Photo: mymcmedia.org
Mr. Emhoff was joined by MD Congressmember Jamie Raskin to learn about Mary’s Center’s vaccination efforts in the community.
Silver Spring, MD― This Tuesday, the US Second Gentleman and husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, visited Mary’s Center to see first-hand the vaccination efforts of the organization that is helping eliminate Covid-19 in the DC metropolitan region.
Since he became the Second Gentleman, Mr. Emhoff has visited several community organizations across the country to witness the outreach efforts done at the grassroots level to ensure access to the vaccine, especially in the most underserved areas. This was his first visit to a community health center in the DC area.
“This visit represents a demonstration of genuine interest in our community and the impact that the vaccine is having on our families,” said Maria Gomez, president and CEO. “As we look towards the future, we are confident that Mary’s Center will be able to work with the new administration in the overall recovery of the region.”
Mr. Emhoff arrived at 10 am at Mary’s Center’s location in Silver Spring where he took a tour of the clinic and spoke with one of the patients after she received the Covid-19 vaccine. Following, the Second Gentleman was joined by Maryland Congressmember Jamie Raskin and met privately with Mary’s Center’s President and CEO Maria Gomez, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tollie Elliott, and the Director of Clinical Services, nurse Elysia Jordan, to learn about the work that Mary’s Center has been doing during the pandemic, and the expansion of its vaccination efforts with the arrival of more vaccines from the federal government.
“I learned a lot about the holistic approach, telehealth, and most importantly, that reaching the community is key,” said Mr. Emhoff. “To go out to where they are and use them to help spread the word to the rest of the community, not only on the vaccines but all the other services that you have so you can be a model to others for how to serve your community in the right way.”
Since the first shipment of vaccines arrived at Mary’s Center in December 2020, Mary’s Center has provided nearly 3,500 vaccines and has expanded its vaccination efforts to all five medical locations in DC and Maryland.
“Mary’s Center and community health clinics are the critical bridge for reaching into the community to get the vaccine to the people who need it most,” said Congressman Raskin. “Thank you so much to the second gentleman for spotlighting the magnificent work of Mary’s Center.”
Before their departure, they stopped by the newly arrived mobile unit that Mary’s Center will use to reach community members who otherwise may not have access to the vaccine.
“I’m humbled to be at Mary’s Center and hear these stories and share them with the Vice President and President,” stated Mr. Emhoff at the conclusion of his visit.
