PROVINCETOWN, MA – In response to the Coronavirus global pandemic, a group of local medical providers, mental health practitioners, emergency management professionals, and community health organizers have come together to form the Provincetown COVID-19 Task Force. They are calling for volunteers to provide support to residents through direct service and in coordination with existing healthcare and other local service providers.
Through affiliation with the Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps (CCMRC), members of the PC19 Task Force will serve as the Provincetown outpost of the Corps.
All PC19 Task Force team members will be vetted by the CCMRC and become certified volunteers. The CCRMC is part of the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment and is directed by Diana Gaumond, BSN MPH.
The PC19 Task Force is gearing up to offer support to local healthcare systems, government, and community organizations to address the expanding needs of our community during the crisis: “In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are concerned for the health of our Outer Cape community. Provincetown has a high per capita of over–60 and medically vulnerable individuals living in a geographically isolated demographic with one healthcare organization. For these reasons, we offer our services to our community.”
The first offering of the group is a STRESS SUPPORT LINE: 508-309-5848 which has been created to accept calls about stress and emotional challenges in the face of the pandemic. The Support Line is staffed by local mental health professionals Barbara Murphy, Mary Ellen Dwyer, Rita Paradise, Donna Flax, and Loretta Butehorn. Messages are checked frequently and, from 11 AM to 7 PM, calls will either be answered at once or returned promptly. They are also organizing a BUDDY SUPPORT SYSTEM that pairs up those who are willing to connect daily with someone seeking regular check-in support. (To volunteer to be a buddy, or to request a buddy, email [email protected])
The Task Force began in early March when nurse practitioner Alison Dwyer and social impact producer Lise King combined their efforts to enlist volunteers. They had each seen the potential need for support services and were reaching out to the community to ask for helpers. The first MD to answer the call for volunteers was Dr. Scott Adelman, a recently retired cardiologist who now serves as head of the medical services team.
The PC19 Task Force recognizes this moment as an opportunity for the community to come together, including year-round and part-time residents, to serve side-by-side during this time of great challenge and need.
Over the past month, the group’s leadership team has been meeting twice weekly to gear up and prepare for the local impact of the epidemic, and to date, they have received over 100 applications for both medical and non-medical volunteers.
Medical and mental healthcare providers are needed, as well as those willing to serve as phone “Stress Buddies” (no in-person contact), dog walkers, food shoppers, meal and meds delivery, and other services. The group is working in coordination with organizations in Provincetown to provide fill-in support as/where needed. To volunteer, email: [email protected].
Anyone in need of services - medical or non-medical support, please contact:
Community Support Team @ 617-352-5024
The Task Force is an all-volunteer organization and is accepting donations to pay for out of pocket costs. Email: [email protected] for more information.
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TASK FORCE LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS:
Scott Adelman, MD
Invasive Cardiologist – inpatient and outpatient services, Chief Cardiovascular Committee, Northern California, Former Chief of Cardiology, San Rafael, California, retired with an active license (Lic. Mass).
Alison B. Dwyer, RN/MSN/APRN-BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, specialties in women's health, community health nursing, former nursing professor (RI, Conn.), experience on medical teams in Puerto Rico and Honduras (Lic. Mass, RI).
Mary Ellen Dwyer, LICSW
Clinical Social Worker, Family Therapist, addictions therapist, former relief–development clinician, Homeless Coalition, Boston, MA and The Philippines (Lic.Mass).
Frank Bellistri, RN/MSN/APRN-BC
Home, hospital, and community–based care with specialties in geriatric primary care, hospice and palliative care, and psychiatry (Lic. Mass).
Linda Loren, RN/MS
Hospital Administrator, Experience in all aspects of Emergency Care/Preparedness, outpatient and community services (all specialties), health care education (retired).
Barbara Murphy RN/MSN/APRN-BC
Clinical Nurse Specialist Psychiatry/Mental Health – outpatient child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. Retired with an active license (Lic. Mass).
Michael Brown, AD/RN
Former Emergency Department staff nurse, Clinical Nurse Manager Emergency Department Medicine. Currently self-employed.
Lise King, MC/MPA
Social impact producer, public health media and communications consultant, community organizer. Extensive experience working in public policy and administration.
Catherine Russo, CNA
Community organizer, certified nursing assistant, filmmaker.
Donna Flax, LMHC
Outpatient adult clinical therapist, community organizer, and frontline caregiver during the AIDS crisis in Provincetown.
Sarah Ireland, RN/BSN/CCM
Owner Healthcare Solutions, a homecare and consulting organization Former Director of Case Management and HIV Clinic and supervisor at OCHS.
Rita Paradise, MSW/LCSW
Co-Owner of Healthcare Solutions, Social Worker for Protective Case Management Department of Child and Family Services, Massachusetts (retired), child and family therapist.
Daniel Lacombe, BS/AOS in Culinary Arts
Chef at the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod. 40 years of culinary experience – much of which has been in hospitals and nursing homes – including catering and a la carte restaurants.
Loretta Butehorn, Clinical Psychologist with long term private practice in Boston. Taught alternative approaches to health at Boston College for 20 years.
Julie Knapp
Long time business owner and resident of Provincetown and community organizer.
TEAM LEADERS
Task Force Coordinator: Alison Dwyer, APRN: Ongoing communication and networking with Task Force teams, community organizations, town manager, and MRC liaison. Coordinates Task Force meetings, provide updates to teams and Task Force partners.
Recruitment/volunteer: Sarah Ireland, RN: Organize and implement volunteer recruiting process, electronic and in–person.
Medical Team: Scott Adelman, MD: Telephone check-ins, triaging, needs assessment of individuals, support to OCHS PPE acquisition, thermometers, contact tracing, shelter/ isolation sites, support staff, vaccine clinics, testing sites staff.
Mental Health Team: Barbara Murphy, MSN, CNS: Telephone assessments and check-ins, develop and implement mental health support (stress response) services including developing and implementing a Buddy System, neighbor-to-neighbor support.
Daily Support: Julie Knapp: Organize and implement volunteer services: drop off supplies, food, shopping, dog walking, social support calls, picking up prescription meds.
Food prep, packaging and delivery services: Dan Lacombe, Certified Chef: Acquisition of food, meal planning, meal prep, packaging and storing meals, meal delivery to individuals.
Public Information/education/advocacy: Lise King: Research and education, administration, fundraising, maintain social media accounts, monitor FB and email, produce/distribute outreach materials, media relations.
