On Mar. 24, 2020, the Andrew and Corey Morris-Singer Foundation donated $1.6 million to OHSU to support the establishment of a phone hotline and telemedicine service for Oregonians to access the COVID-19 primary care resources and information they need. Andrew Morris-Singer, M.D., is an assistant professor in the OHSU Department of Family Medicine.

Based on current models, many people who are infected by COVID-19 most likely will not need to go to a clinic or a hospital, although some may have symptoms that need further evaluation or testing. Primary care providers can address these important needs, but new tools and strategies are needed to meet the increasing demand. This gift supports the establishment of a phone hotline and telemedicine service that will enable many more Oregonians to access the COVID-19 primary care resources and information they need.

The hotline and telemedicine service will also help prevent OHSU’s primary care system from becoming overwhelmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and will help prevent primary care clinics, urgent care and emergency departments from becoming overcrowded with patients who could more appropriately be treated with telemedicine services. This service will complement OHSU’s previous plan to use mobile phone applications to enhance patient care.