WSU’s College of Health Professions Provides Medical Facilities with Ventilators and Protective Supplies
OGDEN, Utah – Medical facilities are currently facing a severe shortage of vital supplies needed to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Weber State University’s Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions has helped fill that need by providing ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPE) to local hospitals and clinics.
“Every day it becomes more evident, we are in a place we have never been before,” said Susan Thornock, Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing chair. “Social isolation and staying at home may give us the false perception we are in this alone, but we are not. In fact, the opposite is true, we need to help each other get through this. How we help each other will need to be different but should still be part of our existence. Weber State is a great teaching institution, and this is just another lesson in how we can give back.”
The School of Nursing and the Department of Respiratory Therapy joined forces to provide McKay-Dee Hospital with 15 ventilators on March 15. The hospital will refurbish the ventilators and return them to WSU when they are no longer needed.
In addition, the School of Nursing received word from the Midtown Community Health Center and the Ogden Clinic there was a need for other supplies, especially N95 masks. In response, a message was sent out to all departments within the College of Health Professions, and they immediately began working together to gather donations.
“As healthcare professionals we are always looking for opportunities to serve in our community,” said Kristine Bouwhuis, simulation operations manager in the nursing school. “We are dedicated to reaching out in times of need, especially now with this virus closing in on our community. It has affected many, and as we have been able to collaborate, we have identified areas that could benefit from some of our leftover supplies.”
Once supplies were collected, the College of Health Professions donated them to the Midtown and Ogden Clinics. As of March 31, the College of Health Professions has donated 200 N95 masks, 800 patient masks, 200 fluid-resistant gowns, 110 bottles of hand sanitizer, 200 head covers as well as boxes of gloves and eye goggles.
“We are so appreciative of the outpouring of support from the community, specifically Weber State University and their donation of necessary medical supplies to our frontline employees,” said Ogden Clinic’s Chief Executive Officer Kevin Porter. “It is great to see the positive impact of collaboration and support.”
Since WSU students and faculty have been working from home, all clinical and lab rotations were canceled for the remainder of the semester. The change of schedule meant the College of Health Professions had extra supplies on hand, which they used to distribute.
“It has been wonderful working with everyone across the various departments,” Thornock said. “They are caring people, willing to do whatever it takes to help our community during this time of a pandemic crisis. Their quick response and willingness to collect, pick up and deliver these supplies is part of what makes our college of health professionals such a great place to work and go to school.”
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wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Marketing-Communications/Covid-19-Response/Medical-Donations
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Shaylee Stevens, Office of Marketing & Communications
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