First Watch First Responders: Loc Culp
When Culp, nurse manager of the Medical Intensive Care Unit, saw her first COVID-19 patients, she implemented clinical changes while keeping up with the unrelenting stream of patients admitted into the MICU. Throughout the pandemic, her department has cared for the sickest COVID-19 patients while ensuring the unit was staffed properly and safely.
To incorporate these measures, Culp helped change the MICU department into high-risk and low-risk zones. As a wife and mother of three children, Loc spent long hours at the MICU overseeing the health and well-being of critically ill patients, as well as her 110-member staff.
If it is approved, which could happen within days, health officials said it will be more accessible to more people across North Carolina. The Pfizer vaccine does have to be kept frozen at temperatures lower than we would have typically at clinics and facilities, said Dr. Cindy Gay, an associate professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UNC School of Medicine. That’s going to mean that it’s going to be more available to people in rural areas, where hospitals might not have the capabilities of keeping the Pfizer vaccine cold, said Ronda Decker, nurse manager of operations at Duke Raleigh Hospital. It’s extremely exciting.
Six UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy learners took part in a historic day, preparing and administering the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough on Dec. 15.
“Right from the first year of their pharmacy program, our learners have intensive and comprehensive vaccine training. They are well prepared to help North Carolina’s medical centers distribute and administer this game-changing vaccine. I’m proud of their efforts and delighted that our profession is able to stand at the ready to put an end to this pandemic,” said Angela Kashuba, dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.
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UNC Health began administering the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, the same day the first vaccine shipment arrived in Chapel Hill. Medical workers are among the first group of people in North Carolina who will receive the vaccine.
“It’s really an emotional moment, and I’m so grateful for 10 months of such hard work and to have it culminate today,” said Janet Hadar, president of UNC Hospitals. “It illustrates a turning point for all of us.”
The first person at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill to receive the vaccine was Loc Culp, nurse manager of the medical intensive care unit, where the sickest of the COVID-19 patients are treated.
FAYETTEVILLE
The first COVID-19 vaccine doses arrived in bulk to Fayetteville Tuesday morning. This the day we begin to turn the tide. This is the day we begin to fight back against COVID-19, said Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Mike Nagowski. I wanted to demonstrate to our entire workforce and community that we believe in this vaccine.
Nagowski told ABC11 this first shipment contains about 5,000 doses. Although he s not mandating staffers take it, he s encouraging it. This vaccination in the fight against COVID-19 is highly anticipated.
Three of Cape Fear Valley health hospitals are among the first in the Sandhills to get the initial round of doses. This first round includes front line workers in the medical center s emergency department and COVID inpatient units like Dr. Chima who understands the fear associated with this vaccine and communities of color.