GUIDING US through the Pandemic
A year ago, her current job didn’t even exist. Now, at the age of 26 and having earned her Master of Public Health in December, she’s helping to guide the university through the pandemic. Meet Erin Duff, ’16, M.P.H. ’20, Southern’s COVID-19 coordinator.
DUFF’S JOB RESPONSIBILITIES COVER A LOT OF TERRITORY: “First and foremost, is the randomized testing
that we do on campus of residential students, studentathletes, and students in clinical placements, among others,” says Duff, who coordinated COVID-19 testing of 450 to 500 students a week in the fall. She also assists with Southern’s contact tracing program, on-campus quarantine and isolation, and educating the Southern community on COVID-19. TESTING: takes place in Engelman Hall in the grab-and-go
store/dining area, affectionately known as the Bagel Wagon. (It’s temporarily closed for dining, etc.) The site meets public health guidelines: adequate airflow, separate entrance and exit, no carpeting, and adequate space for people to wait safely. “Our student wait time is no more than five minutes, which is really great. . . . When I talk with other schools, their wait can be up to 45 minutes,” says Duff. Results are typically available within two days.
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FIRST PRIORITY: “Students and staff fill out a COVID-19 report
if they have been exposed or have tested COVID positive. The first thing I do is look for those in my email,” says Duff. She calls those members of the campus community, gathers information, and shares it with Southern’s team of contact tracers. TRACERS AND OTHER TEAM MEMBERS: Dr. Diane
Morgenthaler, director of health services, is the lead contact tracer, working alongside a team of six Southern graduate students. “For most, it is their internship, either for a Master of Social Work or Master of Public Health,” says Duff. All complete contact tracing training from the Department of Public Health. Duff also works closely with the directors of the wellness office and residence life, along with key people in student affairs. STAYING CONNECTED: Duff meets virtually with the
Connecticut Department of Public Health once or twice
