Coronavirus Chicago: Doctor beats COVID-19, returns to fight virus at Community First Medical Center
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago cardiologist who became infected with COVID-19 beat the virus and has bounced back to fight it on the front lines.
"My job is tiring so I don't know if it is because of the the virus itself or my job," explained Dr. Khachig Ishkhan, an interventional cardiologist at Community First Medical Center. "Actually we are overwhelmed with patients, so yeah, I'm tired."
The COVID-19 patients keep coming at Community First Medical Center on Chicago's Northwest Side, where the patient profile is 60% Medicare and 20% Medicaid and resources, including personal protective equipment, is limited. About a month ago a particularly ill man presented with COVID-19 symptoms.
"The person was coughing and short of breath and he was very sick," Dr. Ishkhan said. "Me and multiple nurses and respiratory therapists and pulmonary therapists were exposed to that patient."
It was one of many such encounters and with little COVID-19 testing available, Dr. Ishkhan just kept going with his 12-hour days, staying on call every night of the week.
By the last week of March, he was experiencing mild COVID-19 symptoms, mostly headache. He then got tested and found he now had the antibodies to the disease. According to the Chicago Medical Society, 93% of doctors dear contracting COVID-19, for Ishkhan, his fears of getting the disease had come true.
"Especially for the asymptomatic ones," Dr. Ishkhan said. "We don't know are we in fact infected. Are we carriers, are we infectious? So yes, it's scary."
But that fear quickly gave way to new strength as the doctor on the front lines realized his relative immunity has positioned him to lead in this unprecedented emergency.
"You know, as a doctor or a nurse we always have to take care of the patient first," Dr. Ishkhan said. "Without thinking about anything else, that is our duty. That is the oath that we took."
The community of Chopin Park and the Northwest Side has long supported Community First Medical Center and the doctor said he's ready to donate his blood for convalescent plasma therapy to help others battling COVID-19.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Chicago Medical Society's initiative calling on the public who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus but are cured to give blood. Chicago Medical Society is asking it's members who have been infected but cured to help on the front lines in a different way by giving blood with potentially life saving antibodies .
If you, or someone you know, has recovered from coronavirus, your blood can likely help someone who is currently infected with COVID-19.
The Chicago Medical Society is seeking blood donations from individuals who have recovered at a blood bank in your area.
Please contact us:
(877) CMS-DOCS
