The Next Steps Mount Carmel St. Ann’s works to protect community By Mallory Arnold
A
fter months of less-than-pleasant news concerning COVID-19, hope is on the horizon. Westerville’s Mount Carmel St. Ann’s frontline workers continue helping the community during the pandemic. When
Diane Doucette, Mount Carmel New Albany and Mount Carmel St. Ann's president and Lewis Center COO, learned both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines would be available in the last weeks of 2020, she was overcome with emotion. “As a registered nurse, I felt a rush of emotions,” she says. “My tears were tears of joy. My prayers had been answered and I was extremely grateful to all who expedited the vaccination development process.” Even more exciting, St. Ann’s was one of the first hospitals in central Ohio to receive the Moderna vaccine on the first day it was distributed. While the number of cases has decreased following the surge of cases in November and December, masks are still a must.
“Knowing we are still in this pandemic, my wish for the citizens of Westerville is to continue their vigilance in wearing masks, frequent hand washing, social distancing and avoid gatherings,” Doucette says. “I also want people in Westerville to sign up for the vaccine when it is their time as determined by the Ohio Department of Health. We are confident in the effectiveness of the vaccines approved by the FDA, and that it will offer patients protections against the new variants of COVID-19.” Even after receiving the vaccine, people should still use all possible precautions to protect those who have not yet been vaccinated.
“We are so grateful to be part of such an empathetic community as Westerville.” 16 March/April 2021
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