On the COVID-19 Virus: Message to Penn Faculty and Staff Regarding University Operations
Since March 16, 2020, Penn has been operating in an unprecedented environment. We commend the dedication, ingenuity and humanity demonstrated by members of Penn’s community. Thank you for all of your hard work and your patience as together we navigate this extraordinary time.
As you know, Governor Wolf has announced a Process to Reopen Pennsylvania in phases. At present, southeastern Pennsylvania will remain in the Red Phase, with only essential life-sustaining work performed onsite. Decisions regarding when regions can be transitioned to the Yellow Phase will be made by the Commonwealth based on a variety of factors. However, even in the Yellow Phase, significant restrictions will still apply, including continuing remote work where feasible, compliance with safety requirements such as social distancing and limiting gatherings to no more than 25 people. Governor Wolf has indicated that additional guidance regarding the Yellow Phase will be forthcoming. You can read more about the Process to Reopen Pennsylvania at www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania
Consistent with these guidelines, the University’s onsite operations remain suspended, except for those that are life-sustaining, while remote operations continue. This will remain the case until the Commonwealth announces that Philadelphia, and surrounding counties for operations outside of Philadelphia, can transition to the Yellow Phase. The exceptions are very limited at this time—for example, construction work (which can resume on May 1), elective surgeries and medical procedures (please refer to the University Notification from March 20, 2020, https://almanac.upenn.edu/volume-66-number-27#message-to-penn-faculty-and-staff-regarding-university-operations, for additional information about life-sustaining activities at the University).
While we are eager to move to the next phase, this will need to be done thoughtfully with safety being the top priority, with guidance from our medical experts and in accordance with federal, state and local guidelines. Returning to work may look different for different parts of the University, depending on the nature of the work. We have established a Recovery Planning Group that is examining the elements that would need to be in place to allow a safe return to wider on-campus operations. The Recovery Planning Group will work closely with our Schools and centers, as well as with public health experts, and in accordance with local, state and federal guidelines. Working collaboratively, we will provide guidance on the resumption of events and programs and on return to work guidelines for those who are not performing life-sustaining work when the University is permitted to move to the Yellow Phase.
In the meantime, we ask that all employees performing life-sustaining work on campus remember to practice social distancing, frequently wash hands, wear masks while on campus and refrain from coming to work if suffering any symptoms associated with COVID-19, including fever, shortness of breath and/or cough. Additional information about COVID-19 symptoms and guidance on proper handling of a mask can be found on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
We wish to reiterate our most sincere gratitude as we all manage through this very challenging time. Your commitment to Penn and the broader community is inspirational, and for that, we are truly grateful.
—Amy Gutmann, President
—Wendell Pritchett, Provost
—Craig Carnaroli, Executive Vice President
Ed. Note: Go to https://almanac.upenn.edu/volume-66-number-33#on-the-covid-19-virus-planning-for-the-fall-semester to see the prior message concerning planning for the fall semester.
On the COVID-19 Virus: Planning for the Fall Semester
As we approach the end of the spring semester, we write to update you with the latest information on our planning and the important elements that will influence the decisions about how we move forward during this pandemic.
We are deeply engaged in a planning process so that we can reopen for on-campus instruction as soon as possible. All of our decisions will be driven by the most current scientific evidence and the guidance of medical experts. This is the only way to ensure that a return to on-campus living and learning will be as safe as possible for everyone—students, faculty, staff and visitors. To that end, we have established a Recovery Planning Group that is examining the elements that would need to be in place to allow a safe return to more normal campus operations.
Among the important factors that guide our decision-making are our capacity for testing, contact tracing, isolation of COVID-19 positive individuals, and maximizing our capacity for single bedroom living for students. We also will need to ensure that appropriately strong measures are in place for social distancing. We are planning for a likely combination of in-class and virtual teaching (particularly for large lectures) depending upon the circumstances.
There are many variables involved, and many questions that will need to be answered. We appreciate that everyone in the Penn community understands that until a vaccine is developed, we will need to be creative and flexible in how we teach and engage with students.
