Today Magazine Summer 2021 | Page 15

It was pleasing to know that we were making a difference in their lives and making the community a safer place during this pandemic .

It was pleasing to know that we were making a difference in their lives and making the community a safer place during this pandemic .

know that we were making a difference in their lives and making the community a safer place during this pandemic .”
In addition to making a difference in the community , a hallmark of GMercyU ’ s mission , students were able to put the skills they learned in the classroom to practical use .
“ I was able to interact with the local community , educate them in the process of getting their vaccine , as well as getting hands-on learning on what community-based public health nursing truly is ,” said ABSN student Brian Sequeria . “ This experience has made me want to volunteer more as a future nurse , and help out in any way possible .”
vaccination program through St . Mary Medical Center .
Faculty Experts Host Panel on COVID-19 Vaccines
To help debunk myths about the COVID-19 vaccines and answer questions , GMercyU hosted a panel presentation entitled “ COVID-19 Vaccines : Science and Pandemic Control ” in April . It covered the science behind the vaccines and the importance of them in health care and for overall public health .
The panel featured these three GMercyU experts :
• Stacey Lettini , PhD , Associate Professor of Biology
• Ann Phalen , PhD , CRNP , NNP-BC , Dean of the Frances M . Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions
• Sharla Willis , DrPH , MPH , MA , Founding Program Director and Assistant Professor of GMercyU ’ s Public Health Program
Dr . Willis offered a brief history of vaccines and how successful vaccine implementation eradicated smallpox , emphasizing the importance of vaccines from a public health perspective and how everyone plays a role in building herd immunity .
“ Don ’ t discount the impact that you can have in talking with your social circle ,” said Dr . Willis about sharing your vaccine experience with loved ones to encourage them to get vaccinated . “ Our goal is to get to that herd immunity where we ’ ve got good vaccination coverage and can protect those who are most vulnerable in our society . Keep in mind that you are essential in this effort .”
Dr . Lettini explained the science of how and why vaccines work , how they are developed , and why they are safe , delving into the different types of vaccines and how they work . For example , Johnson and Johnson developed a Viral Vector vaccine , and Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines .
Dr . Lettini also shared that coronaviruses are RNA viruses , meaning they have high mutation rates which lead to new strains of the virus . This segued into Dr . Phalen ’ s presentation , which explored the COVID-19 illness and vaccine from a clinical perspective , including signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and potential side effects of the vaccines .
“ The 12-24 hours after the vaccine , some people develop fever , chills , body and muscle aches , and fatigue . But don ’ t worry , that ’ s good that you ’ re having these symptoms ,” said Dr . Phalen . “ That means your body is working hard to build the antibodies and cells needed to fight this virus .”
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