Publication Date
10-1-2020
Abstract
Highlights of Community Service
Early in the pandemic, ETSU Health worked to established the region’s first drive-through COVID-19 testing site. This site was instrumental in detecting the first cases of community spread in the area. Currently, ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine is conducting vital research on COVID-19 using blood samples from local patients who have recovered from the disease.
As the pandemic progressed, ETSU Health became a go-to source of expertise for government and community leaders, our local media, and the public. Representatives from ETSU Health were called upon for interviews about various facets of COVID-19, and the ETSU College of Public Health created a repository of COVID-19 information and content to educate and inform using a public health lens. In addition, ETSU Health created and collaborated on public service announcements, encouraging people to wear masks, practice social distancing, and other public health practices that could prevent the spread of the disease.
ETSU Health ensured that essential health care continued to be provided to some of the area’s most vulnerable citizens, including the homeless and other underserved populations. As many people lost employment during the pandemic, the Johnson City Community Health Center and the Johnson City Downtown Day Center (managed by ETSU’s College of Nursing and part of ETSU Health), continued the vital service of offering primary and specialty services to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
All five ETSU Health colleges mobilized their expertise and resources to help the community throughout the crisis. Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy produced much-needed hand sanitizer for clinics and first responders, while Speech-Language Pathology graduate students in the College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences developed an online outreach program to support children and families who are dealing with communication disorders while sheltering at home.
The Business Journal of Tri-Cities TN/VA presented the 2020 Healthcare Heroes “Cup of Kindness Community Service Award” to ETSU Health for the work of East Tennessee State University’s five health sciences colleges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each year, the Business Journal honors individuals and organizations that “go above and beyond the call of duty in the provision of healthcare in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia.” The honorees are announced in the October issue of the magazine. “Cup of Kindness” awards are presented in five categories, and 20 individual Healthcare Hero awards are bestowed.
According to the article featuring ETSU Health as the Cup of Kindness Community Service recipient: “ETSU Health rose to the challenge as a source of trusted information and healthcare as the COVID-19 crisis began. All five of ETSU Health colleges mobilized their expertise and resources to help the community throughout the crisis.”
ETSU Health encompasses the educational, clinical, and research pursuits of East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine, Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, College of Public Health, and College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences. With 30 clinical locations, approximately 250 health care providers, and five health sciences colleges, ETSU Health is on the front lines to improve the region’s health.
In addition to the Cup of Kindness award, five individuals from ETSU Health were named “Healthcare Heroes.” They include:
- Dr. Bill Block, vice president for clinical affairs and dean of Quillen College of Medicine
- Dr. Joe Florence, professor of Family Medicine and director of Rural Programs at Quillen College of Medicine
- Dr. Sheri Holmes, chief medical officer at ETSU Health and associate dean for clinical affairs at Quillen College of Medicine.
- Dr. Jonathan Moorman, vice chair of research and scholarship, professor and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Quillen College of Medicine
- Dr. Blair Reece, professor at Quillen College of Medicine and ETSU Health Internal Medicine provider
Read the Healthcare Heroes/October issue of the Business Journal of Tri-Cities TN/VA here.
Document Type
News Article
