"The COVID-19 pandemic is severely straining our hospitals, particularly when it comes to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). A shortage of masks directly puts our healthcare workers on the frontline at risk as they are working day and night to help keep the public safe and healthy," explains Dr. Schlesinger. "It is our hope that these masks can help alleviate the strain on local facilities. In the spirit of the Hawaiian word laulima, many hands working together can make all of the difference."

Roxana and her team have been utilizing a material commonly called "surgical wrap" that is widely used in hospitals and healthcare practices. Her special design gives these masks a material rating of N99—a higher level of protection than the recommended N95 masks. Designed with double layers of material, seams crafted to closely hug the face and neck, and close-fitting yet comfortable straps, the masks should provide a safe, practical, and resterilizable option for healthcare workers.

Dr. Schlesinger donated all of the polypropylene used to create the masks, and he and his surgical team are currently beta-testing the prototypes under field conditions to ensure they are not only functional but practical for day-to-day use. Testing looks positive, and Dr. Schlesinger has been in touch with local hospitals to discuss upcoming donations. Once the design has been thoroughly tested and perfected, manufacturing will progress full-steam ahead with an estimated production of upwards of five hundred plus masks per week.

About Dr. Schlesinger: Dr. Larry Schlesinger is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience in cosmetic surgery and aesthetic procedures. As the founder and owner of the Breast Implant Center of Hawaii and the Mommy Makeover Institute of Hawaii, Dr. Schlesinger also serves as a Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. S. Larry Schlesinger, 1221 Kapiolani Blvd. Suite 1025, Honolulu, HI 96814. For more information, visit https://www.breastimplantcenterofhawaii.com/ or https://www.mommymakeoverhawaii.com/