Chattanooga State sends ventilators to Erlanger for coronavirus patients
Through Chattanooga State Community College's Respiratory Care program, the college has loaned eight ventilators and four Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices to Erlanger Health System to help with the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
"I contacted the area sales representatives of the ventilator companies asking for permission to allow local hospitals to use our ventilators, which they approved," said Katie Davidson, respiratory care program director at Chattanooga State, in a news release. "Since we are an educational institution we get a substantial discount on the equipment with the agreement that that equipment would not be used on real patients. This is to prevent an educational institution from profiting from the purchase."
Davidson and Mark Knutsen, dean of nursing and allied health at Chattanooga State, connected with Terry Ellis, director of respiratory care at Erlanger, to learn about Erlanger's equipment needs. As COVID-19 becomes more widespread, hospitals across the nation are expected to begin to run out of much-needed supplies and equipment.
Davidson said that many Chattanooga State graduates begin their careers at Erlanger and the college maintains a collaborative relationship with the hospital.
"Erlanger's BioMedical director will be responsible for ensuring all of the equipment that we loan out is properly checked prior to placing it on any patient," Davidson added.
Chattanooga State's Respiratory Care Program prepares students to use such equipment in hospital settings. It is one of the oldest associate-level degree programs in the nation, according to the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
Chattanooga Public Library offers virtual programs, online cards
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, all Chattanooga Public Library locations are currently closed, but patrons still have access to ebooks, audiobooks, comics, movies and music.
The library is also regularly posting videos of its Preschool Storytime, Baby Bounce, Sew What Kids and Toddler Time programs.
More videos are in the works, with plans to offer daily early learning videos, more crafting tutorials, book reviews and STEAM-related content, according to a news release.
"Our staff are finding and sharing good, free resources to help kids and adults make the most of their time at home," said Corinne Hill, executive director, in a statement. "And, you can still call us with questions. Our staff is available to answer your calls!"
To browse available programs or materials available online, visit chattlibrary.org or call 423-643-7700.
Chattanooga Engineers Club establishes scholarship for Chattanooga State students
The Chattanooga Engineers Club, a longtime supporter of Chattanooga State Community College, recently established the "Chattanooga Engineers Scholarship," which will provide a $10,000 annual donation toward scholarships for engineering and technology students.
The funding was made possible through the Frazier Engineering Education and Development (FEED) Fund and will be administered through the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga. The Chattanooga State scholarship is now one of four $10,000 scholarships that the club has established in the Chattanooga region, according to a press release.
"The Engineers Club has funded scholarships at Chattanooga State for many years, now with the Frazier Engineering Education and Development Fund we can provide more funding on an annual basis. The members believe that Chattanooga State offers a great technical education for students in our area and is a wonderful place to help students fund their education," reads a statement from club president Albert Curtis.
If you have news about local schools or about something impacting local students that you'd like included in Class Notes, email Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com.