In This Issue
We at CHEPS join President Schlissel in condemning racism and invite you to read his full message here.
Our Virtual Summer
If there’s one thing we know about CHEPSters, it’s that they’re always up for a challenge. Working together to solve problems is what we do. Figuring out our virtual summer at CHEPS was no exception. Virtual kick-off may have been over Zoom, but we still all shared “one boring fact about ourselves” as an icebreaker. Which CHEPSter is allergic to artificial cinnamon flavor but not real cinnamon? Only those CHEPSters who were in attendance will ever know.
Those of you who have spent a summer working at CHEPS in the past know how special it is to get to know your fellow students, even those not on your project team, through time spent in the workroom, CHEPS socials, and more. COVID-19 meant this summer had to look a little different. But CHEPSters have found ways to stay connected with one another and keep the magic of CHEPS summer going, even during these difficult times. Lunch and Learns have moved from the conference room to Zoom but so many alums and Friends-of-CHEPS, like our first two virtual speakers Mark Van Sumeren and Bill Zhang, have graciously agreed to share their time and experience with students. And the enlightening talks and Q&A sessions remain much the same.
Many of the conversations that would have taken place in the workroom, now happen in a CHEPS Slack channel. In addition to channels for project teams, staff, general CHEPS news, and ideas and suggestions, we have some fun channels like one to recommend new music to each other. We’ve also started a lunch club with activities that bring the students together each lunch hour to learn, share ideas, or just relax. Student leads help organize the activities for each day. Mondays are for wellness and social activities, Tuesdays are for journal clubs, Wednesdays are for a MOOC, titled “Understanding and Improving the U.S. Healthcare System,” designed by the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation (IHPI), Thursdays are for student presentations, and Fridays are for our external speaker Lunch and Learns.
CHEPSters who participated in the in-person 5k which began and ended by the CHEPS building.
And, in addition to their work, CHEPS students are finding ways to support their community. Students Kate Burns, Dean Golan, and Emily Krebs helped organize a CHEPS team for the #HailtotheFrontLine Virtual 5k to raise funds for the COVID-19 Philanthropic Fund to bolster & accelerate Michigan Medicine’s efforts during the COVID-19 crisis. Several CHEPSters in Ann Arbor gathered to run together while remaining socially distant and CHEPSters across the world joined in by Zoom, connecting with the CHEPS team on running app Strava, and sharing pictures and videos of their 5ks. Together, Team CHEPS was able to raise $675 to help Michigan Medicine fight COVID-19.
“I think fitness is a really fun way to gather together,” said Kate Burns. “And we can still social distance while doing it which makes it really great because we can see everyone, get the endorphins up, and be part of the community.”
The Center for Healthcare Engineering and Patient Safety (CHEPS) Virtual 5k Team consisted of CHEPS students, alumni, faculty, and more fundraising for the COVID-19 Philanthropic Fund to bolster and accelerate Michigan Medicine’s efforts during this crisis. CHEPSters from all over the world participated.
Recent News
- Lunch & Learn with Bill Zhang, 5/29/20
- Alum Joe East Welcomes Baby Peter Ignatius, 5/28/20
- Lunch & Learn with Mark Van Sumeren, 5/22/20
- Alum Jessica Southwell Shares Photos of Baby Foster, 5/19/20
- CHEPSters Attend Virtual Conference on AI for Healthcare in the Time of COVID-19, 5/13/20
- CHEPS Champions: Alex Friedman Peahl and the Prenatal Team, 5/8/20
CHEPS Student Blog
Where in the World Is CHEPS?
We’re all at home, as evidenced by these photos from our summer kick-off meeting! But, if you want to reminisce and see some past CHEPS travels, visit our “Where in the World Is CHEPS?” page.
Center for Healthcare Engineering & Patient Safety | University of Michigan
[email protected] | cheps.engin.umich.edu
