Goodwin University supports St. Francis and ECHN COVID-19 response through supply donations

by Philip Moore

East Hartford, CT (03/25/2020) — In the midst of shifting its academic programs to complete online delivery in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, Goodwin University was also mindful of the great need on the front lines of the outbreak. Long recognized for placing thousands of its graduates into healthcare careers, along the way Goodwin has forged strong relationships with many area health organizations, notably Hartford's St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center and Eastern Connecticut Network (ECHN).

That relationship, and an opportunity to show students that earning a degree in the health professions is more than a matter of passing exams, was on the minds of Goodwin faculty and staff. Even as they braced themselves for the oncoming virus - adapting courses, moving residential students, and effectively shutting down its East Hartford campus - they looked outward to see how they might help the greater community.

With reports coming in that critically needed medical supplies were in short supply, the Goodwin community then looked inward to see what it might offer to ease the situation.

"We had what they needed," said Goodwin's president, Mark Scheinberg, "It's really as simple as that."

Representatives from the School of Nursing and Health Professions and the School of Business, Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing took stock of what supplies they had on hand that matched what was most needed. St. Francis and ECHN were identified as the recipients of the collection campaign.

"It was amazing to watch our many programs come together like that," said Paula Dowd, Dean of the School of Nursing and Heath Professions. "Nursing, respiratory care, the science labs, histology, dental hygiene - even manufacturing - everyone wanted to contribute supplies."

Ultimately, 498 boxes of gloves, 64 medical gowns, 18 pairs of safety glasses, 2,100 masks, 100 pairs of medical booties, and 36 boxes of disinfectant wipes had been collected. On March 23, only a few days after the idea was put forth, members of Goodwin's Facilities team delivered the supplies to St. Francis and ECHN.

"We've always maintained that we are a community-based educational organization," Scheinberg concluded. "It's a humbling experience to be given a chance to prove that. In the end, the COVID outbreak will define us as a university, but more important, it will define our students as tomorrow's leaders."

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