The Pandemic Files

22/03/2024

Chapter One, Episode Six. "Prime Movers"

I get to speak with Clay McClain who was the Deputy Incident Commander for NJ's All Hazards Incident Management Team at the beginning of the pandemic. He was instrumental in all the "beyond the scene" activity that brought a medical facility to an empty convention center.

This week's episode of the Podcast is also the last that deals directly with the field hospital experience. Chapter Two which starts next week with the release of Episode #7. We switch our focus briefly to the perspective of front line providers during NJ's first wave in the Spring of 2020 before delving into the sustained public health response.

In this episode David speaks with Clay McClain who was a key member of New Jersey's All Hazards Incident Management Team. In that capacity he was instrumental in the build out and management of the COVID field hospitals. 

13/03/2024

Almost 4 years after the COVID19 pandemic struck New Jersey and 2 years after it's first public health emergency ended, the State has released the independent assessment of its actions. As expected it highlights both the successes and failures of these efforts.

I am proud of the conclusions related to a number of the initiatives I was involved in (testing, vaccinations, vaccine adherence, therapeutics, support for hospitals, collaboration/communication with stakeholders) and the lives that they saved. The report provides evidence of the hard work and dedication of thousands who participated in the largest sustained response in our State's history.

I also recognize where lack of prior planning, adequate public health resources, sufficient strategic supplies (PPE most acutely), actionable information from our federal partners, clear messaging to the public and adherence to well established incident command principles resulted in avoidable suffering. I imagine most state were confronted with similar issues.

While this document does not provide a detailed road map for prevention in future public health emergencies it does make many key recommendations. These should be closely assessed and acted on.

12/03/2024

This week I welcomed three nurses from the field hospital to talk about their experiences providing "Unconventional" care in a convention center during the pandemic!

Discover firsthand accounts from doctors and nurses battling the covid19 pandemic. The Pandemic Files provides in-depth coverage and analysis of the healthcare heroes on the frontlines.

29/02/2024

After a brief recess The Pandemic Files Podcast is back! I am excited for this episode. Sara Barry joins me to discuss her role as our infection control nurse at our COVID19 Field Hospital and the experience of being on active duty as a Air Force officer (with the NJ Air National Guard) in her own state.

https://soundcloud.com/thepandemicfiles/the-pandemic-files-chapter-1-episode-4-barbarians-at-the-infection-control-gates?si=537de0123c794c90842be277fc2a4ad8&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

31/01/2024

If it is Wednesday it is another edition of "The Pandemic Files"! This week I spoke with Suma Ghanta and Rebecca Kling Keenan who were two of our stellar providers at the field hospital. We get in depth about the medical care given to the recovering COVID patients, the joys of collaboration and lasting friendships, and their thoughts on leading during this phase of the pandemic. Please listen at your favorite podcast site (Soundcloud, YT, Spotify) or go to our website (found in the comment section).

24/01/2024

This week's episode of "The Pandemic Files" highlights the efforts of two paramedics (Effie Hirschman MICP and Rebecca Taylor MBA, CPTC, NRP) who became part of the leadership team of the COVID Field Hospital in Northern New Jersey. There contributions highlight the true value of EMS providers and the range of talents and skills they bring to medicine and emergency response.

https://thepandemicfiles.com/chapter-1-episode-2

 In this episode of the The Pandemic Files Podcast, David interviews Rebecca Taylor and Effie Hirschman. Both are experienced paramedics who joined FMS-Secaucus and filled vital roles in our efforts. They showcase the incredible flexibility and mission driven values of those in EMS. 

17/01/2024

The Pandemic Files Chapter One, Episode One: "My Pandemic Partner"
In this Inaugural episode of The Pandemic Files Podcast, David interviews Patti Drabik who joined the NJ DOH in March of 2020 as the Chief Nursing for the field hospital being set up in Secaucus, NJ. Patti would go on to lead the initial operations of the state's vaccine program.

https://thepandemicfiles.com/chapter-1-episode-1

Also Available on:

Sound Cloud: https://shorturl.at/rBNXZ
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DVSCJcNMUxpnRbODv3QsZ
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/

03/01/2024

Starts January 17th! thepandemicfiles.com

03/01/2024

thepandemicfiles.com

A weekly podcast about the unprecedented public health response to the COVID 19 pandemic. Hosted by one of the leaders of that response in the State of New Jersey, each episode will highlight a different aspect of the response starting with the first chaotic days at a quickly assembled field hospital in an empty convention center. From there the story line will progress to the "whole of government" response that was designed to save lives, protect the public and support a return to post-pandemic life.

This weekly journey will be told from the perspective of those who responded, innovated, and worked tirelessly (almost always behind the scenes) to contain the pandemic, provide up to the minute information and advice to the public, and distribute tens of millions of vaccines, testing supplies, and other needed resources and support.

These interviews will highlight the amazing leadership by dedicated individuals during times of great stress and uncertainty as our understanding of the virus, resources available and the virus itself changed and evolved quickly.