June 24, 2021
In today’s update, you will find important information, including:
- 15 Days Remaining: Get Your First COVID-19 Vaccine Dose by July 9
- Audio Broadcast Recap
- Take Care During Sweltering Heat this Weekend
- Vaccination Quick Facts
- KPNW Superhero Award Winner Nicole Kurkowski
15 Days Remaining
Get your first COVID-19 vaccine dose by July 9 for a chance to win rewards and celebrate a full and healthy return to life’s activities. We’re getting closer to achieving a 70% member vaccination rate – but our efforts continue because we know that the COVID-19 vaccination protects ourselves and our families, co-workers, members, and patients.
Things to Do Today:
- Spread the word about Kaiser Permanente’sImmUNITY Sweepstakes, open to all vaccinated KP members – and anyone we vaccinate for COVID-19 – who have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by July 9. A thousand Be Well Rewards include a family trip to Disneyland, a National park rewards pack, a wellness retreat, healthy meal delivery for a year, a gym membership, and personal fitness equipment! Post fliers (attached) in English and Spanish.
- Use the How to talk about COVID-19 vaccines (also attached) when talking to members or patients about getting vaccinated.
- Listen to Dr. Katie Sharff talk to OPB about why this is going to be “an ongoing push and ongoing project through the rest of the year.”
Take a moment to celebrate all of the hard work connected with COVID-19 – from the patients we’ve cared for to the members we’ve vaccinated. The work you do, every day, matters more than ever.
Get a Recap of the KPNW COVID-19 Vaccine Audio Broadcast
Thank you to all who joined yesterday’s live audio broadcast. If you missed it or want to review and discuss key topics with your team:
Topics discussed on June 22 – Vaccine Update:
- Welcome and Community Update | Dr. Mary Giswold (00:00 – 05:28)
- KP Vaccine Update | Dr. Eric Warshaw (05:29 – 08:58)
- Vaccine Hesitancy Discussion (fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding) | Dr. Jason Hashima and Dr. Catherine Kent (08:59 – 20:29)
- Clinical Vaccine Update | Dr. Katie Sharff (20:30 – 36:14)
- Infection Prevention Update | Dr. Steve Spindel (36:15 – 42:35)
- Q&A | (42:36 – 47:42)
- Close | Wendy Watson (47:43 – 49:15)
Take Care During Sweltering Heat this Weekend
The extreme heat wave parching the West is moving this weekend into the Portland metro area and Willamette Valley. Forecasts call for temperatures as high as 111 on Sunday. Read about heat-related illnesses and how to prevent them. And consider these safety tips for yourself and our members:
- Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical updates from the National Weather Service (NWS).
- Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
- Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
- Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
- Check on your animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.
Vaccination Quick Facts
Here is a snapshot of the most current vaccination data as of June 9. KPNW health plan and hospital employees have hit 77.8%! How can we boost that number? Visit the COVID-19 Quick Facts Dashboard for up-to-date, key data on the virus and vaccines.
KPNW Superhero Award Winner
Nicole Kurkowski, Interim Manager, Ambulatory Care Clinical Support Staffing and Scheduling
As interim manager for Clinical Support Staffing and Scheduling, Nicole Kurkowski performs daily COVID-19 support activities. At the peak of COVID-19 deployment, Nicole helped a small and mighty team staff thousands of shifts daily, helping to keep our teams and patients safe. 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!
Belonging at KP
June 25, noon to 12:50 p.m.: Deanna Dudley, vice president, Human Resources for Health Plan and Hospitals, will hold the second annual Juneteenth listening session with our BRGs to provide a psychologically safe platform for open, courageous discussion about BIPOC employee experiences.
Erin Waters, a Kaiser Permanente equity, inclusion, and diversity consultant, participated in a Portland Business Journal event to highlight the importance of diversity in the workplace. Read her interview in the PBJ.