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LYNN — New data from the Lynn Community Health Center shows stark racial disparities in vaccine distribution citywide, but when taking into account which patients are eligible for the vaccine, shows that LCHC has been particularly equitable in its vaccine distribution. The Lynn Community Health Center will receive a boost in those efforts thanks to a $6.85 million federal grant it has been awarded through the American Rescue Plan, which will enable LCHC to expand its COVID-19 vaccination, testing and treatment for vulnerable populations. “When you look at citywide data, the numbers are not particularly equitable,” said Dr. Catherine Reyes of the Lynn Community Health Center. “But when you hone in on health center patients who are eligible for the vaccine, it was fairly proportional for our demographics.” Citywide, the data shows Hispanics make up 45 percent of the population, yet only 21 percent of those individuals had received at least one dose of vaccine as of March 25. Asians make up 7 percent of the city, but only account for 5 percent of its vaccinated individuals. And African-Americans make up 12 percent of the city, but only 9 percent of that group had been vaccinated. In contrast, Caucasians make up just 33 percent of the city’s population, but account for more than half, or 54 percent, of its vaccinated individuals. LCHC reported that discrepancy stems largely from data that shows the white population in Lynn tends to trend older, and are thus more likely to have become eligible for the vaccine sooner. “By prioritizing based on age you do tend to have a disproportionate effect on the population,” said Reyes. ...

https://www.itemlive.com/2021/03/31/successes-and-disparities-in-lynns-vaccine-rollout/

By Alice Lee

March 30, 2021

Organizations can achieve the seemingly impossible when they have steadfast lean leadership, a sharp focus on purpose, and experience applying "classic" lean thinking and practice. Here's an example.

No one has time, money, or resources to address the same problems again and again, especially a year into a pandemic with the emotional and physical exhaustion and never-ending stress pushing the front line to their limits day after day. It is precisely when lean thinking and practice and unwavering lean leadership are most helpful. The design and repeated modification of the work elements require the discipline of understanding the problem as best as you can and having the fortitude, patience, and support to iterate as you learn more.
Given the growing complexity occasioned by our growing return to normal processes and workflows, coordinating and rationalizing all our work into systems efficiently and effectively has become even more imperative. Kiame Mahaniah MD, CEO, Lynn Community Health Center 
So, work in the context of a Covid world – quickly moving and everchanging with lots of unknowns – requires resilience, grit, and a belief that one can make it better. Training and practice in what I’ll call “classic lean” thinking is a significant advantage.

https://www.lean.org/the-lean-post/articles/how-stalwart-lean-leadership-and-classic-lean-practices-yield-operational-and-clinical-excellence/

LYNN — U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) visited the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute vaccination clinic Monday afternoon to discuss the ongoing efforts to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine locally and across the country. “I’m here to celebrate successes,” said Warren. “I’ve seen people come together from the community health center, from the city, from the National Guard, to make a vaccination site that works.” Warren spoke with Mayor Thomas M. McGee, state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), and state Reps. Peter Capano and Daniel Cahill (D-Lynn), along with Lynn Community Health Center CEO Dr. Kiame Mahaniah and his staff, who have led vaccination efforts in the city. “I’m really excited to have the senator here today to see the dollars they made available making this happen here,” said McGee. “This really is an amazing operation. I think it’s as good of an operation in the state. I’m really proud of the amount of vaccinations we’ve been able to do. And the team is really making this happen.” Lynn Community Health Center was recently awarded a $6.85 million grant from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan legislation, which will be used in its COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts. The American Rescue Plan, which was proposed by President Joe Biden and was signed into law on March 11, provided nearly $10 billion to expand vaccine access and education in communities of color, rural areas, municipalities with low-income populations, and other underserved communities in terms of COVID-19 response. Warren’s conversation touched on equity in vaccine distribution, which has been a major goal for the Lynn Community Health Center. Of the minority patients eligible for the vaccine, LCHC Chief Operating Officer Kim Eng said a similar or greater percentage of those patients had received at least one dose. ...

https://www.itemlive.com/2021/03/29/senator-warren-visits-lynn-vaccine-clinic-housing-authority/

A Grim Toll as History Repeating Itself 103 Years Later

https://www.itemlive.com/2021/03/21/a-grim-toll-reprised-history-is-repeating-itself-103-years-later/

