Meridian Community College: Vaccination Drive Thru Offers Shots And Experience

Press release from Meridian Community College:

August 25, 2021

Two Meridian Community College students, Sarah Cline and Alison Bowen, took a break
between their classes and took a short trip across campus.

Both, interested in pursuing careers in the medical field, decided to go to the College’s
Dulaney Center Parking Lot, where they got vaccine jabs during MCC’s first Drive Thru
COVID-19 Vaccination event.

The two were among the approximately 200 who made a loop around the lot and got their
initial Pfizer vaccine thanks to the efforts of Rush Health Systems and College staff
and students. “The traffic has been good,” said Deanna Smith, dean of student services,
“and it’s been a good mix of people – both students and community residents,” she
said.

Jerome Pickard, with Rush Health Systems marketing department, said the health system
has been proactive with vaccination events and partnering with schools. And with the
FDA’s final approval for the vaccination, “we’re hoping that will calm people’s nerves
and make the decision to get the vaccine.”

MCC nursing students and instructors – including those in the Associate Degree Nursing
and Practical Nursing programs - assisted in the event, giving shots in arms. “It
has absolutely been beneficial to have them here,” Pickard said. “We have registered
nurses alongside them; it helps to have the nursing students here,” he added.

“It’s been a great opportunity for our students,” Smith said. Jeff Hemphill, ADN instructor,
agreed. “I think the students are getting good experience out of it.”

ADN student Faith Ashmore agreed. “We’re here to do our part and help,” she said.

Those who participated in the Monday, Aug. 23, event should return to the Dulaney
Center Parking Lot on Monday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to get their second
dose.

For more information about the second dose session, contact Smith at 601.484.8895
or email dsmith40@meridiancc.edu

This press release was produced by Meridian Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.