UNMC students part of COVID vaccine effort in north Omaha

UNMC students, faculty and staff recently partnered with the North Omaha Area Health (NOAH) clinic to provide COVID-19 vaccinations at Clair Memorial United Methodist Church.

Five nursing students, a medical student, five nursing faculty and three staff worked with other volunteers to administered 118 vaccines over about five hours.

“Participating in the vaccine clinic at Clair Memorial United Methodist Church was a wonderful and memorable experience,” said Oliver Ramirez-Gutierrez, student in the UNMC College of Nursing. “Everyone was excited to receive their vaccine and it was nice to not only be a part of what can be considered a historic moment in time, but to also do so with other health professionals, volunteers, and members of the North Omaha community.”

“Serving the community, by providing COVID-19 vaccines has been one of my favorite clinical experiences so far,” said Bernadette Harnisch, nursing student. “The communities we have served have all been so excited and grateful to receive their vaccines to help end this pandemic and protect the health of others.”

Nursing student Therese O’Malley said working in the vaccine clinics was a great opportunity to serve the community. “We all go into nursing because we want to help people, and there no better way right now than to give the vaccine,” she said. “Everyone has a story behind their COVID experience and it’s a pleasure to be able to help grandparents see their grandchildren, people see their parents, or just be around friends again as we all have missed out on during the pandemic.”

Kati Bravo, PhD, program director of the bachelor’s degree in nursing program and assistant professor UNMC College of Nursing, said the vaccine clinic was especially important because the church is in proximity to an underserved minority population which has been proportionately more affected by coronavirus.

“We want our nursing students to recognize and appreciate that nurses provide care wherever it is needed,” Dr. Bravo said. “This means taking care to diverse settings and learning from the community while participating in delivering nursing services.

“Administration of the vaccines is vitally important and so are the opportunities for education, sharing stories, and gaining a deeper understanding of the communities students will serve as professional nurses. So many of the clients at the vaccine clinic expressed a sense of gratitude and thanked us for coming to their neighborhood to provide care,” Dr. Bravo said.