Endicott College’s School of Nursing and its Athletics and Recreation department organized a donation of protective gloves, hand sanitizer, and masks in response to a request for help from Beverly Hospital.
It was 2018 Endicott nursing alumna Victoria Baxter, an emergency room nurse at Beverly Hospital, who contacted Endicott School of Nursing dean Nancy Meedzan to discuss the hospital’s shortage of equipment in the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
After verifying her former student’s assertion with hospital officials in Patient Care and Emergency Services, Meedzan sprung into action.
She took stock of Endicott’s supplies and organized a shipment to the hospital. Fifty boxes of gloves, roughly 400 N95 masks, and some two dozen bottles of Purell were donated.
“These drastic times demand the response of colleagues and everyone in the community who can do their part to help,” Meezdan said. “We’re glad we could help Beverly Hospital and wish we could help others.”
Endicott’s assistant athletic director James Daley also connected with head athletic trainer, Abbey Cahill, to review inventory for personal protective equipment. Between the athletic training rooms at the Post Sport Science and Fitness Center and the Raymond J. Bourque Arena, more than 50 boxes of nitrile gloves, sanitizing spray and wipes, disposable gowns, shoe covers, and surgical caps were donated.
An additional 25 masks, which are a top priority for medical professionals right now, were later found in medical kits and donated.
“We’ll continue to do what we can for the community as we navigate this difficult period,” Meezdan said.
Elyse Carmosino can be reached at [email protected].