Pillar of Hope Dr. Michelle Sholzberg

Welcome to Pillar of Hope. This is the story of an unwavering commitment by Dr. Michelle Sholzberg and her global team of clinical researchers to reduce the death rate by addressing the risk of blood clotting in patients sick with Covid-19. In this episode, we meet Dr. Michelle Sholzberg, clinical hematologist and medical director of the Coagulation Laboratory at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Canada. As COVID-19 reaches North America in the winter of 2020, Dr. Sholzberg discovers an unusual connection between blood clotting and deaths from this unknown respiratory infection. She forms a clinical trial and starts to build a team comprised of international doctors, reaching out to her colleagues at St. Michaels and in the United States.

In March 2020, COVID-19 has exploded worldwide. With the virus spreading, deaths climbing and still so much is unknown, Dr. Sholzberg’s team is growing quickly. Connecting through social media, countries from around the world are realizing Dr. Sholzberg discovered a vital link in solving the COVID-19 mystery. We meet doctors from Canada and Brazil. The growing team was fraught with challenges. Lack of funding was paramount yet the team knew they were on to something. Their unwavering commitment allows them to break through each barrier they faced.

In late spring 2020, the research team has grown to include more countries. We’ll hear from doctors in United Arab Emirates, Ireland and Saudi Arabia. Funding for the trial is minimal at best, but even more daunting is the number of cases seen in each country. Doctors, nurses, first responders are all tired. Overworked, nerves on edge, emotions raw, the team perseveres. They talk of personal struggles, of seeing patients they can’t help, families they can’t see and hope that still seems out of reach. Undeterred, the team presses on.

Fall 2020 the second wave of COVID-19 is upon us. There is talk of a vaccine in the near future. The team continues to move at a rapid pace with little victories moving the trial forward. We will hear each doctor reflect on the hope this trial will result in a dramatic decrease in deaths due to COVID-19. Coupled with the vaccine, there is now light at the end of the tunnel. Listen as each team member shares their thoughts about the trial and the collaborative spirit of the international medical community.

Welcome to Pillar of Hope. This is the story of an unwavering commitment by Dr. Michelle Sholzberg and her global team of clinical researchers to reduce the death rate by addressing the risk of blood clotting in patients sick with Covid-19. You will hear incredible stories from medical centers in Brazil, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Argentina, the United States, and Canada, as a small team of elite doctors and scientists work tirelessly to prove their theory and save lives while navigating the crippling lack of funding and government bureaucracy.