Community Partnerships Bring Vaccines to Muncie Southside

Meridian Health Services and Urban Light Church partnered to bring Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to area residents. Photo by Lorri MarkumMeridian Health Services and Urban Light Church partnered to bring Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to area residents. Photo by Lorri Markum

By Lorri Markum, Meridian Health Services—

Muncie, IN—Meridian Health Services and Urban Light Community Church provided opportunities for people in the community to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Associate Pastor Maria Wilson, MSW along with Senior Pastor Andrew Draper, Ph.D. both of Urban Light, are passionate about their congregation and the surrounding community. Wilson and Lisa Suttle, Regional Vice President of Clinical Services for Meridian, work together on Mobilizing Muncie’s Healthcare sub-committee and wanted to fulfill the need to bring vaccines to people, who may have limited opportunities for various reasons to receive a COVID vaccine.

Senior Pastor Andrew Draper, Ph.D. and Associate Pastor Maria Wilson, MSW of Urban Light Church. Photo by Lorri Markum

Senior Pastor Andrew Draper, Ph.D. and Associate Pastor Maria Wilson, MSW of Urban Light Church. Photo by Lorri Markum

Wilson said, “This is a much-needed service to the people who live in the surrounding areas near Urban Light Church.  Many have limited resources for healthcare or opportunities to receive the COVID vaccine. We are so grateful to Meridian to be able to partner and help anyone wanting and needing the vaccine to receive one. These are the kind of events we foresee occurring within the community with the future opening of the Urban Light Social Services hub.”

Meridian staff mobilized the service and set up an inside vaccine clinic in the basement of Urban Lights Church and provided in-car vaccines to those who were not comfortable coming inside or who had mobility limitations.

Meridian Health Services and Urban Light Church partnered to bring Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to area residents. Photo by Lorri Markum

Meridian Health Services and Urban Light Church partnered to bring Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to area residents. Photo by Lorri Markum

“We are so thankful for open partnerships between diverse organizations who see the value of wellness and health for the whole community, especially for vulnerable members of the community,” said Draper.

All 100 allotted doses of the vaccine were given through the one-day clinic to recipients and many willingly voiced their gratitude for being able to receive them so conveniently. Retired nurse, Joyce Mitchell, RN said after receiving her vaccine at the church, “I wanted to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine—My experience receiving it was non-threatening and very professional.”

“Thanks goes to the Delaware County Health Department for transferring the Johnson and Johnson vaccines to Meridian Health Services.  They helped to make the clinic possible for the community.  We had a great turnout and received tremendous positive feedback about the vaccine clinic and service,” Suttle said.

For more information about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine at Meridian, go to www.MeridianHS.org