President’s Message

Marc Andreessen, the famous entrepreneur and software engineer, wrote an essay over the weekend decrying our country’s disorganized and inadequate response to the current pandemic. He writes about a financial system that is perfectly geared to receive our money yet inadequate in sending it back to us.  He is incredulous that ‘we don’t have enough surgical masks, eye shields, and medical gowns’ or test materials nor the ability to ramp up production.  He pinpoints the problems to a failure ‘to build’, not only acutely but long before the crisis -to create solutions so we won’t have ‘to do’ in a panic.  Lots of head-nodding and finger-pointing are happening on social media and the internet over his essay.

Had he heard about CCMS’ PPE PROJECT he would certainly use us as an example.  Not only have we built something, for NOW, but we have also created something that we won’t have ‘to do’ in the future.  In just 20 days, we have built ex nihilo a platform and organization that will be useful for a long-time to come in ways we can’t imagine yet.   A growing list of states (Arizona, West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia) are using our model and have gone live or are in the process of doing so.  I am very proud of how South Carolina DOCTORS have taken the initiative to help ourselves and our Patients.

SO – where are my supplies?

We have ordered nearly 320,000 units of masks, shields, and gowns.  Almost the entire order has left Beijing on its way to Dallas. Once it clears Customs, it will be placed on a truck directly to Charleston. We will have more details as soon as our shipment is secure in Dallas.  From that point forward we will have air cargo space on a weekly basis to Dallas and a steadier delivery system to us. The distribution and logistics are being planned with professional help.

We will keep you updated on this site on a daily basis.  We are all anxious to receive our PPE.

CCMS is working very hard for you.

Marcelo Hochman MD

President