June 17, 2020
Every day continues to bring more coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, from breaking news of the latest developments to many stories of fear and uncertainty. However, amidst all the noise, it can be easy to miss out on some of the more positive news updates that are still occurring in light of the unprecedented situation.
During the past few months, the LCWA health team worked closely with our client the Urgent Care Association (UCA) to recognize the monumental efforts of urgent care centers on the front lines of the pandemic and the positive impact they are making in their communities across the country.
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| Photo courtesy of Jennifer Reyes, Victory Medical |
From communities uniting to aid with PPE shortages to urgent care staff going above and beyond to ensure the safety of their patients, our team set out to tell these inspiring stories through local media outreach. Below are a few pieces that we were able to generate from Austin to New York.
Make-A-Mask Initiative Draws National Support for Austin Healthcare Workers
In response to significant PPE shortages, UCA member center Victory Medical took matters into their own hands. After calling upon their community to help sew handmade masks and starting a “Make-A-Mask” Facebook group that went viral soon after, thousands of donated masks from across the country were distributed to smaller private practices and urgent cares in Austin to augment the short supply. You can watch this coverage from Austin’s KXAN-TV(NBC) and KVUE-TV(ABC) to learn more.
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| Photo courtesy of Chrysa Charno, AcuteKids PediatricUrgent Care |
Local University Pitches in to Create 3D Face Shields in New York
After UCA member Acute Kids Urgent Care in Webster, N.Y. found themselves desperate for PPE to keep young patients and their parents safe, they partnered with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to create face shields for the medical personnel. The team at RIT’s Center for Additive Manufacturing and Multifunctional Printing (AM Print Center) went to work creating 3D printed facemasks for the Acute Kids practice. You can watch this inspiring story via Rochester’s WHAM-TV(ABC).
UCA continues to advocate on behalf of all urgent care centers nationwide about the important role they play in the healthcare continuum. Together, they embody #UrgentCareStrong.