Â鶹ӳ»­

The last 10 months have been the most challenging of Patricia Galvin¡¯s 30-plus year nursing career.

On Dec. 15, she became the second MD Anderson workforce member to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. At that moment, she felt a mix of emotions, including hope for the future.  

¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for this day to come,¡± says Galvin, a clinical nurse in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU). ¡°I feel honored and grateful to be among the first in the country to receive this vaccine. We can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.¡±

On the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic

Galvin has worked as a nurse in MD Anderson¡¯s ICU for more than 20 years. She¡¯s used to working in a challenging work environment, but says it¡¯s become even more difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic.

¡°Working along the front lines with my team, we¡¯ve seen a lot of pain and isolation,¡± she says. ¡°We are a gritty little group, but this year has been especially tough.¡±

While her patients haven¡¯t been able to have family members in the ICU as MD Anderson works to keep them safe from COVID-19, Galvin and her colleagues now step in to support them.

¡°We¡¯ve provided comfort for patients in their most vulnerable moments,¡± Galvin says. ¡°We¡¯re constantly advocating for our patients and trying to keep them as connected to their loved ones as possible, while ensuring the highest standards of safety.¡±

COVID-19 vaccine brings added protection

Galvin, who has four children and 12 grandchildren, hasn¡¯t seen the inside of a grocery store since February and hasn¡¯t let her guard down when it comes to social distancing, mask wearing and hand washing.

¡°I have a duty to protect my patients and colleagues, as well as my family and community,¡± she says. ¡°I live in a multigenerational household, and it¡¯s important to lead by example to keep myself safe. I want to make sure I¡¯m around to see my grandchildren grow up.¡±  

Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine was an opportunity for Galvin to add another layer of protection and to benefit from the latest science.

¡°It¡¯s incredible to work at an institution dedicated to groundbreaking research and science. This is no different,¡± she says. ¡°I reviewed the research and learned it¡¯s been many years in the making to bring this type of vaccine technology to the marketplace. This is a historic achievement, and I¡¯m glad to be a part of it.¡±

Galvin knows the vaccine is just the beginning of the end of the pandemic and a step in getting the disease under control. Even though she received the vaccine, she will continue her vigilance to safety precautions to protect her patients, her team and her family.   

¡°I want to be a role model and practice what I preach,¡± she says.

Learn about the COVID-19 vaccines from MD Anderson experts.

or by calling 1-877-632-6789.