With COVID-19 cases high for months, and rising rapidly in recent weeks, leaders from Michigan Medicine held a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 to share with the news media and community an update on how patients with and without COVID-19, and staff, are being effected. They issued an urgent call for vaccination and mask-wearing, and safe holiday celebrations. Speaking in the press conference were: • Marschall Runge, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of Michigan Medicine, dean of U-M Medical School and executive vice president for medical affairs at the University of Michigan • David Miller, M.D., M.P.H., president of University of Michigan Health • Nancy May, D.N.P., RN-BC, chief nurse executive • John Carethers, M.D., chair of the department of internal medicine • Laraine Washer, M.D., professor of infectious diseases and medical director of infection prevention and epidemiology • Tony Denton, J.D., senior vice president and chief operating officer • Brad Uren, M.D., clinical associate professor of emergency medicine The event was moderated by Mary Masson, director of public relations. For information about COVID-19 impacts and response at Michigan Medicine, visit https://www.uofmhealth.org/covid-19-update