Since early January 2021, a team of faculty and students from Howard Payne University’s School of Nursing has administered more than 2,000 COVID-19 vaccinations at sites in the Brownwood area. HPU students and faculty are working to provide vaccines under the direction of the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department and Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood. This is a collaborative effort of front-line first responders and health care workers.
The work represents a major step in helping to curb the spread of the virus in local communities, particularly among older and other high-risk patients.
“We’re a faith-based program and we know God calls us to help our community,” said Dr. Nina Ouimette, dean of the School of Nursing. “This is a part of that call to serve. We wouldn’t even consider not stepping in to help.”
HPU’s contingent is led by Dr. Ouimette; Dr. Laci Sutton, assistant professor of nursing; Chris Sutton, assistant professor of nursing; and Dr. Tina Theriaque, adjunct nursing faculty member. Students in the group included Chyna Allgood, a junior from Brookesmith; Adrien Barrientos, a senior from Lewisville; Alyssa Corpus, a junior from Houston; Hanna Crow, a senior from Brownwood; Madeline Dawson, a junior from Tolar; Payton Hackney, a junior from Early; Josie McClung, a senior from Brownwood; Hayley North, a junior from Plano; Ashley Strong, a senior from Brownwood; and Kira Teel, a senior from San Antonio.
Prior to working at the vaccination sites, students and faculty received Centers for Disease Control and Prevention training specific to the vaccines being used in Brown County. The primary role of HPU students and faculty at the sites is to screen for contraindications and precautions in patient’s records, administer vaccines and educate patients.
As of March 29, all adults in Texas are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The School of Nursing will continue to assist as vaccines are administered in Brown County.
Visit www.hputx.edu/nursing to learn more about the School of Nursing at HPU.