A.J. Bellile, Respiratory Therapy Program
instructor, helps prepare ventilators for
delivery to local health care providers
to treat critically-ill patients.
NWTC STEPS UP
TO HELP HOSPITALS
with much-needed supplies
“The biggest shame would be that if we have something
to help with and we didn’t step up to the call,” NWTC
Dean of Health Sciences and Education Scott Anderson
said. As the COVID-19 pandemic grew around the world
and right here at home, so did the need for ventilators
and supplies.
Since the College moved in-person classes to flexible
learning in March, NWTC leaders did not hesitate to
share equipment and supplies with local hospitals that
needed it.
“We wanted to be proactive and we wanted to make sure
that we were making this offer before a request came
because the hospitals do so much for our students,”
Anderson said.
The College loaned eight ventilators and two non-
invasive ventilators from Respiratory Therapy Program
to area hospitals. In addition, the College’s EMS program
and Public Safety Department gave portable suction
units, masks and airway and breathing supplies to area
hospitals. By early April, NWTC had provided $100,000 in
equipment loans to area providers and donated $12,000
in additional supplies, and staff were still brainstorming
about ways to assist.
“Since we are unable to use the supplies right now, we
thought the best way to support frontline workers and
our community is by giving what we can,” said Mindy
Rose, NWTC EMS instructor. “We are happy to do
whatever we can to help them during this crisis.”
“These are extraordinary times,” Anderson said. “Coming
together to care for our community by sharing what
we can is the kind of example we want to set for our
students. We are in this together, and we will get through
this together.”
SPRING 2020 / 7