FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Coronavirus pandemic has changed the lives of many across the globe, especially healthcare workers who are on the front lines. Recently healthcare workers have seen a shortage of face masks and other supplies. People at Florida Southwestern State College say the decision to help was easy.
“The respiratory folks reached out to us, knowing that we have the same machines that we train on, that they use in the hospital. So we drew up an agreement and 3 of them are in use and now 1 of them is in use”, said Greg Turchetta, Executive Director of Marketing and Media at Florida Southwestern State College.
They are lending not only ventilators but other equipment healthcare workers so desperately needed.
“Basically a truck load of masks, gloves, all the personal protective gear that the nurses on the front lines, and the doctors need. We have it because again we have simulation labs here”, said Turchetta.
More importantly they have a deeper connection with those on the front lines.
“We’re training many of the workers that are in these hospitals, we trained them they are all graduates from here. We turn out over 200 nurses a year, they are here, we are here, they know what we have it’s just seamless to be able to be apart of this”, said Turchetta.
Not only helping Lee Health, but Collier and Charlotte County healthcare workers, FSW says they want to do their part to help in a desperate time of need.
“This community of southwest Florida is phenomenal about coming together and helping people in a time of need. We are part of that, our students are apart of that so it’s just phenomenal”, said Turchetta.