ALLIANCE, Ohio — The COVID-19 pandemic has put an inordinate amount of strain on healthcare in Ohio and across the country. Thus, three University of Mount Union programs donated a host of medical supplies to area hospitals and fire departments.

Mount Union’s Departments of Art and Nursing, along with its Physician Assistant Studies Program, contributed items to Aultman Hospital, Salem Regional Medical Center and local fire departments.

In total, the donations were:

• 100 surgical gown and cap sets
• 7,750 pairs of sterile surgical gloves
• 37 boxes of latex exam gloves
• Seven boxes of surgical masks
• 12 packages of single use otoscope probe covers
• Six boxes of ThermoScan instant thermometer probe covers
• Three cases of alcohol pads
• Four large hand sanitizers 

"Our nursing students are prepared for practice through lab experiences where they are taught among other things to use personal protective equipment (PPE),” said Dr. Connie Stopper, professor and chair of Mount Union’s Department of Nursing. “Our faculty, who are nurses, know the critical importance of this equipment for nurses who are on the 'front lines' of this pandemic and have been eager to help in this small way by sharing lab supplies that might make a difference." 

“It is very important to protect our healthcare workers and first responders right now because they are on the frontlines of this crisis,” said Erica Raby, art instructor at Mount Union. “My department agreed with this and wanted to help by donating our PPE (goggles, masks, and gloves) for art-making to those that need it most.” 

Learn more about Mount Union’s institutional response to COVID-19.