Local health care professionals receive COVID-19 vaccines. 

Madeline Beld receives a vaccine from registered nurse Carol Robinson

Local health care professionals receive COVID-19 vaccines. 

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital held its first COVID-19 vaccination clinic Wednesday, Dec. 23, vaccinating hospital personnel, as recommended by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and District Health Department No. 10 guidelines. 

“I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time,” said nurse practitioner Madeline Beld, who was the first of the 40 people to receive the Moderna vaccine. “I know that everyone else in healthcare has too. It’s been a crazy last year for everybody and especially for those in healthcare who are working with COVID patients every day. I think this is a step forward in the right direction. It’s nice to have some positive things.” 

Physician assistant Susan Persson of Third Coast Family Practice of Scottville was the second person to receive the vaccine. 

Holli Werner, SHLH business assurance specialist, holds up a vile of the vaccine.

“I feel really honored to be here today getting this vaccine, and I’m excited about all of the work that went into the making of this vaccine and its distribution and that we’re here today for it. I think it’s a really big first step for us here in our nation getting things back on track. I was really surprised to be the second person vaccinated at Ludington Hospital and very happy. This year has had its ups and downs. I’ll be anxious for our whole community to be able to get vaccinated.”

John Bottrell, SHLH respiratory therapist, receives a vaccine.

The experience was emotional for occupational therapist Lynne Twining. “Getting the vaccine for me is very emotional. I’ve had a lot of patients–as many of the patient-facing members of our team have—that have lost loved ones, have lost their jobs, have lost their sense of worth from being sick and needing to rely on other people, people grieving from the losses and just the fear that not only our patients but that we have in dealing with this and trying to provide the best care. I guess it just means finally hope. Hope that we can come out of this fear and gridlock and start taking back what’s important to us, our quality of life and our vocation and pursuits of leisure activities and our loved ones. I really think we’re going to come out of this with a much stronger appreciation for the things we never thought about before.”

The vaccine is not mandatory for Spectrum Health employees. Plans to distribute and administer the vaccine evolve based on vaccine inventory from the government. 

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