By Chelsea McNerney-Martinez The lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for rural hospitals has been an anticipated challenge since the scope of the COVID-19 crisis became a hard-hitting reality. However, volunteers and local business owners proved they were up for the challenge, stepping up to protect San Luis Valley healthcare workers and patients, donating hundreds of hours of manpower and the creative use of equipment and supplies to produce masks and gowns for SLV Health and Rio Grande Hospital, as well as local nursing homes and other essential workers. In late March, SLV Health in Alamosa formed an Innovation Team ...