Howard University Hospital Boosts Capacity to Meet Expected COVID-19 Surge in D.C.
|
|
|
|
In order to continue its mission to serve the Washington, D.C. community through quality care and accessibility, Howard University Hospital (HUH) is assisting with the local response to the coronavirus pandemic, also known as COVID-19.
“Howard University Hospital has proudly served the D.C. community for more than 150 years and we will be here to help our patients get through the coronavirus pandemic,” said Dr. Hugh E. Mighty, Howard University vice president of clinical affairs and dean of the College of Medicine. “Our dedicated team of professionals are trained in COVID-related treatment protocols and ready to provide quality care and service in times of need.”
The hospital is responding to the challenge of an anticipated surge in patient admissions during the COVID-19 crisis. In preparation, HUH has erected a new triage tent on the grounds of the main hospital in Northwest Washington and transformed an academic wing in the facility to accommodate the potential increase in coronavirus-related cases.
Recently, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser set a specific mandate for all District of Columbia Hospital Association members in response to the city’s comprehensive COVID-19 (coronavirus) medical surge plan. The plan calls for boosting hospital bed availability, including intensive care unit capacity, and ventilator availability for COVID-19 patients. The mayor’s directive called for every D.C. hospital to increase bed capacity by 125 percent within its existing infrastructure. To meet the directive, HUH is expanding its bed capacity.
“HUH has identified the needed space for the additional beds, addressing staffing levels, equipment needs and supplies,” said Anita L.A. Jenkins, HUH CEO. “We are fortunate to have spaces in our facility and are able to reconfigure/relocate some of our existing units to make surge space for the additional beds. We are now in the execution phase to achieve these goals. HUH will be ready to serve our patients during these extraordinary times.”
The triage tent will expand the capabilities of the HUH emergency room. It will be equipped with independent bays where medical staff can triage, or evaluate, patients for symptoms and treatments inside the main hospital. The tent system ensures that hospital staff and patients maintain proper social distancing while patients get the appropriate treatment they need.
To read the full article, visit the
newsroom.
|
|
|
|
A NOTE FROM
...
BERNARD L. RICHARDSON, Ph.D.
DEAN OF THE CHAPEL
|
|
|
|
Dear Howard University Community,
There is a mystique about Howard University. Our legacy has given us a position of influence that should both humble us and challenge us. Howard University is what it is today because of individuals in our community who answered to the call of great things. Their motivation was not to make Howard University great, but to respond to the call of a hurting humanity.
We are again hearing the call during this pandemic. As they did to our forebearers, issues of life and death are calling out to us. I have been blessed throughout my tenure as Dean of the Chapel to witness how a crisis seems to bring out the best of who we are as a University. This current crisis is demanding of us the very best of our gifts, intellect and our willingness to sacrifice.
We are answering the call in Howard tradition. Our Alternative Spring Break students’ sacrifices and commitment to service were demonstrated not only by the willingness to serve during impending crisis, but also in their understanding that not traveling to sites this year was serving a greater good. Our administration, faculty and staff answered the call by stepping out of intellectual and geographical comfort zones to continue to put the needs of students first.
What has given Howard University life is her connectedness and her relationship to the world outside of her gates. The Howard University Hospital has stood ready to serve the neediest in our community. Our president, Dr. Wayne Frederick has been in the forefront nationally addressing the health care disparities among African Americans. Inside and outside of our gates, using all means of communication amid this pandemic, often in secret without recognition, many in our community are responding to the call of great things.
Our students continue to persevere, in the classroom and in their communities. The invisible walls of the pandemic have not confined us, but rather the spirt of Howard’s mission of Truth and Service continue to define us. I give God thanks for all who are answering the call of great things and continuing to walk in the spirit and likeness of our forbearers.
…………….
O God, give us now the wisdom to turn our anxiousness into prayers. Make our dreams stronger than our fears and our hope more powerful than our challenges.
Excellence in Truth and Service,
Bernard L. Richardson, Ph.D.
Dean of the Chapel
|
|
|
|
Howard University Hospital Receives More
Donations Amidst COVID-19 Health Crisis
|
|
|
|
Howard University Hospital (HUH) has received an amazing outpour of donations.
Individuals and organizations, large and small have provided HUH with an abundance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and food items to help in the fight against COVID-19.
HUH alum and Washington, D.C. resident, Pamela McKee provided the hospital with new N95 surgical masks, scrub sets, under pads and bariatric ultra-briefs. Celebrity Chef José Andrés was generous with his time and donations. He first delivered 200 surgical masks and returned a few days later with meals from his not-for-profit organization, World Central Kitchen. President Wayne Frederick and HUH chief executive Anita L. A. Jenkins met with Chef Andrés to thank him for his generosity and to discuss the impact of organizations that assist healthcare workers in the fight against the coronavirus.
