UNE COM alum’s photo essay from virus’ front lines published in Wall Street Journal

These are difficult times for the nation’s medical staff. Crowded emergency departments, long hours in heavy protective gear, and constantly shifting hospital protocols have become the new normal for most as the coronavirus pandemic ensues.

New York City has been especially hard-hit by the virus and has since become the outbreak’s global epicenter.

Duncan Grossman, D.O. ’18, recently photographed his experience treating patients with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, during his residency at a hospital in Brooklyn — and his photo essay has been prominently featured in the Wall Street Journal.

Grossman told the paper he brought his camera to the unit because he wanted to document the progression of the novel disease. “I was inspired by these people who came to work every day to battle a new disease that no one knows how to treat and could kill any of them,” he said.

The project, “A Young Doctor Photographs the Coronavirus Crisis,” depicts hospital staff intubating patients infected with COVID-19, screens of patients with low blood oxygen saturation, and staff swabbing patients to test for the virus that has infected more than 3.7 million people worldwide and killed more than 264,000.

Grossman said the experience has been challenging, but the rigors of studying at UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine prepared him for a rewarding career as a doctor, he told UNE News.

“Medical school is a difficult time. It requires time away from family, long hours, and purposely propelling yourself into uncomfortable situations … but what waits on the other side of all the hardships is the privilege of helping people,” he said. “Life after medical school is rewarding and thrilling.”

View Grossman’s photo essay in the Wall Street Journal.