Mansfield University and UPMC Wellsboro collaborate for COVID-19 response

MANSFIELD, Pa. (03/24/2020) — In order to assist the preparation for the potential response to the novel coronavirus COVID-19, Mansfield University is lending seven hospital beds from its Nursing Lab in Elliot Hall to UPMC Wellsboro as reserve beds in case the hospital should experience a patient surge due to the epidemic.

Members of the Mansfield University Facilities Department Ryan Herrmann, Eric Kosek, Brian Garrison, Brian Townsend, Steve Getgen, and Jack Sackett as well as Dean of Arts and Humanities Dr. Josh Battin and Associate Provost and Dean of Natural and Social Sciences Dr. Kathy Wright assisted with the removal of all seven beds from Elliot Hall on Friday afternoon. The beds in Elliot are used for instruction of first-year Nursing students.

"When Janie Hilfiger, President of UPMC Wellsboro and UPMC Cole, requested to borrow our hospital beds, we responded, 'Yes!'," explained Dr. Wright. "Our facilities crew and Dr. Battin carried these very heavy beds down two flights of stairs and loaded them into a truck one-at-a-time to assist the facilities team at UPMC Wellsboro."

"This is a great opportunity for two community leaders, Mansfield University and UPMC, to work together to be stewards of our resources while also providing services to those in need in the community," said Janie Hilfiger. "I thank the team at Mansfield University for helping with the heavy lifting and supporting our hospital."

All face-to-face instruction at Mansfield University transitioned to online modalities for the remainder of the Spring semester due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Mansfield University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). For more information, visit mansfield.edu.

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