As Virginia鈥檚 vaccine rollout spreads into the Shenandoah Valley, 91短视频 students are participating at both ends of the needle: both giving and getting the shot.

And in some cases, they’ve giving the shot to fellow students and 91短视频 employees. According to an informal count kept by 91短视频 Health Services, 110 students and 135 employees have received the full course of vaccines as of April 14. These numbers are based on copies of vaccination cards provided to Health Services (through covidhotline@emu.edu).

Senior nursing students in Professor Kate Clark鈥檚 community health course and associated clinical rotation this semester have been giving vaccines and aiding with processing at clinics up and down the Shenandoah Valley: in Lexington, at Augusta Health in Fishersville, the Rockingham County Fairgrounds, and Sentara RMH, the city jail and city community center in Harrisonburg. A recent afternoon saw a small group among the volunteer nurses, physicians, and other health professionals staffing a clinic in the convocation center at James Madison University.

While other rotations like shadowing in the emergency department and the ICU unit may be more exciting, Natalie Stoltzfus has enjoyed the hands-on work and the chance to contribute in an historic public health effort. 

鈥淭hese have been my favorite clinicals,鈥� says Stoltzfus, who will work at Penn State Hospital Hershey after graduation. 鈥淥nce you get the routine down, it鈥檚 pretty simple. Six hours goes by fast.鈥�

According to Clark, 91短视频鈥檚 smaller program and long relationship with the local district of the Virginia Department of Health has contributed to unique opportunities to work small and large clinics and to interact with many different populations, including healthcare professionals, incarcerated individuals and senior citizens. [Read about spring 2020 clinical experiences and how the Class of 2020 nursing graduates finished their semester.]

Nursing students provide Q & A at campus info sessions

The knowledge students have gained as vaccinators and in the public health context has also benefited their fellow students and campus community. In mid-March, 91短视频 Director of Health Services Irene Kniss contacted the nursing department about hosting a Q & A session.

鈥淲e knew students had lots of questions and a need for information related to the vaccines,鈥� Kniss said. 鈥淲e encourage everyone to educate themselves and our nursing students and professors could be an important and trusted resource in that process.鈥�

On Wednesday, April 7, students in the community health nursing class, with Clark and nursing instructor Lisa Burkholder, hosted a virtual information session about COVID vaccines. Questions from the attendees ranged from possible health impacts of the vaccines, the testing process and efficacy of each type of vaccine, and the biotechnology that has been developed.

In recent weeks, Kniss, along with other area health officials, has been in near-daily communication with VDH representatives for updates about the status of vaccines arriving in the Valley. An application to host an on-campus clinic had been made in January.

91短视频 students now eligible for the vaccine

On April 9, students were emailed about opportunities to sign up at several local clinics hosted by the Virginia Department of Health within the Central Shenandoah Health District. The campus鈥檚 COVID Response Team has provided transportation if needed.

鈥淕etting the covid vaccine is an act of care for the entire community,鈥� Kniss said, adding that the more fully vaccinated the population is, the more vulnerable populations will be protected and  鈥渢he sooner we can move towards sharing spaces and seeing faces again.鈥� 

Students (and faculty and staff as well) sharing a copy of their vaccination card will no longer need to fill out the daily symptom tracker, one of several measures instituted this year to help track individual and community health.

While some universities are requiring proof of vaccination in the fall, 91短视频 officials are still collecting information and exploring options. 

A “Wellness Fair” will be offered to the community on Wednesday, Mar. 18. The event, entitled “91短视频 Passport to Wellness,” will run 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on the indoor track of 91短视频’s University Commons and will focus on six areas of well-being: physical, emotional/relational, financial, spiritual, professional/academic and environmental.

Vendors will have displays set up around the track. They include Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Family Life Resource Center, Harrisonburg Police Department, 91短视频’s Earthkeepers recycling program, 91短视频 pre-professional health society and many others.

Also on tap are free blood pressure screenings, relaxation and Yoga demonstrations, sleep/nutrition stretching techniques, raffles and lots of food. The only activities with a fee are cholesterol and glucose screenings for $10.

Upon arrival, persons will receive a “wellness passport” that can be stamped at every location visited.

“Our goal is to have a fun and informative event that identifies available campus and community resources that encourage individuals to be healthy in all aspects of life,” said Margaret C. Upton, director of health services at 91短视频.

The fair is open to everyone. For more information, contact 91短视频’s wellness office at 540-432-4317.

Vendors will have displays set up around the track. They include Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Family Life Resource Center, Harrisonburg Police Department, 91短视频’s Earthkeepers recycling program, 91短视频 pre-professional health society and many others.

Also on tap are free blood pressure screenings, relaxation and Yoga demonstrations, sleep/nutrition stretching techniques, raffles and lots of food. The only activities with a fee are cholesterol and glucose screenings for $10.

Upon arrival, persons will receive a “wellness passport” that can be stamped at every location visited.

“Our goal is to have a fun and informative event that identifies available campus and community resources that encourage individuals to be healthy in all aspects of life,” said Margaret C. Upton, director of health services at 91短视频.

The fair is open to everyone. For more information, contact 91短视频’s wellness office at 540-432-4317.

The faculty and staff of 91短视频 recognized two colleagues who are retiring and cited 49 others for years of service during the school’s annual recognition dinner held May 2.

Mamie M. Mellinger is retiring as director of health services after serving 20 years in this role. Before that, she was a member of the 91短视频 nursing department faculty, 1970-76 and 1980-86, serving the university a total of 32 years.

Paul T. (P.T.) Guengerich is retiring a second time. He served in a variety of roles at 91短视频 from 1964 to 1981