RCMC Providers get Covid-19 Vaccine

RCMC Providers get Covid-19 Vaccine

RAPID CITY, SD – Providers from the physician owned Rapid City Medical Center began receiving Covid-19 vaccinations the week before Christmas. With nearly full participation from the almost 80 Physicians, Certified Nurse Practitioners, and Physician’s Assistants within the 8 clinic locations of Rapid City Medical Center’s multi-specialty practices, the RCMC providers look to lead the community towards health in 2021.

Dr. Kevin Weiland, MD, a Board Certified internal medicine specialist said, “Ironically, the shot was put in the arm where my small pox vaccine scar is. My son, 10 years ago, asked me why I have a scar there and I told him it was from my smallpox vaccine. He asked why he does not have one. I told him, “Because it worked.” Dr. Oksana Anand, MD, double Board Certified gastroenterologist and internalist expressed how excited her young children were that she was able to be vaccinated before Christmas.

Additional providers, nursing staff, and essential workers on the Rapid City Medical Center team are scheduled for vaccines in waves over the next month. Dr. Halie Anderson, MD, Board Certified Allergist & Immunologist, took some time to address some of the concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine in a video she shared via social media with all staff and with the Black Hills community as a whole. “I’m actually pregnant, and I plan to get this vaccine as soon as it’s available to me,” she said in the video, dispelling myths that the vaccine is unsafe for pregnant mothers. Dr. Anderson received her vaccine on December 30th. Photos are attached.

Rapid City Medical Center does not currently have COVID vaccines available to distribute to their patients. The CDC and the SD Department of Health are currently managing the distribution of the COVID vaccine. As the vaccine becomes more available, RCMC hopes to receive supply to vaccinate their established primary care patients.