UMass Medical School students are trained and ready to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to Worcester-area residents. Thirteen Graduate School of Nursing students taught more than 150 School of Medicine students to give the intramuscular injections. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences students will help track participants.
“Our campus is special; three schools but we work together to get the job done,” said Jill Terrien, PhD, ANP-BC, associate professor of nursing and associate dean of interprofessional and community partnerships in the GSN. Dr. Terrien was speaking from the Worcester Senior Center on Saturday, Jan. 9, where the training was completed. “And that’s what we are doing right now.”
Worcester Division of Public Health Medical Director Michael Hirsh, MD, professor of surgery and pediatrics and assistant vice provost for wellness and health promotion at UMMS, said the students will play a key role in getting the much-needed vaccinations to the community.
“The Department of Health realized early on that once a vaccine was developed, we would need an army of vaccinators,” Dr. Hirsh said. “We are finally playing offense with more than just masks and distance and washing your hands.”
“I am proud to be able to step up with everyone,” said Christopher Lee, SOM ’22. “It really is what makes UMass Medical School special.”
Related media coverage:
Telegram & Gazette: UMass nursing grads train medical students how to administer COVID-19 vaccines
Boston 25 News: Worcester med students to learn to administer vaccines ahead of Monday rollout <
Spectrum News: UMass Medical School Students are Preparing for Worcester's Vaccine Super Site to Open Monday
WCVB-TV: UMass Medical students continue training to administer COVID-19 vaccine
CBS Boston: Medical School Students Learn How To Administer COVID-19 Vaccines To Help Nurses
WHDH-TV: 160 UMass Medical students trained to help with Worcester vaccination effort
Related links on UMassMed News:
UMass Medical School students to administer COVID-19 vaccinations for Worcester area
Chancellor Collins and President Meehan call for COVID-19 Vaccine Corps in Boston Globe op-ed
Student-led virtual wellness program provides companionship to older, hospitalized COVID patients
