Dr. Katrina Armstrong Randall '82

Q: What challenges have you faced working during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: As the Physician-in-Chief at Massachusetts General Hospital, I have been at the center of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of our doctors, nurses, trainees, and staff have been called into action. For many of us, our focuses have quickly shifted from our regular day-to-day responsibilities to care for those with this novel coronavirus. Working with our hospital leadership to identify needs and allocate resources, the Department of Medicine has done an absolutely incredible job answering this unbelievable challenge. It has been a hard few months, but we will get through this because we will do it together.

Q: How has your work changed during the coronavirus pandemic?
A: I oversee the largest department at Mass General, which includes ten clinical divisions, more than 1,100 doctors and researchers, and a robust residency program. Ensuring we are providing the best care for our patients, conducting groundbreaking research, educating the future leaders of medicine, and strengthening our community engagement is my top priority. During the pandemic, those are still our department's missions, but now as it relates to COVID-19. Making sure these patients are receiving high-quality care, that our researchers have the tools they need to find treatments, that our residents and fellows are learning as much as possible, and that we are doing everything in our power to support our communities.

Q: What successes have you celebrated during the coronavirus pandemic?
 A: I have been so touched by how much our department has gone above and beyond the past few weeks. I am inspired by how many people have offered to help in whatever way they can, whether it is working extra shifts, helping colleagues with errands or child care, or donations.