Nowhere is COVID-19 laying bare to America's health inequities more starkly than in Navajo Nation, suffering a per capita death rate higher than any other state. Volunteer health workers have teamed up with local frontline medical staff during the pandemic crisis in Navajo Nation. More than 40 nurses and physicians from the University of California, San Francisco's HEAL initiative joined the fight at five hospitals serving Navajo patients. These health care workers specialize in critical care, intensive care, acute care, and hospital medicine. They worked alongside local teams that are committed to the urgent care of their people.
In Gallup, medical teams work with local hotel and motel programs, providing shelter and support for up to 200 vulnerable residents. Many are homeless or live in extended family homes, and have few options to isolate themselves. Daily rounds included checkups, dispensing medications, serving meals, and offering emotional support and resources to prevent the spread of the virus. Doctors and nurses also treat existing health issues, allowing hospitals to attend to their sickest patients. In addition to providing health care support, UCSF’s volunteers have the opportunity to learn from their colleagues, and gain experience in responding to a sustained surge from a pandemic.
From the Judges
We felt the emotion in every photo. It's clear the photographer used great thoughtfulness and care to create this project within the Navajo community, and we felt they achieved their goal of creating an impactful story.
