Alex Kline, a director and photographer, harnesses his dual expertise in storytelling and science to craft compelling films and videos addressing public health issues. He has collaborated extensively with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), contributing to the creation of various productions, notably including COVID-19 video materials such as “Students in COVID Out” and other promotional videos advocating childhood COVID vaccines. Alex played a pivotal role in filming the Vaccines Save Lives VW bus footage featured at this year’s conference and in associated promotional materials.

More recently, Alex has demonstrated a willingness to traverse the state, conducting interviews with respected pediatricians. His approach humanizes their profession and serves as a catalyst for vaccine promotion. He possesses a remarkable knack for conveying positive vaccine messaging to Arizonans, adeptly weaving narratives of hope into his storytelling.

In 2023, the pharmacy teams at Albertsons/Safeway demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to serving their communities. Led by outstanding vaccine champions like Michaelina Peterson, Hugo Vargas Cruz, Colleen Sebastian, Niraja Patel, Huda Ahmed, Bree Hendricks, and the entire Safeway 2054 pharmacy team, these heroes went above and beyond to make a difference.

Throughout the year, they organized an impressive 225 off-site vaccination events and administered a staggering 39,000 vaccines, showcasing their unwavering commitment to public health. Beyond their core responsibilities, they actively engaged in community events and off-site vaccination clinics, offering additional services such as A1C testing and point-of-care screenings.

Their remarkable achievements are a testament to their dedication to superior service and patient care, earning them the trust and admiration of their communities. Despite minimal advertising efforts, their impact resonates throughout the region, driven largely by positive word of mouth. Patients rely on Albertsons/Safeway pharmacies for a welcoming environment and access to essential immunizations.

Following their IQIP site visit in February 2023, Valleywise Community Health Center — Avondale embraced a fresh approach to boost vaccine rates at their clinic. Recognizing the invaluable trust their staff had built within the community, they prioritized equipping their team with the necessary education to turn the tide in their favor. Now, their staff is exceptionally well-prepared to address queries and dispel misconceptions surrounding vaccines.

The outcome? Parents have become increasingly open to the information presented and more inclined to adhere to CDC recommendations for vaccinating their children. Since the IQIP visit, toddler immunization compliance rates soared from 65% to an impressive 97%.

With a highly educated team at their helm, Valleywise Community Health Center — Avondale can swiftly identify patients in need of vaccines, provide thorough parental education, schedule vaccine appointments, and offer diligent follow-up when necessary. This remarkable transformation underscores the power of knowledge and dedication in driving positive change within our communities.

In March 2023, TAPI hosted an extraordinary Vaccine Congress, bringing together nearly 100 organizations and individuals to scrutinize Arizona’s immunization systems and frameworks. This collaborative effort yielded significant results, as participants identified a total of 59 potential challenges affecting immunization coverage in the state.

Through seven productive meetings and rigorous negotiations, the group crafted a comprehensive framework. They meticulously reviewed and prioritized the 59 problem statements, leading to the identification of a select few issues for immediate attention.

Thanks to the dedication of the workgroup members, several system enhancements have already been set in motion. Partners have taken proactive steps to review and potentially refine federal and state Vaccines for Children (VFC) policies. Additionally, efforts are underway to foster connectivity among immunizers through the establishment of a statewide Community of Practice as well as convening partners to tackle metrics and vaccine financing.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated members of the workgroup, including Donna Furlong of Banner Health, Kelsey Vincent of Chiricahua Community Health Center, Lynn Valentine of Mohave County Department of Public Health, Dr. Andrew Carroll of Atembis, Brandi Giles of Mountain Park Health Center, Machrina Leach and Dr. Nick Staab of Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Lauriane Hanson of Equality Health, LLC, and Jennifer Miller of Yavapai County Education Service Agency. Together, their collective efforts have laid the groundwork for transformative change in immunization practices statewide.

Canyonlands Healthcare, an FQHC with clinics spanning Page, Beaver Dam, Chilchinbeto, Globe, Safford, Duncan, and Clifton, Arizona, has been a beacon of success in vaccination efforts for the past five decades. Their unwavering commitment to immunization technology and the implementation of best practices has been instrumental in their achievements.

Pioneering innovation, Canyonlands was among the first FQHCs in the state to establish interfaces with ASIIS and NextGen. Their informatics coordinator showcased the seamless integration of these systems with clinics statewide, setting a precedent for efficient data management.

Recognizing the importance of local coordination, they appointed immunization coordinators at each clinic, supplemented by a main coordinator to ensure cohesive oversight and guidance. Their dedication to staying abreast of advancements is evident in their transition from combo units to stand-alone units and now to AccuVax units for storage, ensuring optimal vaccine preservation.

