As the COVID-19 outbreak continues across the United States and around the world, several former Northwest student-athletes are finding themselves on the front lines of the response to this health crisis. Today brings our second installment of a weekly series titled Ranger Responders, in which we will be recognizing some of our former Rangers who are working as doctors, nurses, paramedics or first responders and hearing in their own words about how COVID-19 has affected their daily duties.
Today's conversation comes from Haleigh Ash, a former member of the Northwest cheer program from 2012-13, as well as the Lady Rangers' tennis program in 2013. A native of Olive Branch, Miss., Ash studied in the nursing program at Northwest before leaving Delta State University with a degree in exercise science. She would later return to Northwest to enroll in the surgical tech program.
Ash has since traded in her uniforms for scrubs and now works as a surgical technologist at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford.
Describe what you do as a surgical technologist and how Northwest prepared you for your current role.
"As a surgical technologist, I am responsible for multiple daily functions. In the operating room, we are assigned a team that functions together to make the daily process run smoothly. Each team member is responsible for certain functions and tasks that helps the doctors operate accordingly to all safety precautions. The safety of our patients is always our main focus, especially during the epidemic we are experiencing now. Each and every step requires each team member to make extreme precautions to keep a safe and sterile environment. In the event that something goes wrong, the importance of knowing how to fix within seconds could reflect in an unsafe environment for the team and patient. Looking back on my year at Northwest, I am extremely grateful for the preparation and education I was given. It's that preparation that has given me the ability to trust myself, respect my colleagues and most importantly, learn how to work with my team."
What does a typical day consist of as a surgical technologist?
"It really isn't easy to put into words. On any given day you never know what you could be walking into. A typical day for me is usually spent within the orthopedic room. I am an ortho tech that works with severe and total joint replacements, broken joints, arthroscopic procedures, carpal tunnels and many more procedures that deal with the bones. I am basically a mechanic for the human bones. Being in the operating room can be a little overwhelming at times but even with the pressure and intimidation, this job is something I would never trade. Even on the most difficult days, we can have anywhere between 3-8 procedures a day. Each procedure will vary depending on the doctor and the type of procedure. Set up time for the type of cases usually are a total of 10 trays a piece and each procedure may average an hour or so. Each tray is very heavy and contains multiple pieces that play an important part of the procedure that you have to make sure that is put together properly. During the procedure, you are also required to make sure that nothing is contaminated, none of the instruments are dropped and that everything is sterilized accordingly. Implants are extremely important so you must maintain extreme precaution. This job is not for the weak at heart and is very stressful, but I also find it to be very rewarding."
Have you or anyone you know been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak? If so, how has that impacted you both personally and on the job?
"I have known someone personally that has been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The extent of not knowing the outcome and if each of us could be infected as well has definitely impacted me, my friends and my family. The safety of my family, co-workers and patients could be compromised with just not knowing if I could possibly test positive or be a carrier of the virus. This is a very scary time for many, along with the fear of being isolated from family. You are in constant fear of how will you be quarantined and how will bills be paid."
What have you and your co-workers had to do differently since COVID-19? (any change of procedures, the way you treat patients, etc.)
"Since the COVID-19 pandemic, my co-workers and myself have had to make several changes in the operating room to provide more safety precautions. If we have a possible COVID-19 patient, we make sure to have N95 masks available to the entire team. We must also ensure that everything is taken out of the room that is not necessary before the procedure begins. A runner is placed outside the door to make sure we our preparation is completed properly and our attire is completely sterile."
From what you have seen personally, do you believe that people are doing a good job following social distancing efforts or do you think more could be done?
"Here in Oxford, I think people are handling the social distancing very well. Oxford is a very busy town and I am seeing a very limited amount of cars in town. On the days with great weather, you will see people engaging in daily walks at The Grove and in the square, but I feel like they are being responsible and following the 6-feet distancing guidelines. I have witnessed more neighbors cooking out and talking to neighbors at the distance noted and less than 10 people in one area. Police have been patrolling to make sure people are taking this rule seriously and are not causing us to prolong the lockdown for additional time span."
What would be your personal message to everyone about COVID-19?
"My message to everyone about COVID-19 would be to take every precaution to stay safe. It is very important that we protect ourselves and our family members. Even though the virus is a much greater risk for the older generation, it has no age limit on who it will affect. It is extremely important that everyone is staying home and following the guidelines established by the CDC. The quicker the rules are followed, the quicker we can be allowed to resume our normal activities."
