New medical school graduates days away from entering battle against COVID-19

WORCESTER, Mass. — Doctors and nurses have been working countless hours and weeks to save coronavirus patients and now, some reinforcements are coming. Medical students in Worcester, allowed to graduate early are now licensed by the state and will begin perhaps the toughest job they’ll have right away.

Prep work to convert the DCU Center into a temporary hospital continues and new doctor Philip Picard-Fraser will start his career working there.

"I'm going to take the opportunity to speak for my classmates who are volunteering as well," said Picard-Fraser, UMass Medical School graduate.

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Picard-Fraser, 29, and a fourth-year medical student is graduating early to enter the battle against COVID-19 along with his classmates.

"We've been afforded this opportunity to go to medical school specifically at the state school, I think a lot of us feel it’s our duty and our obligation to help where we can," he said.

When he told his parents, "one of the first things that came to mind I think for them was, Are you going to be safe? Is this OK? Is this safe? I've been assured by the school and I'm confident in myself that this is safe," said Picard-Fraser.

Match Day was a few weeks ago, which he did from his laptop. This past Tuesday was his virtual graduation.

"It was definitely not what any of us were expecting."

By next week, his training will be put to the test.

"I think it'll feel chaotic, I think chaotic is a good word for it. I think overwhelming may be appropriate as well," he said.

Medical students and staff will be at the DCU Center Wednesday and patients with COVID-19 from UMass Memorial and St. Vincent Hospital will come Thursday.

RESOURCES:

- Massachusetts Coronavirus Information

- Boston Coronavirus Information

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