These are crazy times. But, then, you really don’t need to be told that, do you? So,
I’ll talk about people. Good people. The kind we work with every day here at Texas
Tech University Health Sciences Center—and some observations I’ve made during this pandemic.
First of all, Texas Tech School of Medicine is made up of many people who possess
selfless compassion and scientific knowledge. That fits in beautifully with our vision
statement of “compassion and knowledge.” It is clear we work with some of the best
people anywhere, and they have proven that during this pandemic. Examples abound,
to name but two: through use of innovative drug therapies, such as remdesivir and
dexamethasone, and the use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19 patients. But,
there are many other ways.
Lubbock, with its flatness that outsiders like to tease us about, is a sought-after
destination for gifted and motivated physicians, researchers, nurses, learners, and
talented people from all over the United States, and actually the world. It is so
mind expanding to have the opportunity to meet people who may have started out in
other parts of the USA, or other countries—but, are now with us! And, for the most
part, I would say thrilled to be here. I know this because we have very high faculty
and staff satisfaction surveys.
Mix that group of talent with “home-grown” talent from here in the Hub City, or Littlefield,
O’Donnell, or Monahans, (Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, too) and you have a powerful
mixture. The alchemy is good. A group of people that I would match with any group
anywhere.
Our folks are not only smart and compassionate—they are “givers.” The Texas Tech
faculty and employees are giving on the front lines around the clock, delivering up-close
and personal experience that is critical at a time such as this.
I was talking with a faculty member today who was telling me about a physician who
had worked 28-days straight in an ICU. I’ve heard stories of our pulmonologists staying
in the intensive care units of our partner hospitals for hours on end taking care
of critically ill patients. We have had registered nurses, and other employees, stand
at the front door, again for hours, taking temperatures and talking with patients.
We’ve had employees making face masks. They do this to protect us all. Now, we have
a COVID-19 testing center set up. I’ve seen people rally together to get things done—stand
up a telemedicine system in days—not months or years.
Quick story and I will end. I had a call fairly late in the evening—there were technical
telephone problems in Amarillo. I called our person in charge of phone systems and
I started out—“I apologize for calling you so late.” He said, “I’m on call 24/7—how
can I help you?” I told him the problem—he said, “I’m on it.” And he was—later texting
me: “Issue resolved.”
