Faculty across The University of Toledo are emptying their research and academic laboratories of personal protective equipment to send to healthcare workers at The University of Toledo Medical Center on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry transferred 95,000 nitrile gloves, as well as a large quantity of chemicals — alcohol and bleach — used as disinfectants from its stockroom, which is an important University resource for research and teaching.
William Ridener, a UToledo delivery worker, collects donations from academic and research labs to provide personal protective equipment to healthcare workers at UTMC.
“With the suspension of in-person teaching and the slowing of on-campus research projects for the near future, it was an easy decision to make these critical items available for the efforts of the healthcare professionals at UTMC during this crisis,” Dr. Jon Kirchhoff, Distinguished University Professor and chair of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, said. “We are grateful for their efforts and pleased to contribute to their safety.”
Physicists at the UToledo Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization are planning to donate their cache of supplies, which include 200 blue fabric coveralls, 200 Tyvek coveralls and 5,000 pairs of nitrile gloves.
“Nothing is more important than ensuring that our valiant healthcare providers have all of the personal protective equipment that we can possibly provide,” Dr. Michael Heben, UToledo professor of physics and McMaster endowed chair, said.
Faculty in the College of Engineering continue to gather their donation, which so far includes chemicals, such as bleach and ethanol, as well as lab sanitizer, 80 face shields, 55 safety glasses, 6,400 non-sterile gloves, 10 goggles and 18 lab coats.
“The community response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been overwhelming, and we are grateful for all the offerings of the critical supplies to protect our front-line staff and patients,” said Monecca Smith, chief nursing officer at UTMC.
Examples of personal protective equipment and supplies in need for healthcare workers at UTMC include N95 masks, powered air-purifying respirator equipment/hoods, face shields, face masks, gowns, Tyvek suits, gloves, goggles, cleaning wipes/disinfectant and thermometers.
Donated supplies must be in their original, unopened packaging.
UTMC is accepting homemade masks in case they’re needed; however, healthcare workers won’t use them unless all traditional personal protective equipment is used and there are no alternatives.
Individuals interested in making donations to UTMC should follow these procedures:
• Large deliveries (one pallet or more): Deliver to UTMC, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, at the receiving dock entrance. Receiving hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 419.383.5060 when you arrive from the dock phone.
• Small deliveries: Deliver to UTMC main entrance (off Arlington Avenue), 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH, 43614. Drop off with valet services with Jennifer Pastorek, senior director of supply chain management, as the recipient.
• Pick up: If you do not have the ability to deliver the items, call 419.383.6893 or email jennifer.pastorek@utoledo.edu to make arrangements for a pick up.
• Please include a list of items and your contact information with your donation.
