ICU nurse at Johnston Memorial becomes first front line medical worker in Ballad Health system to receive vaccine

Emily Boucher patiently waited in the chair Tuesday as a fellow nurse prepped her arm with cleansing alcohol. A split-second later Boucher received the first vaccine administered to a Ballad Health employee.

More than 2,000 of her fellow workers in Southwest Virginia medical centers will be getting their COVID-19 serum in the coming days as the Commonwealth just took delivery of the medicine this week. Her 6,000 colleagues in Northeast Tennessee, including those in high-risk patient traffic areas and in long-term care facilities, will be getting the shot, on a voluntary basis, on Friday, according to Ballad CEO Alan Levine.

Boucher, an intensive care nurse at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, said Tuesday the amount of physical and mental strain that has been placed on her team and others across the network caring for virus patients has been a lot to bear.

She also said that part of the battle has been dispelling the false information and having the families of patients realize that this virus is not a joke or to be taken lightly.

Boucher said some patients are fighting the sickness alone and the only contact they get with their loved ones is through a phone call.

“As (COVID-19) expands in our communities, I urge you and everybody who is eligible to please get the vaccine as soon as you can and do what you can to protect yourself, your neighbors, and your family. Wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid crowds, and get vaccinated as soon as possible. We don’t want you to be one of the patients that we’re caring for within the walls of our ICU,” said Boucher.

(IMAGE: Ballad Health)