Bears Immunization Station

The University of Pikeville partnered with the Kentucky Association of Health Plans and the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of the Bluegrass by launching a collaboration to improve the social determinants of health for children. This summer, UPIKE, the Pike County Health Department and RMHC held the Bears Immunization Station vaccine clinic at the Pikeville Area Family YMCA to increase accessibility at a central location for community members to receive immunizations. Additionally, it enhanced the practical learning experience for students from the Elliott School of Nursing and the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The vaccinations administered focused on helping address the problem of low immunization rates, as Kentucky currently does not meet the community immunity threshold for the percentage of a population that needs to be immune to a disease to stop its spread. The event provided pediatric patients the opportunity to receive HPV, Meningococcal and Tdap vaccines at no cost. ESON student Jessica Vickers felt proud to be a part of something directly impacting the community.

Working alongside experienced healthcare professionals allowed me to apply my training in a real-world setting while helping families protect their health,” said Vickers. “It felt amazing to give back to the people of our town while also building my nursing skills.

Pike County Health Department Public Health Director Tammy Riley ʼ92 understands that vaccination clinics are vital for building a healthier future.

“Keeping our children safe from infectious disease is a public health concern that impacts everyone and requires a team effort,” said Riley. “The collaboration between the Pike County Health Department, UPIKE and the Ronald McDonald House Charities, was an important endeavor for our community to take, moving one step closer to community immunity.”

Chair of Primary Care and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at KYCOM Shylah Napier, D.O., believes events like these are essential for students. They gain invaluable experience in patient interaction and public health, which is critical for their future careers.

“The Bears Immunization Station vaccine clinic was a great success. I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to plan and lead this event. It was such a valuable resource for the families in our community,” said Napier. “We are so thankful for RMHC, UPIKE, KYCOM, ESON, the Health Department and the Pikeville YMCA who all helped make this event possible. Together, we make a difference.”

The success of the vaccination clinic sparked discussions about future collaborations between UPIKE and local organizations. RMHC and the university expressed interest in hosting more health-focused events to address the community’s needs further.