Coronavirus heroes: Mount Nittany Medical Center’s ‘COVID czar’ leads through pandemic

Dr. Gregory Ruff has had a long career in medicine, but it’s only over the past few months that he said he’s worried about the safety of his family because of his job.

The section chief of pulmonary medicine has been on the front lines at Mount Nittany Medical Center amid the coronavirus pandemic, directing and attending in the intensive care unit.

As the overseer of the medical approach to coronavirus, Ruff said co-workers call him the “COVID czar.” He acts as the chief triage officer for the hospital by monitoring supplies, beds, availability of equipment and medications.

“It’s been very much of a moving target on how best to manage these patients and treat those patients,” Ruff said. “I think what we have seen evolving is the way that we diagnose, the way that we manage and the way that we treat things.”

Because the pandemic came on so abruptly, Ruff said it has been difficult having no previous data or literature to work with or to take advice from.

“A lot of things have changed on the inside of the hospital. You used to be able to see patients up close and personal and interact with them and families,” Ruff said. “It’s difficult for critical care settings. A lot of those conversations take place over the phone (now), which is less than ideal.”

Ruff said he has helped create the plan for a worst-case scenario at the medical center. With all of the resources, he said Mount Nittany has had it better than larger metropolitan areas.

“A lot of the planning we put in place never actually had to be activated,” Ruff said, “but it was still a lot of time and effort (to prepare) in the event that we would be affected in a much larger case than we were.”

One of the challenges that Ruff has had to face is keeping workers safe and reassured.

“Every day presents unique challenges because we’re trying to take care of patients and trying to take care of staff members at the same time,” Ruff said. “(There is a) lot of anxiety and uncertainty surrounding this.”

And the next few months are still filled with uncertainty — until there is a reliable vaccine, Ruff said he doesn’t see cases going away.

“I think anybody’s expert opinion right now is a guess,” Ruff said. “Our hope is that we can keep it at a manageable level.”

Another challenge Ruff has had to work through with colleagues is testing for coronavirus while keeping safe patients who need to visit the hospital for other reasons.

“We’ve had to work though how to get testing and rapid testing so results are available quickly,” Ruff said. “How can we treat those who don’t have it but keep them safe?”

Even though he struggled with making potentially life-altering policy decisions at Mount Nittany Medical Center, Ruff’s personal concern was with protecting his family.

“There have always been risks, especially as a pulmonologist because infectious diseases can be transmitted,” Ruff said. “I could potentially bring something home that could affect my family and could potentially be fatal just because of my work.”

With coronavirus, that fear was amplified due to the unpredictable nature of the disease. However, Ruff is thankful that community members have been supporting the hospital.

“We appreciate the support from the community; it’s heartwarming,” Ruff concluded. “We’re here and we’re committed to the health care of the patients that are here in Centre County.”