Trent is answering the call to combat the spread of COVID-19 and provide support where it is most urgently needed, as departments from across the University came together to deliver a large donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing for frontline healthcare workers at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).

Trent’s donation of PPE included several thousand pairs of gloves, coveralls, boot covers, surgical and N-95 masks, and hospital gowns, as well as cases of soap, sanitizer and disinfectant cleaners. With Trent operating with a reduced campus presence, and employees now working remotely, this stock was made available through the collaborative efforts of several departments, including Nursing, Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, the School of the Environment, and Facilities Management.

“This was an impressive showcase of collaboration at its best – a coordinated effort across multiple departments, all in the interest of protecting public health in our community,” explains Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “It is important for Trent to support where we can as our community navigates uncharted terrain in flattening the curve with this virus.”

“Many Trent students from our diverse science programs, find mentors and career connections within the local healthcare sector,” adds Dr. Holger Hintelmann, dean of Science at Trent. “At times like this we must band together as a scientific community and support each other.”

In addition to the recent donation to PRHC, Trent Health Services also made a donation of testing kits to Peterborough Public Health, all part of the effort to control COVID’s spread in the local community.

Over the past week, as the community and country respond to COVID-19, there have also been encouraging moments for faculty, particularly in the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing, who are seeing students put their learning about approaches to healthcare that embrace social responsibility to work.

“We are preparing the next generation of nurses, talented healthcare professionals who will work in our local community here in Peterborough and beyond,” states Dr. Kirsten Woodend, dean of Nursing. “It is encouraging that students are reaching out to see how they can help in their community. We’ve had numerous students connect about how we can work together to donate PPE for those working in healthcare’s frontline right now.”

Trent’s donation was gathered from across departments on Monday and delivered to Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Tuesday. The University also continues to explore other ways that it can best contribute to the community response to COVID-19.