The COVID-19 pandemic created a “new normal” in 2020 that included controversial mitigation strategies such as masking up and staying home and became the country’s primary focus, punctuated by a summer of civil unrest, peaceful (and sometimes not so peaceful) protests, and a contentious presidential election. The student projects we’ve selected this year reflect the best of 2020 as students and other volunteers put their talents to good use helping public health conduct contact tracing, testing, and a whole range of other urgent efforts to mitigate the virus to help keep people (and their pets) safe during the pandemic; to advocate for racial and social justice; to encourage civic engagement; to capture stories of frontline workers; and to inspire hope in those feeling the weight of this difficult year. As in years past, the students highlighted here are presented in no particular order and do not represent an exhaustive list of the countless students who rocked public health in 2020. These are but a few of the remarkable scholars working to make our country and our world healthier, safer, and more just for everyone.
#6. Vaccinating Pets Against Rabies During the COVID Pandemic
Student: Cynthia Mosher (MPH, ’24)
School: University at Albany School of Public Health
Cynthia Mosher
Cynthia Mosher, MS Ed, St John Fisher College, MPH student at University at Albany, in her role as Rabies Program Manager for Tompkins County Health Department in Ithaca, NY, redesigned the county rabies vaccination clinics to resemble anticipated COVID vaccination Point of Dispensing Sites (PODS) as a drive-through model. This required scouting new locations and designing an entirely new clinic layout, flow, staffing, and safety protocols.
“When it was announced, in January 2020, that a pandemic was escalating in other countries,” said Cynthia, “we had one of our well-attended, annual vaccination clinics. We always provide brochures of relevant health issues at our clinics, so we handed out ‘Cover the Cough’ and handwashing brochures at the clinic. I began planning an alternative drive-through style clinic starting in March when it became apparent we would not be able to hold May clinics. By April, I had locked in our new location and laid out the necessary plans for the new clinic. It required coordination with a variety of community partners and I could not have done it without the support of several of the town clerks in Tompkins County.”
TCAT Rabies Clinic Sign
Cynthia believes that it is important for any organ-ization to build a cooperative network among partnering agencies as well as an in-depth awareness of local community needs. When many families were experiencing economic losses and veterinary clinics were closed during the early stages of a state lockdown, many pets’ rabies vaccination certificates expired. Even when clinics reopened, finances made vaccination difficult for many families.
“Local health departments are a valuable component of community health equity. The more I work at the local level, the more potential I see for equity work.”
Connect with Cynthia on LinkedIn.