Between March and May, the number of COVID-19 patients in New Jersey rose from 1 to more than 137,000, of whom over 9,000 died. Consequently, the need for medical treatment grew exponentially with hospitals and their intensive care units (ICU) in danger of being overwhelmed, unable to meet the demand for care, particularly for ventilators, then in short supply, but critical for life-saving care.
From Fear to Freedom and Hope: Rafael Escalante (UG PP ’26)
Pursuing a college education and the American dream, Rafael Escalante departed the embattled South American nation and made his way to New Jersey Rafael Escalante escaped politically motivated persecution as a teenager in Venezuela to find his place – and a brighter...