Tackling COVID-19 from the Top Down

COVID-19 has been taking its toll on the world for more than a year now. But the more we’ve learned about the virus, the more we’ve been able to shift the way we think, work and socialize. In fact, as soon as the pandemic started, Summit Medical Group Foundation (SMGF) began figuring out creative ways to reach out into the community to tackle the virus. When Julienne Cherry joined SMGF as the new Executive Director, she immediately started researching the vaccine. Soon thereafter, she rolled up her sleeve and received the vaccination from Dr. Kerry LeBenger, Chair of Medical Specialties at Summit Health (formerly Summit Medical Group).

“After receiving the COVID vaccination I felt a sense of relief and calm,” explained Cherry. “I know COVID has affected the Black and Brown communities at a disproportionate rate. I understand that there is a level of hesitancy, but it was important to me to get the vaccine to keep myself and my family safe. If I could be a positive voice for getting vaccinated, I would love that. I want to show other people that you don’t need to be fearful of the vaccine.”

SMGF’s clients are nearly 60% Black/African American and 34% Latino. They are food insecure, low-income adults with pre-diabetes, diabetes and hypertension. What’s more, the majority are obese and more than one-third are over 60 years old. All of these factors combined mean that they are at high risk for COVID-19. Recognizing the disparate impact coronavirus was having on communities of color, in September 2020 SMGF expanded the Healthy Tomorrows Community Outreach program to include free COVID-19 testing, coupled with educational materials and 1-on-1 counseling. SMGF screenings, counseling and education are aimed at changing our clients’ knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and health outcomes. And that’s something that has been working incredibly well through the Healthy Tomorrows Community Outreach and Food, Health, Hope programs – two successful programs aimed at providing free medical screenings, education and 1-on-1 counseling for pre-diabetes, diabetes, hypertension and obesity at 11 Northern New Jersey food pantries. By coming back month after month, year after year, SMGF staff and the mobile medical unit have become trusted symbols of healthcare in the communities we serve.

Understanding the responsibility this trust brings, SMGF began its Coronavirus Vaccine Hesitancy project at the start of 2021, spearheaded by SMGF Trustee and Summit Health dermatologist Dr. Hari Nadiminti. This project brings SMGF staff together with volunteer physicians and students as a “boots on the ground” team, administering surveys to understand what factors are affecting the willingness of individuals to get vaccinated and providing straight-forward information dispelling myths and emphasizing the need to be vaccinated.

“The communities where we conduct our outreach were hit the hardest with coronavirus,” said Cherry. “It’s very important to have a strong presence in the communities we serve – helping, educating and encouraging. We have built solid relationships with our clients over the years and we know that they trust us. We are doing everything we can to maintain that trust while reassuring them of the safety and necessity of getting vaccinated against COVID-19. In the end, our goal is to make a positive impact on their lives.”

SMGF is so grateful to be in the position to be out in the community helping our neighbors in need – and we would not be able to do so without the support of our generous partners and sponsors, including the American Medical Association Foundation, BD, The Healthcare Foundation of NJ, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey (the philanthropic arm of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey), the Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust and The Provident Bank Foundation. Thank you for standing together with us! We can see the light at the end of the tunnel and we hope you can too.