‘Absolute euphoria’ as thousands are vaccinated for COVID-19 in West Michigan
Updated Dec 30, 2020;
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KALAMAZOO, MI Hospitals in West Michigan now have a tool meant to stop the coronavirus from spreading, and they are using it as fast as they can.
Local hospitals are giving vaccination injections to people as fast as logistically possible, while planning to expand to other groups once enough of the vaccine is in hand. With every shot given, the recipient has a greatly reduced chance of catching the COVID-19 virus, Spectrum Senior Vice Principal of Hospital Operations Chad Tuttle said.
“It’s absolute euphoria amongst the team members who are able to get the vaccine,” Tuttle said in a Tuesday, Dec. 29, interview with MLive, speaking of emotional celebrations as the healthcare workers are vaccinated.
Rehabilitation physician Richard Ball, M.D., was the first person immunized. Author: 13 ON YOUR SIDE Staff Published: 6:24 AM EST December 24, 2020 Updated: 6:24 AM EST December 24, 2020
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday morning and vaccinations started that afternoon.
Rehabilitation physician Richard Ball, M.D., was the first person immunized. He’s the medical director of the Mary Free Bed Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program, which trains physicians specializing in rehabilitation medicine. Dr. Ball also performs specialized testing in Mary Free Bed outpatient programs.
The physicians, nursing staff members, therapists and representatives from the dietary and environmental services teams followed. The remaining doses in this first shipment will be given to frontline caregivers next week.
Doctor recounts 3-month battle with COVID-19 as he heads home for Christmas
Updated Dec 24, 2020;
GRAND RAPIDS, MI A doctor who had been on the frontlines fighting the COVID-19 pandemic since March, was himself fighting for his own life the past three months.
In late September, 47-year-old Mercy Health’s Dr. Channing Finkbeiner quarantined himself at home with COVID-19 symptoms until Oct. 9, when was admitted to Mercy Health St. Mary’s campus. There, he was in the intensive care unit for 47 days.
During that time, he spent 37 days on a ventilator fighting for his life. After the fifth day on the ventilator, things got so bad that palliative care was called so his family could visit with him one last time.
First round of staff at Mary Free Bed gets Moderna s COVID-19 vaccine
Posted at 6:34 AM, Dec 24, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-24 06:36:14-05
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. â Some physicians, nurses, and therapists were among the first at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday.
The hospital received its shipment early Wednesday morning and started administering them in the afternoon.
Rehabilitation physician Richard Ball, M.D., was the first person immunized. The remaining doses in this first shipment will be given to frontline caregivers next week. There s really no reason not to get it, Ball said.
Nakiah Mayfield was the first nurse to administer the vaccine.