We received an update on the medical side of Covid on Tuesday, Feb. 16.  

Our program titled “Covid-19 Update: The Latest on Vaccines and Treatments” was hosted by Wally Schlech; Wally’s son Bo , who practices in Berkshire County; and classmate Forrest West, who has spent his career as a doctor in rural Maine. Brief bios are attached below. Our distinguished panel update us and answered questions about:

1. efficacy of the various vaccines;

2. administration, such as what happens if I miss my second shot, how can the process be sped up, how many people must be immunized for us to achieve herd immunity;

3. types and efficacy of treatments; and

4. what is happening on the ground, including in Berkshire County.

We also had reports from classmates around the country on their efforts to get vaccinated, including Jim Stearns from WA, Dick Hemingway from FL, Jeff Stein from CT, and John Conover from NJ.

Our Panelists:

Dr.Wally Schlech  – Wally  is a Professor of Medicine at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and an infectious disease subspecialist with training at Cornell, Dartmouth, Vanderbilt and the CDC, where he was an Epidemic Intelligence Officer. He has been involved in the care of a small number of COVID patients to date with more expected. Wally notes that  his “main claim to fame is that my sister-in-law once dated Dr Tony Fauci!” 

Dr.Bo Schlech – Bo went to medical school at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, graduating in 2011, did emergency medicine residency, and then ultrasound fellowship at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield MA for 4 years. Bo is now ER attending and ultrasound program director at Berkshire Medical Center since 2015. Bo, his wife, and 3 children live in Williamstown. 

Dr. Forrest West – “After finishing a family practice residency in Augusta, Maine, I helped open a rural health center about 15 miles away. We started with two doctors, a nurse, and a receptionist. When I retired in 2019, we had grown to five medical providers, a social worker, a half-time psychiatrist, and over 15 support staff. I am now enjoying retirement with my four children and six grandchildren living nearby. I recently had a harrowing experience when  my 97 year-old father survived COVID. He is gradually returning to his very active life.”