“It is paramount that we receive test results for first responders as soon as possible. The results not only guide our decisions for individual treatment, but determine city staffing algorithms to ensure there are enough first responders on duty to protect our community.”
~ Richard Parker, DO, CEO of San Diego Sports Medicine

San Diego Sports Medicine and Family Health Center has been called upon to partner with the City of San Diego to develop a medical team to care for all First Responders in the city including Firefighters, Police and Lifeguards. SDSM created the SDSM COVID-19 Response Team consisting of Drs. Rohrer, Dengerink, Anthony and Parker as well as Physician’s Assistant, Katie Rusk and several members of our staff including Matt Downs, our Project Manager, Laurie Russell, our Chief Training Officer, Davina Fant, Jenna Chamberlain and Julia Ralph, each of whom are keeping the team organized. Other County Fire agencies have joined the project including San Miguel Fire Authority, Lakeside Fire, and Bonita Fire. We have completed over 100 Telehealth visits with First Responders in the past 3 weeks.

UCSD Health has been leading the way against COVID-19 in San Diego and has stepped up to perform the COVID-19 testing with rapid turn around of results. The cooperation of so many agencies as well as UCSD has been tremendous on so many levels. We are pleased to be able to jump in and serve our communities’ First Responders. CONTINUE READING HERE to learn more about how SDSM and UCSD are providing care for our First Responders.

~Photo credit San Diego City Fire Fighters