KEY INDUSTRIES
Johns Hopkins also served as a reliable source for information as it rolled out its Coronavirus Resource Center , tracking global and U . S . cases , deaths and key news announcements in addition to providing resources and expert insights for journalists , scientists , policymakers and members of the public . It even began offering free online classes and regularly updating training for practitioners , as its own experts joined those across the world who were researching the fallout from the pandemic and potential COVID-19 treatments .
Meanwhile , the University of Maryland Medical Center also worked to protect
and care for its patients , visitors , staff and community while allocating time and resources to pandemic-related tasks . For instance , the center rolled out a nurse call line dedicated to providing information about COVID-19 — especially important as patients and residents had questions about care and safety — as well as developing other informational resources and guides . And the medical center offered these resources , all while still providing care in a range of specialties , even managing to secure its ranking among the best hospitals in the state on U . S . News & World Report ’ s 2020 Best Hospitals Rankings .
Furthermore , as its faculty focused on the situation at hand , along with other faculty within the university system ,
The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center tracks global and national cases , deaths and vaccine doses administered .
Software development consultancy SmartLogic had been working on a webbased directory of resources for CharmCare , a free resource guide for Baltimore ’ s vulnerable populations , since late 2019 .
the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore was set to receive up to $ 3.6 million from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to “ rapidly test hundreds of drugs approved and marketed for other conditions to see whether any can be repurposed to prevent or treat COVID-19 ,” the state reported , in addition to its other testing and research projects .
But it wasn ’ t just federal and academic entities that had to adjust . The Baltimore
City Health Department , like others across the country , also saw its priorities shift as its staff needed to communicate with the public about the evolving healthcare situation in response to an increased demand for information . Software development consultancy SmartLogic had been working on a web-based directory of resources for CharmCare , a free guide for Baltimore ’ s vulnerable populations , since late 2019 . But with the pandemic especially affecting members of these populations , and the demand for information from credible sources increasing , the team was able to adapt and add a section that would contain specific information about facilities for COVID-19 .
The chief information officer at the Baltimore City Health Department , Mike Fried , subsequently told news organization Technical . ly that the partnership was “ yet another example of Baltimore ’ s incredible technological capacity .”
Though 2020 had its share of dark days , including serious illnesses and deaths resulting from the pandemic , healthcare professionals continued to work — sometimes around the clock — to diagnose and treat patients , provide up-to-date information , and even research potential treatments and cures for COVID-19 .
As the healthcare industry keeps adapting to the changing situation in the nation and in the world , Baltimoreans will continue to adjust to the demands of the fight . Whether they are at academic institutions and federal laboratories , at biopharmaceutical and medical technology companies , or even within the biomanufacturing sector , the area ’ s innovative professionals can continue to tackle healthcare crises in Baltimore and around the globe . VB
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