As the country, state, and campus begin to transition to a new normal, let's take a pause to acknowledge our MRC program's contributions to the COVID-19 public health response. We have impacted the lives of those with whom we share universal COVID-19 pandemic experiences and we have learned (and continue to do so) how best to honor the unique needs of the communities we serve. This coming fall we will gather as a group to acknowledge and honor the volunteer work you have been doing over the past year and a half, and counting.
Our COVID-19 response work will continue into the fall of 2021. Look for the monthly newsletters and COVID-19 Updates throughout the summer months.
News
COVID-19 Vaccination Team Update
The COVID-19 Vaccination Team was established in response to vaccination needs on campus and in the broader community. This team will continue to deploy, as needed, this summer and into the fall.
Here are a few items of importance as we look forward to the summer and fall:
1. The last large-scale campus COVID-19 vaccination clinic of the summer will be held on Monday, May 24th. We are fully staffed for this clinic.
2. Boynton will provide COVID-19 vaccinations at their regular vaccination clinic through the end of the summer.
3. If/when the CDC/MDH recommend COVID-19 booster shots, the MRC's COVID Vaccination Team may likely be called upon to assist with the vaccination efforts.
4. COVID-19 Vaccination Team members will continue to support the Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHC) that continue to request our assistance.
A special note to MRC members who are not currently on the COVID-19 Vaccination Team roster:
Please email [email protected] if you are interested in learning more about the COVID-19 Vaccination Team. We will be supporting FQHC's through most of the summer. Additionally, the Vaccination Team will support COVID vaccination efforts on campus when the mass vaccination sites (Coffman Union or TCF Stadium) are reactivated.
May: National Mental Health Awareness Month
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. In recognizing the unique stressors COVID-19 has presented to emergency response volunteers AND the ongoing importance of mental health as an integral component of overall health, we have compiled a few mental health resources for MRC members.
Click HERE to access the MRC Mental Health Resource webpage.
MRC Membership Bonus: The Interdisciplinary Experience
One of the benefits of volunteering with the Medical Reserve Corps is the interdisciplinary nature of the program. Zachariah Stern is a graduate student in the School of Public Health. Zachariah is seen here working along side Nancy Rolstad, an employee in the Environmental Health/Safety department at the COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic at TCF stadium.
Member Spotlight
Jeremy Vanlaningham
Jeremy Vanlaningham is a Registered Nurse enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program in the School of Nursing.
When asked to describe his experience serving as a vaccine Injector at the COVID-19 mass vaccination clinics, Jeremy answered, "I found the vaccine clinics to be incredibly well organized and run! It was great to connect with students, staff, community members, and non U of MN educators! The feeling was energizing to be part of the effort to combat COVID-19 and be part of history in the making!"