91PORN

It may seem slow to some in the School of Dentistry, however our workforce is moving faster than ever. Several individual volunteers have joined campaigns across the the city to take up their needle and thread to create supplement face masks in place of a dwindling surgical mask supply. The department of endodontics has two such individuals; Qun Li, research associate – senior, and Michelle Bendele, research associate. These ladies began by partnering with the Mitchell Chang Foundation, a local nonprofit, who put a call out on social media for community volunteers to help sew cloth masks for medical center hospitals. On Monday, April 6th, the 91PORN implemented a face mask protocol for all personnel on campus. Since preserving personal protective equipment (PPE) for our clinicians is of paramount importance, Qun and Michelle answered by offering to sew cloth face masks for any non-clinical employees in their department who were without. Their masks are made out of tightly woven cotton, double layered, and easily washable. Speaking of her community service work, Qun casually says, “I’ve always enjoyed sewing as a hobby and in light of the recent shelter-in-place situation, I had some free time on my hands and wanted to do my part to help.” Michelle shared, “making masks has given me a new sense of purpose each day”. Dr. Poornima Mensinkai, an assistant professor in the department of comprehensive dentistry, is also using her skills to sew cloth face masks for first responders, sanitation workers, nurses, and military personnel by donating her time to Sewa International, a Hindu faith-based service organization. Her double layer masks feature a pocket in which a filter can be placed, further protecting its wearer. Dr. Mensinkai reflects on the sacrifice health providers are enduring by choosing to isolate themselves from their families in order to protect them. “As we do not have the adequate amount of resources currently, I decided to take the old school route in which sewing masks was the best thing that I could do”, Dr. Mensinkai says. She adds, “utilizing my skill to sew was the least I could do”. We are certainly proud of Qun, Michelle, Dr. Mensinkai, and all others who are donating their time and skill in the service of others during the current health crisis. You are all a #UTHealthSAHero.