OHSU is enrolling Portland-area residents in the AstraZeneca and Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial.

In a story describing the experiences of two local residents who have experienced COVID-19 symptoms for months, Akram Khan, M.D., says “There are so many things going on on so many levels that we don’t understand and we just need to respect these patients and know that their symptoms are real and what they’re describing is actually true.”

The OHSU School of Dentistry’s program to train Oregon dentists to give vaccinations is described in a story about efforts to allow California dentists and optometrists to also give vaccines. Mary Pat Califano, M.B.A., B.S.N., R.N., says "We just need as many people as possible to give flu shots and Covid-19 vaccines when they're available. If it happens that they're in a dental office and that provider is educated and capable of giving a vaccine, why not?"

Nicole Bowles, Ph.D., describes how she tried to stretch research funding when her studies were paused during the early days of the pandemic. She says “As a young investigator who is trying to build my research portfolio, every dollar really does count.”

OHSU is now enrolling participants for the AstraZeneca/Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial. Marcel Curlin, M.D., says “we’re in this position, a once-in-a-lifetime historic moment which is affecting so many people worldwide and, in many cases, tragically. It feels like a huge social mission.”

In the latest in a series of interviews with Oregon Public Broadcasting, Dawn Nolt, M.D., M.P.H., says, “When we talk about when to start and when to continue in-person education, we should remember that kids don’t drive COVID-19 infection in the community.”

In a story about people missing human touch as they physically distance during the pandemic, Larry Sherman, Ph.D., describes how touch stimulates skin and the brain, adding “human contact is so important. If you’re in a stressful situation, like being in the middle of a pandemic, a hug is a great thing.”

Esther Choo, M.D., says children may need to wait longer than adults to be vaccinated against COVID.

Danny Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H., said a New England Journal of Medicine study that found antibiotic treatment wasn’t inferior to removing the appendix raised “at least two questions,” including “what other factors relevant to medical care and treatment should be considered in comparing these treatment options?” and “would patients and their providers accept an alternative to appendectomy?”

While James Heilman, M.D., says OHSU routinely accepts transfer patients from Umatilla and other rural Oregon counties, he’s concerned OHSU may not be able to fulfill as many transfer requests if the number of COVD patients continues to rise.