8 minute read
VOLUNTEERING
By Suz Roam Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator
Utah is renowned for its volunteer spirit and has been ranked number one for highest percentage of volunteers in the United States for years. Our corner of the state is no different, as evidenced by the Southwest Utah Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), a nationwide volunteer organization managed locally by the Southwest Utah Pubic Health Department (SWUPHD). The Medical Reserve Corps trains to prepare and assist communities during emergencies or disasters. The Southwest Utah MRC has over 600 registered volunteers, half of which have a medical background. Those without medical training are needed to assist with other disaster response needs such as clerical services, traffic control, safety, and sanitation. There are normally fewer than 60 employees working for the SWUPHD, so when newly-approved COVID-19 vaccine shipments began rolling out to local health departments, a call went
out to the MRC for help. 140 volunteers responded and staffed vaccination clinics throughout the five-county district. They included doctors, nurses, dentists, physician’s assistants, pharmacists, and EMTs. Others served as greeters, directed indoor traffic, gave wheelchair assistance, provided patient observation, and checked paperwork. Some were newly trained, others retirees. All remained dedicated and hard-working, showing up on time and putting on colored vests and nametags to cheerfully work 4-to-8hour shifts. Here are experiences from some of our MRC members: “My husband Kelly and I were counting the days to retirement, wrapping up 40 years of working in health care. I'm a nurse and Kelly a podiatrist. At the end of 2020 the pandemic was in full swing. Then in January we heard that a vaccine was approved and becoming available very soon. So, we called around and made a connection with the Southwest Utah Public Health Department. We joined the Southwest Utah MRC, received training, and began about 12 weeks of giving injections with a GREAT team of volunteers from all walks of health care. The MRC is extremely well organized and knows how to deliver a huge undertaking like the vaccine program. We feel like this was the perfect 'end game' for us and would do all over it again. Great job, Southwest Utah Public Health!” Janice & Kelly Reber, Washington County
“I like volunteering at our county’s Covid vax clinics for lots of reasons. Every shot we give moves our community and nation closer to "normal" and protects our residents. Second is working with a great bunch of folks, such nice people committed to protecting all of us. Lastly – and most rewarding - is meeting all the veterans that have sacrificed so much for our nation. It's been a terrific opportunity to talk to the Vets and hear their stories and thank them for their service.” Scott Thomas, Iron County
“Have you ever sat in your comfortable recliner watching the news report about a disaster’s aftermath and wanting to go and help the people but don’t know how? I have multiple times and it is frustrating! It was no different when the coronavirus pandemic started. Not only were lives turned upside down with shut downs, isolation, masks, physical distancing, sanitizing, livelihoods ruined, schools closed, and so much more, but there was frustration, fear, and wondering about an unknown illness and lonely deaths. Then, finally, a hopeful ray of life and safety emerged with vaccines. In February I heeded the call from Governor Spencer Cox for medical and non-medical volunteers to assist in mass vaccination clinics in Utah. After passing through a state and FBI background check, I was assigned to work with the Southwest Utah MRC. I was given the opportunity to fight this deadly virus and serve my community! This service included assisting individuals from their cars to the doors of the St George Senior Center, greeting patients and confirming paperwork, pairing patients with vaccinators, and observing patients for any potential negative reactions to the vaccine. While I performed these tasks, I witnessed meaningful moments, from the energetic eighteen-year-old excited to be vaccinated to an elderly mother who was only at the clinic because it was where her son wanted her to be. Or the bravery of a terrified-of-needles young adult who stepped forward and sat in the chair to receive an injection to the stories of a 90+ U.S. Coast Guard veteran who patrolled the Japanese coastline in 1945. It warmed my heart to meet thousands of my fellow citizens who chose to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their families, and our community. Today, as
I sit in my comfortable recliner watching the news with the latest information about the pandemic, I’m grateful for my tired body and the timely opportunity to serve with the Southwest MRC.” Nancy Dolan, Washington County
