ATSU-CGHS dean deployed for COVID-19 public health support
Posted: April 9, 2020
After the attacks on the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, a national group was assembled to be deployed and facilitate order at times of disasters. National Disaster Management System (NDMS) is composed of 5,000 professionals, including a variety of physicians, dentists, nurses, paramedics, and more. Don Altman, DDS, DHSc, EdD, MPH, MBA, MA, professor and dean of A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS), is an NDMS volunteer professional, and was recently deployed for two weeks to assist with a cruise ship returning to port amid the early days of COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Altman went through a barrage of experiences from the moment he declared his availability for deployment. It was only a couple of hours from the time that he replied to a request for volunteers before his travel orders were issued. He was headed to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, where he was assigned to the Incidence Management Team (IMT).
The situation was ever evolving. Thousands of cruise ship guests were transferred to various air bases for quarantine, and volunteers from around the country came together to ensure that these guests were cared for and comfortable. But it wasn’t exactly a smooth operation at the beginning.
“We were short of everything,” Dr. Altman said, “We didn’t have toilet paper, we couldn’t get antibacterial soap, we couldn’t get masks. We were running through the same problem that everybody else was. So those are the kind of things that were happening those first four or five days, trying to get a system in place so individuals could actually do the work, which is really what public health does; we look at the bigger picture and put a system in place.”
Through this unplanned adversity came moments of mutual appreciation for the human spirit and resiliency. Dr. Altman spoke of the appreciation and gratitude that came from the guests despite the initial chaos. Volunteers were pulling together to do whatever they could for the guests, especially those who were missing major life milestones. There was a nurse who discovered that her patient was missing his daughter’s wedding. She did the leg work and acquired the necessary technology to make it possible for him to virtually walk her down the aisle.
“He was grateful that people were taking the time to help him be there for his daughter’s wedding. The nurse there said we are going to make this happen, you are going to be there at that wedding. It was very heartwarming,” Dr. Altman said.
It didn’t take long for the volunteers to hit their strides. After the first few days, everything started to fall into place.
“It became totally different when things started to settle down. As you can imagine, things became more organized,” Dr. Altman said. “I think that’s what happens in every single disaster. It is a disaster, people are deployed immediately. It’s not like it’s all planned and you are waiting for it to happen. So those first days are always a bit chaotic.”
Many have been on the frontlines since the COVID-19 pandemic began, selflessly giving their time and talents for the needs of others. While physical distancing is imperative during these times, Dr. Altman said not to take the term “social distancing” to heart. He encourages reaching out to loved ones, family and friends, check in and see how they are doing, even if it is just a text message.
“We all need to take care of each other,” said Dr. Altman.