Today, Tuesday, December 15, was a very exciting day at Catawba Valley
Health System. As one of the first 11 recipients of the vaccine in North
Carolina, we received our initial shipment of vaccines for COVID-19 at
9:14 am today following months of preparation. And we are proud to announce
that just after 2 p.m., we vaccinated the first six people in Catawba County:
- Courtney Casey, a Registered Nurse in our Medical and Emergency Departments
- Dr. Phil Greene, Chief of Staff and Hospitalist
- Angie Gryder, microbiology section coordinator
- Michael McDonald, a Critical Care Registered Nurse
- Mai Xiong, a medication reconciliation pharmacy technician
- Stephanie Chapman, a Registered Nurse leading the Medical-Surgical Departments
These front-line staff have cared for hundreds of COVID-19 patients during
the course of the pandemic and today’s first vaccines provide a
small ray of light.
One of our first recipients, Dr. Phil Greene, noted, “The importance
of the vaccine can’t be overstated. It’s going to take the
community coming together to help solve the problem. Being vaccinated
is an important first step.”
While our vaccinated staff will continue to follow all precautions, the
vaccine provides a great sense of relief. Mai Xiong encouraged her colleagues
to vaccinate as soon as they are offered the opportunity, noting, “We
have seen first-hand what this virus can do to our families and our community.
I am so excited to be among the first to receive the vaccine and I hope
everyone will see this as an effective way of overcoming its devastating
effects.”
Over the next several weeks, CVHS staff will continue to work tirelessly
to vaccinate our employees and medical staff. President and CEO, Eddie
Beard, noted, “Across my entire career, I never imagined a year
like this. But today is a special moment of hope and I am optimistic that
this long fight in the Covid-19 pandemic may be nearing its end.”
Anna Seagle, RPh, of the CVMC Pharmacy Department said “it was an
honor” to administer the first vaccines.