needed in the evenings and on the weekend. If you are usually only available during these days/times please fill out the more detailed form [78] and you may be contacted occasionally when your skills and availability align.
  - Pop-up Pantry Locations:
    Mondays:
    Quigley Park, 25 Essex Street
    Ruiz Park, 141 Washington Avenue
    Tuesdays:
    Luther Place, Cherry Street, between 5th Street and 4th Street
    Bellingham Hill Park, 115 Bellingham Street
    Wednesdays:
    Washington Park, at Washington Ave and Hancock Street
    Bosson Park, 43-56 Bellingham Street
    Thursdays:
    Chelsea Square, near 2 Second Street
    Highland Park, in front of 30 Willow Street
    Fridays:
    City Hall Parking lot, 500 Broadway
    Mary C. Burke Complex, 300 Crescent Avenue
- Revere
  - 20-30 volunteers needed for various shifts Monday through Friday (7AM – 12PM for set up and distribution, 12PM to 3:30PM for set up only) and Wednesday nights from 6PM to 8:30PM to pack and distribute meals at their central food distribution site, Rumney Marsh Academy, 140 American Legion Highway. Spanish speakers are needed for morning shifts and Wednesday nights. Everyone’s temperature will be taken upon arrival. Shift and details below. If interested, please register [79].
    - 7:00 AM 12:00 PM (M-F), First shift (20 volunteers). Tasks will include but may not be limited to the following:
      1. Organizing the workspace
      2. Packing meals into bags
      3. Packing non-perishable meals into grocery bags
      4. Moving items from the cafeteria/foyer to the vehicle distribution line and the walk-up station
      5. Collecting data from drivers in the pick-up line (All drivers will remain in the car) SPANISH SPEAKERS needed
      6. Loading meals and non-perishable grocery bags into the trunk/ rear seat of the vehicle.
    - 12:00PM - 3:30PM (M-F), Second shift (20 volunteers)
      1. Assist in unloading the delivery trucks
      2. Sorting and Packing Non-Perishable items
      3. Moving items to refrigeration
      4. Setting up the area for the next shift
    - Wednesday Nights from 6:00PM - 8:30PM
      1. 10 Spanish speakers are needed to help with registration
      2. 10 volunteers to help bag and distribute food
    - Approximately 5 volunteers are needed to distribute Care Kits to 6 locations throughout the city
      1. Pick up of care kits in Revere at Rumney Marsh Academy
      2. Leave care kits outside at people’s homes or apartment door
      3. Gloves and masks provided
      4. Car is needed

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Information for Faculty/Staff

Faculty Compass [80]provides a series of resources developed by our Instructional designers, instructional technologists, librarians, and information technology staff to support all teaching modalities, with a section specific to teaching [81].

-- Rapidly Transition to Online Teaching -- [82]

Also, utilize the following tools immediately to prepare to teach online:

Zoom for Faculty

Use your IHP email and sign up for a free Zoom Meeting Account [83]. To take advantage of premium features for online collaboration and meetings, you must use your IHP email. There are features in Zoom which allow you to replicate a classroom experience with students including screen sharing [84], polling [85], and breakout rooms [86] with a capacity for 300 participants. Visit the D2L Help Site [87] for more information on using Zoom within your D2L courses to facilitate synchronous online teaching.

NOTE: Zoom accounts are only needed to host a Zoom session. An account is not needed to join and participate in a session.

See additional Zoom information on the Faculty Teaching page. [82]

D2L Tools for Facilitating Online Teaching

Explore the common set of D2L tools useful for facilitating online asynchronous teaching: Discussions [88], Assignment Folders [89], and D2L Capture [90].

Support on all other D2L topics can be found on the D2L Help Site. [87]

VPN

Set up Virtual Private Network [91] (VPN) access if needed. VPN is needed for accessing certain IHP and Partners resources from off campus, such as the H: drive and department Shared Drives.

Student Accommodations

As you prepare to move your course(s) online it is important to note that current student accommodations pertain to all modalities of teaching and learning. If you need assistance please contact the OSAS Accessibility Office [92]. Please see Guidelines for Online Accommodations [93] put together by our Office of Student Services.

Information Technology

For general technical support, or help with a specific instructional technology, please submit a help desk ticket [94].

