Vaccine clinic volunteers feted
Dozens of helpers made O'Brien Co. vax clinics successful
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NICK PEDLEY/SENTINEL-NEWS
Those receiving certificates of appreciation on behalf of themselves or another entity included front row, from left to right: Jennifer Roos, Fay Schall, Janette Simon and Janie VandeGriend. Back row: Shirley Lenhardt, Deanna Wietzema, Pat Sickelka, Mark Cody, Connie Cody, Cindy Ramirez, Carisa TenKley and Barb Clark.
Kim Morran isn't shy about giving credit where it is due.
The O'Brien County Public Health administrator, along with the department's two other staff members, showed their gratitude to volunteers who helped with the county's vaccine rollout during an open house at the courthouse in Primghar on May 25. Special certificates of recognition were distributed during the event and nary a mask was in sight thanks to the inoculation efforts of those involved.
"It was very tough," Morran said of the local vaccine rollout. "That's why we wanted to show our appreciation, because none of this would have happened without them."
Approximately 50-60 people helped make the vaccine rollout tick in O'Brien County. Their roles varied, with some handling paperwork and others completing data entry during each clinic. That's not to mention the many volunteers who actually put shots in arms.
Morran recalled the early days of the rollout when vaccine supply was limited and arms were plentiful.
"That was the toughest part of the whole job," she said. "Honestly, I didn't think it was going to be like how it was. I had obviously never dealt with a pandemic."
NICK PEDLEY/SENTINEL-NEWS
O'Brien County Public Health staff members, pictured from left to right: Nurse Carla Starkenburg, Administrator Kim Morran and office manager Alma Rodriguez.
Morran took the public health gig during the height of the pandemic last year. She credited staff members Carla Starkenburg and Alma Rodriquez for keeping the ship on course despite turbulent waters.
"They've been a great crew," Morran said. "Honestly, in a way, the pandemic really helped us to get out and have people see that we are here and this is only part of what public health does. We enjoyed getting to meet the public."
Individuals and entities that received certificates of appreciation included: Cynthia Ramirez, Carisa TenKley, Jennifer Roos, Bridget Doeden, Pat Sickelka, Sarah Rohlfsen, Jared Johnson, Prairie View Campus, Shirley Lenhardt, Wendy Nelson, Janice VanderGriend, Mary Newell, Maureen Thompson, Deanna Wietzema, Pastor Brett Witmer, Willoway Complex, MercyOne Medical Center, Community Memorial Health Center, Village Northwest Unlimited and Sanford Medical Center.
Also recognized were the cities of Sheldon, Hartley, Sanborn and Paullina.
