May 27, 2021
In today’s update, you will find important information, including:
- Removing Barriers to Vaccination in Oregon: A Message from Jeff
- Removing Barriers to Vaccination in Oregon: Targeted Outreach
- COVID-19 Vaccine Updates: KPNW Audio Broadcast
- Last Chance to Get a Vaccine at OCC – and Maybe Win $1 Million
- Your Mental Health: Picking Up the Pieces After COVID-19
Removing Barriers to Vaccination in Oregon
A Message from Jeff Collins, President, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of the Northwest
As our region races to vaccinate our communities, we know that equitable distribution is key to protecting our most vulnerable populations, which have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Recent data from the Oregon Health Authority shows that 51% of Oregonians have been vaccinated. In our region, 60% of our Northwest members age 12 and older have received the vaccine. However, the vaccination rate in Oregon for Black, Latinx, and American Indian and Alaska Native residents is hovering just above 30%. I’m proud to say that over the past several months, Kaiser Permanente has led an organized, multipronged effort to instill confidence in our communities. Read more here.
Targeted Outreach to Black and Latino Populations in Portland
To make the path to vaccination easier, Kaiser Permanente reached out to members of vulnerable populations and invited them to attend recent vaccine events at medical offices in their neighborhood.
Two such culturally focused vaccine events for Latino Kaiser Permanente members were held recently at the Kaiser Permanente Rockwood and Sunset medical offices. Read more here.
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates: KPNW Audio Broadcast
Thank you to all who were able to join Tuesday’s live audio broadcast. If you missed it or want to review and discuss key topics with your team:
Topics discussed on May 25:
- Welcome and Community Update | Dr. Mary Giswold (00:00 – 02:57)
- KP Vaccine Update | Dr. Eric Warshaw (2:58 – 12:57)
- Clinical Vaccine Update | Dr. Katie Sharff (12:58 – 25:58)
- Mental Health | Dr. Han Liang (25:59 – 37:27)
- Close | Wendy Watson (37:28 – 45:17)
Enjoy this beautiful and hopeful message | Don’t Give Up – featuring Mia Stegner
Last Chance to Get a Vaccine at OCC – and Maybe Win $1 Million
All Oregonians age 12 and older are now eligible to make an appointment or walk in at the Oregon Convention Center. But today, May 27 is the last day to get your first dose at this location! And June 1 to 19 the Pfizer second dose will be available at OCC. To make an appointment, go to All4Oregon.org.
And, in case you missed it: Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has announced lottery prizes ranging from $10,000 to $1 million for Oregonians vaccinated against COVID-19 – a strategy meant to address the dramatically decreasing numbers of residents inoculated each day. Read more here.
Your Mental Health: Picking Up the Pieces After COVID-19
The mental health aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic is different for everyone. Whether you lost a loved one, were a front-line health care worker, or have been isolated with chronic stress for over a year, the psychological impact can be hard to overcome.
Leah Whitworth, a licensed marriage and family therapist and behavioral health manager of Adult Psychiatry at the Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center, explains the different forms of post trauma people may be experiencing now and ways to transition safely and smoothly into an opening world. Read more here and get advice on how to navigate life after the mentally grueling pandemic.
Vaccination Quick Facts
Here is a snapshot of the most current vaccination data as of May 12. Visit the newly enhanced COVID-19 Quick Facts Dashboard for up-to-date, key data on the virus and vaccines. (NOTE: We can now track targeted efforts underway to improve vaccination rates within certain ethnic/racial groups to see if they are effective. A new graph in the demographic view shows race/ethnic groups and compares their vaccination rates to those of whites over time. Select a specific age group or all ages combined. The new graph reveals some promising results!)
KPNW Superhero Award Winners
Jennifer Robbins, Team Lead with Hospice and Palliative Care, Montgomery Park
Jennifer Robbins is a superhero because not only does she put our patients first, she also provides support and guidance for all who work in Hospice. She places a priority on ensuring the patient and family are heard and honored. Read more.
Kaiser Permanente North Lancaster (NLR) Pacific Islander Vaccination Team
In March, the NLR Pacific Islander vaccination team, in partnership with the Oregon Pacific Islander Coalition (OPIC) and its partner organizations, held a culturally targeted, one-day clinic that administered 160 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Read more.
The KPNW Superhero Award celebrates this excellence by recognizing the creative and collaborative ways your teammates support our company, our members, and community. Help spread the word! Post the KPNW Superhero Award flier in break rooms, and wherever teams gather for meetings / huddles and nominate your hero today!