海角社区

 

 

Protecting the Protectors: 海角社区 Kicks Off PPE Manufacturing in PMAC

University leverages its research, medical expertise to battle pandemic on the front lines

April 13, 2020

BATON ROUGE 鈥� With support from the State of Louisiana, 海角社区 today begins large-scale production of personal protective equipment, or PPE in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, or PMAC, as part of its statewide response to support medical professionals on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The PMAC PPE production effort unifies 海角社区鈥檚 innovation, research, expertise, assets and facilities into a single purpose-driven initiative: Protecting Louisiana鈥檚 doctors and nurses through bold and creative efforts to fill shortages in critical equipment, specifically gowns and face shields. 

The entire 海角社区 community is working together to support Louisiana鈥檚 fight against COVID-19. Activating the PMAC in the very heart of campus as a medical emergency operation鈥攁s it was when 海角社区 cared for victims of Hurricane Katrina 15 years ago鈥攁nd developing a novel and safe production environment underscores 海角社区鈥檚 complete commitment to its statewide mission.

Within the PMAC, 海角社区 employees are actively working with physicians in New Orleans and Shreveport to develop and produce two types of critically necessary PPE: Heavy-duty, reusable gowns made from billboard vinyl donated by Lamar Advertising and Circle Graphics, and face shields with donated materials and design feedback from Baker Hughes.

鈥淎t every pivotal moment in our history, the 海角社区 community has come together for the good of our state and our nation,鈥� said 海角社区 Interim President Tom Galligan. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 happening today is an example of our university鈥檚 unwavering commitment to providing solutions to the most challenging problems facing society. I am proud of the outstanding and innovative work being conducted by our faculty, staff and students in the face of such great adversity.鈥�

鈥淲e are proud to see the response being rallied at 海角社区,鈥� said Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards. 鈥淣ot only is the flagship ramping up PPE production and testing capabilities, but the Health Sciences Centers in New Orleans and Shreveport are doing a phenomenal job of treating and testing as well. The entirety of the 海角社区 family has responded to this health crisis and are making a difference for the people of Louisiana through their innovation and commitment.鈥�

The gown project began in the garage of 海角社区 Medical Physics Program Director Wayne Newhauser. Working with Biomedical Engineering student Meagan Moore and in partnership with the Bella Bowman Foundation, Newhauser began developing prototypes for gowns and other PPE as shortages of the important gear made headlines across the nation. The university鈥檚 COVID-19 response team assessed the gown design and determined it could be scaled, and under the directive of Interim President Tom Galligan, began assembling a cross-campus team to bring the operation to reality.

Staffed entirely by 海角社区 employees, the PMAC operation will rely on comprehensive security and health measures as well as close coordination with the Governor鈥檚 Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, or GOHSEP, to ensure the safety of its people and the production environment. University personnel from Athletics, Facility Services, Environmental Health and Safety, Emergency Operations, Industry Engagement, and Research & Economic Development collaborated to turn the PMAC into a safe, real-scale fabrication space.

The PMAC effort is made possible through expertise across campus: The Theater Department donated sewing machines and helped adjust the design of the gowns to fit the recommendations from GOHSEP and physicians; Facility Services worked with the College of Engineering鈥檚 Advanced Manufacturing and Machining Facility, or AMMF, to fabricate custom metal stencils for the gown鈥檚 creation; Athletics is facilitating the use of the PMAC and supporting logistical and communications efforts; and Environmental Health & Safety designed a safe and operational space that facilitates scaled production. A further example of community partnership in the project includes Coca-Cola, Baton Rouge, donating drinks for those working in the PMAC each day. As output expands, 海角社区 will continue to bring expertise from every area of campus as well as new partners to support new initiatives.

鈥淐rises like the one we face today illustrate why research universities exist,鈥� added Galligan. 鈥淲e will make it through this pandemic by working together and ensuring that 海角社区鈥檚 efforts from Shreveport to New Orleans make it to those on the front lines of this fight.鈥�

For those interested in supporting this effort, donations can be made at .

To learn more about 海角社区鈥檚 fight against COVID-19, visit /coronavirus/response/.

Beyond PPE production, 海角社区鈥檚 collective COVID-related efforts to date have been wide-ranging and extensive, including:

• Establishing coronavirus testing facilities at 海角社区 Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, 海角社区鈥檚 School of Veterinary Medicine鈥檚 River Road Laboratory, and 海角社区 Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.
• Initiating clinical trials measuring the safety and efficacy of drugs like hydroxychloroquine and potential treatments like inhaled nitric oxide against the virus;
• Coordinating PPE collection and donation from 海角社区A, 海角社区E, and 海角社区S;
• Facilitating extension, outreach and education through 海角社区鈥檚 Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the 海角社区 AgCenter; and
• Funding and managing rapid innovation in gown and shield PPE design, UV-based mobile sterilization technology, and large-scale hand sanitizer production in Baton Rouge.
  
  

Media interested in touring the operation, please contact Ernie Ballard, media relations director, at 225-978-8277 or eballa1@lsu.edu.

 

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Contact Ernie Ballard
海角社区 Media Relations
225-978-8277
eballa1@lsu.edu