University of Iowa med student-run mobile clinic offers free tele-medicine amid COVID-19 pandemic
Will Fineman, News Reporter
April 6, 2020
The University of Iowa Mobile Clinic has transitioned from its traditional, in-person medical services to telemedicine appointments amid social-distancing restrictions to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The student-run nonprofit offers free basic health care to primarily uninsured or un...
UIHC joins international clinical trial for drug to treat COVID-19
Kelsey Harrell, News Reporter
April 6, 2020
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics announced Monday that it is participating in an international clinical trial for remdesivir, an antiviral drug, to evaluate its safety and effectiveness in treating the novel coronavirus. The trial is for hospitalized patients aged 12 or older who meet the f...
University of Iowa organizations, community answer UIHC call for hospital equipment
Rachel Schilke, News Reporter
April 5, 2020
When University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics contacted UI Chief Innovation Officer Jon Darsee asking desperately for face shields to prevent employees from contracting the novel coronavirus, Darsee knew the UI’s engineering resources could step up to the plate. Among the six operations that ...
Local pharmacies struggle to attain personal protective equipment amid COVID-19 pandemic
Rin Swann, News Reporter
April 5, 2020
At Greenwood Drug and Compounding center, a Waterloo-based pharmacy, a staff of 50 continues its work amid the novel-coronavirus pandemic without face masks — and no clear information on when they will have some. Robert Nichols, director of clinical services at Greenwood and a University of Io...
UI Health Care leaders say COVID-19 takes financial toll on system; focused on resources for patients, staff
Katie Ann McCarver, News Editor
April 1, 2020
University of Iowa Health Care leaders said Wednesday that the enterprise's response to combatting COVID-19 is expected to take a financial toll of around $50 million, but they're committed to maximizing resources and staff to deliver the care that's needed. UI Vice President for Medical Affairs Brooks Jack...
Carver College of Medicine Hawkeyes provide services for health care workers
Rin Swann, News Reporter
March 29, 2020
Denise Martinez normally hands off her 16-month-old son to her parents when she needs childcare. Because of the novel coronavirus, however, Martinez, the associate dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Carver College of Medicine and a family medicine clinical associate professor, has b...
Iowa blood-donation centers call for donations after canceled blood drives
Mary Hartel, News Reporter
March 26, 2020
While the COVID-19 pandemic has driven common blood-drive locations — schools, businesses, and churches — to close their doors, blood banks and donation centers are adopting new measures to ensure a blood shortage does not occur. Staff and volunteers at the American Red Cross organization, which...
UI health official says UIHC plans to ‘triple or quadruple’ in-house testing by next week
Sarah Watson, Managing News Editor
March 25, 2020
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics plans to expand its in-house testing, announced on Friday, by three- or four-fold, UI Vice President for Medical Affairs Brooks Jackson said Wednesday. “We believe we can triple or quadruple that testing probably in a week or so,” Jackson said during a press ...
UI Health Care, Mercy leaders urge against shelter-in-place order for now
Sarah Watson, Managing Editor
March 25, 2020
Iowa City hospitals are encouraging not calling for a shelter-in-place order, Mercy Iowa City and University of Iowa Health Care officials said at a press conference Wednesday. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has maintained that Iowa doesn’t need an order from the state for residents to stay at home ye...
UI Health Care will soon provide COVID-19 testing
Naomi Hofferber, Arts Reporter
March 24, 2020
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics will offer COVID-19 testing starting Friday in an effort to ramp up testing capacity for the disease. While physicians can order a test for those suspected of having the novel coronavirus, a Monday announcement said, testing will continue to follow cer...
UI launches emergency funds for students, health-care providers
Kelsey Harrell, News Reporter
March 23, 2020
The University of Iowa is accepting donations for two emergency funds that aim to benefit both students and health-care providers at UI Hospitals and Clinics during the novel coronavirus outbreak. The three Iowa regent universities — the UI, Iowa State University, and the University of Northe...
What is COVID-19? A breakdown of the virus that’s spread across the globe
Alexandra Skores, News Editor
March 22, 2020
COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has claimed the lives of over 12,000 individuals across the world and now has a case present in all 50 U.S. states. The virus hadn’t previously been identified in humans, however, in 2020, the virus has proven to have taken the l...