VCU news

By Alexis Finc
VCU College of Humanities and Sciences

Departments in the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Humanities and Sciences are emptying supply closets and donating personal protective equipment to VCU Health in an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus. 

The Department of Forensic Science is one of several college units to donate supplies, sending surgical gowns, gloves and N95 masks to VCU Health.

“These items were donated from our research labs and surplus supplies from our teaching labs. The department's teaching mission is heavily laboratory-based and we are, quite simply, devastated by this crisis, but the bright lining has been this donation,” said Tracey Dawson Cruz, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Forensic Science. “Everyone seems, even if momentarily, uplifted by the idea of helping our colleagues on the MCV campus respond to those that are most vulnerable. 

“Just discussing this donation visibly lifted spirits and brought smiles to the faces of our students, faculty, staff and alumni alike.”

Along with the Department of Forensic Science, the Department of Biology, the Department of Chemistry and the Center for the Study of Tobacco Products in the Department of Psychology also donated supplies to the hospital. Besides gowns, gloves and masks, there were donations of disinfectants and lab coats. Michael Morris, stockroom manager for the Department of Chemistry, dropped off 1,500 gloves to the hospital.

“They seemed super appreciative and very happy that we were donating from within VCU and supporting each other during this time,” he said.

The hospital, and its association with the medical campus, is an important part of the identity of VCU, and especially so for the College of Humanities and Sciences, said Don Young, Ph.D., interim dean of the college.

“Our college shares many students with the medical campus and many of our students have careers influenced by training, outreach and volunteer hours at the hospital,” Young said. “Our faculty, staff and students have numerous friends and family members that work on the medical campus and in the hospital. And over the years, we have shared discoveries and innovations, celebrated births and aided in cures for illnesses. That's why we help in every way that we can — we are OneVCU.”

VCU Health continues to accept donations of personal protective equipment and is calling on organizations and businesses for items such as surgical masks, N95 masks, face shields, disposable gowns, latex-free gloves, goggles, shoe covers, head covers and germicide wipes. All donations can be taken to the valet entrance of the VCU Medical Center Gateway Building, 1200 E. Marshall St. between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m., Monday through Friday. Valet personnel will assist with the donations. For more information on donations, call (804) 628-0400.