Holy Cross alumnus Patrick Lowe '12 is one of many fourth-year medical students in Massachusetts who have volunteered to graduate early this year in order to join doctors on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, following a statewide call from Governor Charlie Baker who is expecting a surge in patients.
Lowe, a biology major in the premed program at Holy Cross – now called Health Professions Advising – from Northborough, Mass., told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette in a recent interview that he never expected his career to begin in one of the worst pandemics in decades.
"There are certainly a lot of mixed emotions," said Lowe, who graduated virtually from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester Tuesday and is planning on going into emergency medicine. "We're all trained and ready – there’s a degree of excitement in fulfilling your role."
With the expectation that state hospitals could be straining under the anticipated surge of COVID-19 patients over the next few weeks, experts say the need for qualified health care workforce is urgent.
Dr. Michael Collins '77, chancellor of UMass Medical School and another Holy Cross grad, has enthusiastically welcomed the state medical board’s decision to loosen rules for physician credentialing.
"While this is voluntary for members of our graduating class, in Massachusetts alone, accelerating the graduation of students at all four medical schools could infuse our health care delivery system with more than 700 new physician caregivers," said Collins.
To read the full article, go to Telegram.com.
Lowe is one of many Holy Cross alumni who are, or will be, helping in the fight against the pandemic, and we urge you to share more stories with us at news@holycross.edu.
Related Information:
- Read more on Anthony Fauci '62: "Coronavirus Pandemic Expert and Holy Cross Alumnus Dr. Anthony Fauci ’62: A Man for and With Others"
- Read a profile on Dr. Michael Collins '77 in the Winter 2018 edition of Holy Cross Magazine: "Armed With Liberal Arts Degrees, Holy Cross Alumni Take Unique Approach to Careers in Medicine"
