Local College Opens Dorm to Front-line Healthcare Workers

Aquinas College on the Dominican Campus has graciously opened its doors to Ascension Saint Thomas caregivers in need of a short-term place to live during this pandemic.

As media has reported globally, many healthcare workers serving Covid-positive patients are afraid to go home after their shifts. Some associates have closed off rooms in their houses in order to reduce their chances of passing the virus to their spouse, children, or roommates. Some caregivers have not hugged their loved ones in days or weeks. The offer of a free, safe place to stay at Aquinas College is an answered prayer for these front-line heroes. Siena Hall dormitory is next door to Saint Thomas West Hospital and the campuses are connected by a footbridge.

“At a time when we are physically separated from each other and yet desire to help, offering Siena Hall to Saint Thomas is a good and simple way to support our medical personnel who are giving so much of themselves. Since Aquinas College began in the early 1960s, Saint Thomas West has been a great partner and friend to us, so we want to help however we can,” said Sister Anne Catherine, a spokesperson for the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation, which owns and operates Aquinas College, Overbrook School, and St. Cecilia Academy.

To protect the privacy of our caregivers at rest and to honor social distancing practices, we respectfully ask for NO on-campus visits from reporters or photographers. We do, however, welcome Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime interviews. If you would like to schedule a video interview with an Ascension Saint Thomas caregiver who is self-isolating at Aquinas, please email me at anjali.sood@ascension.org.