Coronavirus: Wright State med student volunteers in New Orleans

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A Wright State University medical student joined health care workers in New Orleans on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak.

Kyle Henneke, who graduated from the Wright State nursing program in 2014 and is board certified in emergency nursing and trauma nursing, had just finished his second year at Wright State’s Boonshoft School of Medicine. He was supposed to begin rotations, but they were canceled.

Kyle Henneke, a Wright State nursing graduate and current Boonshoft School of Medicine medical student, is caring for patients in New Orleans. CONTRIBUTED

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“I was sitting at home, trying not to leave and help flatten the curve, and honestly feeling useless. I felt I had the skills necessary to help people that weren't being used,” Henneke said in a release from the medical school.

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He wanted to work where the need was greatest, and he reached out to travel nurse agency Aya Healthcare.

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Henneke arrived in New Orleans the morning of April 5, after driving overnight to get there. The trip took 13 hours. He will be living there until May 30, working 48 hours a week on the night shift.

On his off days, he attends Wednesday session online classes, completes online non-clinical electives and virtual tutoring.

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“I’m nervous, fearful, and anxious as I know that the personal protective equipment shortage across the nation has endangered health care providers everywhere,” Henneke said in the release. “But I know that I've been trained and educated well, and I am here to serve the people of New Orleans to the best of my ability and hope to make a difference — even if it is small.”

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