Anesthesiologists Answer Call for Intensivist Care

June 6, 2020 | 3 min. to read
Brad William Shufelt, MD, Kenneth P. Justesen, DO, and Jens P. Kellermeier, MD, have joined other anesthesiologists in the Northwest Region in providing overnight intensivist coverage on-site in the ICUs at McHenry Hospital and Huntley Hospital during the pandemic
Thousands of Northwestern Medicine physicians, advanced practice providers and employees have answered the call for help during the COVID-19 pandemic by joining the NM Labor Pool.

One result of that teamwork and willingness to serve has been the addition of on-site ICU intensivist care at Huntley Hospital and McHenry Hospital. Through the Labor Pool initiative, Jens P. Kellermeier, MD, medical director of Surgical Services in the Northwest Region, worked with Chief Medical Officer Irfan Hafiz, MD, and other hospital leaders to add physician coverage 24/7.

Dr. Kellermeier and several other anesthesiologists in the Northwest Region worked 12-hour shifts in the ICU at McHenry and Huntley during the COVID-19 response. Having the extra intensivist coverage helped the ICU teams stay a step ahead when it came to caring for patients. Intensivists also helped in the ED overnight.

“ED physicians were happy to have the extra support with intubating critically ill patients,” Dr. Kellermeier says. “It turned out to be an incredible experience. Everyone came together, and portrayed the best of health care and patient care.”

This story comes from a longer two-part series on the Labor Pool that first appeared in Connections and on NM Interactive.
​Sign up for the Labor Pool
The Labor Pool continues to need volunteers throughout Northwestern Medicine. To learn more, visit the COVID-19 Response FAQs About Pay Practices, Attendance and Other HR Topics on NMI and scroll about halfway down the page to “Does NM still have Labor Pool needs?”
Heroes for Better is a campaign to honor our workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are seeking stories, photos or art that show teamwork, impactful interactions and inspiring moments. Some of your stories may be shared on NM Interactive, nm.org and/or NM social media channels. Submit your story by emailing [email protected].
Physician Forum