Mayor Thomas McGee and the City of Lynn Department of Public Health are pleased to announce additional upcoming Lynn Educator and Essential Worker Vaccination Clinics. The next clinic will be held on Friday, March 26th at the Breed Middle School Gym, 90 O’Callaghan Way. Moderna first dose vaccines will be administered at this Friday’s clinic. Both educators and essential workers can register for an appointment for the March 26th clinic at https://www.maimmunizations.org//reg/6150200972. Additionally, two (2) Essential Workers ONLY Vaccination Clinics will be held next Monday, March 29th and Tuesday March 30th also at the Breed Middle School Gym. The Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine will be distributed at these Essential Workers Only clinics. ...

http://lynnjournal.com/2021/03/25/vaccine-clinics-for-educators-essential-workers-announced/

Lynn Community Health Center will receive $6.8 Million.  
The fiscal year (FY) 2021 American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funding for Health Centers provides one-time funding (H8F) for a two-year period of performance to support health centers funded under the Health Center Program to prevent, mitigate, and respond to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to enhance health care services and infrastructure.

https://bphc.hrsa.gov/program-opportunities/american-rescue-plan

Mahaniah started this appointment with Wood, as he does now with many patients, by asking if she’ll get vaccinated.

“I don’t know, it just scares me,” she says. “There’s so much out there and so much misinformation, it’s hard to know what to believe.”

Mahaniah asks Wood more about why the vaccine is scary, where she gets information and whether her family and friends plan to be vaccinated.

“The thing that really influences people whether or not they’re going to get the vaccine is what their social circle is doing,” he says, after the appointment.

Wood has some skeptical family members. She’s eligible for the vaccine based on some high risk medical conditions but has declined so far.

Mahaniah is having a lot of open-ended discussions with patients about their health and vaccines. He says it’s pretty clear that giving people more data is not persuasive. Instead, he uses a technique known as motivational interviewing as he would with patients who smoke or who are due a screening test they’re avoiding.

“I don’t approach these [conversations] as me being able to provide them with the right information to make the right decision,” Mahaniah says. “I’m really approaching these as, let’s try to create a space in which a conversation can happen where they can evince their doubts, their uncertainties.”

...

https://www.wbur.org/commonhealth/2021/03/14/vaccine-hesitancy-outreach-revere-mgh

LYNN — Vaccines began to be distributed to teachers at the Lynn Tech Field House, the city’s vaccination site, on Thursday. The Lynn Community Health Center, which runs the site in partnership with the city, administered the vaccinations. Marita Gove, a nurse practitioner at LCHC, said she thinks it’s great that teachers are now eligible for the vaccine. COVID-19 cases have been decreasing locally and statewide, and the eligibility for educators comes as schools begin planning for a return to in-person learning. “It’s really exciting,” Gove said. “Obviously, it’s going along the same timeline of a lot more pressure to reopen schools, and I think that is really reassuring to a lot of teachers and staff going in the building knowing that they can at least start the vaccination process.” Gov. Charlie Baker announced last week that teachers, school staff and early childhood educators would become eligible to sign up for the vaccine on Thursday. The announcement was made a day after President Joe Biden said that he’s using “the full authority of the federal government,” directing states to prioritize educators for the coronavirus vaccine and aim for teachers and school staff to have at least one dose of the vaccine by the end of March. Educators will now be able to sign up for a vaccine at CVS pharmacies and vaccination sites across the Commonwealth, including the site at Lynn Tech. Baker cautioned people to be patient, as the shortage of vaccines across the country continues. “If we are patient, everyone who wants [a vaccine] will eventually get one,” he said. ...

https://www.itemlive.com/2021/03/11/teachers-get-their-covid-shot-at-lynn-tech/

LYNN — It was a morning of worship and learning Sunday, as the largely-Spanish church Ministerios Vision Cristiana partnered with Dr. Catherine Reyes of the Lynn Community Health Center to educate the congregation on the ongoing vaccination process. After the usual services at the Ministerios Vision Cristiana on Union Street, which included song and dance to a live Spanish-language Christian rock soundtrack, Dr. Reyes — who has worked at the Lynn Community Health Center for five years — spoke on common myths associated with the vaccine, how to get vaccinated, and who is eligible. “I know that there are some people that are worried about the vaccine,” said Dr. Reyes to the crowd of about 100 worshippers. “I already took two doses, and both my parents took their first doses.” She explained that the vaccine is available to people who qualify regardless of their immigration status and free whether or not they have health insurance. “It is important to target the messages through someone that people trust,” said Dr. Reyes. “(Those whom) a lot of people trust are their church leaders.” She also felt that it was useful to speak to church groups also because of their reach. The service Sunday was broadcast to hundreds of people, both in person and virtually. Dr. Reyes hoped that her information would dispel misconceptions about the dangers of the vaccine. ...

https://www.itemlive.com/2021/03/07/an-intersection-of-faith-and-science-at-ministerios-vision-cristiana/

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