Utilizing a plethora of tools, from ASIIS to AZARA and beyond, Canyonlands has implemented robust reminder recall systems over the years. Their proactive approach to managing and prioritizing immunization programs has yielded remarkable results.

Walk into any Canyonlands clinic, and you’ll find access to lifesaving vaccines, a testament to their enduring dedication to public health.

What a remarkable addition Paloma Dupon has been to Paloma Medical Group Pediatrics since joining in April 2023! From day one, she has poured her heart and soul into maintaining a highly successful vaccination program.

Paloma has taken on the crucial responsibility of managing vaccine inventory, ordering supplies, ensuring proper storage conditions, meticulously monitoring temperatures, and diligently reporting to ASIIS. In her role, Paloma has surpassed expectations, ensuring both children and adults receive their vaccinations promptly. She goes the extra mile by proactively scheduling visits for those overdue for immunizations and readily offering necessary vaccines during any patient encounter.

Dr. Venkataramanan attests to Paloma’s invaluable contributions, stating, “Without staff like Paloma, I would not have been able to consistently win the Cloud Award for vaccinations every year in both toddler and teenager categories!” Paloma’s dedication and unwavering commitment to promoting vaccination have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in the clinic’s ongoing success and recognition.

What an inspiring journey at Alhambra Elementary School District (AESD)! With over 10,000 students, primarily from low-income backgrounds, AESD prioritized equitable access to essential immunizations. Their innovative Vaccines for Children (VFC) clinic, established in partnership with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, initially at the Family Resource Center and later at the Valencia Newcomer School campus, has significantly improved immunization rates among AESD students, reducing missed school days and fostering a healthier learning environment.

The impact of on-site immunizations has been profound, saving parents time lost from work and alleviating the stress of navigating transportation and healthcare systems. Additionally, it has led to a remarkable surge in immunization rates, as reflected in the ASIIS data for 2022 and 2023. In 2023 alone, 973 immunizations were administered to 286 students, showcasing the clinic’s effectiveness in reaching and serving the community.

What an extraordinary achievement by Chiricahua, the sole Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in rural Cochise County, Arizona! Through meticulous analysis and strategic planning, Chiricahua has pioneered an innovative program that integrates vaccine administration into dental settings, revolutionizing healthcare delivery in the region.

The Vaccine and Dental Integration Program brings vaccines directly to two of Chiricahua’s dental sites, minimizing missed opportunities and maximizing patient care. Meticulously crafted workflows ensure comprehensive care, with immunization histories reviewed before appointments and vaccines promptly administered during dental visits.

This collaborative approach, with seamless communication among team members, has led to improved vaccination rates among dental patients. Chiricahua’s groundbreaking work has gained global recognition, with presentations at prestigious events like the 2023 American Public Health Association conference and the 2023 National Network for Oral Health Access meeting.

John Martinez, the Senior Pastor of New Beginnings Assembly of God in Glendale, demonstrated extraordinary generosity and community spirit when approached by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health in 2022. They sought a temporary site for their weekly childhood immunization clinic, and Pastor Martinez graciously offered his nearby church for this vital endeavor.

For 18 months, Pastor Martinez kept the vaccine program running at his church, despite challenges such as the high cost of air conditioning. The clinic operated every Monday from 9 am to 3 pm without fail, providing a consistent and accessible service to the community.

During this time, a total of 64 clinics were hosted at New Beginnings Assembly of God, during which the Maricopa County Department of Public Health administered 3,822 vaccinations to 1,283 children. Additionally, approximately 77 adults received vaccinations.

Pastor John’s unwavering commitment to offering immunizations to his community truly sets him apart as an Arizona Big Shot! His dedication has made a significant difference in ensuring the health and well-being of countless individuals!

Thanks to innovative outreach strategies, efficient distribution channels, and an unwavering commitment to reaching marginalized populations, Valleywise Pediatric Refugee Clinic has achieved remarkable success in safeguarding the health of communities. Serving families from diverse corners of the globe, including Burma, Congo, Somalia, Syria, Burundi, Afghanistan, and more, the clinic has emerged as a beacon of hope and healing.

In 2023 alone, the clinic recorded an impressive 1,543 refugee visits, encompassing crucial encounters for immunizations. This signifies a staggering increase of over 500% in visits for immunizations among the refugee population. What’s more, the clinic has maintained an exceptional average of over 4 immunizations per child per visit, resulting in a total of over 6,000 refugee-patient-related vaccines administered in 2023!