In-person engagement is a critical part of what we do. We are a community of scholars, where students and faculty creatively interact in our classrooms and labs on what is one of the most vibrant and remarkable campuses on earth. We are committed to finding the best ways to bring everyone back together on our campus. At this point, it is too early to say exactly when or how that will happen, but we wanted to update you on our thinking and planning, and we will continue to do so.
We will know more in the weeks ahead as we monitor disease activity and explore answers to critically important questions around testing and tracing. We are grateful to all of you for your patience as we plan for the fall, and we thank you for all that you do for Penn. Be assured that as we have more information, we will share it.
—Amy Gutmann, President
—Wendell Pritchett, Provost
—Craig Carnaroli, Executive Vice President
—J. Larry Jameson, Dean, Perelman School of Medicine and EVP University of Pennsylvania for the Health System
Ed. Note: See https://almanac.upenn.edu/volume-66-number-33#on-the-covid-19-virus-message-to-penn-faculty-and-staff-regarding-university-operations-v66-n33 for information regarding University operations.
Daeyeon Lee: Evan C Thompson Term Chair for Excellence in Teaching
Provost Wendell Pritchett and Vice Provost for Education Beth Winkelstein are pleased to announce the appointment of Daeyeon Lee to the Evan C Thompson Term Chair for Excellence in Teaching, beginning July 1, 2020.
Dr. Lee is a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. His Soft Materials Research and Technology Lab focuses on the interactions of soft materials, especially how nano- and micro-scale materials assemble into macroscopic structures. These projects include testing the ability of two-sided “Janus” particles to function as surfactants for emulsion stabilization, developing methods for preventing cracks in nanoparticle films, and experimenting on bubble-derived lightweight materials for their potential use in transportation vehicles and equipment.
At Penn, Dr. Lee is a member of the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter, the Nano/Bio Interface Center, and the Center for Engineering Cells and Regeneration. He currently serves as a Penn Fellow, the University-wide program that provides leadership development to select Penn faculty members in mid-career; was twice awarded the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Distinguished Teaching Award; and received the 2017 S. Reid Warren Jr. Award, presented annually to a member of the SEAS faculty by the undergraduate student body and the Engineering Alumni Society for “outstanding service in stimulating and guiding the intellectual and professional development of undergraduate students.” He received the NSF CAREER Award in 2011, as well as the 2014 Unilever Young Investigator Award, the 2013 3M Nontenured Faculty Award, and the 2011 Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association Young Investigator Award, among numerous other honors.
Dr. Lee earned a PhD (2007) in chemical engineering from MIT and a BS (2001) in chemical engineering from Seoul National University.
Evan C Thompson (W’64) endowed the Thompson Professorship in 2003 to recognize teaching excellence. The current Evan C Thompson Professor is Katherine Milkman in Wharton. Previous holders include: Peter Struck, now professor and chair of classical studies in SAS; Daniel Lee, now UPS Foundation Chair in SEAS; and Dennis DeTurck, now Fox Leadership Professor and professor of mathematics in SAS.
School of Nursing 2020 Teaching Awards
Dean’s Award for Distinguished Teaching
Heath D. Schmidt is an associate professor of nursing in the department of biobehavioral health sciences and associate professor of psychiatry in the Perelman School of Medicine. In his graduate course, Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Nursing Practice, Dr. Schmidt clearly communicates complex material to his advanced practice nursing students. Dr. Schmidt’s undergraduate course, Opioids: From Receptors to Epidemic, is open to students across the University.
Despite the challenge of teaching science to learners from all disciplines, Dr. Schmidt has been praised for his skill in presenting difficult scientific concepts in a clear, approachable fashion. Keenly aware of the various needs of his students, Dr. Schmidt provides a variety of resources, content, and opportunities for student discourse in both his graduate and undergraduate courses. In addition to his already extensive expertise in opioid pharmacology, Dr. Schmidt strives to ensure students have an exceptional course experience and keeps himself abreast of the current literature, adapting lessons accordingly. He communicates with students frequently throughout the semester about relevant events on campus, contemporary issues and opportunities to collaborate with faculty. A dedicated professor, Dr. Schmidt builds relationships through course discussions and his investment in each student.
Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Scholarly Mentorship
Ariana M. Chao is assistant professor of nursing in the department of biobehavioral health sciences. Dr. Chao has had a positive impact on undergraduate students and their understanding of nursing research, mentoring students both in her Weight Management: Principles and Practices of Obesity Treatment course and in their senior nursing research course. While a popular mentor within the School, Dr. Chao’s background is in both nursing and psychology, and thus her mentorship spans the University, including students from the School of Arts & Sciences. As these opportunities are some students’ first encounter with research inquiry, Dr. Chao ensures she exposes students to a diverse set of techniques and skills while maintaining their autonomy. Her mentees have received grant awards themselves, including a Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring grant. Praised for her guidance, accessibility and feedback, Dr. Chao has made a significant contribution to students’ cultivated research skills and interests. One student described her experience with Dr. Chao as a privilege. Her ability to build a constructive and mutually rewarding relationship with her students, both inside and outside of the classroom, speaks to Dr. Chao’s embodiment of an ideal undergraduate scholarly mentor.
Dean’s Award for MS/MSN/DNP Scholarly Mentorship
Amy M. Sawyer is associate professor of sleep and health behavior in the department of biobehavioral health sciences. Dr. Sawyer has demonstrated her exceptional ability to mentor, lead and support graduate students in their research endeavors. A skilled advisor, she encourages her mentees to think critically, engages them in research, and provides continued guidance and feedback. Dr. Sawyer has a lasting impact on her mentees, continuing to guide students through both their master’s and doctoral degrees. One student enthusiastically credited their pursuit of a doctoral degree to their education under Dr. Sawyer. Maintaining her relationships with her mentees, she supports students in publishing their own research as well. She fosters true teamwork amongst herself and the students she mentors. Notably, her mentees recently presented at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine conference. The praise of her students evidences her remarkable skill in building relationships with her mentees, providing constructive feedback and catering her mentorship based on the needs of the student. Her long-lasting mentorships, from research to publication, from MSN to PhD, are an important aspect of the Penn Nursing experience, and she serves as a quintessential mentor for graduate nurse researchers.
Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence by Non-Standing Faculty
Susan K. Keim is the vice chair of the biobehavioral health sciences department and director of both the Nursing & Healthcare Administration and Health Leadership programs. Dr. Keim’s formal education and professional experience in health care are the basis of her pedagogy. In her courses, Systems Thinking in Patient Safety, taught in both the School of Nursing and the School of Medicine, and Advanced Roles in Administrative Nursing Practice, Dr. Keim is described as a visionary professor. A senior fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics, Dr. Keim stays informed on contemporary topics and integrates this knowledge into her instruction. Students frequently praise her ability to present complex curricula and foster a diverse set of student interests. Equally important, she established several dual-degree programs at Penn. An innovative educator, she developed a hybrid course, blending online content, readings and in-person activities. She uses technology to enhance her courses and ensures her teaching methods remain innovative and engaging. Her enthusiasm is unparalleled, and her regular engagement with and advising of students outside of the classroom creates enduring relationships with her students and proves Dr. Keim to be an invaluable professor.
Dean’s Award for Exemplary Professional Practice
Christine K. Bradway is professor of gerontological nursing in the department of biobehavioral health sciences. As a clinician-educator at HUP, Dr. Bradway ensures that clinical care of older adult populations aligns with evidence-based practices. Internationally known as a geriatric and urologic nursing scholar and researcher, Dr. Bradway uses her expertise in both practice and research in her role at the hospital. She has been recognized by various organizations, including the American Geriatrics Society. At HUP, Dr. Bradway supports the nursing research program, providing insight on the design of qualitative research, focus groups and interviews. Whether working independently or on a team, her expert data analysis is vital to the clinical practice at HUP. A trusted mentor with over 70 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Bradway guides nurse researchers through their presentations, peer reviews and manuscripts. While assisting others, she also engages nurses in her own practice-based inquiries. Through her expertise, research and leadership, Dr. Bradway exemplifies the necessary dedication to propel nursing scholarship and practice forward.
