One Thousand Vaccinations and Counting: Bard Crosses Milestone at Latest Booster Clinic
L-R: Jonja Merck ’22 and Dr. Neal Smoller at the February 7 booster clinic at Bard College. Photo by AnnAnn Puttithanasorn ’23
To date, more than 1,000 COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered on Bard College’s Annandale campus. This milestone was achieved after a booster clinic held on February 7 at the Stevenson Athletic Center. Through the joint efforts of student volunteers, College faculty and staff, and local health officials, Bard’s six clinics have helped the College achieve its impressive 99% vaccination rate. This community approach is important to Bard’s commitment to public health, says Barbara-Jean Briskey, director of health services. “This is one way that everyone is gathering in order to promote the health and well-being of not only themselves, but others,” Briskey observes.
Student volunteers have been integral to the success of the vaccination clinics. Jonja Merck ’22 was so inspired by his experience working with Village Apothecary’s Dr. Neal Smoller at local clinics that he became involved with the Bard efforts as well. Merck is a senior double-majoring in music and theater and performance. “The most rewarding part of this work is the thought that I am able to help so many people get back to work and continue in-person classes,” he says. “The clinics made me realize how grateful I am for being part of the greater Bard community.”
Dean of Students Bethany Nohlgren organized the on-campus clinics with Dr. Smoller, who administered vaccines with the help of student, faculty, and staff volunteers. Study Abroad Adviser Trish Fleming, Assistant Registrar Craig Jude, and Professor of German Franz Kempf were also instrumental in the effort. At the latest booster clinic, vaccine recipients were greeted enthusiastically by Nohlgren and the team. That day, as staff and volunteers delivered the shots that would push Bard over the 1,000 vaccination mark on campus, there was a collective sense of purpose—a sense that we are all in this together.
Post Date: 02-15-2022
Student volunteers have been integral to the success of the vaccination clinics. Jonja Merck ’22 was so inspired by his experience working with Village Apothecary’s Dr. Neal Smoller at local clinics that he became involved with the Bard efforts as well. Merck is a senior double-majoring in music and theater and performance. “The most rewarding part of this work is the thought that I am able to help so many people get back to work and continue in-person classes,” he says. “The clinics made me realize how grateful I am for being part of the greater Bard community.”
Dean of Students Bethany Nohlgren organized the on-campus clinics with Dr. Smoller, who administered vaccines with the help of student, faculty, and staff volunteers. Study Abroad Adviser Trish Fleming, Assistant Registrar Craig Jude, and Professor of German Franz Kempf were also instrumental in the effort. At the latest booster clinic, vaccine recipients were greeted enthusiastically by Nohlgren and the team. That day, as staff and volunteers delivered the shots that would push Bard over the 1,000 vaccination mark on campus, there was a collective sense of purpose—a sense that we are all in this together.
Post Date: 02-15-2022