To Our SMUFOM Family:

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, St. Martinus University has transitioned to online learning. SMUFOM’s proprietary student portal, University Management System (UMS), is designed to support and facilitate online learning and has helped to make this a seamless transition for students and faculty. During this unprecedented time, SMU faculty remains focused on teaching courses and helping students continue their learning journey regardless of their geographical location.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is required for online classes?

In order to participate in online classes, you must have access to a stable and adequate internet connection. The network must be at least 3G or 4G/LTE and the bandwidth must be a minimum of 600kbps/1.2Mbps (up/down) for high quality video, for gallery view: 1.5Mbps/1.5Mbps (up/down).

2. What can I expect from online classes?

Faculty remains committed to providing an excellent educational experience to all the students. Professors continue to integrate new technologies and teaching methodologies in the virtual classroom to support student learning and enhance the academic experience. Lectures are given via Zoom where students and professors are able to interact as they would in the classroom.

SMUFOM has also incorporated TopHat as one of its learning tools. This is an online platform designed to reach and motivate every student by offering engaging learning experiences. Through TopHat, the students will be able to access the course material, chat with classmates, and even take exams. In addition to the course lectures, faculty is incorporating problem-based learning, small group facilitated presentations, small group assignments, and AMBOSS.

Faculty members are motivated and have incorporated “best practices” in the modification and design of online syllabi that will ensure attainment of course objectives. Dr. Larry G. Baratta, Chair and Professor of Integrated Clinical Medicine confirms, “The ICM 1-4 course syllabi has been modified as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in a remote online academic environment. All interim online ICM program modifications meet the ACGME academic standards. One of the modifications titled, “Clinical Case Immersion” is lauded by students. Notably, many of the SMUFOM professors are ESME-certified (Essential Skills in Medical Education) which holds a special distinction in academia.”

3. Are classes available in all time zones?

SMUFOM has gone through great lengths to address geographical locations and time zones when planning the course schedule. In doing so, the university has taken all time zones into consideration and devised an adaptable schedule that will be feasible and comfortable for all students.

4. What happens to the anatomy labs?

Anatomy classes are given virtually given current restrictions to campus access due to the COVID pandemic. When students will return to campus, the labs will be integrated into the program again and students will be able to participate in those labs.

5. What will happen with exams?

Maintaining the academic integrity and reliability of the exams is of utmost importance. For this reason, all examinations at SMUFOM are being given through TopHat. This platform allows for seamless examinations permitting timed exams with a large variety of question formats available. TopHat also offers the option of enabling Proctorio which uses advanced machine learning and facial detection to deliver accurate, reliable exam proctoring.

6. How accessible are the professors and administration during this time?

Professors are available to have one-on-one meetings via Zoom or phone with students and are also reachable via email. The administration is also available to students as normal via email or phone.

7. Is the Curaçao campus currently open?

No, the Curaçao campus is currently closed to students and staff in accordance with local government regulations and travel restrictions.

8. What is the latest travel guidance and/or restriction for Curaçao?

Currently, the Curaçao borders remain closed to all incoming traffic and no one is permitted to enter the country. Although travel restrictions have been lifted on a couple of occasions, they have thus far been temporary. Travel restrictions will continue to evolve as does the COVID situation on the Island.

9. What is the latest travel guidance for US?

On January 12, 2021 the Centers for Disease Control issued a new policy regarding travel into the United States of America entitled “Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States”. Per the new order, effective January 26, 2021, all SMUFOM students traveling into the US from another country will be required to show proof of a COVID-19 negative test taken within three days of airline departure. Proof of the negative test is to be presented to the airline in order to board the airplane.

Upon arrival into the US, SMUFOM students are required to adhere to local government and healthcare facilities’ regulations regarding COVID-19. In the case of Pontiac General and Galesburg Cottage Hospitals, SMUFOM students are required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken in the state the hospital is located in and complete 10 days of quarantine prior to being allowed to enter the hospital for rotations.

For more information about the new COVID-19 travel policy, please see the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html

10. Will COVID-19 affect the start of the Spring Semester beginning in February 2021?

The Spring Semester for the MD program will begin on February 1, 2021 as scheduled on the academic calendar. In lieu of the orientation on campus, there will be a virtual orientation conducted for all the students.

11. What is the academic plan for the Spring 2021 Semester?

Currently, the academic plan for the Spring 2021 semester is to begin with online classes. Once travel restrictions to Curaçao are removed and the campus is able to open again, SMU will transition back to in-person classes. Until such time, SMU will continue with online classes.

12. How is COVID-19 affecting clinical rotations?

All of our rotations at PGH are available for students to rotate. All federal, local, and hospital regulations are being strictly followed. All clinical rotation students are provided with proper equipment to minimize their risk of exposure. Students are required to submit negative COVID tests prior to starting rotations and periodically during their rotations as needed. The students have the opportunity to work alongside precepting medical staff to combat the COVID pandemic. The community health-centered rotations have added a COVID pandemic response portion to the rotation. We have added a four week COVID Pandemic elective rotation at PGH that is supervised by appropriately trained-and board-certified physicians.

13. How does COVID-19 affect the requirements for the NBME and USMLE Step 1 Exams?

SMU has efficiently coordinated with NBME to deliver NBME assessments remotely and through web conferencing. This is an alternative approach for those that do not have accessibility to opened prometric testing centers. It is a temporary solution allowing our students to continue their medical education and preparation for USMLE Step exams.