In these challenging times, I would like to reach out to you personally and update you on the actions that we at Avalon University School of Medicine are taking in response to the unprecedented COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

The Avalon Team is working non-stop to ensure we’re addressing the health and safety of our students, employees, and their families. Most importantly, your safety and ongoing success is our top priority. With that in mind, we want you to know that we vigilantly monitor the situation on a day to day basis in the various locations where our students complete rotations, and we have already taken steps to close the campus to our students in Curaçao and have moved their training to a virtual format through the end of the semester.

We actively follow the official advice from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please know that in conjunction with the start of next semester (May 2020), we will make an assessment based on the facts available and the guidance that we receive from local partners and appropriate health agencies, taking all opinions and feelings in our decision-making process as the time draws nearer. As of today, we plan to begin the semester as scheduled on May 4th, 2020. We will keep you informed of any changes going forward.

This is important not only for prevention of the spread of coronavirus, but to help prevent the spread of other infections. We thank you for your support and would like to extend our heartfelt sympathies to all who are experiencing difficulties. We realize that you’re on the front lines of dealing with this crisis, and on behalf of the entire Avalon Team, we are here to support you as we all work together to navigate our way forward.

Hello Everyone,

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic is altering nearly every aspect of our society and higher education is feeling the impact through safety concerns, closed campuses, and unprecedented disruption.

So you may be wondering, “Will Avalon’s campus be holding the May 2020 semester?” The answer is YES we WILL start the semester as planned on May 4th, 2020, and if there are restrictions during this period, especially for the students that cannot travel to Curaçao, we will continue to make use of distance learning / online learning platforms for those affected.

We have deep empathy for the impact this pandemic is having on all students, and Avalon is committed to continuing students’ education with as little disruption as possible. However, we would never place our students or educators in harm’s way.

Our students are at the forefront of our thinking as we navigate through this extraordinary global pandemic. We will continue to monitor the situation and will update you further.

I am reaching out to our current and prospective students, faculty, and staff as the Dean of Avalon University School of Medicine. Like many of you, I have been regularly following the reports of COVID-19 and thinking of many ways in which its future course of action might alter many of our lives.  Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers are on the frontlines of the pandemic as they fight for all of us, and there are no words to appreciate their heroic acts.

Medical education is not an exception to this bumpy ride during these difficult times. The stress on learners can be mitigated by providing the proper supporting systems to learners. We discussed with all key stakeholders, including students, faculty, and staff members, and decided to go with online instruction/classes keeping the highest priority for the safety of our students and faculty with little or no disruption to the academic activities. We started virtual instruction for our medical students. We have had virtual/online classes for the last three weeks, which have shown experiences nothing but positive. We will be continuing the online/virtual instruction for the next semester, May-August 2020, too, as most of our student body comprises international students coming from different countries, including U.S.A., Canada, India, Nigeria, etc.

To our students, I know it is tough to leave your friends, faculty, and your classrooms. This is required not just to protect us but also to protect other members of our community. To our faculty, we recognize that you are going beyond and rethink how you teach. To our staff, just thanking is not enough as they have gone over and above to support our mission and teaching. I am fortunate to be part of a community that has shown great resilience in these trying tough times.

Dear Friends,

During my past year as Dean of Clinical Sciences, I have witnessed courage, creativity, resilience, and kindness at all levels of the Avalon University School of Medicine Community. It has been especially obvious during this challenging COVID – 19 Pandemic, where we have needed to draw upon each of those virtues. Our administration has had the courage to make bold decisions for the health and safety of our students. Embracing technology and creativity, our faculty is encouraging more online learning. The students are expressing their resilience in being able to adapt to the changes requested; and at every level, we are witnessing examples of kindness throughout our Medical Community.

In his address to the Medical School Community last week, our Chancellor, Dr. Shokat Fatteh, sent a very reassuring message for these “challenging times”. “The health and safety of our students, employees, and their families” and the “ongoing success” of our students are top priorities. His optimism about beginning the basic sciences semester, as scheduled, on May 4 th , 2020 is unwavering. The Culture of Collaboration which exists amongst the administrative team and faculty is exemplary, in great part because of Dr. Fatteh’s leadership and our Executive Dean, Dr. Sateesh Arja’s, ability to cultivate team learning.

My recommendation to every member of our Medical School Community is to use this time
as an opportunity:

• For administration, we may be viewing a glimpse into the future of Medical School Education where more on-line learning, especially in the basic sciences, may be good as we borrow from best practices around the globe,
• For our basic science teachers, we may wish to find ways to incorporate more on-line teaching into our curriculum,
• For our clinical preceptors, know that our students really want to be with you at the bedside, mentored by your compassionate care; but understand that they must seek the “higher good” at this time of uncertainty, and
• For our students, stay healthy so that you can complete your medical school training. Also, be inspired to become the next wave of practitioners who will conquer future pandemics. They will inevitably come our way. Also, don’t waste this opportunity to do some extra studying for your USMLE Step Exams. Prepare to get really good scores so that your dream of achieving a Residency Match will come true.

These are trying times, but we will get through it together. Please be patient with us and with one another. Also, be kind to those you meet – even those who are unkind, because they
need it the most.

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use at least 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover the mouth and nose with the inside of the elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Practice strict social distancing.