Abeer Moanna, MD, leads COVID-19 patient care team at Atlanta VA

As Chief of Infectious Diseases at the Atlanta VA Health Care System, Abeer Moanna, MD, is no stranger to the challenge of providing quality patient care on a typical day. Now, as the negative impact of COVID-19 continues to rise, Moanna is facing new, unprecedented challenges as she leads a team of dedicated ID physicians. Her team is tasked with managing patients with suspected or confirmed cases of the virus in collaboration with hospital leadership, the critical care team, hospitalists, the emergency medicine department, primary care providers, and other teams. The ID team’s response to COVID-19 continues to evolve rapidly, with frequent updates to protocols, treatment guidelines, and flowcharts.

Moanna must navigate many hurdles as this uncertain situation unfolds. On any given day, she and her team are faced with navigating the best use of resources available such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and test kits, while also keeping the hospital staff safe and informed of current procedures and guidelines. One of the new challenges emerging is formulating a plan for patients who are ready to get discharged from the hospital for subacute rehabilitation. She must also provide guidance to COVID-19 persons under investigation (PUIs) leaving the emergency medicine department who cannot safely self-isolate at home.

Moanna wants the public to know that they can be active in slowing down the spread of the virus by taking simple steps.

“Healthcare workers are working long hours to ensure our patients are taken care of. They are doing the best they can with the current PPE supply and hospital resources available. I believe a lot of healthcare workers, including me, want to tell everyone ‘Stay at home so we can make a difference,’ and write to your congressman and legislators to help get COVID-19 research funded,” she said.

Moanna is also extremely proud of being a part of the Emory community and the groundbreaking COVID-19 research taking place.

“Emory is an incredible organization and I am so proud to be a part of the Division of Infectious Diseases,” she said. “Not only is Emory doing research and trials that will make a difference in people’s lives with COVID-19, but I get to work every day with a group of compassionate and talented providers who put patient care and healthcare worker safety at the top of their agenda.”

Regardless of the fear and uncertainty we all feel right now, Moanna believes we must focus on the positive outcomes of this situation.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought us closer in a strange way. I’d like to remind everyone, including myself, to try to take care of themselves and reach out to friends and family, virtually, when they have a minute to chat and connect.”

We honor Moanna’s resilient leadership and thank her for her service as she continues to provide excellent patient care in the face of a global crisis.