COVID-19: One Year Later
Impact
WASHU MEDICINE RESPONDS TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
When the pandemic hit in early 2020, the world changed in an instant. As a premier academic medical center, WashU Medicine was called upon not only to cope with the virus, but to help defeat it. In response, we have mustered our resolve, talent and heart to address the biggest public health crisis of our time.
This site presents stories of WashU Medicine’s response to COVID-19. For administrative updates and policies, visit covid19.med.wustl.edu.
A year like no other
Dean David Perlmutter and others recap an extraordinary year.
A year of COVID-19
Science, medicine rose to the occasion in the battle against the novel coronavirus, but the fight to return to normalcy rages on. Read the story in WashU Medicine news »Campus operations shift dramatically
A crisis unfolds
As the crisis unfolds in early 2020, leaders across the school are called upon to urgently transform the ways we work, teach, learn, care for patients and conduct research. Read the story in Outlook »Frontline workers face the virus head on
“It’s why we got into medicine”
From the beginning, our frontline health-care workers have borne the brunt of the pandemic, in one of the hardest-hit hospitals in the region. Read the story in Outlook »Video Series: On the Front Lines
Mental health
Psychiatrist Jessica Gold, MD, talks about the impact the COVID-19 crisis has been having on mental health.Critical care
Critical care physician Tiffany Osborn, MD, discusses critical care in the time of COVID-19.View more stories from the front lines »
While the world watches
Journalists across the globe reported on research and innovations at the school.
View more WashU Medicine news coverage »
Teachers and learners adapt
Significant Firsts
The newly minted Gateway Curriculum positioned the medical school to not only survive, but thrive, as faculty and students found innovative ways to teach and learn. Read the story in Outlook »Milestone events go virtual
Orientation
Starting medical school during a pandemic gave the 2020 entering class a unique educational experience and a new sense of purpose.Match Day
Students couldn’t celebrate their residency match news together as they normally would, but they shared their personal experiences through video.View more stories of medical school in the pandemic »
Researchers seek solutions
Laboratories regroup
Medical school labs pivoted immediately to enter the frantic, worldwide effort to end the pandemic. Read the story in Outlook »Answers emerge
From fundamental studies of viral structure and function to international clinical trials, WashU Medicine researchers combat the virus from multiple angles. Contributions include:
- Saliva-based diagnostic test
- Mouse model to test drugs and vaccines
- Nasal vaccine licensed for development
- Major vaccine and drug clinical trials (Podcast)
Innovation and inspiration
A new podcast launched March 26, 2020, to highlight heroic work in research and patient care. Subscribe to Show Me the Science wherever you get your podcasts.
Developing therapies: COVID-19 vaccines and treatments progress
Caring for providers: Mental health during a pandemic
Confronting disparities: Racism as a public health issue
Keep listening: See all episodes »
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Students apply their talents
Mobilizing in a public health crisis
Students reacted quickly to run free clinics, address food insecurity, perform contact tracing, raise racial equity awareness, manufacture PPE and more. Read the story in Outlook »Video stories of engagement
Supporting vulnerable populations
Medical student Kay Park describes the initiative she co-founded to address food insecurity and help vulnerable populations.Addressing racism
At an event organized by medical students, thousands of medical center employees and trainees recognize racism as a public health issue.View more stories of student engagement »