Alumni Confront the Crisis
We'd like to share some of the incredible work Browning alumni are doing to support the fight against COVID-19. To share your story or to recognize a Browning brother, email caxelrod@browning.edu.
As countries throughout the world continue to battle an unpredictable and devastating novel coronavirus, the race is on to develop a vaccine that will allow humans to co-exist with it. Working at the same Pfizer Inc. site where the polio vaccine was developed, Browning alum Nathaniel (Nate) Garcia ‘06, has been at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19.
Stephen Fleischer '10, who runs The Fleischer Foundation in Nairobi, Kenya, has been working hard to make sure his students continue their education despite schools being closed due to the pandemic. Unable to see their students, they have purchased textbooks and novels and found a way to get them delivered to each student. Continuing their efforts to empower children through education and mentorship, The Fleischer Foundation is now embarking on an exciting next chapter: building a high school! On June 10th, they signed contracts to begin work on phase one of the school, the culmination of years of hard work.
Congratulations to Browning brothers Hayden Arnot '12 and Bobby Arnot '06, who worked tirelessly to organize an online music festival to benefit Save the Children's COVID-19 relief efforts. Nearly 24,000 people tuned in on May 25 for an amazing night of music, featuring performances by John Rzeznik of The Goo Goo Dolls, Jason Mraz, Rufus Wainwright, Jon Batiste, Andy Grammer, and many more! Thanks to Hayden and Bobby’s hard work, the event raised over $21,000 for children and families around the world affected by the pandemic.
Watch the event or support this effort by clicking here.
A pediatric intensive care physician at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and a member of the pediatrics faculty at Brown University’s School of Medicine in Providence, RI., Dr. Lee A. Polikoff ’96 is collaborating with colleagues around the world to study how the novel coronavirus is affecting children and working to determine the most beneficial treatment pathways. Lee shared this message: “I know a lot of my Browning brothers are in healthcare and I want to give them a shoutout — keep up the good fight. To all of you, thank you for doing your part to flatten the curve.”
After recovering from COVID-19, Andrew Medland ’16, co-founded the company Aeris to utilize the naturally antimicrobial properties of copper by producing germ-resistant phone cases. “We use phones for everything we do, and they on average have 25,000 bacteria per sq. inch! We hope to see copper expand to high touch-point surfaces in hospitals, businesses, and homes.” To help curb the spread, Aeris will donate one phone case to healthcare workers for each one sold.
Kieran Pickering '02 transformed his business with Mitchell'sNY Logistics into a wide-scale donation opportunity to support healthcare heroes on the frontlines. Partnering with Founders Give to provide food and beverages to local hospitals, more than 275 companies' have donated over two million products! If you'd like to get involved or need logistical support, please contact Kieran.
Assistant Director of Operations and Events for Governor Cuomo, Ben Sheridan ’10, has been working tirelessly for the last two months to help carry out the response to COVID-19. "Playing a small part in this response is a blessing. The work is not always easy, but my time at Browning taught me to approach challenging moments with compassion, courage, and 'grytte.'" Learn more in the Summer 2020 Buzzer.
Nick Warner ’16 (who also happens to be the son of music teacher Lucy Warner!) is an EMT on the frontlines, working with FEMA Emergency Response Teams in New York. Handling 12-hour ambulance runs while finishing his college classes online, we are so proud of Nick for helping all those in need!