31: Deb Powell

Physician

As an infectious disease physician, Debra Powell, MD was a leader of Tower Health’s response to COVID-19 for the system’s seven hospitals and nearly 14,000 employees.

 As an expert in the field of infectious disease, Dr. Powell established many of the clinical guidelines used to direct care for individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Dr. Powell’s responsibilities included developing and refining isolation practices, nursing practices, and protocols for how physicians treat COVID patients. She led weekly grand rounds with more than 500 clinicians attending. Additionally, she is responsible for reporting health system data to the state. 

When asked how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted her professionally, Dr. Powell described a sense of high intensity from morning to night. She quickly became a spokesperson in numerous media outlets, educating the public calmly and factually, while demonstrating professionalism and grace. In addition to her responsibilities towards Tower Health’s care of COVID-19 patients, Dr. Powell was also instrumental in establishing the infection prevention practices that allowed Tower hospitals to meet the many other healthcare needs of all our patients and the community.

Dr. Powell was very proud of the entire Reading Hospital team including nursing, physicians, ED and ICU staff, respiratory care, and support teams who rallied to care for the needs of COVID-19 and non-COVID patients alike. Her hope for the future is that all individuals get vaccinated—not only for themselves but also to protect the community at large. By vaccinating, we can have a powerful impact on stopping the spread of the disease.