After the San Mateo County Health Department declared a need, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts students stepped up and answered the call to fight COVID-19. As part of a County-deployed Medical Task Force, more than 20 vocational nurse & medical assistant students volunteer at a residential care facility for seniors in Redwood City.
“We truly appreciate the partnership and support Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is offering to our ongoing effort to respond to the vulnerable populations in our community,” said Travis Kusman, director of Emergency Medical Services at San Mateo County Health.
The students are operating and registered nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare personnel across the United States. The students facilitate proper protocols for safety against COVID-19 by supporting healthcare personnel to wear correctly, remove, and dispose of their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). They also disinfect PPE, including goggles, face shields, and more.
“It is a remarkable experience. Nurses from different places are getting together to help overcome COVID-19. Nurses have left their families and are traveling from across the country to California to help assist,” admired Obah Ali, a San Mateo student volunteer. “The nurses are teaching us the dynamics of ‘hot’ and ‘cool spots,’ the steps in donning and doffing PPE, and how to help patients understand what is happening.”
For critically needed volunteers, the San Mateo County Health Department contacted Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts’ San Mateo campus director, Fred Faridian. “We received the request Friday, April 17, and communicated with our students Friday evening and Saturday.
The student volunteers showed up at 7:00 AM that Sunday. When students emailed me describing their experiences, it warmed my heart,” described Faridian. San Mateo County Health’s request was to help mitigate a staffing shortage at a residential care facility. The student volunteers are freeing emergency personnel to concentrate on more significant needs by filling these vacancies.
COVID-19 Student Volunteers Supervisor at Residential Care Facility in Redwood City “Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts students show their dedication to healthcare by the lengths they’re willing to go to help,” attested Joe Kheuasida, Concord campus director. “I am proud of our future nurses willing to go into locations harder hit by COVID-19.”
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts students come from campuses across the state of California. “Our students are volunteering and traveling from our San Mateo, Concord, Modesto, Fresno, and Sacramento campuses to help,” stated Burke Malin, Chief Operating Officer. “The students are truly responding to their calling immediately. We are so proud of these future healthcare professionals.”
The students volunteer an average of two to three (2 – 3) days per week for eight hours while also attending school online. The students receive one (1) hour of clinical experience credit for every volunteer hour.
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private academy offering quality allied health and nursing programs operating six (6) campuses in California: San Mateo, Modesto, Fresno, Concord, Sacramento, and Van Nuys. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts offers allied healthcare, nursing, and medical imaging programs to over 2,500 students annually.
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