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CMS working for you: Ordering and distributing personal protective equipment when you needed it Kate Alfano CMS Communications Coordinator
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From the beginning of the COVID-19 public health crisis, the Colorado Medical Society heard repeatedly from physician members about the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) that was putting you and your patients in danger. CMS took this message to key state and federal stakeholders, hearing in the course of our regular advocacy work that rural hospitals and nursing homes were also facing severe shortages. The national stockpile was depleted and states had to act to obtain supplies. Though outside of our normal scope of work, it was clear there was an eminent threat and need and we as a medical society had to act to help our members secure PPE. In classic Colorado fashion, the community came together to get it done. In early March, Gov. Jared Polis tapped Noel Ginsburg, a well-respected local manufacturing executive and founder of CareerWise Colorado, to oversee procurement of critical PPE needs in the state. Energize Colorado was soon born to meet these needs, as well as to support rural health care providers and the restart of business and industry. The organization is backed by Mile High United Way; the Colorado Health Foundation, who provided a refundable grant for use as working capital; Colorado State University who tested and vetted products; and two for-profit companies that provide procurement, warehouse space and distribution assistance. Powered by passionate volunteers from the public and private sectors, as well as universities, Energize 1 On-site signs provided by Center Copy Printing were stationed at each pick-up location, including this one in Pueblo. 2 David R. Scott, MD, of Allergy & Asthma Center of Western Colorado in Grand Junction, accepts his PPE delivery. 3 Boxes of masks were carefully labeled and portioned at the donated warehouse space of Tewell Warren. 4 Brian N. Bailey, MD, of Bailey Dermatology in Louisville, picks up his mask order from the Boulder distribution hub. 5 Boulder County Medical Society Executive Director Judy Ladd staffs the Boulder hub. 6 Foothills Medical Society CEO Stephen Boucher volunteers at the Denver distribution hub. 7 CMS staff spread out throughout the state to bring masks to the various regions; here, CMS Government Relations Program Manager Emily Bishop helps in Boulder. 8 Jean Depperschmidt picks up masks in Loveland on behalf of Medical Metabolic Specialists, the practice of James Hendrick, MD.
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