Morehead State women's golf alum Sarah Debnekoff certainly knows the concentration it takes to be successful on the course. She also knows now the concentration it takes to help critically ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Debnekoff, who finished her four-year Eagle career in 2017-18, has literally been on the front lines of the pandemic, helping patients breathe. Debnekoff, from Rancho Cordova, Calif, is a respiratory therapist at Norton Hospital in Louisville, Ky.
She admits the challenges built up.
"As the COVID situation began to unfold, the hospital I work at began to get very busy. As a respiratory therapist, one of my main responsibility is to give aerosol treatments to patients with respiratory distress," she said. "As a result, we were giving breathing treatment to patients with COVID-19. However, as more information came out about COVID-19, there was significant concern about the virus being aerosolized. As a result, the hospital quickly made sure we were protected."
She had to adapt to changes quickly but praises her facility for being ready.
“Over the first few weeks regulations changed quickly as more information was available," she said. "The hospital was able to secure PAPRs and later CAPRs, or hoods/masks with an airflow system to protect from aerosolized and airborne particles. This ensured that with the constant fear of limited PPE supply, we would be protected."
She says a family legacy in healthcare sled to her interest in the field.
"My mom was a nurse growing up and watching the impact she had on her patients as well as the fulfillment it gave her really sparked my interest," she stated.
Soon her mother and her will be joined in the family legacy by her fiance, who happens to be an Eagle alum himself. Pat DiSalvio, Morehead State's punter for the football program, is in his third year at the University of Louisville Medical School. He has had to adapt as well she says.
"When the pandemic started, the med school pulled students out of the hospital to conserve PPE. He has been finishing up his third year online with plans to re-enter the hospital at the end of May. "
The couple also plan to get married in July.
Debnekoff played for head coach Stephanie Barker from 2014-15 until 2017-18, finishing as high as second place in the Eagles' own Citrus Challenge her senior year. She was named Ohio Valley Conference Golfer of the Week once.
"During my time as an MSU Eagle, I learned many life lessons from being on the golf team and from Coach Barker," she said. "She would always tell us that no matter the situation, we should try not to complain and make the most out of the situation. As a result, I try to do my part and be a good co-worker and stay as positive as possible because being negative will not improve the situation."
She says she has learned life lessons as well during the past few months.
"During this time, the hospital significantly restricted the visitor policy. Patients were in the hospital without family or even the occasional visitors," she commented. "I found during this time patients were left feeling very lonely and afraid. As a result, I feel my compassion for my patients grew."
Debnekoff is on track to graduate this month with her Master's of Health Science Degree in Respiratory Therapy.