D2L Help Site [95]

Instructional Technologists & Application Support

For an in-person or online consultation with the instructional designers, schedule a meeting using their online calendar [96].

Bill Elizondo
Phone: (617) 643-9017
belizondo@mghihp.edu [97]

Greg Moore
Phone: (617) 643-6431
gmoore@mghihp.edu [98]

Susan Stark
Phone: (617) 724-0256
sstark@mghihp.edu [99]

Instructional Design

To plan and discuss any of the tips within the context of your own course, set up a consultation with the instructional designers. They can suggest effective approaches and assist you in reorganizing your course to ensure you and your students achieve all your stated course goals.

Faculty Compass Teaching Website [81]

Tony Sindelar,
Phone: (617) 726-5993
asindelar@mghihp.edu [100]

Joyce LaTulippe
Phone: (617) 726-1015
jlatulippe@mghihp.edu [101]

Library and Learning Materials

For information about Customized LibGuides and help with finding and linking to instructional materials in the library databases, please contact a librarian.

Jessica Bell
Phone: 617-643-5714
jbell@mghihp.edu [102]

Amanda Tarbet
Phone: 617-643-6085
atarbet@mghihp.edu [103]

Information for Researchers

-March 16, 2020-

In response to the rapid spread of COVID-19, it is imperative that we minimize to the greatest extent possible the number of personnel working in our laboratories. Therefore, we are moving policy for research operations to Level 4.

Please read the memo from PHS that indicates the Level 4 research operations mandate [104].

Accordingly, PIs must begin to implement Level 4 immediately and have their entire lab in compliance not later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 20. We will reassess as the situation evolves but anticipate being at Level 4 for the next 6-8 weeks.

Policy on Conduct of Human Research Activities during COVID-19 Operations

Information about: Policy on Conduct of Human Subjects Research including Clinical Trials, Working with the IRB, Working with Sponsors, and FAQs [105].

Information for Incoming Students

As a graduate school focused exclusively on health professions, and as a member of Mass General Brigham, the premier health provider in New England, the MGH Institute is uniquely positioned to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on your educational plans. We are committed to your safety and well being, as well as to providing you with the best possible education both in the classroom and in the clinical setting. With this in mind, the Institute has made the decision to conduct all summer 2020 classes in an online format. Your orientation will also be conducted in a virtual environment, the week prior to the start of classes. Program-specific information and resources will be sent via email to all incoming students from program leadership and staff.

Moving to an online format allows you to move forward right away with minimal disruption to your graduate education. We expect that all classes and clinicals will return to their usual face-to-face modality in the fall term, beginning September 8, 2020. As our faculty and support services team demonstrated this spring, we are ready to fully support you and to ensure your success during your first semester online and your subsequent time on campus.

All of the departments in Enrollment Services, including admissions [106], financial aid [107], registrar [108], and bursar [109]are here for you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Institute community this summer!

The cohorts will begin their IHP education in a remote environment, with robust online support.

New ABSN cohort starts May 18 (Orientation: May 13 and 14)
New DPT cohort starts June 8 (Orientation: June 1)
New OTD cohort starts June 8 (Orientation: June 1)

Resources

FAQs for Incoming Students [110]

Temporary Admissions and Pre-Enrollment Policies for COVID-19 [111]

External Resources

Massachusetts Dept of Public Health [112]

National Centers for Disease Control [113]

Coronavirus Case Numbers in the US [114]

Department of State Travel Advisories [115]

World Health Organization [116]

Johns Hopkins CSSE Map of Global Cases [117]

The Verge: Social Distancing Explained [118]

Database of Localized Resources(Aid, Mental Health, etc.) [119]

Xenophobia and Allyship (focus on Asian Americans) [120]

McLean Hospital Mental Health Self-Care Resources [49]

Partners HealthCare Resources

Partners Pulse [121]

Partners Employee Illness Reporting [122]

MGH Coronavirus Site (on Apollo) [123]

Remote Work Toolkit [124]

Dr. Paul Biddinger, chief of Emergency Preparedness and Dr. Rochelle Walensky, chief of Infectious Diseases answer COVID-19 questions [125]

Mental Health Support: Self-Service Apps [126]

Tips for Parents

Tips from North Shore Medical Center about how to keep you and your family safe through social distancing [127]

The IHP Office of Student and Alumni Services Kids Corner [128]

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