Last spring the USNS Comfort was stationed in New York City for approximately one month to help the city cope with the coronavirus pandemic. A Mercy-class hospital ship of the U.S. Navy, the Comfort initially treated non-coronavirus patients and later began accepting patients who had contracted the COVID-19 disease. 

 Among those assisting with the operations for the USNS Comfort was Michele Tisdale, a Research Associate with the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program and an HJF employee. Tisdale helped obtain more than 400 specimens from the ship in a secure lab.  

“I was able to assist in collection as well as train and assist in processing and storage of the lab specimens,” Tisdale said. 

Tisdale also supports a clinical trial known as Protocol 124 that is focused on Remdesivir, an antiviral medication being used as a treatment for COVID-19. Tisdale collects laboratory specimens and helps manage the storage of plasma, serum and swabs in a controlled environment. 

“The hope is that this clinical trial will lead to more patients receiving an effective treatment that shortens the length of their hospital stay,” she said.