San Antonio answering the call for medical supplies

UT Health San Antonio put out a call for essential medical supplies and the community answered.

Community members generously donated personal protective equipment (PPE) during last week’s donation drive on campus.

N95 respirator masks, face shields, surgical masks, unused medical disposable gloves and thermometers were dropped off.

Northside Independent School District donated thousands of face masks, isolation gowns and thermometers.

North East Independent School District donated hundreds of N95 respirator masks and gowns.

“We are very grateful for the generous donations of these supplies at such a critical time,” said Jennifer Sharpe Potter, Ph.D., M.P.H., professor of psychiatry and vice dean for research at UT Health San Antonio’s Long School of Medicine. “We are working to get the districts’ inventory replenished as soon as possible.”

In addition, the Spurs provided N95 respirator masks and other supplies like gloves and soap.

Dr. Potter led the donation drive and said that such demonstration of community support is deeply encouraging, especially to all of those on the front lines of this COVID-19 battle.

“I just want to reassure the community that this is not because we don’t have personal protective equipment right now. It’s in preparation should we need to have more in the future. It’s been incredibly gratifying, a tremendous outpouring of community support,” said Potter.