NIU Voices: Huskies on the front lines of pandemic

Healthcare workers from around the globe responded during the pandemic, taking on critical roles on the front line fight against COVID-19.

I am proud to say that Northern Illinois University students and faculty from the College of Health and Human Sciences are doing the same, filling great needs in the communities where they learn, live and work.

School of Nursing students and faculty administered COVID-19 vaccinations to community members at DeKalb County Health Department clinics (held at the NIU Convocation Center) and Kane County Health Department clinics (held at the Kane County Fairgrounds and other locations).

If you received a COVID-19 vaccination, it could be you were helped by a Huskie.

School of Health Studies faculty and students who are majoring in public health joined the efforts by volunteering at COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Also, members of the School of Family and Consumer Sciences stepped up to volunteer at vaccination clinics. That might have been a Huskie volunteer who greeted you at check-in, took your temperature, or monitored you after the vaccination.

I am so proud of how our students and faculty stepped up to help the community during these times. Whether it is in clinical services, significant shifts in their learning environment, or work in the university’s Child Development and Family Center, they have stepped up.

Keeping our community safe is a priority to meet the college’s goals for education, health and human services, and community engagement. Preparing leaders to enhance the life of individuals, families and communities is at the heart of what we do.

I am grateful for the contributions of our students and faculty during these unprecedented times, and we will continue to be purposeful in supporting the health and well-being of fellow Huskies and community members.

• Beverly Henry is the interim dean of NIU’s College of Health and Human Sciences. The college includes programs in five schools: Allied Health and Communicative Disorders, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Studies, Interdisciplinary Health Professions and Nursing, as well as Military Science, Ph.D. in Health Sciences and Gerontology. Visit CHHS to learn more.