Honor Dad by getting the COVID vaccine for Father’s Day!
Father’s Day is June 20! We are celebrating by highlighting fathers, their sons and daughters among Med Center Health employees who have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. Below, they share their stories about why they got the vaccine.
If you or someone you know still needs the vaccine, you can find out how and where to get it at MedCenterHealth.org/vaccines.
Holly Akridge, Purchasing Agent at Med Center Health, says, “Getting the vaccination was absolutely a no brainer in my book. It was a selfless, simple decision. My dad, David Akridge, died of COVID on May 30, 2020 at The Medical Center. Watching his extended hospital stay was heart-wrenching, and terrifying. It was at the height of the pandemic. One of the last things he said was, “You don’t want this mess.” I took that statement and made it a priority. As soon as the vaccination was offered, I was ready. By vaccinating, I am protecting my co-workers. I am protecting the vulnerable. I am able to see my mom without hesitation. I worry less about getting COVID. It’s my contribution toward helping the world see some normalcy. And maybe it will help keep other Dads around for this Father’s Day.”
Dennis Chaney, Vice President of Ancillary Services at Med Center Health, says, “I got fully vaccinated in order to protect those around me. My family is the most precious gift I have, and I desire that they live healthy, productive lives. My work family is equally important to me, and they must stay healthy in order to care for the communities Med Center Health serves.”
Dennis’ son, Will Chaney, also received the vaccine for his family, “I got vaccinated because I had missed my grandparents for the past year. I wanted to visit them and not put them at risk of exposure to COVID. I also got vaccinated so I could continue my job, which involves working with clients in their homes, and again, not put them at risk of exposure to COVID.”
Maggie Tidwell, Marketing Specialist at Med Center Health, got married in February of 2021, and here’s why she got the vaccine. “My dad had a stroke in January of 2020, and we weren’t sure what the future would hold. I got the vaccine to keep my dad safe so he could walk me down the aisle on my wedding day in February. Not only was he almost fully recovered by then and able to walk me down the aisle, he was safe from COVID!”
“I got the vaccine based on four conclusions I had come to: The vaccine could help to prevent my catching the virus which would help to protect others around me. If I did catch the virus, it would help to reduce the severity of the symptoms which would be protecting myself. Being vaccinated might help to encourage those in authority to begin ‘loosening’ our constraints. And, my daughter is GREAT at giving shots, so I knew the experience would be top grade!!” – John Casebolt
“I chose to take the vaccine to protect those I love and protect the most vulnerable in our community including my patients. It was an honor to give my parents the vaccine since one reason I became a nurse was to help my friends and family. I continue to administer the vaccine because I believe in strengthening our community’s defense against the virus.” – Shawnee Wells, RN
When asked why he got the COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Mohammad Abdul Waheed cites the CDC. “Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines, and these vaccines have undergone the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. This monitoring includes using both established and new safety monitoring systems to make sure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe. COVID-19 vaccines cannot give you COVID-19.”
His father, Abdul Khader, says, “We all have a role to play in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. I did my part by getting vaccinated right at the outset. I had no side effects from the vaccine. I feel confident that I will be protected from a severe course of the illness if I am ever infected by the virus. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated at their earliest convenience to help put this pandemic behind us.”