Staff Emails & Town Halls

To keep our employees up to date on the ever-changing COVID-19 situation, Mount Sinai provides a variety of communications daily. We offer updates on our health system’s response to the virus in numerous ways including emails and town halls.

Broadcast Emails

Mount Sinai distributes daily updates on our response to COVID-19. Below is a listing of our daily broadcasts.

April 9, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
If you haven’t yet read the note that Dr. Davis and Dr. Charney sent yesterday about this holiday season, I hope you will. It so eloquently captures the complicated mix of feelings that many of us are experiencing at this time of year and in the midst of this pandemic. There is no road map for this journey we are on. The dawn of each new day brings us new challenges, new insights, and new emotions. The battle between hope and fear rages in each of us.
April 8, 2020
The Holiday Season
The COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted our lives to an extent most of us have never experienced before, is inflicting even more pain this month for followers of three of the world's major religions.
April 8, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
The encouraging trend that we have seen over the past few days is continuing. The three-day hospitalization rate in New York State has flattened, and officials are beginning to see small decreases in the numbers of hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and daily intubations. I still remain measured in my optimism—as I believe we all should—but also deeply heartened. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
April 7, 2020
Gratitude and Community: Even More
Your tireless work to help COVID-19 patients during these challenging times has been noticed all around the world. My leadership team and I are, as I have said before, in awe and determined to make sure that you have the support you need to succeed.
April 7, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
As many of you know, we started the week with some encouraging news. Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced that New York State has seen a flattening in the number of new COVID-19 cases for two days, and decreases in ICU admissions, hospitalizations, and daily intubations. It is still too early to know if this is truly the apex of the outbreak, or merely a plateau, but it was welcome news. You all know better than most that our fight is not over, and our patients need us now more than ever. With this hopeful news as our beacon, we will continue this humanitarian mission of our lifetimes.
April 6, 2020
COVID-19: Dialogue on Racism and Bias
We are saddened and alarmed to hear of increasing instances taking place in our city, our country, and around the world of anti-Chinese and anti-Asian scapegoating and xenophobic reactions, including fear, exclusion, microaggressions, and other racist behaviors related to COVID-19.
April 6, 2020
Gratitude and Community
The life-saving work that you all are doing for our patients and our city keeps increasing as we approach the peak of this cruel and devastating pandemic. I remain in awe of the efforts you are putting in and the sacrifices you are making. Together, we are making this Mount Sinai’s finest hour.
April 6, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
Since the virus has escalated in our city and around the world, I’ve been thinking about bravery, strength, fear, and loss…but also hope. Every neighbor who practices social distancing, every one of you who makes care for our patients possible, every grocery store clerk and MTA conductor who keeps the world running for us—they are giving us hope. And your dedication each day, for your patients, your colleagues, your city, and your state, is giving the world hope during this immensely difficult time. You can see it each night at 7 pm, when your neighbors clap for you across the city.
April 4, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
Amidst the suffering and loss of this terrible pandemic, we are seeing many patients recover and become well enough to get discharged from our hospitals—because of you. And for those we can’t save, we will ease their suffering and do what we can for them and their loved ones. This is how we will heal the world: one precious life at a time.
April 3, 2020
Lifting Hearts and Saving Lives
We know this is extremely hard. No one before has ever seen what we are currently experiencing. The surge of patients, the severity of the illness, and the overall chaos and fear of the moment have taken a huge toll on everyone. As this crisis has expanded and deepened, we know that it is personally affecting many of you. The Mount Sinai family is exhausted, worn out, and beaten up. Colleagues, family members, and loved ones are getting sick, and some of our long-standing patients and friends are being consumed by this ravaging disease. It is not fair. And it is not right. But this disease does not play by the rules and we must continue to take the fight to it.
April 3, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
It is hard to put fully into words what we are all grappling with as we navigate our way through this pandemic. The pace of the work, the intensity, the sadness and loss, and the ever-present awareness of risk. Fear and uncertainty cling to us at times. Yet…each day, as we face down our fear and find the strength to come in and do our part, we are engaging in some of the most meaningful and impactful work of our lives. As scary as these days are, this is our time to shine. We are healing so many and comforting those we can’t save—one precious life at a time.
