Combating Heightened Social Isolation of Nursing Home Elders: The Telephone Outreach in the COVID-19 Outbreak Program

•What is the primary question addressed by this study? As a medical student interest group, can we alleviate social isolation suffered by nursing home residents during the COVID-19 pandemic through weekly phone calls?•What is the main finding of this study? The Yale Geriatrics Student Interest Group implemented the Telephone Outreach in the COVID-19 Outbreak Program at three nursing homes with initial success. Nursing home residents report looking forward to their weekly phone calls and gratitude for social connectedness.•What is the meaning of this finding? Social isolation and loneliness in nursing home seniors—a common concern now exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic—is partly relieved by our replicable telephone outreach program.