Reaching out to rise to the challenge
A small but mighty team at St. Joseph’s has been helping to ensure vulnerable individuals in our community receive COVID-19 vaccinations. This trio of staff members, called the COVID Response and Stabilization Team (CRST), volunteer their time administering the vaccine in London area group homes.
Originally formed in January 2021 to act as emergency support to local long-term care facilities and retirement homes, this team was trained and ready to step in should the need arise. However, due in large part due to the successful vaccination of the vast majority of long-term care and retirement home residents and staff, they were never deployed.
Still wanting to provide meaningful support, the CRST team, which includes clinical nurse specialist Michelle Fredette Carragher and administrative professionals Joanna Teixeira and Brett Elliot, shifted its focus to the mobile vaccination efforts of the Middlesex-London Health Unit. Omer Vandevyvere, coordinator of St. Joseph's Operational Stress Injury Clinic, provided leadership and support for the team. They have been deployed since April on a part-time basis into London and region’s mental health and developmental sector group homes.
“It’s been a humbling experience for all of us,” says clinical nurse specialist Michelle Fredette Carragher, who administers the COVID-19 vaccines as part of this voluntary team effort. “It’s been meaningful to see staff step up to help ease the burden of this pandemic and rise to challenges. It’s a big part of the St. Joseph’s spirit.”
Residents of more than 20 homes in the area have received their vaccinations through the initiative – a powerful tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in these vulnerable, congregate living settings.
“Some people may have been given their first dose in a hospital setting and were then transferred into a long-term care facility. We go into these long-term care homes and provide the vaccine to those who may have missed their second dose upon being transferred to a new facility. We look for these gaps to ensure no one is missed,” says Michelle.
Also part of this work, the team has been going into the homes of individuals with mental health challenges who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
“It’s the relief on family member’s faces that really hits home,” says Michelle. “Some of the people we provide vaccines for have dual diagnosis mental health and developmental challenges who are too unwell to go into a larger vaccination clinic or where going would provoke too much anxiety and stress for that particular individual. We meet people where they are at and go to them.”
Joanna Teixeira, who is responsible for registering individuals into COVAX tracking system, agrees that the work has been an eye-opening experience.
“Every week, I am amazed by the hard work of the staff who work in long-term care and retirement facilities and the incredible challenges many staff and patients face throughout this pandemic. It’s been an amazing experience,” says Joanna.
The team plans to continue their effort through the summer months and notes that second dose vaccines in congregate living homes often means these individuals have fewer COVID-19 restrictions to follow, which opens their world to possible day trips, outings and much-needed hugs from essential caregivers.
“I love being part of this team,” says administrative professional Brett Elliot. “It was a chance to step out of my comfort zone and do something to help vulnerable people in our community.”
The team has found themselves relying on each other for support and building a bond they never anticipated.
“Joanna and Brett have been the heart and soul of this team,” says Michelle. They not only do all the organizing, but they often go with me into the homes of community members who receive the vaccine. They hold their hands, they talk to them with such compassion, and support me too. It’s a service leadership mentally that inspires me every day – if there is a need, we will serve the public as best we can.”