Dean’s Award for Exemplary Citizenship
Susan Renz is practice associate professor in the department of biobehavioral health sciences and the director of both the Doctor of Nursing Practice and Primary Care programs. Dr. Renz has had a deeply measurable impact on the School of Nursing. During the re-alignment of the School’s graduate programs, Dr. Renz used these newfound synergies to create partnerships with Penn Medicine in new and forward-thinking ways. Her commitment to upholding Penn Nursing’s legacy is recognized by external agencies, as well as her peers, in practice and scholarship. Under Dr. Renz’s leadership, the Primary Care Program has consistently ranked in the top three primary care programs by US News and World Report. Similarly, Dr. Renz’s vision led to the early success of the newer Doctor of Nursing Practice program. A valued teacher, she received the Provost’s Award for Teaching in 2017, and in her 2019 appointment to Practice Associate Professor, faculty noted her outstanding teaching evaluations, their personal experience of her teaching capabilities and her critical engagement with students. It is her exemplary citizenship that inspires the Penn Nursing community to come together and put its best foot forward.
Barbara J. Lowery Faculty Award, Doctoral Student Organization
Anne Teitelman is associate professor of nursing in the department of family and community health. In each of her courses, Inquiry and Nursing, Conducting Research in Global Women’s Health, and Designing Interventions to Promote Health and Reduce Health Disparities, she cultivates student interests in a diverse range of topics, preparing students for their future as clinicians and researchers. Even though her course content is abstract, Dr. Teitelman facilitates stimulating course discussions. She ensures she makes herself available to students, and through her warmth and enthusiasm, she establishes mutual respect and develops lasting relationships with her mentees. Students who have studied under Dr. Teitelman have praised her feedback, expertise and support, both inside and outside the classroom. A distinguished researcher focused on the advancement of women’s health, she involves students from across the University in her own funded research inquiries. She has mentored several cohorts of doctoral students as well as students in the Master of Public Health Program. Committed to student growth, Dr. Teitelman has been an incomparable influence on Penn Nursing students, shaping the personal and professional trajectory of many nurse scholars.
Outstanding Nurse Educator Award, Graduate Student Organization
Adriana Perez is assistant professor of nursing in the department of family and community health. Dr. Perez moved from Arizona State University to join the Penn Nursing Faculty in 2015, and since then has had an indelible impact on her students. Dr. Perez has devoted countless hours to the advancement of nursing through both education and community involvement—her research and efforts with the National Association of Hispanic Nurses for health promotion, for instance, epitomize that involvement. Dr. Perez was nominated by the Doctor of
Nursing Practice (DNP) students specifically for her service as a leadership educator. Her course, Leadership Development in Healthcare, elevates the professionalism of DNP students by focusing on methods to improve themselves as both individuals and leaders within the larger healthcare system. Nominations in support of Dr. Perez glowed with positivity about her immense impact on students’ ability to better understand how to be effective communicators and collaborative workers in their personal and professional lives. Her students immediately recognize Dr. Perez’s enthusiasm for nursing and the communities with which she engages. They have expressed their deepest gratitude for her contribution to the advancement of their nursing and leadership endeavors.
Undergraduate Award for Teaching, Student Nurses at Penn
Cecelia O’Neill is a simulation instructor for the department of family and community health. With her extensive experience in obstetrical nursing, Ms. O’Neill presents an incredible breadth of knowledge to the simulation laboratory in the Nursing of Women and Infants course. Recognizing the power of a classroom environment, Ms. O’Neill encourages student participation and creates a fruitful dialogue between the students and faculty in every session. A thorough and engaging instructor, Ms. O’Neill dedicates time in each class to discuss any questions her students may have, no matter how abstract or granular. Similarly, she supports her students through simulations in Integrated Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, a course with extremely intricate and difficult simulation experiences. Ms. O’Neill provides a welcoming environment and builds a lasting rapport within the laboratory section of her courses that is unparalleled in other classes. Her dedication to her students and their simulation experiences prove her to be an important part of undergraduate education at Penn Nursing. Ms. O’Neill’s incredible attention to detail and genuine passion for nursing education not only demonstrate the qualities of an excellent teacher, but also the characteristics her students will strive to emulate in their careers.
Weitzman 2020 Teaching Awards
The G. Holmes Perkins Teaching Awards are presented annually, based on nominations by students at the Weitzman School of Design, to recognize distinguished teaching and innovation in the classroom, seminar or studio. The 2020 faculty award honorees are:
Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award
This award rotates each year between Architecture and Fine Arts.