April 2, 2020
COVID-19 Biospecimen Effort
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has begun an unprecedented effort to harness all of its scientific power to combat COVID-19. Every day for the next few weeks, we will aim to collect blood samples for research from hundreds of patients admitted to the Mount Sinai Hospital with COVID-19. Nothing will be required of healthcare workers except for one thing: moving forward, an additional set of tubes will be added to morning blood draws for many COVID-19 patients.
April 2, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
"I know that I am rising to the occasion and that all of you are rising too. We are
resilient, we are heroes to the public and our families. We are innovative and
setting the highest standards for other organizations with our best practices…
We can't overcome these challenges by ourselves. We all can, and must, work
together... If we do, I know that we will come out of this stronger than when we
came in."
April 1, 2020
Gratitude and Community
I hope that this letter finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy in the midst of these unprecedented and challenging times for our city, our state, our country, and our world. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought us to the brink of our shared humanity, and will test us all in the days and months ahead.
April 1, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
We are not alone in this humanitarian mission of our lifetime. New York State leaders are helping to increase collaboration across the state—a move we very much welcome. That includes identifying existing resources that are potentially going underutilized, bringing staff from upstate to downstate, and facilitating patient transfers between hospitals where feasible. The goal is simple: to ensure that every type of medical resource is directed to the areas with the greatest need, where it can be maximized most.
March 31, 2020
Update on COVID-19: Samaritan’s Purse
The Mount Sinai Hospital and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai were created with the mission to teach, heal, and support our communities. We are here to help our communities during this crisis, and we are committed to saving as many lives as we possibly can with a single-minded focus on the larger good.
March 31, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
Every day presents new challenges in our fight against COVID-19, and I know that each day feels harder than the last. But as our fight intensifies, I am deeply heartened by how all of us are coming together to tackle this crisis head on.
March 30, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
I want to give you an update on our Personal Protective Equipment. As I mentioned last week, we are meeting with success in getting more of it. It is a 24/7 relentless effort. Some of what we are getting in will look unfamiliar to you because we are sourcing from multiple manufacturers. In order to make sure that what we put in the field is safe, we need to send it for testing at certified laboratories.
March 29, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
It is the weekend but it sure doesn’t feel like the weekend. Before COVID-19, for our many weekday work colleagues, the weekend provided time to pause and reflect; to recover physically and emotionally; to connect with others at home, in the community, or perhaps in houses of worship; and to restore ourselves in preparation for the coming week. For our colleagues who work weekends, this restoration may similarly occur on weekday days off.
March 28, 2020
A Very Tough Week
This was a very hard week for all of us at Mount Sinai, and certainly for our colleagues at Mount Sinai West. As the crisis grows, the pressure on all of us mounts because of the work we do and the fear that we must face down each day. Adding to that, we lost a true hero in our ranks, Kious Kelly, RN, whose passion, dedication, and commitment to his patients and colleagues will always be remembered and cherished. His passing brought a somber reminder to an already deadly reality and added yet another layer of grief, frustration, and fear to what was already a very challenging week.
March 28, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
We’ve been through a tough stretch, but we’ve made tremendous progress in being able to serve more patients in need at one time than we have ever served before. New units continue to open, you and your colleagues continue to inspire the world with your heroism, and the supply lines are opening up. We are moving patients between hospitals to try and relieve any pressure points while we still have the capacity to do so. It is an amazing amount of progress in a short time.
March 27, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
The Mount Sinai family continues to show incredible resilience. Every corner of our Health System is stepping up to overcome these extraordinary obstacles. Whether at home or at work, there are unbelievable demands being placed on every one of us, and it’s more important than ever that we take care of ourselves and each other.
March 26, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
