Dignity Health in Arizona celebrates COVID-19 vaccine milestone

100,000 doses administered at Maricopa County’s Southeast Valley vaccination POD

(CHANDLER, Ariz. – Feb. 6, 2021) – Dignity Health in Arizona administered its 100,000 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday at Maricopa County’s Southeast Valley Vaccination POD. The site is the first of all the Maricopa County COVID-19 vaccine locations to reach this large milestone.

“Dignity Health is proud to be part of largest vaccination roll-out in our nation’s history,” says Heather James, director of nursing and quality management for the Dignity Health Medical Group and chief logistics officer of the COVID-19 vaccination POD. “Today’s milestone brings us one step closer to controlling the spread of the virus.”

The 100,000th dose was given to Kerry Gerle, who was surprised and presented with balloons and confetti upon arriving to be vaccinated and learning she would be a special part of the milestone celebration.

“I am so excited to be able to make a difference for myself and community, and help change the trajectory of COVID-19 in Arizona,” said Gerle, a nurse and nursing professor who helped coordinate the vaccine response during the H1N1 pandemic.

The county’s vaccination site, which is managed by Dignity Health and located at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, has been a strong operational model for the state as more vaccination locations open. To date, Dignity Health has administered 13% percent of the total number of COVID-19 vaccines given in Arizona and 21% percent given in Maricopa County. The site can administer up to 4,000 doses per 10 hour shift.

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