U-M COVID-19 Committees

The University of Michigan’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been shaped by many members of the community. The expertise and insights shared by thousands of U-M faculty, staff and students have helped to ensure that the core elements of the university’s mission continue amid the global pandemic. The latest information on the university’s policies and guidance related to the pandemic can be found on the U-M Health Response website.

This page includes groups that are currently active and have universitywide representation and scope. Many university units have also established committees or conducted engagement to assess and respond to the challenges of the pandemic.

Campus Public Health Infection Prevention and Response Advisory Committee

The Campus Public Health Infection Prevention and Response Advisory Committee was established to advise and make recommendations to the president, executive officers and designated committees relating to the ongoing design and implementation of public health and safety mitigations, measures and policies related to public health threats of infection or viral outbreaks ; to coordinate the work of key offices and officials responsible for the public health response to an outbreak or pandemic on the campuses

The primary objectives of the committee are to:

  • Assemble and support interdisciplinary departments that will meet the immediate needs of the university, its health system, and the larger community.
  • Evaluate and recommend investment opportunities in critical infrastructure to address emerging infectious diseases.
  • Analyze data, information and needs across the campus to timely inform recommendations regarding the development and implementation of changing public health measures and institutional responses
  • Recommend and advise on ongoing public health approaches such as virus testing and serology, contact tracing, disease quarantine, disease surveillance, PPE practices, personal behavior guidelines
  • Serve as a resource to resolve ongoing and arising questions from schools, colleges and units regarding implementation of campus guidelines

Robert Ernst, Associate Vice President for Student Life, Executive Director of University Health Service, and Chief Health Officer(CHO)

Darryl Conway, Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief Health and Welfare Officer

Kelly Cruz, Associate General Counsel, Office of the Vice President and General Counsel

Lorraine Currie, Director, Enterprise Strategic Risk Management

Sarah Daniels, Associate Dean of Students, Dean of Students Office

Jessica Durkin, Chief of Staff, Office of the Vice President for Research

Marisa Eisenberg, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, School of Public Health

Amy Finley, Dean of Students, University of Michigan-Dearborn

Nancy Fleischer, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, School of Public Health

Christine Gerdes, Associate General Counsel, Special Counsel to the Provost

Sara Holliday, Communications and PR Lead for the Chief Health Officer

Mike Lane, Director, Environmental Health and Safety & Emergency Preparedness, University of Michigan-Flint

Preeti Malani, Special Advisor to the President, Professor of Medicine

Emily Martin, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, School of Public Health

JoLynn Montgomery, Lead Epidemiologist, University Health Services

Patrick Morgan, Chief International Safety Officer

Lindsey Mortenson, Associate Executive Director, University Health Services, Chief Mental Health Officer

Oluwaferanmi Okanlami, Director of Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services, Director of Services for Students with Disabilities, Director of Testing Accommodation Centers, Director of Adaptive Sports & Fitness, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine/Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation/Urology

Brandonn Perry, Director of Safety and Infection Prevention, Dental School

Danielle Sheen, Executive Director, Environment, Health & Safety

Julie Snyder, Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Campus Inclusion and Student Life, University of Michigan-Flint

Emily Stoneman, Clinical Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine

Bradley Walvort, Director of Emergency Management

Laraine Washer, Medical Director, Infection Control Health System, Medical School, Clinical Professor of Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine

Tim Wood, Senior Director, Staff HR Services

Staff

Dyan Jenkins-Ali, Chief of Staff to CHO (staff)

Cynthia Jones, Committee Coordinator

Previous COVID-19 planning, engagement and response information

University leaders convened groups and conducted engagement to inform the planning for the Fall 2020 term. That information can be viewed on the Previous COVID-19 Committees page.

The University of Michigan developed a comprehensive plan for the Winter 2021 term incorporating public health guidance, lessons learned from the Fall Semester and extensive feedback and engagement with the community.