VCOM 2020 Annual Report

SPECIAL REPORT

Residency in the Emergency Room Working in the ER during the pandemic has been a unique experience. As a

Thomas Peterson, DO Class of 2019, VCOM-Auburn, Emergency Medicine Resident, Bethesda Hospital East, Boynton Beach, FL

resident, I’ve had the opportunity to experience first-hand the amazing response of healthcare workers in the emergency department. Fighting long hours, decreased physician coverage and insufficient PPE, healthcare workers throughout the country have placed themselves at risk in order to treat their patients. What a humbling experience.”

We Have Taken an Oath to Serve Others COVID-19 hit as I began learning the workflow while completing my Trauma/ SICU rotations and it was an eye- safe, with only a few having access. Traumas arrive quickly and swiftly. The frantic dash of front line heroes to the bedside was no longer an

William T. Gatewood, DO Class of 2015, VCOM-Carolinas, Emergency Medicine, Memorial Health System, Marietta, OH

opening experience as I worked in the Trauma Bay. The well-choreographed trauma team is a thing of beauty, all moving in unison to evaluate the patient, place monitors, administer medications and take the utmost attention to their care. At that point, our supplies were well stocked but the use of 5-10 sets of PPE on one trauma quickly drained the hospital’s supply. New guidelines for the use of PPE were updated and adapted daily. This evolved into only essential members being allowed in the trauma bay to preserve PPE and reduce potential exposure.

elegant waltz, appearing more like a mosh pit of disorganized movements. What was once plenty of helping hands to gather the tools and supplies for interventions became a hoarding of supply cache within arm’s reach. While some are at home, safe and in the comfort of their families, others are not. Physicians placing themselves in harm’s way, desperately need to not only bring a patient back to their family but also return to their own. We have taken oaths to serve others. I have never felt more pride and honor to be among those who sacrifice their health for humanity.”

Once easily accessible, our N95s were locked away in an electronic

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