“We are retired physicians living in Springdale, Utah. We did all that we could to avoid contracting Covid-19 by spending that first year at home. When Utah received its first allocations of vaccines, we were ready to be a part of the immunization effort, knowing that vaccines were going to be the only effective way to battle the pandemic and get all our lives back to normal. We joined the Southwest Utah MRC and began working with the staff of the Southwest Utah Public Health Department and a small army of temporary employees and other MRC volunteers. We quickly became a team, with the leadership of the nurses and administrators of SWUPHD. Demand was high for the first few months, and we all worked hard and heard from patients many times every day how efficient an operation we had. No long lines! Getting an appointment was the most difficult part of the process, as all the eligible people wanted the shots as soon as possible. But as time went on, everyone who wanted a vaccine could get one. We hope that our efforts will be rewarded with a fully vaccinated population and many lives saved.” Susan Rovira and Leo Gallia, Washington County
“As a volunteer with the MRC, it's been my honor to participate in the Covid Vax program, ‘getting the shots into arms.’ It's been nice to return to some nursing after working with animals in a nursing role for the past 15 years and I've made new friends and really enjoyed working with Christa and Shana and the others at the health department in Kanab who welcomed me with open arms. Thanks!” Phyllis Parthemore, Kane County
“My volunteer experience with the MRC has been immensely rewarding. Since retiring from a long healthcare career, the pandemic has given me the opportunity to utilize my nursing skills in a meaningful way. I have been given the opportunity to give back to my community as a Covid vaccinator. Many community members who come for their vaccine express their sincere gratitude to us, which is heartwarming. I have forged lasting friendships among other volunteers and health department staff. I am grateful for such a rich experience the MRC has given me.” Jody Amacher, Kane County
“The past year has been very difficult for many of us due to Covid-19. I have had to work from home and social distance for most of the past year due to the high risk Covid poses to my husband. I have been a member of the Southwest Utah MRC for several years. When the vaccine was made available in this area I decided to volunteer my time as a means to protect my family and to give back to my community. I have had the opportunity to volunteer at the St George and Cedar City SWUPHD Covid-19 vaccination clinics for the past 4 months. This has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. So many people have expressed their gratitude for giving them hope for a normal life again. I think we get so caught up in our own situation that we forget how fortunate we are compared to others. The stories of isolation and loneliness
experienced over the last year have been heartbreaking and I’m so grateful I have been given the opportunity to instill a little hope through something as simple as a shot.” Tiffany L Petersen, PhD, RN, Associate Nursing Professor at Dixie State University
“A day in the life of a Southwestern Utah MRC volunteer: the day began early, bright, and full of hope. It was going to be a long day with 4,500 people scheduled to be vaccinated at the St. George Active Life Center. By the end of the day 4,380 people were vaccinated; 4,380 people moved closer to lifting that emotional burden of lock-down; 4,380 people moved all of us closer to health and safety today…and this was only one day! A day that left our feet tired, our backs aching, our voices hoarse, but our hearts were filled with joy. As we reflect back on that day, we witnessed thirty-four vaccinators giving over 40 shots every five minutes. Countless volunteers greeting, verifying, directing, observing, and caring for all who entered the doors. Dozens of people behind the scenes, drawing up doses, gathering paperwork, and entering vital data into the computer. We welcomed thousands of people that day as they came to our stations and awaited their turn for a vaccination. We could see in their eyes every emotion there was. Some were excited, some anxious, some scared to tears (if not in tears) but, overwhelmingly, they were thankful that we were all there to help them. We were thankful that they were there, too. That day we got to see, first hand, a part of this community come together with one belief: we are all in this together, and one goal: put this pandemic behind us. We will be forever grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing group of people, giving of themselves for the greater good of all… and this was only one day!” Frank and Lisa Stone, Washington County
As of May 31, 2021, the Southwest Utah MRC volunteers have given 4,341 hours of service in the COVID-19 vaccination effort. Some individuals have donated over 180 hours themselves. They are the first to sign up and the last to leave. Southern Utah University students gave over 900 hours. Dixie State University: over 500 hours. The Utah National Guard donated over 1000 hours. The efficiency and flexibility of the clinics and overall sheer numbers of vaccines given as soon as possible after delivery would not have been possible without these wonderfully dedicated volunteers. We admire and appreciate them and offer a very sincere...
Castilleja linariifolia Also known as prairie-fire growing in dry open places at elevations from 1000-9200 feet.
