Marybeth Sexton, MD, leads COVID-19 preparedness at Emory Healthcare

As assistant hospital epidemiologist at Emory University Hospital, Marybeth Sexton, MD, plays a crucial role in addressing COVID-19 preparedness issues specific to the hospital. Working closely with senior epidemiologist Jay Varkey, MD, and the Infection Prevention (IP) team, Sexton helps to ensure processes run smoothly, a difficult task as healthcare procedures continue to evolve during the pandemic.

Sexton helps lead COVID-19 preparedness efforts for the overall Emory Healthcare system as co-chair of the care model committee. The care model committee works on multidisciplinary issues related to the care of COVID-19 patients, staff, and provider safety.

Sexton is challenged with communicating new information to staff and providers as clearly and quickly as possible, often educating teams on updated protocols on a weekly basis. Her guidance is crucial, as many staff and providers are currently faced with countless procedural changes.

Despite the role’s difficulties, including the threat of a patient surge, Sexton’s goal is to provide the best level of patient care possible, while  prioritizing the safety of staff.

She witnesses healthcare workers going above and beyond every day and wants the public to know how selflessly they are serving their patients.

“Our frontline nurses and doctors are doing an incredible job in caring for COVID patients,” Sexton said. “It’s also important that we recognize the contributions of other Emory Healthcare workers who are essential to this effort, including our respiratory therapists, our infection preventionists, our environmental services and facilities teams, our x-ray technicians, our pharmacists, and our phlebotomists.”

In addition to the upstanding efforts of Emory Healthcare workers, Sexton is also proud of the collaboration across hospitals, medical specialists, and disciplines.

“Watching physicians and nurses across critical care, anesthesia, emergency medicine, surgery, hospital medicine, and the medical subspecialties share best practices is the best part of my current work,” she said. “I’ve also been really impressed by our medical students and house staff, and their eagerness to contribute.”