COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio’s 23 community colleges have donated more than 200,000 medical face masks and pairs of gloves to hospitals and local first responders across the state, according to the Ohio Association of Community Colleges. Among the colleges’ conations are 25 much-needed medical ventilators.

“Our campuses have answered Gov. DeWine’s call to provide PPE equipment and other critically needed medical supplies to those on the frontlines,” said Jack Hershey, President and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges. “Many of these medical workers and first responders have been educated on our campuses, so it is doubly gratifying that our colleges are able to support these graduates and their colleagues in this way.”

About 800 N95 masks, 1,150 breathing masks, 12,000 other masks and 223,000 pairs of regular and sterile gloves were donated, Hershey said.

The colleges have the equipment because they offer certificates and degrees in numerous healthcare programs, including nursing, EMT, laboratory technicians and respiratory care.

Colleges also donated other healthcare items, including thermometers, lab coats, and shoe and hair covers. Some have offered their parking lots for drive-up testing as well as the use of other campus facilities, if needed.