The clinic’s staff are deeply passionate about their work and recognize the tangible impact they are making in the lives of people. Their enthusiasm and dedication shine through in every interaction, fostering a sense of empowerment and well-being within the community.

Aida Moreno is an invaluable member of the Crews’n Healthmobile/Homeless Youth Outreach program at Phoenix Children’s Medical Center. This program extends its reach to group homes, young adult housing programs, schools, and shelters, providing essential care to at-risk youth. Aida’s dedication has been instrumental in expanding and integrating vaccines at three locations and within the team’s mobile units.

Operating as a mobile clinic presents unique challenges in vaccine provision, including transportation, storage, and coordination of live virus vaccine administration. Aida has tirelessly worked to address these challenges, sourcing reliable equipment to maintain the cold storage chain and ensuring vaccines are available on the mobile unit for clinic days. She has established protocols to facilitate the offering of live virus vaccines at mobile sites while minimizing wastage. Additionally, Aida meticulously manages vaccine supplies for multiple accounts, ensuring accurate inventory numbers.

Thanks to Aida’s efforts, the program now more reliably offers vaccines as part of well checks and new patient visits. She has also expanded the range of vaccines offered through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and utilizes a VFA account to provide vaccines to young adults and parents. Aida’s proactive approach was evident when she promptly ordered RSV monoclonal, which later proved crucial in safeguarding several newborns and young babies residing in shelters. Staff discovered that one of these patients remained healthy during RSV season, even as other children in the shelter contracted RSV.

Amidst the bustling landscape of healthcare, where access to vaccines is paramount, San Luis Walk-In Clinic, Inc., shines as a beacon of excellence and unwavering commitment to immunization. Their proactive approach to rolling out the new RSV vaccine for babies and pregnant women exemplifies their dedication to community health and proactive care.

Upon the availability of the RSV vaccine, San Luis Walk-In Clinic wasted no time. They swiftly secured both VFC and private stock, ensuring patients of all insurance types and ages could benefit. With the product in hand, they launched an ambitious outreach campaign to reach all eligible individuals. Scheduling appointments for newborns and children, they also engaged 60 pregnant individuals eligible for the RSV vaccine.

From October 2023 to January 2024, San Luis Walk-In Clinic provided RSV protection to an impressive 345 newborns, achieving a remarkable 100% vaccination rate. Through proactive engagement and targeted outreach, they identified and vaccinated 60 pregnant women during the same period, with an impressive 95% vaccination rate among them, underscoring the clinic’s commitment to maternal and fetal health.

In the past year, Miriam Galindo, the Immunization Program Coordinator, and her team at Yuma County have exhibited unwavering dedication to ensuring the community’s access to essential vaccinations. Miriam’s commitment extends to establishing and nurturing relationships with community stakeholders across the county. Aligned with her vision, the entire immunization clinic staff shares a deep commitment to providing comprehensive education on eligible vaccines to every patient who visits the clinic, strongly advocating for vaccination uptake. Miriam’s leadership is reflected in the diligent training she has provided to her staff, emphasizing the importance of seizing every opportunity to administer vaccines.

In 2023, the Yuma County Immunization Program orchestrated 48 outlying clinics, including 11 tailored specifically for agricultural workers, some of which were conducted during nighttime to accommodate their schedules. The team’s unwavering dedication and fervor for community safety epitomize their commitment to safeguarding all residents of Yuma.

Let’s honor Miriam Galindo and the Yuma County Immunization Program for their remarkable efforts in fortifying the health of our community.

Guadalupe “Bebe” Ramirez, a dedicated nurse at Mariposa Community Health Center for 33 years, embodies a profound commitment to serving her community. With a genuine love for people and immense pride in her work, Bebe’s impact is truly remarkable.

One of Bebe’s exceptional roles is her involvement with the local school districts, where she consistently goes above and beyond to assist students in need of vaccines. The school’s health aides reach out to Bebe directly whenever a student requires vaccines, and Bebe never hesitates to help. Even amidst a full schedule, she warmly welcomes additional patients, ensuring that every individual receives the care they need.

Bebe’s dedication is evident in her proactive approach; she readily accommodates those in need of vaccines, often going the extra mile to ensure no one is left behind. I have witnessed her sprinting into the parking lot to catch patients who forgot their vaccines, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to patient care.

Bebe’s efforts have yielded remarkable results for Mariposa, with vaccination rates for Tdap and meningococcal vaccines consistently reaching between 97-98%. Her tireless dedication and compassionate care have undoubtedly made a significant difference in the health and well-being of our community.

