LYNN — Staff members at Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS) are assisting the City of Lynn with its vaccination efforts.
Rosemary Durant, Registered Nurse and GLSS’ Nurse Manager, and GLSS Home Care nurse Carolyn Coan-Andrews have been assisting in preparing vaccines for administration at the Lynn Tech Fieldhouse site.
“There were many volunteers from both the community and the Lynn Community Health Center directing consumers and answering questions,” Durant stated. “The Lynn Fire Department was out in full force and was a big help.”
Durant said that the entire process, from registration to distribution, at Lynn Tech seemed organized and went smoothly.
Staff members Liz Bulkley, Moeun Him and Joey Sawyer-Shaw are currently working with the Lynn Community Health Center on a series of education videos highlighting the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.
The media team has been creating videos to assist in educating staff, consumers, and the general public about COVID-19 and developing programming to reduce stress and isolation.
During the past year, GLSS has delivered Meals on Wheels, brought food to local shelters, distributed Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, organized toy drives, and gave out Grab & Go meals and bags of groceries.
“I have been at GLSS for almost a year now, and during that time, I have witnessed so many acts of caring and compassion among our staff,” said GLSS CEO Kathryn C. Burns. “As I have said before, it continually reaffirms for me my decision to join this incredible organization.”
On Monday, Paula Gonzalez and Nurse Supervisor Michelle Syed volunteered at the busiest clinic yet, assisting with vaccinations for over 750 people.
“It is really our honor and privilege to be able to do this,” Syed said.
Staff working at Supportive Housing Sites partnered with the City’s Board of Health and Housing Authority to offer vaccination clinics.
Maloney Properties, which manages St. Theresa House and St. Mary’s Plaza, worked with CVS to distribute vaccines to over 90 residents over the course of four clinics.
Resident Services Coordinator Iliana Arzola worked with the Lynn Board of Health and Simon Properties to put together a clinic at Silsbee Tower Apartments, to distribute vaccines to about 60 residents.
“I am so grateful to Simon Properties for opening its doors to the residents of nearby McGee House and Olive Street,” program manager Maureen Teal said. “Residents at those sites were delighted to be included.”
“Throughout the pandemic, consumer, clinical, and protective services staff have gone above and beyond to stay connected with our consumers, and, at this critical time, everyone is doing their part to help people get vaccinated,” said Holly Jarrell-Marcinelli, Director of Consumer Services. “Both our nursing and supportive housing staff have jumped in to support vaccine clinic operations in the city of Lynn.”
