(Editors note: This is the third in a series of stories detailing West Virginia University President Gordon Gees thoughts on how the university is helping guide its students and the entire Mountain State through the COVID-19 pandemic. Gee also focuses on WVU Medicine, the future of higher education and college sports as we approach a new normal.)<\/p>\n
MORGANTOWN West Virginia University President Gordon Gee says he believes the universitys WVU Medicine network of hospitals has helped West Virginia more quickly address the threat of COVID-19. <\/p>\n
On April 21, Gee spoke online with the Ogden News editorial board about West Virginia Universitys medical facilities that have helped address the threat of coronavirus. <\/p>\n
West Virginia University has 16 hospitals throughout the state under the WVU Medicine banner.<\/p>\n
If you take a look at the heat map of the state (where COVID-19 outbreaks are occurring), the universitys health system now is really the net significant provider of healthcare for the state, Gee said. Because of that we were able to immediately make a lot of choices, I think, in terms of what we are doing with the virus and how we dealt with it. Thats very important.<\/p>\n
Gee also said the university has put its resources toward coronavirus research and one of the universitys top experts has taken on a statewide role in battling the disease.<\/p>\n
Dr. Clay Marsh, vice president and executive dean for health sciences at WVU, was appointed Coronavirus Czar for West Virginia by Gov. Jim Justice. Marsh has been a key voice in daily public briefings on coronavirus and has helped steer much of the states medical response to the disease.<\/p>\n
Marsh is one of the bright lights in medical education, Gee said. West Virginia has been much more fortunate than others. I dont think that fortune comes from chance, I think it comes from planning. Were happy about the role the university has played in that regard.<\/p>\n
Gee said if West Virginia University had not had the opportunity to use all of the WVU Medicine facilities in a concentrated effort, the immediate and future impact of coronavirus in West Virginia would have been and will be more severe.<\/p>\n
Take a look at the evidence. The evidence is powerful, Gee said. The very fact that we have been much more successful as a state is a great example. I am absolutely convinced it made an enormous difference.<\/p>\n
(Erb can be contacted at merb@newsandsentinel.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n Today's breaking news and more in your inbox<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Link:<\/p>\n WVU Medicine on front lines of COVID-19 battle - The Daily Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" (Editors note: This is the third in a series of stories detailing West Virginia University President Gordon Gees thoughts on how the university is helping guide its students and the entire Mountain State through the COVID-19 pandemic. Gee also focuses on WVU Medicine, the future of higher education and college sports as we approach a new normal.) MORGANTOWN West Virginia University President Gordon Gee says he believes the universitys WVU Medicine network of hospitals has helped West Virginia more quickly address the threat of COVID-19. On April 21, Gee spoke online with the Ogden News editorial board about West Virginia Universitys medical facilities that have helped address the threat of coronavirus. Continue reading