Students to Help Administer Flu Vaccines in Lycoming County

Students enrolled in the School of Health Sciences at Pennsylvania College of Technology will partner with state and local organizations to administer free flu shots throughout Lycoming County in November.

Nursing, paramedic and physician assistant students will administer flu and pneumococcal vaccine and will distribute educational materials regarding the immunizations at seven sites. The students will be supervised by Penn College faculty and by a Pennsylvania Department of Health nurse.

The program is accomplished through a partnership with the Lycoming County Health Improvement Coalition, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Susquehanna Health, Penn College, and local fire departments and community centers.

In addition to providing student volunteers to staff the clinics, Penn College provides gloves and syringes, as well as printed materials that are given to the fire companies to help promote the events. Susquehanna Health provides a mobile health van for the effort.

"The flu vaccine clinics provide our students with not only an excellent clinical experience, but also a community health opportunity," said Kathie E. Morr, dean of health sciences at Penn College. "Students work with each other to provide this service to primarily the elderly living in rural areas. Working outside of the typical health facility is a unique experience for the student and serves as an enriching experience. We are very pleased to be part of this activity."

The flu clinics will be held at:

• Hughesville Fire Department, Nov. 15, 8:30-10 a.m.
• Keystone Hook and Ladder Co. (Muncy), Nov. 15, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
• Montgomery Volunteer Fire Co., Nov. 15, 3:30-5 p.m.
• Waterville Volunteer Fire Department, Nov. 16, 9-10 a.m.
• Wheeland Center (Jersey Shore sponsored by Citizen Hose Co. and Independent Hose Co.), Nov. 16, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Hepburn Township Volunteer Fire Co., Nov. 16, 3-5 p.m.
• The Campbell Street Center, Nov. 17, 9 a.m.-noon

The vaccines are given on a walk-in basis and are supplied by the state Department of Health's Division of Immunization through funds from State Health Improvement Plan partners. Last year, the students administered about 300 flu vaccinations.

For more information about the School of Health Sciences at Penn College, call (570) 327-4519, e-mail or visit online.

Participating students are: Abdullah Al Bahrani, Williamsport, paramedic Scott E. Ackerman, Orefield, paramedic Bilquis B. Ali, Williamsport, nursing Essa Al Najrani, Williamsport, paramedic Clare M. Altemus, Williamsport, physician assistant Paul R. Atkin, Venango, paramedic Jason P. Barrett, Williamsport, paramedic William P. Barry, Hillsborough, N.J., paramedic Kelly A. Bevilaqua, Dallas, physician assistant Angela L. Bierly, Waterville, nursing Adrian S. Brandau, Bloomsburg, paramedic Magen B. Chitwood, McElhattan, paramedic Douglas F. Ciepiela, Lewisburg, nursing Mandy L. Corman, Snow Shoe, physician assistant Season M. Cundiff, Williamsport, nursing Jennifer A. Daya, Mt. Carmel, physician assistant Chara L. Eichelberger, Montoursville, physician assistant Nathan P. Fenstermacher, Muncy Valley, physician assistant Jennifer L. Fritz, Millville, physician assistant Tyson D. Gillmen, Tyrone, physician assistant Kati J. Glick, Lewistown, physician assistant Allison M. Gorenflo, Lawrenceville, physician assistant Rosanna L. Harkness, Canton, nursing Michelle L. Hartford, Canton, physician assistant Jon D. Hemphill, Watsontown, physician assistant Kevin A. Hickman, Benton, physician assistant Ashley M. Janoka, Marion Heights, nursing Tamara G. Jones, Anchorage, Alaska, paramedic Brian J. Kane, Oakland Mills, paramedic Stephanie R. Krick, Pottsgrove, physician assistant Katie A. Koons, Williamsport, nursing Sarah J. Landis, Lititz, physician assistant Bethany K. Lavallee, Jersey Shore, physician assistant Jessica A. Linaberry, Williamsport, nursing Harold E. Mast, Mifflinburg, paramedic Anthony Ocasio, Bethlehem, physician assistant Amy L. Onderko, Gillett, physician assistant Amy J. Pencek, Nicholson, physician assistant Richard A. Phillips, Williamsport, nursing Matthew E. Plank, Lewisburg, physician assistant Natalie R. Plavi, Elderton, physician assistant Natalie A. Powell, Cabot, nursing Richard L. Rishel, Millheim, paramedic Jessica D. Schaefer-Hensler, Williamsport, nursing Warren M. Schaffer, Riegelsville, paramedic Jamie A. Shaffer, Jersey Shore, nursing Parita S. Shah, Ridgefield Park, N.J., physician assistant Richard S. Shirk, Bernville, paramedic Amanda L. Smith, Rochester, N.Y., physician assistant Brian R. Walters, Palmyra, physician assistant Bryan S. Walters, Montoursville, physician assistant Rebecca Weaver, Williamsport, physician assistant William B. Weikert, York, physician assistant Jeremy R. Welshans, Williamsport, paramedic Shannon M. Wesche, Angelica, N.Y., physician assistant Tia L. Wolf, Harrisburg, nursing Jessielyn L. Woolbright, Montoursville, paramedic Heather A. Yost, Danville, physician assistant