COD Offers Ventilators, Additional Protective Equipment

Continuing its support of health care professionals working the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle, College of DuPage has loaned much-needed ventilators and donated additional personal protective equipment to local agencies.

On the heels of a donation of hundreds of masks, gloves and gowns, four ventilators from COD’s Nursing and Health Sciences Division are now being used by Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and Rush Copley Hospital.

“It’s an amazing feeling to know that our donations made an immediate difference,” said Interim Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences Dilyss Gallyot. “Our partners at CDH and Rush Copley were incredibly grateful for the equipment and the added resources to help patients.”

The four ventilators, used by the College’s intensive Respiratory Care program, are part of the extensive equipment students master through hands-on training in a simulation lab utilizing advanced respiratory care equipment that includes high-flow oxygen machines, two different types of BiPAPS (non- invasive ventilators), a simulated arterial blood gas arm, intubation equipment and an infant baby for umbilical artery training.

“When the vents return to College of DuPage, they will certainly have a story and I hope our students are inspired by the fact that we helped save lives,” Gallyot said.

In addition to the ventilators, the College also donated additional personal protective equipment from the Chemistry, Dental Hygiene and Basic Nursing Assistant programs.

The Nursing and Health Sciences Division at COD includes more than 30 areas of study in four major areas: diagnostic services, health informatics, support services and therapeutic. Programs are offered in the Health and Science Center, a 190,500-square-foot, fully-equipped facility that includes multiple simulation labs. Learn more about the health sciences at College of DuPage.