CLEVELAND — In early Columbus-based company, Battelle got the green light from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to use technology to sterilize personal protective equipment for frontline workers.
The company, and its employees, uses a vaporized hydrogen peroxide to clean the masks and other equipment necessary for healthcare workers.
Understanding the need for this process, Battelle shipped devices to several sites across the country, including Seattle.
The company then reached out to graduating medical students from Ohio State University's Medical School. They were offering government contracts to those who needed work.
Alex Harrison said he couldn't pass up the opportunity.
"Part of medical school, part of training, part of joining this profession it's about helping others. Not about ourselves," Harrison said.
Harrison was born and raised in the Cleveland area. He graduated from medical school in April planning to begin his residency at MetroHealth Hospital in mid-June. But rather than taking advantage of some down time between graduation and the start of his residency, Harrison said he wanted to give back.
"I saw this an opportunity to help people," he said.
Harrison is working 12-hour shifts at the satellite location in Seattle to decontaminate masks for healthcare workers, police and others on the frontlines.
He said while his contract is only three weeks long, he's proud to have played a small part in the battle against the coronavirus.
“There’s a lot of workers providing phenomenal care to patients and I believed this was my opportunity to allow them to do their job safely, effectively and without any kind of hindrance," Harrison said.
Harrison will start his OB/GYN residency at MetroHealth in mid-June. He said he can't wait to return to his hometown and begin working with patients.
"I’m a huge Cleveland nerd. I love everything about Cleveland," he said. “It is such a privilege to be able to be there and be a trusted source for somebody else.”
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