Shaun K. McGovern

Student, Second Degree Accelerated BSN Track (BSNExpress), Fitzpatrick College of Nursing

Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC), Center for Resuscitation Science, Department of Emergency Medicine, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

June 18, 2020

While my previous work as a CRC has focused on researching interventions to increase survival from cardiac arrest and improve post-arrest care, in early March, COVID-19 brought about an urgent refocus. In response to the pandemic, I had the opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team comprised of faculty and staff from various specialties across Penn Medicine to help conduct a randomized-control drug trial: the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 with HCQ (PATCH).

In my role, I work directly with providers caring for COVID-19 patients in the ED and on specialized COVID-19 Units, to facilitate enrollment and conduct data collection, such as performing nasopharyngeal swabs, blood draws, and ECGs at baseline and other study time points.

I am grateful for the opportunity to utilize my past experiences as a clinical researcher, and growing knowledge and skills learned as a Villanova nursing student, to contribute and work towards evidence-based interventions for COVID-19. It has indeed been an incredible experience and challenging to put into words. It is inspiring to work with so many individuals, including many Villanova Nursing alumni, dedicated to helping others in the face of the unknown. I have witnessed many instances of compassion and care that I will carry with me for the rest of my career.

Through this experience, I have truly learned what it means to be a Villanova Nurse. It is an earned designation that carries with it a reputation for excellence and lifelong dedication of service to others. It is a tradition that I look forward to upholding after graduation in July.