Hospital foundation donates freezers to help with vaccine storage.

Back row, from left: Shirley Woirol, Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Foundation; Bob Budreau, immediate past chair, Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Foundation; Jeremy Vronko, chief operating officer, Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital; Grace Allen, Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Foundation and communications GVSU intern; Bobbie Severance-Roach, chair, Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Volunteer Committee; and Suzanne Cressell, RN, District Health Department #10. Front Row, from left: Dorrie July, RN, Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital; Kevin Hughes, health officer, District Health Department #10; Marc Lenz, board chair, Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital; Kaley Petersen, director, Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Foundation and Community Services; and Sarah Stickney, BSN, RN, District Health Department #10.

Hospital foundation donates freezers to help with vaccine storage.

Roseann Sanders, RN, who retired from DHD#10 just prior to the pandemic and then returned to help in the fight against COVID-19, demonstrates the required protective equipment needed as she opens one of the -86 degree freezers.

LUDINGTON — The Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Foundation recently donated five ultra-low-temperature freezers to District Health Department #10. The freezers, which cost $23,250, will store large amounts of COVID-19 vaccine and keep the vaccine viable for a longer period of time. Each freezer is set to minus 86 degrees Celsius (-186.8 Fahrenheit).

Kevin Hughes, health officer at District Health Department #10, said he is thankful for the donation. “We have recently added a mobile van that serves as a vaccine clinic on wheels,” Hughes said. “The new van enables us to go into communities where vaccine availability is a challenge and offer vaccination to those who want it. The freezers we received from the local Spectrum Health Foundation will help us to keep enough vaccine on hand to keep the mobile van stocked as well as our facility in Ludington.”

The mobile clinic will not only distribute vaccines, but it will be fully operational for taking care of other health concerns and needs. Hughes noted that the van has already been to several communities, including a Lions Club food truck in Luther, the Mushroom Festival in Mesick, and the Hazardous Waste drop off in White Cloud.

“We have made great progress in getting vaccines to people who may not have had the time or ability to receive a dose,” Hughes said. “I really want to thank the Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Foundation board for its generous donation of the ultra-low-temp freezers. It’s helping us expand vaccine availability across our service area.”

Roseann Sanders, RN, who retired from District Health Department #10 just prior to the pandemic but returned to help in the fight against COVID-19, showed several Ludington Hospital foundation board members one of the freezers and demonstrated the protective equipment needed to handle the frigid vaccine. “Negative 86 degrees is extremely cold!” she exclaimed. Sanders said she just could not ease into retirement when such a dire health crisis struck.

Kaley Petersen, director of community services and Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Foundation, is pleased with the partnership. “Improving the health of our community is a mission we share with our area Health Department,” she stated. “The Foundation board was excited to fulfill this need so that more people across West Michigan can receive the COVID-19 vaccine.”

“Our foundation board remains committed to supporting the evolving healthcare needs as a result of COVID-19” echoed Scott Smith, chair, Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Foundation. “We are excited to support increasing vaccine accessibility.”

Jeremy Vronko, chief operating officer at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital and the person overseeing vaccine distribution, agreed. “We value the partnership we have with District Health Department #10 and other community organizations in responding to COVID-19 and other health needs. Working together is important in fulfilling our mission of improving health, inspiring hope and saving lives.”