On December 14, Atrium Health became the first health system in North Carolina to administer an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine. Atrium Health is proud to have been among the first in the nation to receive and distribute the initial vaccine allotments, which is critically necessary to slow the spread and lessen the detrimental effects of the virus. The health system has worked to develop comprehensive plans to safely and effectively distribute the vaccine, as vaccination is the best way to prevent infection from COVID-19.
Due to limited initial supply and based on national and state guidance, the first batch of the Pfizer vaccine is being offered to Atrium Health teammates in high priority, patient-facing areas such as the emergency department and medical intensive care unit (MICU), and areas where care providers are at a higher risk for COVID-19 exposure.
On the first day, just a few Atrium Health teammates received the vaccine. Hear from some of them, in their own words, about what this day meant to them:
Name: Chloe Beer, BSN, RN
Job: Nurse at Carolinas Medical Center in the Medical Intensive Care Unit that treats some of the sickest COVID-19 patients
“Having seen so many people suffer, and even lose their battle with this virus, I am so eager to do my part and get vaccinated.”
Name: Jaspal Singh, MD
Job: Pulmonary and critical care physician
"Getting the vaccine is not about me to be honest, but rather about protecting the community. In my roles, I am responsible for taking care of patients and helping our teams of skilled healthcare workers. If I become ill that is one less person that can care for these patients."
Name: Kathryn Steward, MT (ASCP), CHT (ABHI), MB (ASCP)
Job: Team Leader, Molecular Pathology, Core Lab
“It’s incredibly important that those who are willing and able to get the vaccine, do so. The science that has gone into building this vaccine is incredible.”
Name: Mohamed Alhassan, PharmD
Job: Clinical Staff Pharmacist -- Charge
“Given my age, and because I work in one of the busiest hospitals in the state, it is a good idea. I’m very excited to be getting the vaccine.”
Name: Rob Rose, RN
Job: Chief Nurse Executive, Central Market
“This became very personal to me early on my godmother who lived in New York succumbed to the virus alone in a hospital bed without any family around her. I vowed I would fight and create an environment to care for these patients and to remember she did not die in vain.”
Name: Kayla Horne, RN
Job: Clinical supervisor, Levine Children’s Hospital’s designated pediatric COVID-19 unit
“Listening to leaders like Dr. Passaretti and Dr. Ahmed talk about this vaccine has reassured me because they have done so much research and put so much time into getting this vaccine—so it must be safe.”
Name: Carlotta Lennon
Job: Environmental Services Technician
“With this vaccine, I'm amazed that a change is finally going to come. If we all work together to get the vaccine, we can go back to our normal lives.”
Name: Jeannine Mortenson
Job: Speech and Language Therapist
“I'm so excited and thankful to be a part of this and have the opportunity to get this vaccine. I think it's going to make a huge difference in getting us to the end of the line of this virus.”
Name: Christian Schulz, PA-C
Job: Associate Medical Director, Carolinas Medical Center and Levine Children’s Hospital Emergency Departments
“During a time of a global pandemic I believe it’s all of our civic duty to stand up and serve in order to protect our patients and our community. I would never ask any member of my team to do anything that I’m not willing to do.”
Learn more about the latest COVID-19 vaccine developments.
