Vaccine Provides New Hope in the Fight Against COVID-19

“Hero” has been used a lot during this pandemic. Who, exactly, is a hero? To us, a hero helps others. Period. So it is only appropriate that we thank all those who have so far chosen to get their first COVID-19 vaccination with this simple message: Thank you for being a hero.

Make no mistake, by receiving the COVID-19 vaccine you are not only protecting yourself, but stopping the spread of a virulent plague that has claimed more than 8,000 lives in Oklahoma and a halfmillion lives nationwide. That makes you a hero and a part of something much bigger.

“It’s super exciting to be a part of history,” said Matzali Medina. As an ICU nurse tech, she helps care for those with COVID-19. She was among the first healthcare workers at Saint Francis to get the vaccine back in December. “I’m so proud to get the vaccine and get things changing for everyone.”

Kellie Brewer, RN, shares Medina’s enthusiasm. As the clinical manager of two COVID-19 inpatient units at Saint Francis Hospital, Brewer was also one of the first people to receive the vaccine in Tulsa. “That was probably one of the best days of my life,” said Brewer. “We’ve seen the horrible things this disease has done to people. This is our opportunity to stop it.”

From the start of the pandemic here in our area, Saint Francis and Warren Clinic quickly mobilized to help public health officials lead the fight against COVID-19 in the community.

“In March 2020, we immediately opened up a 24/7 call center to answer people’s questions about COVID-19 symptoms and testing; we have now received more than 113,000 calls,” said Collin Henry, JD, vice president, Warren Clinic. “Our health system has tested more than 110,000 people. So far we have given just over 50,000 doses of vaccine.” When the COVID-19 vaccine became available, Saint Francis partnered with the Tulsa Health Department to vaccinate front line workers, first responders and physicians, both within the health system and from other hospitals and healthcare facilities in the area.

Despite being Oklahoma’s largest health system, with a workforce of 10,500 people, Saint Francis has remained creative, innovative, adaptable and nimble. These attributes have been essential during an ever-evolving, year-long health crisis. “During flu season last fall, we needed a convenient way to get people the flu vaccine but also keep patients and providers safe from COVID-19. So we built drive-thru flu clinics at Warren Clinic and at Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee,” said Henry.

“But then we realized with just a few modifications these clinics would work perfectly for administering the COVID-19 vaccine. So we installed central heat and air to keep our staff comfortable, but also have the right cold temperatures to safely prepare the vaccine. We’ve been able to help so many people thanks to our drivethru clinics.”

Thanks to healthcare workers in general, our community—our world—is experiencing something we have not in what seems like forever: Hope.

“There’s been a shift from anxiety to hope. In February, for the first time we vaccinated more people for COVID-19 in one day than we tested,” said Henry. “We’re building on the energy of coming together, pulling through the hard times, and finally we see light at the end of the tunnel.”

But the Saint Francis team is not just seeing light at the end of the tunnel—Our people are helping carry that torch that is guiding the way. “Getting vaccinated has a special meaning,” said Brewer. “It’s moving toward a new beginning for all of us.”

Schedule your first COVID-19 vaccine online today.

saintfrancis.com/getvaccinated