Salinas Valley Health received 975 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

Salinas Valley Health received 975 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine this morning. In anticipation of the delivery, the hospital’s vaccine task force had identified a list of the most high risk frontline staff working in critical patient care areas. Our clinical teams, employee health department, pharmacy, lab and others worked diligently to identify a process that would allow for the vaccine to be properly stored and administered immediately. The vaccination process began shortly after noon and will continue today through the weekend and Monday if needed. We hope to vaccinate up to two hundred staff, physicians and providers today.

Salinas Valley Health President and CEO Pete Delgado will be waiting to get the vaccine until after key frontline staff receive it however he did stop by this afternoon’s vaccination process to share in the excitement and offer his appreciation to everyone working to bring this crisis to an end.

“I couldn’t be more proud of everything you are doing for our patients, the community and quite frankly each other. This is an important milestone in protecting the people who have put their own lives at risk to care for our patients. The vaccine provides relief and hope but we know there are months ahead in which masking and social distancing remain essential behavior to get us through this crisis. For now though, let’s celebrate the moment.”

Salinas Valley Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Radner received the first vaccine, quickly followed by the following individuals and many others (names below provided for spelling/titles of those present at media availability)

Emergency Department:

Angie Guerra, RN

Chandra Brantley, RN

Respiratory Therapy:

Charles Parsons, RT

Louis Villaneda, Sr., RT

COVID-19 Unit:

Sheri Motsenbocker, RN

Jessica Schloemer, RN

Physicians:

Mahendra Poudel, MD

Medical Director Infectious Disease

Kelsey Gray, MD

Pulmonary and Critical Care

David Ramos, MD

Emergency Department

Vaccine Photos by Richard Green:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/exdfbwyhr09n5j4/_RG_7812.jpg?dl=0

Fresh Video of COVID unit

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2iinuwewmrt9s6q/AADYKj9OrOeG5Ura3WE4X6sia?dl=0

Photos of COVID Unit by Richard Green

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3mxi85zkhxybf3m/AAAF1ten1TBsR5jc7ILgwwu2a?dl=0