Third year medical students at the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine saw their future colleagues struggling when the coronavirus hit.
"We were on our rotations and things were starting to shut down," said Lexy Kendt, a third year medical student. "We kind of saw the strain it was taking on people because a lot of people in healthcare rely on childcare, schools and daycares that were being shutdown and it was really hard for them to find childcare."
The day-to-day schedule for students changed as well. Students like Lexy, who had been doing rotations in hospitals around North Texas are now doing all of their classes online as hospitals keep visitors and non-essential workers to a minimum.
Wanting to help and seeing a need, the TCOM medical students decided to start DFW Covid Sitters.
"We just offering free childcare/babysitting services to anyone that works in healthcare that's in need," Lexy said.
So far, they have 14 volunteers willing to provide services across North Texas.
Lexy said she never expected a global pandemic to hit while she was in medical school, but it has only increased her passion to help others.
"I think we all still want to help out because we know we can be out there doing some good for people, so I think it just pushes more," Lexy said.
We're proud to call Lexy Kendt and the TCOM Medical students this week's KRLD Difference Makers.
"It feels great because since we can't be out there helping kind of on the frontlines, anything we can do to get involved kind of gives more of a sense of purpose for this time and it's great to be able to help our future colleagues," Lexy said.
If you are a healthcare worker and need childcare, visit DFW Covid Sitters.