Noma Mgutshini, 2nd from left, served on her APPE rotation at Cherokee Indian Hospital
Authority in Cherokee, North Carolina.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Jan. 25, 2022)—East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy P4 Noma Mgutshini recently served on her APPE rotation at Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority in Cherokee, North Carolina.
Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) is a family practice-based hospital and clinic located on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Reservation in western North Carolina. It serves approximately 14,000 Native Americans across a five-county area through a variety of programs funded and operated through both the Indian Health Service and the Tribal Health Delivery System. CHIA hosts approximately 40 APPE students from 8 different colleges of pharmacy each year.
In the month of October, three student pharmacists from Howard University College of Pharmacy, ETSU Gatton College of Pharmacy, and UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy had the opportunity to volunteer at a mass COVID and flu vaccine clinic at the 110th Annual Cherokee Indian Fair Elder's Day and Veteran's Day events. In collaboration with Eastern Band-Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Tsalagi Public Health, students were able to vaccinate around 60 patients with the new COVID- 19 Bivalent vaccines.
Over the course of two days, students helped with the preparation and administration of the vaccine to patients. The clinic had both the Moderna and Pfizer bivalent doses. Students also educated the patients on the side effects that can be seen with the new vaccines.
“I was very happy to participate as a volunteer at the clinic,” said Mgutshini. “I enjoyed interacting with members of the community and learning more about their culture and heritage or Elder's Day and Veteran's Day. The patients that we served appreciated being vaccinated. The hands-on experience enhanced my skills, and I am more comfortable with drawing up vaccine doses and administering vaccines. I was excited to administer vaccines to patients to help protect them and other members in the community from severe illness. I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve.”
CIHA provides a variety of educational learning experiences including ambulatory care, medical inpatient, behavioral health inpatient, a unique counseling experience, anticoagulation, tobacco cessation, special projects, community service, and more. Students are provided with USPHS education and mentorship from 12 pharmacy officers. Students also have the opportunity to learn about the culture of the Eastern Band Cherokee Indians during their stay on the Qualla Boundary.