In her role as Director of Clinic Operations at Yuma Regional Medical Center, Liz Jones plays a pivotal role in pediatric care. Her dedication to ensuring access to vaccines, providing staff training, and boosting immunization rates in Yuma County is truly commendable.

When TAPI brought their T.I.P.S immunization training to Yuma County, Liz took personal initiative to ensure its success. She reached out to all medical assistants and providers in the Yuma/Somerton area, extending personal invitations to attend. Recognizing the importance of broader outreach, Liz also contacted previously unengaged entities such as Indian Health Services, the Yuma Veteran Affairs Clinic, school districts, and community health centers in the area.

Liz’s efforts resulted in record attendance at the Yuma TIPS training, with a diverse range of vaccine administrators providing invaluable perspectives. Her proactive approach not only facilitated knowledge sharing but also strengthened collaboration among healthcare providers in the community.

The Apache County Public Health Services District has achieved remarkable success in increasing vaccine coverage throughout the county. They take great pride in their outreach efforts, particularly to staff at the Apache County Sheriff’s Office and inmates housed at the Apache County Jail.

Building trusting relationships with employees at the sheriff’s office has been key to their success. By fostering these relationships, they were able to offer vaccination Points of Dispensing (PODs) specifically for employees. As a result, an impressive 91% of sheriff’s office employees are now up to date on their vaccines. This successful model was also replicated for the county jail, where a dedicated POD for inmates resulted in administering 62 vaccines to 22 individuals.

Since July 2023, the district’s staff has gone above and beyond by conducting reminder recall efforts, reaching out to 879 patients. Remarkably, 164 of these calls led to patients scheduling appointments for vaccines.

The Maricopa County Public Health Immunization Equity Program (IEP) is dedicated to reaching communities facing barriers to accessing medical care. These barriers may include lack of medical insurance, transportation challenges, language barriers, or mistrust in government institutions. The IEP team works tirelessly to serve, build trust, and collaborate compassionately with these populations.

To achieve their mission, the Immunization Equity Team (IET) collaborates with both traditional and non-traditional partners to provide vaccine education and set up mobile clinics in areas of need. On average, the team organizes 20 monthly events, offering COVID-19 and flu vaccines for both children and adults.

Additionally, they provide adult vaccines such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Tdap, shingles, pneumonia, and HPV.

These clinics are held on a regular basis, ranging from once a month to bimonthly or even weekly, ensuring ongoing access to vital immunizations for community members.

Dale Leach, a dedicated advocate of public health and vaccines, has passionately supported vaccination efforts in Arizona for years, despite not being a public health professional. Since retiring, Dale has made it his mission to contribute to vaccination initiatives in any way he can.

From assisting at the TAPI Awards Dinner to donating to the Silent Auction year after year, Dale has consistently shown his commitment to promoting vaccines. He played a pivotal role during the Mpox vaccine rollout and has been a steadfast presence at every large evening vaccination event, earning him the title of the ultimate vaccine volunteer.

Dale’s advocacy extends beyond in-person events; he fearlessly shares evidence-based information, particularly on social media, and proudly announces whenever he receives a vaccine. Additionally, he takes pride in highlighting the work of his wife, Machrina Leach, affectionately referred to as the “vaccine warrior.”
A special thank you to Dale, the ultimate vaccine champion!

Dr. Karen Lewis has made an enduring impact on Arizona throughout her illustrious career. Her lifelong dedication to enhancing the health of Arizonans and supporting healthcare professionals is truly commendable. Dr. Lewis’s contributions range from crafting poems about diseases prevented by vaccines to dissecting scientific research to aid physicians in identifying rare infectious diseases.

During her tenure as an infectious disease specialist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Dr. Lewis played a pivotal role in training many of the state’s pediatricians. Even after transitioning to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), her commitment to educating professionals persisted. Dr. Lewis continued to lead vital initiatives behind the scenes, translating complex medical concepts into accessible language for all.

Whether in formal or informal settings, Dr. Lewis passionately shared her expertise and never wavered in her mission to improve Arizona’s immunization coverage. Her mantra, “Disease is bad. Vaccines are good,” resonated with all who crossed her path.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Dr. Karen Lewis deserves a lifetime achievement award for her unwavering commitment to educating both laypeople and medical professionals about immunizations and infectious diseases. Her seamless dissemination of expertise has undoubtedly played a significant role in enhancing immunization coverage in Arizona. As she embarks on retirement, let us celebrate her achievements, her invaluable contributions, and her compassionate spirit that has uplifted us all in this noble endeavor.