Iona College Thinks Beyond the Campus in Fight Against COVID-19

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When the call first went out that hospitals were in need of protective gear, multiple Iona College departments donated over 14,000 unused gloves, shoe covers, goggles, safety glasses, masks, gowns and other unused medical supplies.

As COVID-19 forced schools to close, Iona was quick not only to bring its own curriculum online, but also to look beyond the campus and see a greater need – supporting the community’s K-12 students. Iona faculty engaged undergraduate education majors to help launch a free, online tutoring service for students and families. More than 150 children quickly signed up for instruction, which is run by Iona faculty and students and was recently featured on NBC Channel 4. The free, online program is open to all students in grades 2-12. Families can sign up for tutoring sessions here.

Meanwhile, Iona students have continued their outreach — whether via Zoom calls, letter writing or card making — to residents living in local senior homes, as well as those in the Blythedale Children’s Hospital and the Bedford Hills Correctional facility.

On the medical frontlines, Iona alumni are leading the fight against COVID-19, including CEOs Rita Mabli of United Hebrew; Kathy Silard, of Stamford Health; Tim Leddy, of VNS of Westchester; and Anthony Viceroy, of Westmed Medical Group.

“It comes as no surprise that so many in the Iona community are on the front lines of this pandemic, putting others ahead of themselves,” said Seamus Carey, Ph.D., president of Iona College and a member of the BCW Board of Directors. “An Iona education prepares us to face even the most daunting of challenges with an understanding that there is purpose in our service.”