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West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (91�㽶��Ƶ) President James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., today provided an update regarding COVID-19 to members of the school community.

In an email to students and employees, Nemitz said a COVID-19 Response Team has been formed to monitor the pandemic and its potential impact on the medical school. The school will collaborate with and rely heavily on the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the state of West Virginia and the Greenbrier County Health Department to ensure everyone’s health and safety.

“First and foremost, we are a community” Nemitz wrote. “One of our essential qualities is a proven ability to come together to effectively address the unexpected. 91�㽶��Ƶ has weathered other challenges and we have emerged stronger.”

School administrators plan to utilize email, a newly created coronavirus information page (www.wvsom.edu/News/coronavirus) on the school’s website and the 91�㽶��Ƶ emergency response system to keep members of the 91�㽶��Ƶ community updated.

Additionally, he noted the CDC website (www.cdc.gov/COVID19) offers the most up-to-date information about the virus and how to decrease the chances of it spreading.

A 24/7 toll-free number has been created by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources along with the West Virginia Poison Center as a hotline in addressing public and medical provider questions. That number is 800-887-4304.

Nemitz and Craig Boisvert, D.O., 91�㽶��Ƶ’s vice president for academic affairs and dean, spoke to first- and second-year students about steps the school is taking to proactively address the situation on the Lewisburg campus.

At this time, the academic calendar remains unchanged, Nemitz said. Spring break is scheduled March 23-27.

91�㽶��Ƶ Statewide Campus deans and staff are monitoring the situation for third- and fourth-year students who are completing rotations at clinics and hospitals. A plan is in place should it become necessary for the school to change its learning options for all students.

91�㽶��Ƶ has suspended all non-essential domestic and international school-related travel until April 30. The 91�㽶��Ƶ campus remains open and operational at this time, but large group events will be canceled on a case-by-case basis, Nemitz said. The school has canceled an April 2 Spring Awards Ceremony, a scholarship event recognizing student achievements.

“I appreciate the work of 91�㽶��Ƶ faculty and staff in addressing concerns in each of their areas of responsibility,” Nemitz said. “Those efforts include effectively delivering curriculum, adapting student rotations, formulating contingency plans and maintaining a healthy and safe environment.”