Sophie Debiasi Hochhäusl is assistant professor for architectural history and theory. Her scholarly work centers on modern architecture and urban culture in Austria, Germany and the United States, with a focus on the history of social movements, environmental history, and women’s and gender studies. Currently, Dr. Hochhäusl is working on two forthcoming book projects. She is also a co-editor of the forthcoming volume Architecture, Environment, Territory: Essential Writings Since 1850 with Irene Cheng and Daniel Barber (University of Pittsburgh Press). Her work has been published in Architectural Histories, Landscapes of Housing and Reading the Architecture of the Underprivileged Classes and exhibited at the Center for Architecture in Vienna, AzW, Cornell University and NYU’s German House (2015). She has received a Carter Manny Award and the Bruno Zevi Prize, which honors the best historical-critical essay in architecture by an emerging scholar. Dr. Hochhäusl received an MArch from the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and an MA and PhD from Cornell in history of architecture and urbanism.
Some quotations from her students: “Sophie has served as an exemplary educator. She cares deeply about each and every student and pushes us to think creatively and critically.” “I can confidently say that having Sophie as an instructor has been a highlight of my undergraduate experience. She has guided us with wisdom, ingenuity and compassion. From the very start she worked hard to build a community amongst us and to expand our preconceptions of what our thesis projects could entail.” “I feel more inspired than ever before to embark on my future endeavors with the same audacity and enthusiasm that she has instilled upon us.”
Distinguished Graduate Teaching Award, Non-Standing Faculty
William Udell, lecturer and sculpture technician in fine arts, is an artist and educator. His sculptural and video work rely on gesture as communicated through the mundane or banal. Recently, he has focused on the notion of reorientation by sourcing imagery and references from peripheral objects found in infrastructural or domestic spaces. Each object, whether cast or fabricated, is a slightly shifted version of its referent and is rendered with a material that allows it to vacillate in either subtle or blunt ways from its “normal” application. Mr. Udell’s work negotiates its relationship with formal sculpture while attempting to reexamine hierarchies and create intimate relationships between the objects he employs. He received his BA from Kenyon College and his MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design.
Some quotations from his students: “His teaching extends beyond the classroom during his shop hours. Willie is an extremely available thought-partner and materials expert all of the MFAs rely on, from sculptors exploring new materials to video artists fabricating ideal displays to installation artists thinking about space.” “Willie asks us difficult questions, while always being incredibly encouraging. He creates a community in his workshop that grounds the entire department.” “He is always readily and easily accessible to brainstorm with or lend a hand. I believe he goes above and beyond the expectations for his job.”
Distinguished Graduate Teaching Award for Standing Faculty
Sean Burkholder is the Andrew Gordon Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture. Prior to joining the Weitzman School, he was assistant professor of landscape and urban design at the University of Buffalo. He is also the director of the Landscape Affairs Group, a Landscape Research and Design consultancy focused on the human-entangled freshwater ecosystems of postindustrial regions. The relationship of these issues and their experiential understanding are being explored in a forthcoming book co-authored by Mr. Burkholder and Karen Lutsky. Mr. Burkholder is also co-directing the $1.5 million Healthy Port Futures project from the Great Lakes Protection Fund in close collaboration with a range of local and federal agencies.This project stresses the inherent value of landscape design research in the process of maritime infrastructure projects that typically aim only at single-value outcomes. Underpinning all of this work is a particular interest in the way in which substrate and ecology influence the urban landscape and how these systems are interpreted by others. Mr. Burkholder lectures and serves as a design critic internationally and his work has been published widely in books and journals. Mr. Burkholder holds a BArch from Miami University and an MLA from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
Some quotations from his students: “Professor Burkholder has been an incredible asset to my education and growth in the discipline. Aside from my personal experience, I believe that his hiring has drastically strengthened the landscape architecture department, bringing a fresh perspective and outlook to the program.” “He is a great listener, and pinpoints strengths in order to bring them to the forefront.” “He provides extraordinary knowledge, sound criticism and support every day to the studios and classes that he leads. He makes himself available anytime outside of the classroom, is generous with his time and his unwavering enthusiasm is contagious to all his students.”