progress!

Wow, finally some exciting news to report!

There is a preliminary prediction (unconfirmed as of yet) that the PCP 2nd floor (NOT the clinics) will reopen next week, which would allow the Residency Program faculty and staff to be all located in one place. Our usual place. It's so hard to believe.

I read on the UTMB updates today that MS1 and MS2 return to classes has been delayed to 10/20.

There are still tremendous difficulties with lack of housing. Dr. Triana is on the island now and will be actively seeking out opportunities for our residents, so watch for email from her. I've asked Becky to contact various island daycares and check on their status and openings, so if you have childcare needs, watch for emails from her too.

Our SRFH location is still expected to reopen this week (mobile units there now, faculty seeing patients) and we hope to have two residents there in block 5 for FM outpatient rotations.

Various favorite restaurants and businesses are starting to reopen... I've heard Casey's, Fishtails, Chili's and NY Pizza have all reopened for lunch service.

Program faculty have begun preliminary discussions about recruiting for the 2009 Match and we will have definitive plans in the next couple of weeks. At this point, we're thinking about recruiting for a smaller class, somewhere in the 4 to 6 range with the option to pick up some PGY2 residents in the following cycle. We may be able to locate hotel rooms for the applicants in Houston, which will make the process simpler. Most likely we will not begin interview until at the earliest the first week in November.

That's all for now, but watch the UTMB website, this blog and email for further updates! Things are beginning to happen faster now.