Campus Mask Update

Faculty, Staff, and Students,

In compliance with state law and the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, UTHSC is withdrawing the mandatory indoor mask requirement effective immediately on all our campuses in non-patient care areas. However, the University strongly encourages everyone to wear a mask indoors while on campus to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

UTHSC-operated clinics (e.g. Dentistry, Audiology and Speech Pathology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and University Health Services) and our patient-care building (Dunn Dental Building) must continue with CMS masking and social distancing requirements for patient care areas as UTHSC's review of the regulatory CMS requirements for these clinics is ongoing. Therefore, masks and social distancing are required in these areas until further notice.

All UTHSC employees and students will continue to follow the rules and guidelines of our partner hospitals and practice plan clinics when in their facilities.

As new strains of COVID-19 continue to appear, I strongly urge all UTHSC employees and students to wear a mask and get vaccinated or boosted. You can find COVID-19 vaccines in your area at https://www.vaccines.gov/search/. As a reminder, please note that UTHSC does not currently mandate vaccination, but our hospital partners do have that requirement.

I appreciate your patience as we navigate this pandemic and the changing requirements. Our goal is to keep our faculty, staff, and students as safe as possible. We will continue to keep you updated as new developments emerge.

 

Steve Schwab, MD
Chancellor