Penn State President Eric Barron and members of the Penn State Health, Hershey Medical Center and St. Joseph Medical Center Boards of Directors sent a message to Penn State Health and College of Medicine employees:
To our Penn State Health and College of Medicine family,
On behalf of Penn State, Penn State Health and our Boards of Directors, thank you for your extraordinary efforts to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19. From the environmental health services and hospital staff, to the doctors and nurses, to the researchers and technicians, you are all playing an essential role in protecting our community. We are grateful for your commitment to others during this global pandemic, and we pray for the continued health and safety of you and your families.
We recognize that each day is more challenging than the previous one, and we are working to ensure that you have the equipment and supplies you need to safely do your job. The community is behind you. Penn State faculty and staff have rapidly transitioned their efforts to studying the coronavirus in our research labs. We also have 100+ people across Penn State investigating 3D printing and manufacturing of masks, face shields, and ventilator parts while also looking into sterilization methods for new and reused items that medical professionals need. These people are working closely with Penn State Health, as well as local and regional companies that are willing to help, and we are monitoring FDA guidelines as they change.
Our alumni and friends are also helping where possible. For example, Penn State’s longtime benefactors Gene and Roz Chaiken, and their son Warren, are using their company’s extensive distribution network to ship ventilators to state agencies and hospitals throughout the nation. In addition, the Shanghai Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association is collecting masks to send to the United States in this time of critical need.
We know you need additional help, and we are leveraging the talents of Penn Staters as we abide by the shelter-in-place orders to do what we can to flatten the curve. Your health and well-being are our top priority, and we will continue to closely work with the leaders at Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine on your behalf.
We are proud to be associated with a health system that is providing leadership and outstanding care during this time of crisis. At the College of Medicine commencement, the oath our graduates take includes the precepts to “do by my patients as I would be done by” and to “work with my profession to improve the quality of medical care and to improve the public health.” You are doing all of that and more, and we are eternally grateful.
Thank you again from the entire Penn State community. You show the world what is meant by “We are.”
Sincerely,
| Eric J. Barron President, Penn State
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Mark H. Dambly Chair, Board of Trustees Penn State
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Kathleen L. Casey Chair, Board of Directors Penn State Health
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| Dennis P. Brenckle Chair, Board of Directors Milton S. Hershey Medical Center |
Heidi Masano Chair, Board of Directors Penn State Health St. Joseph |