Celebrating Dr. Ann Dew

Dr. Dew represents all of us, and that is the thread that binds all of us as humanitarians, stepping forward to support the mission of DAP. 

David: 
Hi everybody. I'm David Brinkman, the CEO at Desert AIDS Project. We're here to thank all of our volunteers, and I'm here with a very special volunteer of DAP's, Dr. Ann Dew. Doctor Dew, I know when the pandemic hit you stepped forward to help us. What was going through your mind when you called us on the first day?  
 
Dr. Dew: 
Well, the first day I called you, I had been listening to everything that was happening in China, and I knew that they were really going to need to move doctors and nurses and medical personnel who were retired back into use. And I thought, what can an old lady like me do. And I thought, well, I'll just talk to DAP and see what they have. And Dr. Morris told me they were going to open up the COVID hotline and I thought, I love to talk to people--that sounds good for me.  
 
David: 
And so in the last several months, Dr. Dew has donated 900 hours of her time to our COVID Clinic and to all the callers in the community. I understand 350 people sometimes can call that hotline in a day.  
 
Dr. Dew: 
They can. And the beauty of the hotline here at DAP is that we've been using it to help people learn and see what COVID really is, and what a true exposure means and how to evaluate whether or not the symptoms they have are COVID or their usual allergies. 

And one of the things that we try to do during the short time we have is to give people control over their situation. Because when you feel that you are in control of making decisions about yourself, you make much better decisions.  

David: 

There's no doubt about that. So, Dr. Dew represents all of us, and that is the thread that binds all of us as humanitarians, stepping forward to support the mission of DAP. And I think in particular, our volunteers right now, when life is tough on everybody, around the globe, that people have it in their hearts to step forward and give back. Even during that toughest year, it speaks volumes to this community. And Dr. Dew, you represent that love and compassion. What's it been like as you reflect upon the many months that you've been here—what are you taking away from this pandemic?  
 
Dr. Dew 
Well, first of all, I always did like DAP. And the people I've worked with, who've rotated over time, are top notch and terrific. And they're able to make things happen. And that's one of the things I like, is being able to feel that we're able to grow with what needs are made of us. And then we're able to adjust to whatever happens. I always feel bad when I'm talking to somebody who has been scared of the virus. It's important to respect the virus. But to be scared and not be able to do something themselves, has opened the door for DAP to help people.  
 
David: 
Yeah. It's beautiful. It's about being of service, and that's what our organization and our community stands for. Thank you, Dr. Dew. Thank you to all our volunteers. Thank you so much for all that you do for DAP and the community we serve. We are so grateful.