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First and Finest - Heroes Work Here. COVID-19 Response. Johnny Rodgers, a Nurse Consultant and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth’s (NMCP) High Level Disinfection Program Manager, is at the forefront of NMCP’s COVID-19 response.

When Rodgers heard of the shortages of masks and personal protective equipment (PPE), he began to plan a process for the sterilization and reuse of masks. After much research, he was able to gather information and adapt a plan that would work for NMCP. Within 15 days of beginning this process, NMCP had processed more than 500 masks.

“This process has reduced the amount of N-95 waste,” Rodgers said. “It helps to reduce the amount of stock that’s used on a daily basis so we can maintain our supply levels for as long as this pandemic exists.” To-date, NMCP has reprocessed more than 880 masks and eye protection equipment.

Rodgers says that NMCP is now able to reprocess every mask two times, given that there is no damage, deterioration or contamination. Once the new UV light system is set in place, the same mask will be able to be reprocessed an additional 10 times, allowing one mask to now become 10-13 masks.

While he has been the spearhead of this innovation, Rodgers says that he could not have done this alone. HM3 Colton Jones was appointed the team lead and he selected three strong corpsmen for the team. They have spent extra hours and weekends training to make sure that they properly collect, sort, package, sterilize and then deliver the masks. “They are the ones making it work,” Rodgers said. “They are the true heroes.”

Rodgers would like the command and the community to know that this has truly been a team effort.

“We’re here to support our staff, support our patients, and support the mission,” Rodgers said.

The great efforts put forth by Johnny Rodgers and the many others proves that #HeroesWorkHere at #NMCPFirstandFinest.

1. WeAreTheFightingSpirit #StopTheSpread #FlattenTheCurve #NavyMedicine

Photo by MCSN Ariana R. Torman