|
April 21, 2022
Media contact: OHA External Relations, orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us
Agency celebrates National Volunteer Week by crediting health care, AmeriCorps VISTA members for helping advance health equity
PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is celebrating National Volunteer Week, April 17-23, by recognizing the commitment of thousands of health care professionals and AmeriCorps VISTA members who volunteered in support of the agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As you know, emergencies are complex. They require more than just a state or local agency or health system coming together to protect the public,” Oregon Public Health Director Rachael Banks said in a letter today to SERV-OR and AmeriCorps volunteers. “Communities and organizations coming together are what shape our response and recovery from crisis. We thank you for being part of this coordinated community effort that strengthened our ability to face what lies ahead. As a volunteer in Oregon, you embody the shared values of service and responsibility.”
National Volunteer Week is dedicated to recognizing the impact volunteer service has on communities. It provides an opportunity for OHA to recognize and express appreciation for the countless hours of service volunteers dedicate to keeping Oregonians healthy.
OHA recruited volunteers for its COVID-19 response from two programs it supports: the State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Oregon, or SERV-OR, a statewide registry system that helps pre-credentialed health care professionals volunteer their services during emergencies with significant health impacts; and the OHA AmeriCorps VISTA Partnership Project, which offers new public health professionals a year of full-time service in major public health organizations to create or expand staff capacity of the state’s public health system.
Nearly 1,000 SERV-OR volunteers have supported thousands of COVID-19 testing and vaccination events throughout Oregon during 2021 and 2022, completing more than 65,000 hours of volunteer service and supporting nearly 8,000 COVID-19 vaccination events. Fifty-three OHA AmeriCorps VISTA members served more than 50,000 hours and at least 300 activities to support the state’s COVID-19 response.
SERV-OR volunteers served in roles that included contact tracer, behavioral health specialist, vaccinator, vaccine preparation, medical observation, non-clinical roles such as traffic control and registration check-in, and as on-site health care providers. They also supported patients who had anxiety about vaccine side effects, concerns about allergic reactions, questions about their medical history and other issues. Click here to find the complete list of SERV-OR volunteers and organizations that were recognized for their effort in 2021 and 2022.
AmeriCorps VISTA members served in capacity-building roles in local, community-based and state public health agencies to develop and create personal protective equipment (PPE) drop-off sites and inventory; created geographic mapping resources; served on incident management teams; supported after-action reporting; and created numerous web- and social media-based resources for partners, stakeholders and community members.
“To choose a life of service is a juxtaposed path,” said Sophie Miller-DeSart, OHA’s SERV-OR and Medical Reserve Corps state coordinator. “Fulfillment through selflessness. Growth through giving. Compassion during crisis. To the SERV-OR volunteer coordinators, volunteer responders, and your families, we thank you for your outstanding example of service to others.”
###
 You are subscribed to Oregon Health Authority News Releases. View all OHA news releases.
|
