Since May, Aultman has been helping protect underserved and minority communities by offering free COVID-19 vaccines and education at more than 60 mobile vaccine clinics throughout Canton, Alliance, Louisville, Massillon, Navarre, Orrville and Waynesburg. The program was led by Erin Hayden, pharmacy director at Aultman Hospital, and Anne Taylor, HDS executive director, strategy and corporate operations.

These clinics have helped battle vaccine misinformation and ensure everyone who wanted a vaccine had reliable information and the opportunity to get one. The clinics have partnered with local churches and community organizations such as JIT Food Ministry, Canton Calvary Mission, Goodwill, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Stark Community Support Network, Canton City Public Health, First United Methodist Church, Stark Community Action Agency, Christ United Church of Christ, the Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility, Massillon City Health Department, Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The clinics have also appeared at community events including a drive-thru baby shower at Goodwill, 2021 Juneteenth Community Festival, African American Arts Festival and Stark County Fatherhood Coalition’s annual Father’s Day Fishing Rodeo. Moving forward, the clinics will also help Stark County’s younger citizens get the vaccine by partnering with Beacon Academy, Kent State University at Stark and Stark State College.

It took an entire team to help make these mobile vaccine clinics come to life! A special thanks goes out to Latoya Dickens-Jones, Orlando Goncalves, Mike Kracker, Deb Kemp, Chris Pontones, Liz Edmunds and Haley Hake!