Throughout the pandemic, the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) has been vigilant in helping to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and to support the MCW Family and our local communities. At the start of last academic year, we offered in-person classes when it was safe to do so while following well-validated protocols to ensure the health and safety of our learners, faculty and staff. As we approach the start of the new 2021/2022 academic year, MCW will be offering in-person experiences for learners to ensure an outstanding educational experience.

We are encouraged by the increased accessibility of the COVID-19 vaccine, that greater than 85% of MCW students, faculty and staff are vaccinated and the national reduction in COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths. This enormous success related to vaccination rates needs to continue with our incoming students to MCW. We expect that all students who arrive at MCW will be fully vaccinated before the beginning of orientations. Should you have questions about vaccinations or need assistance with ensuring that you receive a COVID vaccine prior to beginning your studies at your respective MCW campus, please consult the following resources:

• MCW-Milwaukee: Email COVIDVACCINE@Froedtert.com or call Froedtert & MCW Internal Occupational Health at (414) 805-7997.
• MCW-Green Bay: Vaccines can be obtained through the Prevea Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at UW-Green Bay. Email or call Sunny Debelak, MCW-Green Bay Campus Administrator, at sdebelak@mcw.edu or (920) 403-4502 for further assistance.
• MCW-Central Wisconsin: Email or call Kelly Mulder, MCW-Central Wisconsin Campus Administrator, at kmulder@mcw.edu or (715) 870-0915.

While MCW continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 across all campuses, we have put into place plans that will expand in-person activities in the next several months, while simultaneously adhering to appropriate protocols and guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and our own COVID-19 Response Team at MCW. Some of these expanded activities related to education will include more “normal” classroom learning and exam environments. In addition, as we recognize how critical it is to build relationships and friendships to support student wellness, we will follow CDC guidelines so that students who are fully vaccinated may be able to take advantage of outdoor spaces without wearing masks. To build community, we also are evaluating plans for important orientation activities as well as the return of outdoor intramural activities this fall.

Our new semester with enhanced in-person education will start in early July when we welcome first-year students in the School of Pharmacy. Medical students on MCW-Green Bay and MCW-Central Wisconsin will follow shortly thereafter, and first-year Medical and Graduate School students will matriculate in Milwaukee in early August.

We are eager to bring our learners and MCW community together. We appreciate the patience and sacrifices that learners, faculty and staff have made in navigating the many challenges we have faced. Updates on decisions and new information for the 2021/2022 academic year will be posted and shared via multiple communication venues as they become available.