Miami Dade College's H1N1 Vaccination Campaign
As a Registered Nurse, graduated from Miami Dade College, and a current student in the RN to BSN program, I am honored to share and comment about the H1N1 vaccination campaign. Like any nurse, I have been trained to care for and advocate for disadvantaged clients whenever there is an opportunity.
On September 16, 2009, higher education partners in Miami-Dade County met to discuss H1N1, which has now become a pandemic disease. Among the partners were the University of Miami, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, Miami Dade College and others. As a guest student, I was honored to attend with Scott Burnotes, MDC Director of Emergency Preparedness and Marie Etienne, MDC Nursing Faculty and Service-Learning Coordinator. Alarming epidemiology statistics were shared and a plan of action was put in place: the vaccines would be provided for free to the target population. The solution for Miami Dade College was always in our hands and that was to ask our nursing students to volunteer community hours to take care of our own college population.
With the support of the Miami-Dade County Health Department (MDCHD) and, specifically, Dr. Claudio Micieli, MDCHD’s Medical Reserve Corp Coordinator, the students and the college were provided with equipment, training, and medical malpractice insurance for all volunteer participants. I could not ask for more: I am very pleased with the professionalism from the MDCHD and our college faculty and staff members working together.
I must thank all the faculty members, the administrative team and fellow nursing students who volunteered their time and energy for this important immunization campaign. As a BSN student, all my professors encourage me to follow my instincts and to pursue advocacy for the student body and the community. Some people think I contributed in putting all the pieces together for this unique synergy among resources to match our particular community needs, but I think of this historical event as the chance of a lifetime to serve as any health care advocate would wish to do.