On Jan. 28 at 9 p.m., Jenny Brackett, assistant administrator of ambulatory clinics, received a call: There was a refrigeration issue at another local healthcare organization, and the hospital needed help administering as many Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses as possible before they expired at 5:30 a.m.
“I called a team of leaders at UW Medical Center – Northwest and Montlake and I asked, ‘Is this crazy or are we doing this?’ Without hesitation it was a unanimous yes. Suddenly we were on-site and gearing up for a mass vaccination effort,” Brackett recalls.
Individuals across UW Medicine, volunteers and firefighters launched into action. Some staff who had been working since 7 a.m. answered the call to help, while one retired nurse who arrived to receive a vaccine jumped in to administer doses as well.
(From left to right) Autumn Kita, Adam Parcher, Christin Gordanier and Mary Jo Kelly at UW Medical Center – Northwest.
The goal was to first vaccinate eligible individuals, then those who would soon be eligible in upcoming phases. Ultimately, the team wanted to ensure that no doses were wasted.
A crowd of Seattleites appeared — some in pajamas and blankets — all waiting to be vaccinated. Onlookers cheered as older individuals were selected to move up in line and receive a dose.
(From left to right) Zubeda Adem, Kemeria Beshir, Sabreen Tuku and Hibaq Ibrahim wait in line for the vaccine.
Through a combined effort of UW Medical Center – Montlake, UW Medical Center – Northwest, Swedish and the Seattle Fire Department, all 1,600 doses from the failed freezer were administered.
“I’m inspired by and grateful for the team I work with. The vaccination team on-site was by and large senior leadership. They showed up and stepped up in a big way,” says Brackett. “We had nurses, physicians, administrators and retired nurses who moved people through quickly with skill and expertise, remaining cool, calm and collected while the room buzzed with energy and excitement. This was one of the best team efforts I’ve ever been a part of. Our chief nursing officer Cindy Sayre said it was a highlight of her career, and it is definitely one of mine.”
Left image: Keri Nasenbeny (left) and Mary Jo Kelly (right) prepare the doses at UW Medical Center – Northwest. Right image: Chris Postiglione administers a vaccine at UW Medical Center – Montlake.
(Back row, left to right) Lindsay Boyd and Chantelle Dykstra; (front row, left to right) Carly Baxter, Gaby Booth and Dr. David Chhieng at UW Medical Center – Montlake.
Left image: Seth Hennessey (left) and Karen Craddick (right) at UW Medical Center – Northwest. Right image: patient Jamal Idris (left) and Seattle Fire Department Lt. Brian Wallace (right).
Thank you to the staff, volunteers and firefighters for your above-and-beyond work to vaccinate our community and keep us safe and healthy.
UW Medical Center – Northwest vaccination site volunteers
Josh Black, RN
Jenny Brackett, MBA, MHA
Karen Craddick, PharmD
Cheri Constantino-Shor, MSN, RN, CRNI, CMSRN
Edel Cornejo
Brooks Drollinger, CAN
Jaclyn Elamparo, RN
Christin Gordanier, RN
Carolyn Grant, RN
Caroline Hamilton, MD
Leslie Hampton, MN, RN
Seth Hennessey, MHA
Charity Holmes, RN, MSN
Michelle Hubert
Linh Huynh, RN
Nima Karamoonz, MD
Mary Jo Kelly, DNP, ARNP-CNS, CCNS, CCRN
Autumn Kita, RN
Jane McNulty, RN
Keri Nasenbeny, MHA, RN
Caroline Ngige, RN
Adam Parcher, PharmD, MHA
Laura Quinnan, MD
Elise Simons, MD
Lamin Sisawo, RN
Sue Theiler, RN
John Tapia, RN
Linh Tran, RN
Vangie Yamada
Nan Ybarra
Suzanne White, RN, MSN, MPH, CMSRN
UW Medical Center – Montlake vaccination site volunteers
Amanda Banks
Carly Baxter
Mary Grace Bermudez
Gaby Booth
Lindsay Boyd, RN, MS
David Chhieng, MD, MBA MSHI, MSEM
Nancy Colobong Smith, MN, ARNP, CNN
Morea Daley
Anthony Desantis, MD
Chantelle Dykstra, RN
Mandi Rae Garcia
Florenda Jones
Lindsay McGinn
Sara Mohamed, MBA
Kyle Moy
Alison North, CNM, ARNP
Chris Postiglione
Nicholas Postiglione, MBA
Lauren Rieth
Cindy Sayre, PhD, RN
Kathy Sullivan-Wimer
Seattle Fire Department vaccination volunteers
Lt. Matthew Anderson
Roger Bianchi, firefighter
Dan Clark, firefighter
Drew LaMaita, firefighter
Miki Mann, paramedic
Justin Peterson, paramedic
Garth Stroyan, firefighter
Capt. Brian Wallace
