Local Universities Donate PPE to Area Healthcare Workers
Photo of medical masks courtesy of rawpixel.
Franchesca Hackworth
Asst. Online Editor
It is no secret that personal protective equipment (PPE) is in short supply during this coronavirus pandemic, and faculty at both the University of Dayton and Wright State University felt compelled to help their community by donating the supplies they had left.
In total, UD donated more than 10,000 gloves, 500 face masks and 100 coverall garments to Montgomery County Emergency Management for distribution to area healthcare facilities, according to a press release from the university.
“Montgomery County’s regional emergency management agency is working around the clock to ensure supplies are distributed where they are needed most,” said Judy Dodge, Montgomery County Commission President.
“We are thrilled with the support from our local partners, like the University of Dayton, who have donated vital supplies that will help our community’s frontline workers as they combat this pandemic. We are all in this together,” she said.
PPEs were collected from UD’s labs and classrooms of engineering, biology, chemistry, heath and other fields.
Disposable lab coats and articulating face shields were also among the items donated by the university.
“I think this effort shows how giving something, even if it’s a small amount, can help, and it empowers people to feel they can do something to help,” said Margie Pinnell, a professor and associate dean for faculty and staff development in the School of Engineering.
“When people are feeling helpless and hopeless in a crisis like this, giving or doing just a little bit can make a big difference.”
In addition to UD, Wright State University was also able to donate more than 250 boxes of surgical masks, gowns, gloves and other items, according to the university’s website.
Overall, 80 boxes of surgical masks, 145 boxes of gloves, 20 boxes of gowns and boxes of shoe covers and hair covers were donated to Premier Health.
“We donated what we had available in the labs,” said Molly Mellon, director of the Nursing Learning Resource Center at the college of nursing and health at Wright State.
Universities may be remote learning, but they are still finding ways to have compassion for their communities by doing what they can to help support local healthcare workers.
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