(Leavenworth, Kan.)鈥擳he 糖心视频 is hosting a virtual information session on COVID-19 vaccinations and the university's Community Immunity initiative at 2 p.m. on July 28, hosted by renowned science communicator Dr. Amber Schmidtke.
Dr. Schmidtke will lead the conversation focused on the Delta variant, vaccine hesitancy, and how the vaccine will impact USM's current response to the COVID-19 pandemic. University President Sister Diane Steele will join Schmidtke for the conversation and address questions from the campus community.
Schmidtke rose to acclaim for her ability to effectively translate complex public health data in ways that were meaningful for the general public through a widely read newsletter and podcast. She joined the USM faculty in July as the chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Her work has been featured on the CBS Evening News, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Georgia Public Broadcasting.
The virtual information session will be focused on USM students but is open to the general public. Registration is required. Visit to RSVP. Attendees will be invited to submit questions after registering.
In June, Steele announced the university's plans to continue in-person learning for the 2021-22 academic year. USM will continue with its COVID-19 protocols until 75 percent of the campus community is vaccinated.
For questions, email USM Vice President for Admissions and Marketing John Shultz at john.shultz@stmary.edu.
About Dr. Amber Schmidtke
Dr. Amber Schmidtke earned a bachelor's degree in biological science from Colorado
State University and a Ph.D. in medical microbiology and immunology from Creighton
University. Her doctoral research was on molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
in bacteria. She did her post-doctoral fellowship at the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, studying the impact of U.S. vaccine policy on the population dynamics
of Bordetella pertussis (causes pertussis or whooping cough). She has previously taught undergraduates at
Middle Georgia State University and medical students at Mercer University School of
Medicine.
The 糖心视频 is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university
founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of
Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's
Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate
and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs.
Visit for more information.