Respiratory therapist at Tuscaloosa hospital dies from COVID-19 complications

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — A respiratory therapist working at a Tuscaloosa-area hospital has passed away from COVID-19 complications.

DCH Regional Medical Center respiratory therapist Harlan Stricklin passed away Monday, Dec. 14, after testing positive for the coronavirus in November. He was 53 years old.

Longtime co-worker Karen Perry says Stricklin’s death is shocking, because he did not have any underlying conditions. She said seeing a healthy person get sick so fast is frightening.

“I want everybody to take this [seriously],” Perry said. “I know that he didn’t want us here and to be sad because he is gone….”

Perry says Stricklin, whom she described as lovable and passionate about his work, will never be forgotten.