Auburn University at Montgomery welcomes Baptist Healthcare heroes into residence hall
In response to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Auburn University at Montgomery and Baptist Health have formed a partnership to provide a safe space for Baptist Health team members who are working on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19.
This housing solution will help offer a peace of mind for those healthcare providers who have concerns about spreading germs to their family members. Through this partnership, AUM will provide 48 rooms in Lilac Hall at no cost to Baptist Health or its team members.
The offer is indicative of the close relationship AUM and Baptist Health System have enjoyed. AUM’s College of Nursing & Health Sciences has served the educational needs of many of Baptist employees through its undergraduate and graduate programs while also supplying the system’s three hospitals with interns and graduates-turned-employees.
“These are unique and challenging times for healthcare professionals, as well as for our city, state and nation,” Auburn University at Montgomery Chancellor Carl A. Stockton said. “We are offering what any good neighbor would under the circumstances. Baptist Health has been a strong supporter of our nursing and allied healthcare programs over the years, and we are appreciative of all that its dedicated team members are doing to serve the needs of the River Region.”
AUM’s Lilac Hall offers private bathrooms and kitchens, as well as free Wifi, cable and laundry facilities. This location also provides convenient parking and easy access to a walking trail. Baptist Health is providing all cleaning services, linens, towels, laundry detergent, dryer sheets and other necessities. Thanks to generosity of Lowe’s, which donated more than $3,000 worth of items, the residence halls are equipped with microwaves, lamps, pillows and additional decorations to help make the space feel as close to home as possible.
No students are currently utilizing the facility. Of AUM’s population of 1,200 campus housing residents, approximately 250 remain on campus. Most have remained at home since the university revealed plans on March 12 to deliver coursework remotely through the remainder of spring semester.
The healthcare workers will not interact with the small population of students who remain on campus and who are observing social distancing guidelines. If an employee were to test positive for COVID-19, they would not return to the AUM residence hall until being clinically cleared to resume work.
“With this being a time of national emergency, so many of our students, faculty and staff have sought ways to help care for those on the frontlines,” Stockton said. “This represents one of the ways that we can give back to our community.”
