Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, right, and his son Nikhil Mukkamala, a sophomore at the University of Michigan studying bioengineering, work together to make masks using 3D printers on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 in Flint. (Jake May | MLive.com)The Flint Journal, MLive.com

FLINT, MI -- A Flint head and neck surgeon jumped into action at the beginning of the pandemic.

Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, an otolaryngologist, was one of few that were familiar with administering nose swabs pre-pandemic due to his work.

Because of that training, Mukkamala was able to teach others how to administer COVID-19 tests in a safer, more comfortable way.

“I saw my peers on the front lines fearing for their own lives and that of their families while continuing to take care of the sickest among us,” he said. “I did not have to make that sacrifice but wanted to do anything I could to prevent excess loss of life and stress on the health care system.”

Mukkamala was honored by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and awarded with one of 10 COVID-19 Governor’s Service Awards, an annual award that recognizes contribution made by individuals through volunteerism, service and philanthropy.

He also purchased a dozen 3D printers to donate to Flint schools, but instead used them to create N95-equivalent masks to help with short supply with his son Nikhil Mukkamala, a bioengineering student at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The family turned their dining room into a 3D-printing station that would produce around 100 masks each day.

“We set them up in our dining room and ran them around the clock for weeks. Healthcare workers would stop by the house at all hours to get some protection since their lives were truly at risk,” he said in a news release from the state.

Mukkamala is known in Flint for his volunteer efforts.

He’s worked with the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, CRIM Fitness Foundation, United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters and volunteers with the Health Occupations Student Association at Powers Catholic High School, from where he is an alumnus.

Mukkamala is an appointee to Whitmer’s Protect Michigan Commission, a group that works to protect the health and safety of Michigan residents by education communities on the effectiveness of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines.

The nationally-renowned otolaryngologist was elected to the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Board of Trustees last year.

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