To meet the growing volume of patients with COVID-19 at The Mount Sinai Hospital, we will begin constructing new patient pods today in select public spaces. These areas will include the Guggenheim Pavilion West and Center lobbies and the Annenberg West Lobby. We expect construction to be complete within the next week.
March 26, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
Our friends, family, and loved ones outside Mount Sinai are no doubt living through a confusing and anxiety-inducing time. For those on the front lines of this fight, we are being tested like never before. And we need to rely on each other like never before.
March 25, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
Yesterday, Governor Cuomo provided revised estimates regarding COVID-19 growth. Based on the current rate of spread, even though the vast majority of infected patients will have mild disease, the number of patients with severe enough illness to need hospitalization and ICU-level care is expected to rise faster than our ability to fully meet the demand.
March 24, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
As COVID-19 spreads, New York State is now home to 5 percent of all cases worldwide—recently topping 20,000. But critically, city and state preparation has advanced. Yesterday, Governor Cuomo toured the Javits Center, which will be transformed over the next 7-10 days into a 1,000-bed hospital. This, and the USS Comfort and other measures, will give our city important capacity at a time when we need it most. Governor Cuomo is ordering hospitals to increase capacity by at least 50 percent—something that the Mount Sinai Health System has committed to and has already been working toward.
March 23, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
This weekend, Drs. Davis and Charney sent out a call to action for those not already fully engaged in the fight against COVID-19. The response has been extraordinary. If you haven’t already signed up, you can do so here. I want to answer a few questions about this that I know you must have.
March 21, 2020
COVID-19: Sign Up for the Fight
Yesterday, we wrote to you all expressing the need for all of us to come together, that the fight we face is much larger than any of us individually. In response, we have been awed by the positive reactions and offers to help in any way possible. While not surprising, these responses have been reaffirming and uplifting.
March 21, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
New York now represents approximately half of all COVID-19-positive cases nationwide. To better slow the rate of transmission, yesterday Governor Cuomo signed an executive order requiring, by 8 pm tomorrow, the closure of all nonessential businesses statewide.
March 20, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
Fighting COVID-19 this week has been the most challenging yet—and possibly the most challenging in our health system’s history. As the pandemic grows and more patients require our help, New Yorkers are going to rely on us even more. This is a challenge of unprecedented proportions, and we remain truly grateful to each of you for the brave, tireless work you are doing every single day to help our city get through this crisis.
March 20, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
Personal protective equipment is the lifeblood of a pandemic fight. I am seeing a massive response to our efforts to acquire as much of it as we will need. Everyone is stepping up. Members of our Boards of Trustees are using every available relationship to find solutions, and we are already seeing significant donations as a result of those efforts.
March 19, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
Predictive models suggest that the number of COVID-19 cases here in our region is likely to grow for the next 45 days or so before tapering off. We are working to build new capacity in our health system to meet the growing demand. And the city, state, and federal governments are mobilizing to help.
March 18, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
COVID-19-positive cases continue to rise significantly each day. Governor Cuomo said yesterday that state modeling predicts that the number of cases, and the pressure on the health care system, will peak in about 45 days. These models are not perfect, but they do give us insight into what we need to prepare for.
March 17, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
As we enter the third week of our region’s COVID-19 health care crisis, I want to tell you how many stories I am hearing about your efforts that leave me in awe. You are displaying true heroism at a moment when our neighbors need us most. I will be sharing some of those stories with you in the coming days.
March 16, 2020
COVID-19 Health System Updates
As COVID-19 continues to have a dramatic impact around the globe and specifically here in New York, it is important that you have the information you need to keep yourselves, your colleagues, and our patients as safe as possible.
March 13, 2020
COVID-19 Mount Sinai Health System – Thank You
Your work, your leadership, and your calm have been exemplary. In particular, we want to personally thank the physicians, nurses, and all of the frontline staff caring for those affected, or worried they are affected, by COVID-19. Your work is seen, admired, and wholeheartedly appreciated not just by us and leadership, but by your colleagues and your communities. Thank you
March 13, 2020
Temporary Closure of all Mount Sinai Health System Libraries Effective Saturday, March 1
