COVID-19

The global pandemic has had significant impact on our society, healthcare systems including our cardiovascular community. Given that cardiology fellows have an unique skill set particularly due to the extensive medical training and procedural skills, many of our cardiology fellows at Albany Medical Center worked on the front lines during this pandemic. No work hour violations have occurred.  We were fortunate enough to be able to continue regular conferences through virtual learning. Clinical interaction was also not impeded; though during the peak of the pandemic,  less patients were available to be seen face-to-face; particularly in the outpatient setting. Proper precautions were taken and social distancing was maintained during clinical interactions. Steps were taken to increase the number of available sites to interpret studies so that social distancing during noninvasive rotations could also be maintained. We currently are now back up to our full capacity in our hospital and clinics. We continue to do virtual learning for our regular academic conferences.

Locally, during the coronavirus pandemic, many families in the capital region began working and teaching their children from home. ”The rainbow hunt” was started by a local family to boost morale and bring “cheer” to everyone’s day-to-day life. Albany Medical Center participated in this “rainbow hunt” by lighting up the historical pillars in beautiful rainbow colors. Rainbows can now be seen in doorways, windows, baked goods, in and around private homes and businesses throughout the capital region!