Ember Christensen, a BYU–Hawaii Health Center physician, said it is “by divine intervention” President John Kauwe is at BYUH because he is a molecular biologist. He has been very proactive and good at following the guidelines outlined by the Center for Disease Control to keep the BYUH community safe, she added.
Her husband, Royden Christensen, is also a health center physician. He said the main goal of the University is to have herd immunity, or to have enough people vaccinated so the disease cannot spread. Mayo Clinic’s website says herd immunity occurs when 70 percent of the population has been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19.
Royden Christensen said BYUH is a unique and diverse campus and the University is at greater risk than most of having COVID-19 spread because students are exposed to tourists. “Most everybody should get the shot,” he said.
Washing hands, using hand sanitizer and wearing masks when sick, especially in places like the cafeteria, is important in stopping the spread of the disease, he explained. Ember Christensen added following the CDC guidelines and staying up to date with updates about the virus can help people learn more about how to keep each other safe.
Ember Christensen said the University took active steps to keep the BYUH community safe during and after the pandemic by securing equipment and utilizing outside resources.
Due to fears of hospitals being overrun with COVID-19 patients, the health center purchased the equipment necessary to help students, faculty and staff, along with other community members, have access to treatment, Royden Christensen explained.
The return of students to campus was a slow process, Ember Christensen said, which has been helpful in running vaccine clinics and spreading information about getting the vaccine. She added, “We’ve been able to, through the leadership of the Church, to go through this at a decent pace.”
Gerry Tacderan, a medical assistant at the BYUH Health Center, said, “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our office has adjusted our routine, and we have tried our best to comply with state regulations.”
She said following campus safety guidelines, such as washing hands and honoring mask regulations, is essential because it can help the BYUH ohana maintain healthiness.
In an announcement made on the BYUH Instagram account on June 16, 2021, the University said all students must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine as part of the student health clearance requirements.
The announcement also stated exemptions can be made based on medical or religious reasons. BYUH President John S.K. Kauwe said getting the vaccine will further promote safety for BYUH students and the community.
“It also supports our efforts to provide students who choose to pursue their education at BYUH with a quality on-campus experience and minimizes disruption from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Royden Christensen said the University has many good resources, like Nomi Health and etymologists, to help control the spread of the disease. Nomi Health’s campus COVID-19 testing program was one of the most important tools the University has in identifying positive cases and getting those people to isolate so the disease doesn’t blow up on campus, he explained.
Ember Christensen said something special the health center has been able to do during the pandemic is at-home visits for those who have particular needs, such as those who are too sick to come in person. She explained this has brought her and her husband closer to the patients because it feels similar to ministering visits.
There was a time when they visited a patient who was seriously injured and returning from the hospital, Ember Christensen added. She said she does home visits during her office hours for students and their families who are quarantining.
Having fewer students on campus has allowed her to spend more time with patients who may need a little extra love during the pandemic because of feelings of isolation while quarantining.
Royden Christensen said he has a very special job. Getting to know the students and working closely with his amazing coworkers is his favorite part, he added. He said he and his wife were both excited for Food Fest and other activities on campus and they feel if the community can abide by these guidelines, they will be able to participate in more of these types of activities.
They both expressed their desire to see students again and their excitement for them to return. Royden Christensen said, “It’s nice having a younger population who typically abides by an honor code.”
As more students return to campus, Tacderan said she is most excited about the friendships and unity being built in academic and spiritual settings. By abiding by campus safety guidelines, getting vaccinated and practicing good hygiene, Tacderan said the campus can be better prepared for upcoming semesters.