Three Rivers Community College has donated all of its personal protective equipment supplies to Backus Hospital (Hartford Health Care) and L+M Hospital (Yale New Haven Health) to help with the critical shortage of supplies during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Assistant Professor of Nursing Cindy Arpin of Three Rivers packed her trunk with PPE supplies from the College and brought them to Backus Hospital and L+M Hospital.

Upon receiving the full support of Three Rivers President Mary Ellen Jukoski, supplies were gathered from both the Nursing program and the Science labs.

Nursing Laboratory Coordinator Denise Cortegiano and Assistant Professor of Nursing Cindy Arpin gathered the supplies from both the Nursing and Allied Health Laboratories. Supplies included 189 PPE gowns, over 2,000 masks, 5,700 gloves and assorted equipment sanitizer and protective eye gear and caps. The supplies were divided evenly and delivered to each facility by Arpin on Tuesday, March 24. The decision as to where the donations would go was coordinated in a state-wide effort by the CT League for Nursing Deans and Directors. Each School of Nursing partnered with their local clinical affiliates.

Three Rivers also brought 4,000 additional gloves to Backus Hospital that had been supplies for in the science labs.

President Mary Ellen Jukoski said “In these unprecedented times with local hospitals facing shortages, it’s important for Three Rivers to share PPE supplies that would otherwise be sitting in closets while the college is closed. We must all work together during this time to support one another.”

Three Rivers, and all other Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, transitioned to virtual learning as of March 20 for the remainder of the spring semester. College staff is telecommunicating and is available daily to assist registration by current and future students for the summer and fall semesters.