\u201cMost of the students were nearing completion on their major projects and we received word that Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH) could use some assistance in designing the layout of its vaccination sites throughout the region,\u201d Law said. \u201cWhen I asked my students if they would like to change up some of the assignments in favour of helping NRPH, everyone was on board right away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Students were given the choice to go on a virtual or in-person tour of the venue they would be responsible for and were able to ask questions of other stakeholders, including representatives from NRPH and the fire department in their venue\u2019s municipality.<\/p>\n
The opportunity to have a say on the site design was particularly exciting for fourth-year Child Health and Med Plus student Marissa Raso, who helped with the layout of the clinic in her hometown of Welland.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/2-Lisa-Faulkner.-RS-926x1050.jpg\")
Fourth-year Medical Sciences and Med Plus student Lisa Faulkner helped to design the layout of the Covid-19 vaccination clinic at Brock University and is now working at a vaccination clinic in Mississauga.<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cWe worked on a site plan using a building blueprint and figured out how the clinic could be set up,\u201d she said. \u201cThere were so many things to consider, including electrical outlet locations and room temperatures. When our draft was done, it was sent to NRPH for review. We then created a clinic managers\u2019 manual, including specifics for each clinic and a frequently asked questions document.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was not long before the blueprint Raso and her partner, Hannah Rongitis, drew up evolved into a fully functional clinic.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know lots of people who have been to the Welland clinic that we helped design,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was so great to be helping people in my neighbourhood.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like Raso, fourth-year Medical Sciences and Med Plus student Lisa Faulkner was thankful for the opportunity the I-EQUIP project gave her to make a difference as she worked alongside fellow students Jaz Randhawa, who is also in her fourth year of Med Plus, and Damyen Henderson-Lee Wah to design the vaccination site at Brock University.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was really proud to be part this,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was exciting to finally tell people that I helped design the vaccination site and that our suggestions were put in place. People are now going through the process in the order we set things out, and it\u2019s working.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a statement, NRPH said partnering with Law and the I-EQUIP students was \u201cinvaluable\u201d as the organization planned for COVID-19 vaccine distribution across Niagara.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe students were responsible for much of the initial planning, clinic design work and flow monitoring for each of Niagara\u2019s COVID-19 vaccination clinics,\u201d the statement said. \u201cThe students\u2019 involvement was a major part of why we were able to activate 11 different clinic locations online in such a short period of time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The organization also said the I-EQUIP team has continued to make a difference following the launch of the clinics.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe students were true ambassadors for Brock University, demonstrating a high degree of knowledge and commitment throughout,\u201d the statement said. \u201cMany elected to volunteer in the clinics after their student placements ended, further demonstrating their desire to give back to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like other students in the course, Faulkner and Raso also stayed involved.<\/p>\n
With a wealth of experience in the design process under her belt, Faulkner was able to help in numerous roles at a vaccination site near her home in Mississauga.<\/p>\n
\u201cI basically do every job that is not vaccination, including registrations, checkout, bringing more vaccines, patient support, administration and more,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s been cool to put what I planned into practice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Faulkner said she is always trying to improve the experience for people who arrive to get vaccinated.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been taking notes and noticing additional resources,\u201d she said. \u201cI know what different factors need to be considered, and see how each clinic wants to make adjustments to ensure everything is flowing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Raso also continued to offer her expertise when the term wrapped up and took a role as a screener with NRPH at their rotating clinics, which included two shifts in Welland.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was so cool to see the clinic operating in person, knowing I had made some of the decisions about how it was running,\u201d she said. \u201cEven when someone mentioned they had to wait for a few minutes outside, I started to figure out how to fix it. I was so proud to be part of it from the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Law said the dedication I-EQUIP students have shown to helping their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of inspiration.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy students seamlessly jumped at the opportunity to help with the planning and volunteering,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was truly amazing to see how they were able to apply their knowledge of health equity, process, flow and quality improvement in health services at such an important time.\u201d<\/p>\n