A growing number of local and national businesses have also donated to HUH, all sharing a common goal of feeding the fight by donating food to the hospital. Several restaurants from the Shaw and U Street area (Uproar, Shaw's Tavern, Rito Loco, Bistro Bohem and Nellie's Sports Bar) joined forces to donate more than 400 meals to feed HUH’s evening and night shift personnel. Nando's Peri-Peri provided staff with over 600 meals.
|
|
|
|
Bison Moving
Forward
: A Senior Series
The spring 2020 semester is nearly at a close and seniors are preparing for new chapters in their lives. The coming period is one of reflection while also looking toward the future. In this unique newsletter series, readers get to know soon-to-be alumni.
|
|
|
|
"HU! You Know!" caught up with
Ameer Dunston,
a senior finance
major, film
minor from
Buffalo, New York
.
Dunston is Gates Millennium Scholar and a member of many organizations, including The Men of George Washington Carver, Alpha Kappa Psi, 1867 Undergraduate Assistantship Program, and the Howard University Finance Club.
He also hosted a podcast for Glasshouse Radio, served as a contributing writer for WHUR and as a bison abroad ambassador in the Ralph Bunche International Affairs Center. Dunston has been accepted into the Philosophy and History of Education program at The Ohio State University as well as the Philosophy and Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University.
HU! YK!:
What motivated you to apply to these graduate programs?
AD:
I was moved to apply for these two programs because I am extremely passionate about the field of education. I think it is important to explore the historical ideologies and foundations of education.
Education and the act of teaching is extremely revolutionary. It can be used as a tool to change the lives of people in the world who are then equipped with capabilities and skills to transform the world further.
HU! YK!:
How has Howard prepared you for your upcoming program?
AD:
Howard has prepared me for not only my upcoming program, but life beyond the walls of this prestigious University. Howard will always have a special place in my heart. My experiences at Howard have instilled in me the power to unfailingly lead with purpose, intention, integrity, resilience, receptiveness, and most importantly truth and service.
Additionally, Howard has charged me with the responsibility to stand tall in opposition to any injustice, and to initiate opportunities and social justice-driven endeavors to uplift the global Black community.
HU! YK!:
What are your fondest memories of your time at Howard?
AD:
I have so many special memories, but some of my fondest memories of Howard University -- studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, the time spent between classes in the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, spending time with friends on the Yard, being a member of The Men of George Washington Carver, hosting a podcast, and ultimately being surrounded by divine and brilliant people across the entire Black diaspora in one space.
HU! YK!:
Where do you see yourself in five years?
AD:
In five years, I see myself continuing my efforts of making a true impact in society. As a strong believer in God, I am also open to my plan being adjusted due to the calling he has on my life in pursuit of my purpose.
Because of my passions for education, entertainment, and entrepreneurship, I see myself pursuing doctoral studies, writing and producing short films, becoming an author, and running a non-profit or company that promotes financial literacy in the Black community.
Additionally, I would love to begin laying the groundwork for my second business idea: a media company to enhance the representation of African Americans in media.
|
|
|
|
Call for Submissions: Celebrating the Class of 2020
|
|
|
|
Tutoring and Learning Support Services
|
|
|
|
For students struggling with the discomforts of social distancing as it relates to their studies, Tutoring and Learning Support Services (TLSS) is here to offer assistance. TLSS provides students an opportunity to connect with Bison Tutors and receive the academic support they need for gateway math and science courses.
A master schedule of tutoring services is provided on the
TLSS webpage
.
Associate Director of TLSS Jocelyn Hughs, Ph.D., encourages undergraduate students who are in need of academic reinforcement for their courses to contact her via these emails:
joycelyn.hughes@howard.edu
, and
tlss@howard.edu
|
|
|
|
HBCU Competitiveness Scholar Application:
Deadline Extended
|
|
|
|
Interested in Applying for the
Fulbright U.S. Student Program?
|
|
|
|
On Sunday, April 26,
Dean Bernard L. Richardson
will be the speaker for the 11 a.m. virtual service
on the Rankin Chapel YouTube
.
When posting on social media, tag
@HowardUChapel
and use the
#SundaysAreForChapel
hashtag on
Twitter
and
Instagram
. For any questions or assistance, please visit
https://chapel.howard.edu/
or call 202-806-7280.
|
|
|
|
Save the Date: The Golden Anniversary
Celebration Gala
|
|
|
|
To get your events placed in the
HU Happenings section
, visit
https://calendar.howard.edu
, click “submit event” and fill in the necessary information. OUC will select events from this section to also be included in the weekly newsletter.
|
|
|
|
If you want to submit content to
HU! You Know!
, email
ouc@howard.edu
with the subject line "
HU! You Know!
Submission.”
|
|
|
|
Howard University
2400 Sixth Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20059
(202) 806-6100
|
|
|
|
|
|
