SYCAMORE VACCINE CLINIC

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 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?’”

Second Grader Jacob Brown relayed, “It felt like a flu shot; once it happened, it was over with. It didn’t hurt that much and felt good to get the first shot. I can have playdates at my friends’ houses, and I’m not as likely to get COVID.” Furthermore, Cynthia shared, “When the vaccine was introduced, I saw a way to help in bringing the vaccine to the community. I began vaccinating in the pharmacy as well as mobile vaccinating in businesses, retirement communities, a residential school, and in-home visits to elderly patients. However, there is much ‘vaccine hesitancy’ in the area, so I also encounter lots of misinformation and sometimes hostility to the vaccine, and I spend time explaining the benefits and encouraging vaccination. When it became available for all children ages 5-11, the CDC advised pharmacies to reach out to schools to offer clinics. I responded by calling all the school districts in the county, but none of them were interested. Several told me it was too controversial to bring vaccinations into the school, which was very discouraging.” Nevertheless, there was nothing discouraging about the clinic days at Sycamore. Jane Hartsock, a professor of Medical Humanities at IUPUI, and mother of 5th Grader Nicholas, reflected on how historic this event was and compared it to pictures she has seen of children getting their polio shots, realizing that this is even more important since it is during a pandemic. As Director of Clinical Ethics at the Academic Health Center at IU, she emphasized, “Making sure that these kids are vaccinated is very important to me because I would like to see Riley Hospital empty of COVID cases this winter.” Dr. Christina Santangelo-Salerno, a pediatrician for the Department of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine, and mother of 5th Grader Leo and 7th Grader Alessandro, explained the clinic as being monumental. “Sycamore is identifying needs outside of academics, carrying out its mission by responding to the needs of the whole child and the families. It is vital that these kids are not only in school but are also healthy in school. The administration makes good on its claim: All of the children are known and loved. This is a school of action.”

Go Ahead, Give It Another Shot

The expression “go ahead, give it another shot” was not something Cynthia, her helpers, or our students and staff were expecting to put into action so soon. On January 6, 2022, the CDC approved the booster shot to be administered five months after the second vaccination for children ages 12-15. Consequently, less than two weeks later, Sycamore held another vaccination day on January 19 to provide the booster to those students 12 and older along with more adult boosters and a few more vaccinations for younger children who had not yet been vaccinated. This was a more stoic group. They sat down, rolled up their sleeves, and got their immunizations. “I felt enormous gratitude that our children have attended a school where everyone has banded together to keep them safe,” said Dr. Areeba Kara, IU Hospitalist and mother of 7th Grader Sameer. “Working alongside the other parents, Cynthia, and the staff volunteers brought such an uplifting sense of community and togetherness. As a hospitalist, I have been caring for patients with COVID-19 throughout the pandemic. It has been a long road and sometimes dark. Helping with the vaccinations for the children felt that I was doing something that would actually change the course of the pandemic. The kindness the children showed each other, their enthusiasm, and their bravery brought me joy that I will hold on to for a long time.” Nurse Ryan concluded, “The thing about corny sayings is their resonating strength of message. I truly believe in the saying, ‘it takes a village,’ and the vaccine clinic was that saying in physical form. This event demonstrated the strength and dedication to the health, safety, and community of Sycamore.” Sycamore extends its sincere gratitude to all those who were instrumental in the success of the first-ever COVID Vaccination Clinic, most notably Cynthia Hacherl, RPh, for graciously offering our community this opportunity. •

Jacob Brown: Post-vaccine happiness