Several University of Arizona Eller College of Management students are making a difference in the lives of those impacted by COVID-19.
In a variety of ways, students are on the frontlines of helping to stop the spread of coronavirus and caring for those that have been affected by the disease – all while managing their courses.
Justin Bock, an online MBA student, is a corpsman currently deployed on the USS Comfort. Serving as a command readiness and training officer for the vessel, Bock’s job is to ensure the personnel that embark the vessel have the required training stipulated by mission parameters.
– The Arizona 100 reports
Bock also serves as a database designer and administrator for a platform patient tracker which aides in healthcare analytics – while also finding time for his Eller online MBA courses.
As an internal medicine physician and the associate regional medical director for CareMore Health, Priya Chaudhary is responsible for caring for the older and more vulnerable population at local hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and in their own homes. During this devastating time, Chaudhary chooses to see the positive impacts of this crisis.
“Our world has seen pandemics before, but none of this magnitude,” Chaudhary said. “A single virus has stressed the health care system across the world and changed the way we practice medicine. At a time when uncertainty and fear surround us, I’m amazed by the overwhelming compassion, kindness and creativity shown by our health care teams and people in general.”
Anesthesiologist Thomas Sawyer, M.D., who is currently completing his MBA at Eller in the executive MBA program, and his wife, nurse anesthetist Kristy Sawyer, CRNA, are in the thick of this crisis, often having to don personal protective equipment to place breathing tubes for some of the sickest COVID-19 patients. While dealing with the pandemic, they are dedicated to supporting each other and “having each other’s backs at work.” They urge people to stay at home if they are able, saying, “It could save your life and the lives of others by preventing the spread of this terrible illness.”
Each of these students are directly impacted by COVID-19, yet their stories are steeped in positivity and community before self. For more, click here.