Effective Saturday March 14, all Mount Sinai Health System libraries, including the Levy Library at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai located in the Annenberg Building, Mount Sinai Morningside Information Commons, and Mount Sinai West Library, will be closed to patrons and visitors until further notice.
March 13, 2020
COVID-19 Mount Sinai Health System Work-From-Home and Travel Policies
In order to help stop the community spread and ensure we have adequate workforce staffing, we are sharing a set of guidelines for how managers can permit eligible staff to work from home as well as implementing international and domestic travel and PTO restrictions for Mount Sinai staff, faculty, and trainees.
March 10 2020
COVID-19 Mount Sinai Health System Visitor and Cafeteria Policy Changes
In every health care setting, family members and friends are vital to the well-being and recovery of our patients. However, given the evolving COVID-19 situation, it’s essential that we balance the needs of our patients and their families while maintaining the safest environment for all patients, staff, and visitors.
March 08 2020
COVID-19 Policy on Lectures, Events, and Meetings
Out of an abundance of caution, effective as soon as possible, but no later than Tuesday, March 10, we are instituting a temporary policy to cancel all in-person large group lectures, events, and meetings across the Mount Sinai Health System, and if possible, offer a virtual alternative.
March 09 2020
The Governor's Announcement on COVID-19
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo declared a State of Emergency in New York State to help limit any further spread of COVID-19. This declaration should not cause alarm. Rather, it is a positive step for the Mount Sinai Health System, as it will ensure that we have better support and resources from the state during this time.
March 06 2020
End-of-Week Wrapup on COVID-19
This has been a challenging week for all of us, but you all have risen to the occasion. Because of your dedicated work, your endless compassion, and your calm in the face of COVID-19, Mount Sinai is once again showing the world how to lead in a time of adversity. We are deeply proud of what you have all accomplished together and we know we are up to the task in the weeks ahead.
March 05 2020
COVID-19 Travel Policy
With COVID-19 continuing to spread around the world, it is important that we keep our faculty, students, trainees, employees, and families safe. While the risk remains low in the New York metropolitan region, other countries and regions have seen significant outbreaks. This means that we must impose restrictions on travel to countries listed as Level 2 and Level 3 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
March 02 2020
Confirmed Case of COVID-19
On Saturday, February 29, The Mount Sinai Hospital Emergency Department evaluated a person who had recently traveled to Iran and had mild respiratory symptoms. The appropriate isolation protocols were followed, and the case was reported to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). On Sunday, March 1, we were informed that the patient had tested presumptively positive for COVID-19. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will perform confirmatory testing.
February 27 2020
Update on the COVID-19 Coronavirus
While this illness has been widely covered in the news media, and the number of cases worldwide has grown substantially since we last communicated with you, there are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New York State or the New York metropolitan region.
February 20 2020
Continuing to Preserve Our Supply of Masks
Thank you to everyone who heeded our message last week about preserving our supplies of N95 respirators and medical/surgical masks. With your help, we have stabilized our supply of N95s, for now.
February 11 2020
Preserving Our Supplies of Respirators and Masks
The novel coronavirus (19nCoV) outbreak has caused a worldwide shortage of N95 respirators and other types of face masks used in medical settings. As a result, we must assume that supplies will be restricted for some time to come and, therefore, ensure that these devices are available when specifically indicated.
February 03 2020
Update for Travelers on the Novel Coronavirus
The U.S. State Department has issued a Do Not Travel level 4 travel advisory for China, because of the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and because travelers may encounter forcible quarantines and/or cancellations of flights and other transportation.
February 03 2020
Advisory for Health Care Workers on the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak
Over the weekend, officials from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) for the first time referred cases of suspected 2019-nCoV infection to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmatory testing.
January 31 2020
Update on the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to monitor the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which began in December. More than 400 human infections have been confirmed, including in health care workers.

Daily Headlines

Mount Sinai distributes daily updates on our response to COVID-19. Here are a digest of these advisories:

Supply Chain Memo

Wellness Letter

Town Hall Videos

Mount Sinai is hosting a series of Town Hall Meetings to keep our faculty and staff informed and answer COVID-19 related questions. Past Town Halls are available online.

Specialist

Primary Care Physician

Staff Emails & Town Halls

Broadcast Emails

Daily Headlines

Town Hall Videos