The following message was sent to Ohio State students on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.
Notes from a Fellow Buckeye
Dear Colleagues,
I hope your first week back for spring semester was successful. Your indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to the university is inspiring and I am incredibly proud to work with such amazing faculty and staff to advance our teaching, learning, research and service missions.
The health and safety of students, faculty and staff is my top priority. The decisions we are making related to the health and well-being of all Buckeyes will continue to be based on the latest scientific data and guidance. We continue to closely monitor transmission of COVID-19 on our campuses and will adjust our approach as needed.
Personally, I was thrilled last week to be back in the classroom, teaching a course titled Pathways to Net Zero Emissions. Combating climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, and Ohio State is stepping up to do its part in reducing the carbon emissions that cause extreme weather events and threaten the very future of our planet.
Celebrating success
Congratulations to Distinguished University Professor of Geography Ellen Mosley-Thompson and Distinguished University Professor of Earth Sciences Lonnie Thompson, who last week received the BBVA Foundation’s Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Climate Change in recognition of their extensive work to advance humankind’s knowledge of the Earth’s climate, past and present, and for demonstrating that the planet’s climate is changing at an alarming speed.
I also want to congratulate Dr. Homa Amini, professor-clinical in the Division of Pediatric Dentistry; Dr. Canise Bean, professor-clinical in the Division of Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry and director of Community Education; and Dr. Janice Townsend, chief of pediatric dentistry at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and chair of the college’s Division of Pediatric Dentistry. With the goal of creating innovations that enhance the dental care provided for patients, they contributed to a project that won a Gartner Eye on Innovation Award for Healthcare and Life Sciences for the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
Working with other health care professionals at Ohio State and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Drs. Amini, Bean and Townsend contributed to the development of a project called MPATHI – also known as “Making Professionals Able THrough Immersion.” This virtual reality-based program helps train dental professionals to be more empathetic by exposing them to “virtual” situations in which they provide simulated dental care for patients who struggle with financial challenges, food insecurity, limited health literacy and language barriers.
Kudos to Dr. Brian Roe, who was selected as a 2022 Fellow by the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association, the association’s highest honor. Dr. Roe is the Fred N. VanBuren Professor of Farm Management in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Additionally, the nurse residency programs for the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and Health System Nursing were awarded their second accreditation with distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Practice Transition Accreditation Program. These accreditations validate the high standards of the Buckeye Nurse Residency program and the commitment to excellence of all faculty and staff.
COVID-19
As a reminder, new health protocols for spring semester are in effect. Please mask up when you are indoors, regularly wash your hands, and get tested and stay home when you feel sick.
All Buckeyes are encouraged to sign up for COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Members of the Ohio State community can schedule appointments for a booster at Jesse Owens North on our Columbus campus. Many opportunities also exist for those on our regional campuses to receive boosters at locations across the state.
As always, Go Buckeyes!
Sincerely yours,
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD
President
COVID-19 Resources
- Safe and Healthy Buckeyes information and guidance
- Vaccination scheduling resources
- Testing resources
- Resources for COVID-19 research
- Resources for faculty
- Resources for staff
Wellness Resources
- Safe and Healthy Buckeyes: Mental Health and Wellness
- The Ohio State: Wellness app is available for Android and iOS devices
- Human Resources Keep Well website
- Chief Wellness Officer Health and Wellness page
- Your Plan For Health
- Ways for faculty and staff to support students
Dear Buckeyes,
The health and safety of Buckeyes is my top priority. The decisions we are making related to the health and well-being of all Buckeyes will continue to be based on the latest scientific data and guidance. We continue to closely monitor transmission of COVID-19 on our campuses and will adjust our approach as needed. Please know that we are here to support you through the challenges related to this enduring pandemic.
Personally, I was thrilled last week to be back in the classroom, teaching a course titled Pathways to Net Zero Emissions. Combating climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, and Ohio State is stepping up to do its part in reducing the carbon emissions that cause extreme weather events and threaten the very future of our planet.
Celebrating success
Every day, I am inspired by students doing incredible things.
Five dental students from the College of Dentistry’s Class of 2025 were selected recently as recipients of the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s National Health Service Corps scholarships. These highly competitive awards provide full tuition for four years of education and training for aspiring physicians, nurse practitioners and midwives, physician’s assistants and dentists. Congratulations to Sabrina Case, Camille Jackson, Martin McKay Smith, Ivanna Soto and Beoline Uwampamo!
Dr. Brandon Yeager, a third-year resident in the College of Dentistry’s Division of Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry, has been selected as a recipient of a Stanley D. Tylman Research Grant from the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics. Tylman grants are highly competitive awards that are given to full-time students enrolled in any postdoctoral program in the U.S. or Canada who conduct “outstanding research” that is pertinent to fixed prosthodontics. Congratulations, Dr. Yeager!
Additionally, the nurse residency programs for the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and Health System Nursing were awarded their second accreditation with distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Practice Transition Accreditation Program. These accreditations validate the high standards of the Buckeye Nurse Residency program.
While the Buckeye Dance Team is no stranger to winning performances, this year they outdid themselves by earning top honors in each of the three divisions in which they competed at the UDA Collegiate National Championships: pom, jazz and game day. No other team has ever won all three categories, let alone in the same year. The first-place finish in game day was especially sweet. In their inaugural year competing in the category, the Buckeyes teamed up with Brutus and The Best Damn Band in the Land to unseat four-time champion UNLV. Altogether, the team has won nine national championships in the last five years.
Safety
We also remain vigilant regarding the safety of students. I am keenly focused on the safety of off-campus neighborhoods in partnership with the City of Columbus. The university has added mobile lighting throughout the University District, and we continue to work with the city on permanent fixtures. And as you know, the university hired the company Block-By-Block to establish Buckeye Block Watch, a team to monitor the area and provide a visible safety presence.
COVID-19
As a reminder, new health protocols for spring semester are in effect. Please mask up when you are indoors, regularly wash your hands, and get tested and stay home when you feel sick.
All Buckeyes are encouraged to sign up for COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Members of the Ohio State community can schedule appointments for a booster at Jesse Owens North on our Columbus campus. You can also now use Lyft for free rides to booster appointments at Ohio State Outpatient Care Upper Arlington. You can get more information, including how to make an appointment, on the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website.
Many opportunities also exist for those on our regional campuses to receive boosters at locations across the state.
Making connections
One of the most meaningful things I get to do is connect with students. The Office Hours with the President program continues, and I encourage you to sign up for office hours.
As always, Go Buckeyes!
Sincerely yours,
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD
President
- Safe and Healthy Buckeyes: Mental Health and Wellness
- The Ohio State: Wellness app is available for Android and iOS devices
- Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS)
- Buckeye Peer Access Line (PAL)
- Free mental health programming and resources