HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - Hospitals need medical supplies and ventilators throughout the country.
Tidewater Community College took action to help people in our community.
On Wednesday, they said they donated 500 pairs of gloves, 50 isolation gowns, 500 surgical shield masks and 500 procedure masks to five major health systems in Hampton Roads.
The medical equipment was in the storage room for the Center for Workforce Solutions in Suffolk.
Workforce classes train nursing aides and clinical medial assists.
On Tuesday, they also donated 14 ventilators.
Denise Bieszczad is the Respiratory Therapy Program Director for TCC. She said the program trains respiratory therapists on how to work the ventilators.
“A lot of people didn’t know what a respiratory therapist was before the pandemic,” said Bieszczad. “It’s a remarkable, amazing profession that a lot of people don’t really consider only because they don’t know about it.”
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She said after hearing that local hospitals were concerned they didn’t have enough, the college took action and donated all 14 ventilators they have for teaching in the simulation labs.
“Since we’re not on campus and we’re not able to use those facilities, it just seem like a small thing to do to loan our vents,” said Bieszczad. “I’m sure everybody wants to do something to help. We’re home. We’re struggling and trying to make the best of it.”
