VACCINE CL INIC
Sycamore Calls the Shots Former Sycamore parent helps Sycamore host a vaccine clinic for students, teachers, and adults.
BY: MARY O’MALLEY
I have always loved volunteering. I love seeing the staff at work as they actively care for and know kids. I love talking to the kids. In the particular scenario of the vaccine clinic, I loved being a part of Sycamore’s steps toward recovery. It felt hopeful.” JESSICA LEE SYCAMORE PARENT
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T
he call came “out of the blue.” On an otherwise ordinary school day in early November, Diane Borgmann, Head of School, answered her desk phone. It was a voice from the past, a past parent’s voice to be exact: Cynthia Hacherl, a local pharmacist and mother of two alumni, was calling to inquire about the school’s interest in a vaccine clinic. “I wanted to host a vaccine clinic,” explained Mrs. Borgmann, “and we had checked with the Indiana Department of Health. It looked unlikely that we could get one scheduled here anytime soon through that source. Cynthia told me that being a pharmacist, she could get vaccines and make herself available to do a clinic at Sycamore. Of course, I said YES! We got busy planning it--lots of logistics were involved, including a preparatory Zoom meeting for the parents. We were able to make it happen.” It all came together very quickly. Maria Truesdale, Nurse Ryan Kandel, several other staff, and a group of parent volunteers made the three clinic days run efficiently. The first dose of the Pfizer Vaccine was administered on November 15 to students ages 5-11 and to those in the 12 and older
group who needed their second shot; the second dose was given on December 6, in compliance with the CDC guidelines. The clinic was open to staff, parents, and other family members as well. The flu vaccine and the booster were also available, giving many children and adults a shot in each arm. Sycamore parents Dr. Christina Santangelo-Salerno, Dr. Areeba Kara, and Dr. Cory Martinson aided in the vaccinations and were available to assist in case of any potential side effects. Fortunately, there were no problems. Teachers brought the children class by class to the makeshift clinic, also known as the Scott A. Jones Board Room, and they lined up for their turn. There were other volunteers that entertained the children in the Quest Room for the 15 minute post-injection waiting period. Cynthia said, “There were a few tears and a lot of apprehension from the younger children, but the process went smoothly. Of course, it is not any fun to get a shot, but maybe being with your friends makes it a little easier. Mrs. Borgmann asked me if I had ever vaccinated that many people in a day. My answer was a definitive NO. The best line of the day came from a student who was very nervous and tearyeyed. As soon as it was over, she said, ‘I worried for that?’”
