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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">1005 W. Worley St. <br />Columbia, MO 65203</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">December 20, 2024</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Austin Krohn
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services
<br />573.874.7604
<br />Austin.Krohn@CoMO.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services nursing staff awarded Innovative Leadership Award</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) Clinic nursing staff have been awarded the Missouri Center for Public Health Excellence’s (MOCPHE) 2024 Innovative Leadership Award for their work on Comfort Clinics. This award is given to an organization that implements a high-quality program or service line in its community to meet an identified need. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Comfort Clinics allow community members to get vaccinations in a safe and fear-reducing environment. Since 2022, Comfort Clinics have been a way for community members to get their vaccines in a safe and caring space. The first Comfort Clinic of the 2024 respiratory illness season was Oct. 12, followed by another on Nov. 9. Community members who may have trouble getting their vaccines could call the PHHS Clinical Services number at </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">573.874.7249</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to make an appointment for the clinics.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Vaccinations are critical to protecting the health and wellbeing of any population, and it is inspiring to see Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services implement ways to keep vaccination rates up and to prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations," said Spring Schmidt, Executive Director of MOCPHE.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">PHHS designed the Comfort Clinics to include medical play, anxiety-reducing activities, extended appointment times, additional staff support, and various environments within the clinics to minimize discomfort and anxiety during the vaccination process.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"We have received tremendous positive feedback from individuals and families who have used our Comfort Clinics, and we have witnessed firsthand the difference these clinics make for our clients," said Trina Teacutter, Community Health Manager at PHHS. "Seeing an individual who has previously struggled with vaccinations have a calmer, more successful experience brings us great joy. By working together, we create an environment of safety and trust, offering personalized and compassionate care to those who need extra support during vaccination visits."</span></p></div>
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<div class="content"><strong>Location:</strong> <a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://gocolumbiamo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=62b0c3219184457b88d19cf44ce1f4a3&find=1005 W. Worley St." target="_blank">1005 W. Worley St.</a></div>
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