KINGSTON, R.I. — Sept. 24, 2020 — Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers of all disciplines have been the frontline heroes battling the novel coronavirus that has affected virtually all aspects of society. These health care professionals have stories to tell and experiences to share as the ever-evolving coronavirus response continues.
The University of Rhode Island Academic Health Collaborative and Interprofessional Education and Practice Initiative will host three online panel discussions to address the challenges healthcare workers face and the lessons being learned during the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. URI faculty members, alumni and community leaders will share their personal experiences and discuss how interprofessional healthcare teams can have lasting impacts on individual and community health during a global crisis.
As the fall semester begins, URI is keeping a close watch on the virus and keeping all members of the campus community informed on all steps being taken to keep them safe. The online panel discussions on Sept. 30, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14, are a part of that larger effort. The panel discussions are:
From the Front Lines: The Experience of Treating Those with COVID — Sept. 30, 6 p.m. URI alumni working in health care share their experiences battling the novel coronavirus. Panelists are:
- Elizabeth Roberts, URI Academic Health Collaborative (moderator)
- Eugenio Fernandez ’13, founder, Asthenis pharmacy
- James Lemieux, registered nurse, Kent Hospital
- Shannon O’Rourke ’21, URI Health Studies student
- Trudy-Anne Gayle ’11, independent clinical psychologist
Generational Divide: How COVID has Affected Older Adults — Oct. 7, 6 p.m. Faculty, alumni and older Rhode Islanders discuss what COVID has meant to older people in the community and in long-term care facilities. Panelists are:
- Catherine Taylor, executive director, Age Friendly RI (moderator)
- Skye Liedahl, associate professor, URI College of Health Sciences
- Victoria Parker ’16, education and research associate, PACE of Rhode Island
- Erica Estus ’96, ’00, clinical professor, URI College of Pharmacy
- Peter Bristol, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute member
- Pauline Mburu, Woonsocket Health and Rehabilitation Center
And (in)Justice for All — Oct. 14, 6 p.m. Faculty members, health care workers and civic leaders discuss the health disparities in society, which are exacerbated by the pandemic. Panelists are:
- Barbara Morse, health reporter, WJAR Channel 10 (moderator)
- Diane Martins, professor, URI College of Nursing
- Gisel Bello ’13, ’16, Diversity and Inclusion Fellow, Brown University
- Mario Bueno, ’94 executive director, Progreso Latino
- Leslie Montague ’13, registered nurse, Rhode Island Hospital
The socially distanced panel discussions will be streamed via Zoom, are free of charge and available to all members of the campus community and the public. Log onto https://cutt.ly/COVIDpanels to register.