The threat of coronavirus has disrupted all normality. Local businesses are struggling with closure and people are confined to their homes. More importantly, COVID-19 has been taking the time and effort of our doctors, nurses, and hospital staff. I watch as my dad, a Phoebe physician, continues to go to work while the rest of us are kept in the safety of our homes. So, I am fundraising for the hospital staff in order to provide them with supplies, meals, and anything else they need to fight this virus and bring us back to our normal lives. 

With more and more people needing testing and treatment, the staff at Phoebe Putney Health System has been working around the clock to take care of this community. With more than 70 deaths and over 2000 positive test results, our health system, which serves a largely rural and disadvantaged population, has been hit the hardest.

From masks and shoe covers to gowns and stethoscopes, it is a daily battle to get inventory – and the situation will only continue to get worse, as we know we're not yet at the peak of this health emergency. We track the use of our supplies in real time and have found in order to care for our COVID-19 patients we are going through a typical year’s worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) every 14 days.

Phoebe is definitely on the frontlines of this unprecedented battle, and while we are faced with challenges daily, there is one thing we have plenty of -- an unwavering commitment to each other and the community we serve. The palpable level of compassion and dedication felt is truly inspiring. Even though our caregivers are putting themselves at risk daily, their commitment is as strong as ever.