DR . WHO
Photo credit-Elaina Janes patients were briefed and checked in . In Zone 2 the staff verified their histories and allergies and got shots in arms . Zone 3 was the post-injection area where patients were monitored for allergic or syncopal reactions , with EMS always on site . It was one lane in , six lanes through , with up to 12 injection teams and one “ problem child ” lane on the side , then one lane back out . Dr . Hartlage said that logistics were the most challenging part in the beginning . “ In January , it was 20 degrees outside , or worse ( think freezing rain ) which made it tough ,” she said . “ And there were a lot of things that maybe you don ’ t think about when hosting a vaccine site . I can ’ t tell you how many car batteries we ’ ve jumped .”
The biggest challenge the Health Department now faces is ongoing education and continued engagement as the vaccine rollout is open to all Kentucky adults and children 12 and up . The Broadbent effort morphed into LouVaxMobile , in which van teams bring shots to community groups to immunize everyone possible . The Cardinal Stadium site also requires Health Department and UofL input .
“ The first few rounds of vaccination were not that difficult ; the demand was much greater than the supply . People were beating the door down to get one . Now we ’ ve reached that equilibrium point where we ’ re having to essentially go knock on doors to get people to get the vaccine .”
Dr . Hartlage works with metro and state government and also oversees other LMDPHW initiatives such as maternal and child health programs , the regional tuberculosis clinic , and the syringe exchange program for safe drug use . “ The Health Department has such a wide breadth of programs . I spent time , and am still spending time , learning about the different programs and the people who run them ,” she said . “ I spend time learning about what they do and what their roadblocks are , what things they ’ re dealing with that I might be able to help with and what resources we have that we can use to make some positive change .”
While there are of course challenges , it is extremely gratifying work and is an opportunity she does not take for granted . “ Getting people vaccinated feels great , but Broadbent was such a wonderful place to work . The mood there was fantastic . The volunteers and staff felt they were making a difference , and they were . Some of those people worked out there for hundreds of hours ,” she said . “ Working with the volunteers was really an honor . Our community came together , and we did this thing .” Our huge volunteer support saved the city more than $ 2 million .
In addition to being an active member of GLMS , Dr . Hartlage also serves in various other groups and executive boards . She is very engaged with the Society for Education in Anesthesia , the Society for Simulation in Healthcare , Women in Anesthesia and the American Public Health Association . Education , enrichment and giving back to students are central to her drive to being a part of these groups .
In her free time , Dr . Hartlage can be found immersed in all things Disney — whether she ’ s watching princess movies with Camille or planning another trip to see their favorite characters . Each fall , you can find her returning home to take in her world-famous Alabama football . She is also deeply interested in crafting , sewing and baking and said her craft room in her house is her happy place where “ no one ’ s allowed to move my scissors !”
Her family is of the highest importance to her , and she said she wants to make sure she maintains a work-life balance to spend time with Todd and see Camille continue to grow and flourish . Professionally , she wants to continue to provide high-quality care and continued improvement , both for herself and the next generation of leaders .
“ Being involved in education gives you the opportunity to have a lasting impact not only on the patients you ’ re caring for but also all the patients your students will care for ,” she said . “ You get the opportunity to work with those learners and get to see them have those lightbulb moments when they understand a concept or achieve a procedural skill for the first time . It ’ s a lot of fun and it ’ s very gratifying work .”
Roll Tide !
Kathryn Vance is the Communication Specialist at the Greater Louisville Medical Society .
JUNE 2021 33