Graceland University Partners with Presage and Corteva for Screening and Testing
Lamoni, IA (08/12/2020) — Graceland University has taken multiple actions to ensure the safety and well-being of the Graceland and surrounding communities as it relates to COVID-19, including a testing requirement and daily health screenings.
"The steps we're taking toward safety at Graceland are important for many reasons," shared Graceland University President Patricia Draves. "Of course for the health of our students and employees, and also because Graceland is committed to being a responsible partner in the Lamoni and Independence communities. In alignment with our mission, it is our goal to continue to provide a learning environment where students develop their potential for meaningful and productive lives, and we do that most effectively by putting the health and well-being of our entire community first."
Graceland has partnered with Corteva, a major American agricultural chemical and seed company located in Johnston, Iowa, to provide testing with 24-hour results to every student and employee of Graceland as they arrive on campus for the fall semester. The university has worked closely with Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa, who have generously provided health care professionals to assist in the testing of Lamoni-campus students and employees, and the university is grateful for their participation and support.
Graceland also recently announced a partnership with Presage for use of the Presage PreCheck™ app by all students, faculty and staff. This smartphone app screens individuals on a daily basis for breathing patterns, temperature, a few other symptoms and possible exposure to the virus. With a focus on privacy, this app will keep Graceland administrators and local health professionals abreast of possible areas of concern, allowing the university to limit exposure and protect the community from widespread infection. The app developer, Presage Security, has extensive experience in developing secure health care data solutions that meet the highest standards of privacy. The PreCheck app will maintain all data in a HIPAA- and FERPA-compliant model. Members of Graceland's staff are also providing screening for limited family and friends as they help their student move into the residence halls on Lamoni's campus.
"We face unprecedented challenges, but with those challenges come the unprecedented opportunity to promote and lead positive change," said Presage Security Chief Growth Officer, Bruce Valentine. "Working closely with Graceland University, Presage Security has launched a community assurance and self-screening system that creates heath awareness, advances security, and promotes social responsibility. Using Presage PreCheck™ as part of their layered approach to combatting COVID-19, Graceland will begin reopening in a manner that instills confidence, promotes equality, advances health security, and relies on scientific methods to evaluate risk."
In addition to these new efforts, Graceland has worked the past few months to present a plan as students and employees return to campus this month. The academic calendar has been adjusted in order to complete the full fall semester ahead of Thanksgiving break, limiting travel to and from campus. Visitors to campus will be limited and required to register upon arrival. There is a mask requirement in all buildings on both campuses, social distancing in classes and during other events, a new maximum capacity posted outside every public room or space, and virtual options when social distancing is not possible. Graceland has also created the new role of a COVID-19 Coordinator - a Graceland School of Nursing faculty member, who will work with students and employees as possible symptoms arise and to address questions related to health and protocols.
Media Attachments
Graceland and Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa staff work together to provide testing to Graceland employees in Lamoni, Iowa, Friday, Aug. 7.