at Mercy Northern Light.
Rotarian and Pediatrician Lisa Ryan received her first dose of Moderna vaccine on her day off, Thursday, December 31, 2020. "When I entered the field of medicine 25 years ago, I never could have imagined a year like this one. I hope the vaccine will be available to everyone soon." Lisa lives in the lakes region and works at Mercy Northern Light in Windham and Portland and is a member of the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club.
As a Rotarian, Dr. Ryan is especially proud of the role Maine Rotary Districts are playing. So far $30,000 has been pledged to the Maine CDC, EMS program to assist with the distribution of the Covid vaccine. Monies will purchase iPads, for use and compatibility in registration, tracking and record-keeping, and refrigerators (not the super-freezers), so that vaccines can be refrigerated for a number of days at the administration sites. Rotary International is supporting vaccine efforts around the world as an extension of its PolioPlus program which focuses on immunizations for the eradication of polio. More at Rotary polio eradication efforts | Rotary International.
Dr. Ryan’s daughter Lauren was responsible for Lisa joining Rotary. Lauren was an active Interactor (young Rotarian) at Lake Region High School, and the Interact President in her senior year. The Interact Club took missions to the Dominican Republic to work at schools building toilets, washing stations and playgrounds for the young school children. Lisa was the pediatrician who travelled with the students and chaperones. Together they taught handwashing and other sanitary practices to the school children. She fell in love with Rotary and its international work after the first mission. Upon returning from the 3rd journey, Rotarians asked her why she wasn't a Rotarian. She responded, “I've never been asked.” Within months she was a member of the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club and has been for five years. Lisa is an active Rotarian having headed up the Golf Tournament Fundraiser for the past 3 years and chairing the Rotary Foundation Committee.
"Our Club has many health care workers, both active and retired, and we are hopeful that we can play a role in the rollout of the vaccine efforts in the Lakes Region," explained Julie Forbes, Club President and a naturopathic doctor herself. “I am a believer in the vaccine and hope to receive my first dose soon.”
For more information about Rotary, check out our website Home Page | Rotary Club of Bridgton-Lake Region (lakeregionrotary.com) and our Facebook Page at https://lakeregionrotary.com/.
