OHIO Russ College donates PPE to southeast Ohio healthcare workers

Across the nation and world, individuals and organizations are mobilizing to support COVID-19 relief efforts. Faculty and staff at Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology joined the effort this past week, scouring department and research center laboratories, and classrooms, for personal protective equipment (PPE) to donate to southeast Ohio healthcare workers.

As of April 3, the Russ College donated to O’Bleness Hospital more than 100 N95 respirator masks, 7,500 pairs of nitrile gloves, three 16 oz. containers of lens cleaner, eight hand soap dispensers providing more than 20,000 hand washes, six hand sanitizer dispensers providing more than 15,000 uses, more than 100 disposal lab coats and gowns, and five large boxes of alcohol swabs.

“I’m pleased that Russ College can provide these valuable PPE items to help protect our local healthcare providers while they lead the coronavirus battle,” said Russ College Dean Mei Wei. “We’re extremely thankful to them and know they’re facing enormous challenges working the front lines of this pandemic as they care for patients and create a safer environment for the rest of the community. We admire their courage and professionalism, and we wish them safety and health.”

Laboratory Coordinator and Safety Coordinator for the Russ College Shyler Switzer, who helped coordinate and drop off the donation, said nurses working at the clinic noted it was one of the largest donations of supplies they had seen.

“All the thanks should go to the many Russ College departments and research groups who took the time to collect these items to donate,” he said. “Truly wonderful folks we have here.”

For more information about making a local donation, visit the O’Bleness Hospital response site.