Creighton Med Students Host PPE Drive for Omaha Health Care Professionals

An effort by Creighton medical students collected more than 29,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to donate to local health care professionals.

The student-led effort gathered thousands of gloves, hundreds of masks, including N95 masks, as well as bleach, disinfecting wipes and face shields, says Adrienne Pyle, an M3 student.

In addition to coordinating a drop-off point, students also arranged pick-up of donated supplies, while maintaining a safe distance and minimizing contact.

The supplies were donated to CHI Health, as well as other local hospitals, free clinics and shelters.

The medical students were spurred into action after learning hospitals across the country, and even in Omaha, were facing a diminishing supply of PPE due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The students’ response to COVID-19 hopes to help halt the spread of the virus and support health care professionals, as well as the Omaha community.

“It’s incredible what a strong, supportive community can do to help each other in a time of need,” Pyle said. “The need for medical supplies is still great, so we must continually ask ourselves how we can help our fellow humans and support our heroes at the front lines.”