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College Loans Lab Ventilators, Donates Scarce Medical Supplies

March 27, 2020

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Life-saving medical equipment typically used in Johnson County Community College simulation labs is now in the hands of trained health professionals at the University of Kansas Health System. In a joint effort to give back to the community, the College is loaning nine ventilators to the University of Kansas Health System and donating unused lab supplies, food and manpower to organizations across the metro.

The College’s respiratory care and neurodiagnostic technology programs arranged the delivery of the ventilators and supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE) to the University of Kansas Health System. Supplies included ventilator circuits, bacteria filters, wipes and spray, face shields, N-95 masks, isolation gowns, safety goggles, medical gloves and hand sanitizer.

Additionally, faculty and staff in JCCC’s science division collaborated with area medical facilities to help address the shortage of PPE in Johnson County. With approval from department chairs, deans and JCCC cabinet members, faculty collected hundreds of boxes of face masks and gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and other cleaning supplies from science labs and classrooms. Donations were made to several local facilities including Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Olathe Health and Saint Luke's Primary Care-Mission Farms.

JCCC’s Center for Sustainability is also refocusing its on-campus efforts toward helping citizens with food insecurities. Typically sold at the Overland Park Farmers Market, the College’s Open Petal Farm now plans to donate grown produce to organizations working to fight hunger in the community, such as Harvesters and After the Harvest.

JCCC’s hospitality and culinary arts program recently collected food that would have been used for class instruction and gave these items to Hope Faith Ministries. Members from JCCC’s Dining Services also collected perishables from campus kitchens that would have otherwise expired. Donations to Cross-Lines Community Outreach and to TFI Family Services included juice, cheese, fresh produce and pantry items.

For more information on the College’s COVID-19 response, visit jccc.edu/covid19.

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