Last Updated: Dec 22, 2021
The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) continues to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, especially in diverse communities, this time in the Latino/Hispanic community. Partnering with physician members who are bilingual in English and Spanish, the video panel discussion aims to be a resource for the providing the public with the facts and dispelling common myths about the COVID-19 vaccine.
The panel is led by Dr. Johanna Vidal-Phelan, a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Senior Medical Director in Quality and Pediatrics, UPMC Insurance Services Division and Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
She is joined by distinguished panelists:
- Dr. Ricardo Arbulú-Guerra, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- Dr. Sarah Inés Ramírez, Assistant Professor in Family and Community Medicine at Penn State Health
- Dr. Carolina Severiche Mena, Internal Medicine Resident Physician at Abington, Jefferson Health.
Dr. Vidal-Phelan is passionate about distinguishing myths from facts for the Latino/Hispanic community.
“The Latino community has been disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “As a community vulnerable to the effects of the virus, we must work together to combat misinformation and increase vaccination rates. COVID-19 vaccines are a critical tool to help us fight the pandemic.”
PAMED recognizes that health care disparities exist and continue to greatly impact vaccine hesitancy and the importance of messaging being tailored to address varying community-wide concerns.
The resources can be accessed at www.pamedsoc.org/coronavirus. Additional multi-lingual videos can be found in the following languages: Arabic, French, Japanese, Korean, English, and Urdu.
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Media Contact
Myla Merkel
Pennsylvania Medical Society
MediaRelations@pamedsoc.org
About the Pennsylvania Medical Society
PAMED is a physician-led, member-driven organization representing all physicians and medical students throughout the state. We advocate for physicians and their patients, educate physicians through continuing medical education, and provide expert resources and guidance to help physicians and their organizations navigate challenges in today’s ever-evolving health care system. For more information, visit www.pamedsoc.org