During the pandemic, several NSU alums have made a big difference in the fight against COVID-19:

 

Andrew Rehder, 3M Plant Manager 

Andrew Rehder, manager of 3M Co. in Aberdeen, S.D., got the call from headquarters on Tuesday, Jan. 21. He gathered about 20 managers and supervisors into a conference room, where they sat, unworried, less than 6 feet apart. Rehder told them that a new virus was spreading rapidly from China and that 3M was expecting demand for protective gear to jump.

“A lot has changed in three months. We knew it wouldn’t be a two-week blip; it would be longer. But I had no idea. People are very proud to work in a place that’s making respirators, especially with the need that’s out there now.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Carin Martinson (2005)

“During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we at HealthPartners Olivia Hospital and Clinic are doing our best to provide safe and quality care to all of our patients. I personally hope that everybody is doing their best to keep themselves safe and healthy as well, and to stay positive during these challenging times.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Berg (1982), Senior Administrator of Mayo Clinic Health System

“Responding to the unprecedented challenge of fighting COVID-19, the U.S. government is supporting a national Expanded Access Program to collect and provide convalescent plasma to patients in need across the country. Plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients contains antibodies that may help fight the disease. Working collaboratively with industry, academic and government partners, Mayo Clinic will serve as the lead institution for the program.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Gomez (2017), Intensive Care Nurse

A former All-American wrestler for the NSU Wolves, Joe used Northern’s collaboration with SDSU to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Now, he works as an intensive care nurse in the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D., a recent hotspot in the COVID-19 battle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rich Adcock (1990), CEO of Verity Health Systems

What can we do?

“Everyone is saying this, but I can’t stress it enough: Stay home and practice personal hygiene on a level you never have before. We will get through this, but it takes everyone.”

Is this as bad as the flu, heart disease, etc.?

“We cannot compare this virus to anything we have ever seen. Do not draw false equivalents to this situation by comparing it to the flu, obesity, heart disease, etc. This is extremely contagious and dangerous.”