Showcasing the Healthcare Heroes That Treated COVID-19 Patients In the Midst of Chaos
Name: Kim D. Georgiou, M.D. of Texas
Locations: Laredo, Austin, Edinburgh, and San Antonio
Assignments: Hospital and outpatient COVID-19 relief, and administering infusions of monoclonal antibodies to coronavirus patients
As we saw in 2020 with the shortage of healthcare providers, the impact of a pandemic can reach catastrophic levels if patients do not receive the medical attention they need. Physicians on the frontlines play a vital role, often giving up time with their families and sometimes risking their lives to save others.
As the virus continued to spread throughout Texas and the number of confirmed cases piled up, longtime Texas native Kim D. Georgiou, M.D. stepped up to provide COVID-19 relief wherever she could in her state. She partnered with Western Healthcare to pinpoint facilities needing assistance. Dr. Georgiou took on several assignments in 2020-2021 across various Texas cities including Laredo, Austin, Edinburg, and San Antonio.
While working in San Antonio, Dr. Georgiou administered infusions of monoclonal antibodies (also known as mAb treatment) to high-risk patients with coronavirus. In addition to performing infusions, she oversaw several advanced practice providers, monitored patients for side effects and adverse effects of the treatment, reassured patients about the safeguards in place, and answered questions thoroughly.
Many of these patients were elderly with multiple medical problems. Dr. Georgiou felt that without the mAb treatments these patients would have died. While few exhibited minimal affects, she said it was impossible to tell how sick they would become considering how early it was in the course of treatment. On the other hand, Dr. Georgiou saw first-hand the positive impact of her work.
“Several patients were anxious about testing positive for COVID-19, the potential deadly outcome it yielded, and the exaggerated media coverage. It was good to learn that so many patients had fully recovered from the infusions, and hear them say their treatments had been ‘a miracle cure’ for them,” said Dr. Georgiou. “I was privileged to be there with them and provide the antibody treatments to so many. We were infusing 60 to 95 patients per day. I believe these treatments saved lives. It is rewarding to make a difference!”
We are grateful for Dr. Georgiou’s hard work, kind heart, and dedication to her patients. It’s providers like her and success stories such as this that make our job worthwhile! When we asked her about her experience working with our staff and what she liked most, Dr. Georgiou enthusiastically replied with an emphasis on efficiency and courtesy.
“Western was very efficient in the credentialing process and corrected any issues without delay, sometimes with a quick text message. Payments were on time and accurate. Believe me when I say that is not the case for every staffing agency. I appreciate the courtesy everyone showed me. They allowed me to concentrate on the needs of my patients instead of the needs of the agency. It was a pleasure!
Western Healthcare has placed hundreds of medical professionals nationwide in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The need for pandemic relief is decreasing, but we are still in position to react should these needs rise again. Contact us to learn more about these job opportunities.
Images provided by Dr. Georgiou. TOP IMAGE: Dr. Georgiou and her team suiting up in PPE in preparation for exposure to COVID-19 patients (a hot zone) at a hotel in Laredo, TX in July 2020.
