By Scarlett Birge, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The Campbellsville University School of Nursing and the Virginia Ponser Flanagan Technology Training Center have donated personal protective equipment medical supplies to Taylor Regional Hospital, including 2,088 patient isolation gowns, over 100 paper masks and over 200 pairs of gloves.
“We are very blessed and willing to be able to assist in any way to meet the needs of our community and healthcare providers in the wake of COVID-19,” Dr. Michele Dickens, interim dean of the School of Nursing and associate professor of nursing at Campbellsville University, said.
In addition to the items donated, Dickens said the School of Nursing also provided a list of volunteer faculty and students who are willing to help should the need arise. Also, several nursing students have registered online to volunteer for an emergency response effort that was shared by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department for Public Health yesterday.
Jason Roop, director of the Technology Training Center, said Campbellsville’s School of Cosmetology and Barbering, which is under the Tech Center, donated numerous boxes of gloves, chemical capes and masks to the hospital.
“We are so appreciative. Campbellsville University has always been willing to help us when asked. In this unsettled time we rely on our partners to help us take care of our community,” Jane Wheatley, chief executive officer (CEO) of Taylor Regional Hospital, said.
Wheatley said the list of donations from the School of Nursing included 18 cases of gowns (72 per cases), 278 various gowns in various sizes and styles, 839 surgical masks, 45 surgical masks with shields and 164 cupped N95 masks.
Wheatley said the hospital will be using the supplies if they have an influx of patients who are positive for the virus or need care. “It increases our supply to make sure we are ready for whatever presents,” she said.
“These donations will be used for patients who need hospitalization or treatment in the ER and for our staff to protect themselves while they are caring for the patients,” she said.
Dickens said she wanted to thank Taylor Regional Hospital for everything they are doing to keep the community safe and healthy.
“Your leadership in this process is very evident, and I appreciate that as a community member and as a proud past employee.”
“Our prayers go out to everyone working on the front line and taking care of our community,” Dickens said.
“The faculty at Campbellsville University’s School of Nursing is providing excellent real life virtual clinical experiences for our students so they can become competent, caring and compassionate nurses. All faculty, with the assistance of our simulation coordinator, are providing best practice experiences in nursing education,” Dickens said.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 11,900 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The university has Kentucky based off-campus centers in Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville and Liberty with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville. Out-of-state centers include two in California at Los Angeles and Lathrop, located in the San Francisco Bay region. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.
Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.