OAHHS Hospital Voice Spring/Summer 2021

16 » A magazine for and about Oregon Community Hospitals. IN CLATSOP COUNTY, A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER FOR THE VACCINE By Dave Northfield At the Clatsop County Fair- grounds in Astoria, some who came to roll up a sleeve and get the vaccine were overcome with emotion at the prospect of receiv- ing this scientific miracle. “We had people coming here who were crying because they were so excited they were finally being able to get vaccinated,” said Chris Laman, head of the county’s vac- cine task force and a member of the senior leadership team at Columbia Memorial Hospital. In this rural county, the vaccine clinics had a community feel, with friends and neighbors taking care of one another. There were also several happy reunions with peo- ple who missed spending in- person time together during the worst of the pandemic. “When I walked in, I saw nurses from the hospital, people from the county health department, I’ve seen patients of mine that are volunteering, it’s heartwarming,” said Dr. Angela Nairn, a physician volunteer who administered doz- ens of shots that day. “It makes me feel proud to be part of our community and our county.” Laman has overseen an effort that by early June had given over 35,000 doses. He said multiple organizations united behind the singular goal of protecting their community. Laman singled out Columbia Memorial CEO Erik Thorsen for praise. “It was kind of his vision that there would be this group that came together and helped lead it, and a very collaborative group, so CMH working with Providence Seaside Hospital, working with the health department, working with other community-based organizations,” said Laman, who also gave credit to his leadership colleagues who covered the duties of his “day job” (he is the administrative director of the CMH oncology program as well as the Director of Pharmacy) while he spent 70–80 hours a week on the vaccine effort. “It has been a lot of work, and very challenging to put it all together,” said Laman. “But being at the clinic, oh man, it makes it so worthwhile.” Hundreds of volunteers have made the effort possible, bringing an infectious positive energy to the proceedings. “The volunteers, the fact that they were giving so much time and effort and energy to be there, that was inspiring,” said Laman. “We could not have done it without them.” The task force has also brought the vaccine to people outside the large events. Working with at