MORE ALUMNI GIVE BACK
Price provides 3D masks and face shields
Delivery to Shelby Ridge Health & Rehab.
A few weeks ago, UM alumnus and faculty member Michael Price ’15 spearheaded a project to provide 3D printed face masks for staff at Shelby Baptist Medical Center. Price, the digital media and emerging technologies librarian at Carmichael Library, partnered with UM theatre faculty Kyle Moore and Emily Gill to produced the masks. Read the full story or view the news coverage.
During this time, MHS teacher and UM alumnus, David Michael Martin Jr. ’89, M.Ed. ’94 and his daughter, Miranda, began utilizing MHS equipment to make masks and face shields for area hospitals as well. Check out the news coverage.
Martin saw the news coverage about Price and UM’s endeavors and reached out. Now, Price, Martin and a group of volunteers have distributed protective gear to Shelby Baptist Medical Center and Shelby Ridge Health & Rehab, along with other healthcare providers and first responders across the state from Decatur to Mobile. Together, they have produced and delivered more than 1,000 masks, face shields and other pieces of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), with more in production!
Price and others have been working 12-15 hours per day to create as many PPEs as possible for small clinics, healthcare providers and hospitals who may have nothing. “When me and my great crew of 3D printers get an order of PPE to a hospital, it is gut wrenching knowing that items being made in our homes and garages are better than what most places have — which is often nothing.” explained Price. “Hospitals, rehab centers and small clinics that are trying to help folks just don’t have supplies. It’s scary. I’m seeing the faces of nurses and medical care workers that look strained, sad and downright depleted from the stress of what they are facing.”
To make a donation to the project (help purchase supplies), use the form on the UM Giving webpage and designate the gift to “UM 3D masks.” For more information, contact Price at mprice3@738628.com.
Bliss helps medical clinic at beginning of pandemic:
When the Seale Harris Clinic, where alumna Andrea Bliss ’11 works, needed some form of protection, she diligently started making cloth masks for her coworkers. The family medical clinic serves as one of the first stops for potential COVID-19 patients in the Birmingham area. Because area daycares are closed, the clinic had to organize a makeshift daycare. So, Bliss then made children’s masks for all of the staff’s kids. She has continued to make for those who do not have access to PPE. She has made more than 100 masks.
Andrea Bliss and coworker
Bliss has made more than 100 masks including children’s masks.
Seale Harris Clinic staff
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