Physicians, nurses, researchers, medical staff, volunteers and countless others have been battling the COVID-19 pandemic on the frontlines for months. Now, with the COVID-19 vaccine starting to be distributed to eligible groups, the community is one step closer to seeing an eventual end to the pandemic.
Many are reminded of the hard work, sacrifice and dedication that it took to get this point of vaccine distribution.
Pictured below are some moments of gratitude recently captured by university photographer Paula Burch-Celentano at the Tulane Medical Center (TMC).
A handwritten sign, made by Tulane Medical Center’s Child Life/Arts in Medicine, thanking frontline workers is posted next to the elevator on the 2nd floor of the LaSalle Street parking garage. The sign in part reads, “No words could ever express our sincere appreciation.”
Audrey Pennings, a TMC nurse in a neuro step down unit, receives her second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine near her tattoo of her best friend, who is a nurse in Wisconsin – where Pennings is from. “I feel very grateful to have received the vaccine so early being that I'm in such close contact with patients on a daily basis…it is necessary, and I hope the community understands how important it is to protect themselves” she said. Pennings added her co-workers are "an awesome group of co-workers who make me want to come to work every day. We all consider ourselves to be family."
A “Hope is on the horizon” sign in the hallway of TMC thanks those who received the COVID-19 vaccine and encourages them to share a selfie explaining why they “got the shot.”
