As health care workers are increasingly on the front lines of COVID-19, UT Health San Antonio is rallying the community to help protect them and their patients.  

The university held a community donation drive for essential medical supplies and collected thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 respirator masks, face shields, surgical masks, unused medical disposable gloves and gowns, as well as soap and thermometers donated by Northside Independent School District, North East Independent School District and the Spurs. 

“We are very grateful for the generous donations of these supplies at such a critical time,” said Jennifer Sharpe Potter, Ph.D., M.P.H., professor of psychiatry and vice dean for research at the Long School of Medicine. “We are working to get the districts’ inventory replenished as soon as possible.” 

Dr. Potter led the donation drive and said that such demonstration of community support is deeply encouraging, especially to all of those on the front lines of this COVID-19 battle. 

“I just want to reassure the community that this is not because we don’t have personal protective equipment right now. It’s in preparation should we need to have more in the future,” she said. “It’s been incredibly gratifying, a tremendous outpouring of community support.”