Dominican Hospital Gives 5,000th COVID-19 Vaccination

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2021) – Dignity Health Dominican Hospital today announced it has now given 5,000 COVID-19 vaccinations to Phase 1A health care workers in Santa Cruz County.

When Dominican Hospital began providing the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in late December 2020, its initial focus was the vaccination of the hospital’s frontline clinical staff. The vaccine has now been offered to all hospital employees and affiliated physicians. To date, nearly 80 percent—more than 2,000 staff members in all—who wished to receive the COVID-19 vaccine have received it, with many already having been administered their second and final dose.

More recently, in partnership with the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency, Dominican opened up its vaccination clinics to frontline health care workers across the community including paramedics/EMTs, hospice workers, behavioral health and safety net clinic staff, mortuary services employees, and staff in local physician offices. All told, the hospital has delivered nearly 3,000 vaccinations into the arms of these essential workers.

“Our health care team has faced months of unimaginable adversity and exhaustion,” said Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz, President of Dominican Hospital. “Yet, when asked to help get the COVID-19 vaccine to as many of their clinical colleagues in the community as possible, they didn’t think twice. They dug deep and responded with an enthusiasm I didn’t think was possible. I am humbled by their unbreakable spirits, I am impossibly proud of them, and I am honored to work alongside them.”

“During this challenging phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to publicly acknowledge the tremendous partnership between the Santa Cruz County Public Health Division and our area hospitals,” said Dr. Gail Newel, Health Officer for the County of Santa Cruz. “Dominican Hospital has played a vital role in providing ongoing, quality care to our community while continuing to step up again and again to protect frontline clinical staff from across the county—even as they strain under the worst days of pandemic. They are helping to pave our path out of this historic emergency.”

The size of this group of essential workers is considerable, and Dominican will continue to partner with the County and other health care providers in the community to work through the remaining vaccinations. Meanwhile, local medical groups—including Dignity Health Medical Group-Dominican—have developed comprehensive plans for vaccinating their patients who fall under Phase 1B in alignment with federal, state, and local agency priority guidelines. These patients are urged to speak with their primary care physicians for more information.

To learn more about how Dominican Hospital is addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit dignityhealth.org/Dominican.

About Dominican Hospital

Dignity Health Dominican Hospital has been caring for the Santa Cruz County community for generations. Dominican offers emergency services and is a Certified Stroke Center. Dominican’s services include the only comprehensive Cancer Center in Santa Cruz County, a Total Joint Replacement program, advanced neurological and endoscopic services, and an expert heart and vascular team treating some of the most complex cardiac cases in the Monterey Bay area. Dominican Hospital offers a comprehensive, Baby Friendly-designated Birth Center, and provides an on-site Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) through a partnership with Stanford Children’s Health. Dominican has received national recognition for superior patient safety, cardiac care, and stroke treatment from Healthgrades, a leading provider of comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. Dominican also has received several awards for environmental excellence. Dominican Hospital is planning a $360 million renovation and expansion to ensure that the growing Santa Cruz County community can access world class health care well into the future. The project will allow for advanced technology, new state-of-the-art facilities, and even more innovative healing spaces. To learn more about Dominican Hospital, please visit dignityhealth.org/dominican.

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