Mercy Announces COVID-19 Reentry Advisory Task Force

Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women announces its COVID-19 Reentry Advisory Task Force. Chairing the Task Force is James “Jim” Maxwell, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and Chief of Neurosurgery at Rochester General Hospital. As a father of two Mercy graduates, and himself a graduate of McQuaid, Georgetown University, and Columbia University, Dr. Maxwell will lead a team of health, academic, financial, and facilities subcommittees.

Task force subcommittee chairs include: Colleen Davis, M.D., MPH, Chief of the Pediatric Emergency Department at University of Rochester Golisano Children’s Hospital; Sue Moore, retired Xerox Vice President of Finance; Rich Laudisi, retired LeChase Construction Vice President (all three of whom are serving/have served as members of the Mercy Board of Trustees), and Marty Kilbridge, Ed.D., Mercy Principal. We are grateful for the service and hard work of these individuals.

Over the upcoming weeks, Task Force members will be guided by federal, state, and county regulations while researching best practices from around the country, modeling a variety of scenarios related to the reopening of the school, and advising Mercy leadership on proper procedures and protocols for preparing for the 2020-2021 academic year. The Task Force will not only act as the school’s primary interpreter of the legislative directives and mandates for student, faculty, and visitor safety, but will also work in conjunction with the Sisters of Mercy, who own the school property, to ensure the well-being of the residents of the Motherhouse.

In the last 24 hours, Governor Cuomo announced that schools will be given guidelines in June to begin planning for potential reopening in September. We are proud that Mercy has our plans for this Task Force well underway, in the same manner we planned for our successful online learning program. Our extensive preparations will continue to bring confidence as we look to the future.

During these difficult and uncertain times, ensuring the safety of all within the Circle of Mercy while continuing to offer an exceptional education is paramount. With our thoughtful response to this crisis, the love within the Circle of Mercy will grow ever-stronger and carry us to a brighter tomorrow. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.