Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz joined us to outline efforts the government is taking to assist in combatting COVID-19. Give it a watch and please share!

By BOB BARRETT, WUWF, Listen to the Interview

A Pensacola physician is heading up north to help care for coronavirus patients.

“I saw an ad from Johns Hopkins asking for people. I applied (and) they contacted me within 24 hours,” said Dr. Alexys Hillman from Pensacola Osteopaths, who has traveled to Baltimore to help COVID-19 patients. She said she was inspired to help after watching New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s daily coronavirus updates on TV.

“Every day he’s doing his conferences and his daily briefings and he was getting to the point (where he was) begging for health care people to come up and help.”

Before getting the call from Johns Hopkins, Dr. Hillman had also applied to help in New York, New Jersey and Michigan. Beginning this week, she is assigned to work with COVID-19 patients at the temporary field hospital set up at the Baltimore Convention Center.

“So all the patients that are going to be there and going to be transfers from hospitals, so essentially hospital overflow. It’s going to be people who are stable enough to be discharged from the hospital, they don’t need that higher level of care anymore, but they can’t yet go home.”

Since the patients at the field hospital were transferred there from the hospital, Dr. Hillman believes her job will be to make sure everyone’s recovery is going smoothly.

“It seems like (I’ll be doing) observation, making sure that no one’s relapsing. We’re seeing from other countries that patients are popping positive for COVID again and having recurrence of symptoms. I was actually just reading an article today from our cardiology group who have found that COVID-19 has the potential to cause long-term damage to the heart muscle. So, now I know for myself (that) I also have to keep an eye out for that. Just making sure that everyone’s stable. They’re not having that second wave of symptoms where they might need a vent or to go back to a higher level of care.”

Thursday, April 9, was the last day Dr. Hillman saw patients at her practice in Pensacola. She says that while her family is apprehensive about her safety, they understand why she feels the need to help and completely support her decision. And her family members are not the only ones apprehensive.

“You know, I am scared. I am nervous,” said Hillman. “I’ve been on radio chatter with other doctors (who) are also scared and nervous. They’re worried about the lack of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). And what drive me nuts as a professional is hearing politicians and government and (even) religious leaders saying to ignore that stay-at-home rules, and (saying) it’s not a big deal and let’s reopen the beaches. I feel so undermined as a physician. So you don’t have to necessarily thank us health care workers. We appreciate it, but we would appreciate it more if you actually stay home.”

As for when she’ll be coming home, Dr. Hillman is scheduled to be in Baltimore for a month, but that could change depending on when Maryland reaches its peak case load.

“We’ll see what the numbers (look like) when I’m getting to that three- or four-week mark, whether I need to stay longer. The other thing is Florida already has some quarantine rules on people traveling from certain areas. So I’m going to have to see in a month, if they expand that, if I’m going to have to go into mandatory quarantine upon my return or not.”

We hope to keep you updated on Dr. Hillman during her stay in Baltimore.

*Dr. Hillman is a member of our Escambia chapter, the Emerald Coast Equality LGBTA Democratic Caucus*

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 11, 2020

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Earlier this morning, State Representative Kristin Jacobs passed after a long battle with colon cancer. Previously she served as a Broward County Commissioner, including one term as Mayor.

The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus issued the following statement on the news of Representative Jacobs’ death:

“We are saddened to learn of State Representative Kristin Jacobs’ passing. She was not only one of Florida’s most forward-thinking leaders on climate change and protecting our natural resources, but she was also a fierce advocate for women, children, and the LGBTQ community. We need more elected officials like her that put people first. The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus sends our condolences to Kristin’s family, her constituents and colleagues.”

# # #

Jacquet used the slur against Lake Worth Beach Commissioner Omari Hardy.

The highlight of the 2020 Winter Conference, our Leadership Dinner, will be held March 7 at 7:30 PM at the Marriott Orlando Airport Lakeside Hotel (7499 Augusta National Drive, Orlando, FL 32822).

House Impeachment Manager and U.S. Representative Val Demings will deliver the Congressional Keynote at the Leadership Dinner. We’re also excited to hear from special guest Dr. Jill Biden!

Tickets are required even if you are attending and have registered for the Winter Conference. Tickets are $90 through March 5; then $100 during the conference. Use the form below to purchase your tickets to the 2020 Leadership Dinner. After completing this form, you will be redirected to a PayPal button to pay for your ticket(s).*All registrations and tickets are non-refundable.*

Dr. Jill Biden will speak at our Leadership Dinner on behalf of the Joe Biden campaign.

Our Leadership Dinner speakers will include Executive Editor of Out Magazine and founder of Black Trans Circles Raquel Willis representing the Elizabeth Warren campaign!

We’re excited to announce that former actress, previous New York gubernatorial candidate, and Senator Bernie Sanders supporter Cynthia Nixon will address the lunch session of our Winter Conference, All In to Win In 2020!

Use the form below to purchase your ticket to hear Cynthia Nixon speak during the lunch session of our 2020 Winter Conference on Saturday, March 7 at the Marriott Orlando Airport Lakeside Hotel.

Lunch is not included with the $10 advance ticket. If you'd like to eat lunch, please register for the Winter Conference instead.

After completing this form, you will be redirected to a PayPal button to pay for your ticket(s).

*All registrations and tickets are non-refundable.