Despite safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, reaching immigrants and migrants with vaccines remains challenging and the unvaccinated continue to suffer from severe illness and death. Vaccinations against the virus are critical to protect the health of migrant and immigrant communities, but many health centers, health departments, outreach teams, and community health workers are struggling to help their communities get vaccinated. In this panel discussion, three frontline clinicians from across the country share their communities’ stories, the challenges of reaching marginalized members of their communities, and the successes they have had. Panelists discuss promising practices, practical multilingual resources, community partnerships, and other tactics designed to increase the accessibility and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines.
Eva Gálvez, MD
Dr. Eva Gálvez is a board-certified family physician at Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center in Oregon. As the daughter of Mexican immigrants and agricultural workers, she has a special interest in the health issues facing immigrant families and agricultural workers. Outside of her busy practice, she spends much of her time providing education around health issues that impact the Latino community and raising awareness around health disparities. Dr. Galvez is the immediate past board chair of Migrant Clinicians Network.
Caroline Johnson, FNP-BC
Caroline Johnson is the clinical director of Proteus, Inc., an organization which provides advocacy, health, and support services to agricultural workers throughout the Upper Midwest. Johnson has served as the Clinical Director at Proteus, Inc., since 2019. Johnson was chosen as the recipient of Migrant Clinicians Network’s inaugural Kugel & Zuroweste Health Justice Award in 2020, which recognizes front line clinicians who are making an impact at the intersections of health and vulnerability within migrant and mobile populations.
Nadya Julien, MSN, CRN
Nadya Julien is the CEO and founder of Tabitha Medical Care, LLC. Julien is a family nurse practitioner and clinical nurse educator. Nadya is passionate about health equity and breaking down language barriers that make it difficult for immigrant populations to access adequate healthcare in a timely manner.
Syreeta L. Wilkins
Syreeta Wilkins is the communications strategist for the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants (NRC-RIM), where she leads the communications efforts for the center as well as guides the creation and dissemination of health education materials. Before joining the team at NRC-RIM, she spent more than a decade leading communications for K-12 public schools.
