Charleston, South Carolina (WCSC) – The Medical College of South Carolina and the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control will discuss the importance of vaccination at an event in Charleston on Friday morning.

Beth Poore, Outreach and Education Coordinator, Immunization Division, DHEC, said: “Now that children are back in school across South Carolina, it’s a great time to talk to your health care provider about which vaccine is right for you and your family.”

In addition to discussing the importance of immunization, speakers will recognize the winners of the 2022 Immunization Champion Award.

The award recognizes individuals who have “goed above and beyond to ensure access to immunization in their communities.”

This year’s South Carolina winners are:

2022 Leadership Awards and National Immunization Champions:

Dr. Uranda C. Gibbs, EdD

Palmetto Palace

2022 Advocacy Awards:

Alison Ross Eckhardt, MD

Medical College of South Carolina

2022 Innovation Awards:

Dr. Beth Sundstrom, M.P.H.

Charleston University

2022 Partner of the Year Awards:

Mary Beatty, RN

Cherokee County School District

2022 Community Collaboration Awards:

Hanahan Fire Department and EMS

Hanahan City Fire Department

Alexandra Hayes, director of organization for the South Carolina Immunization Coalition, said Friday’s event also celebrated the partnership needed to raise awareness and education about vaccines.

“SCIC thrives through partnerships, and we are pleased to see so many partners engaging today to honor our state’s immunization champions,” said Hayes. “Working with the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) to recognize the national impact of SC to improve vaccine reliability is led by Dr Gibbs, Dr Kim Nelson (2019), Dr Eliza Varradi (2018), and others. demonstrated through the winners of the National Champion Award.”

Speakers at the event are:

• DHEC Director Dr. Edward Shimmer
• Dr. Allison Ross Eckard, MUSC
• Dr. Beth Sundstrom, SCIC
• Alexandra Hayes, SCIC Organizational Director
• Dr. Eulanda Gibbs, Executive Director, Palmetto Place

Friday’s event kicks off at 10am at MUSC’s Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and Women’s Pavilion and will be streamed live on DHEC’s Facebook page. A replay of the event is available on your organization’s YouTube page.

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