Linking arms against COVID-19

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Thank you to our sponsors, donors and volunteers for making vaccines possible

2020 was the year COVID-19 took center stage, but with your help we’re fighting back and making 2021 the year we rise above. 

Since January, Novant Health and Novant Health Foundation have proudly teamed up with businesses, community heroes and volunteers to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to our most vulnerable and underserved populations through Arms Against COVID.

Our team began with a bold goal: deliver 1 million COVID-19 vaccinations within Novant Health markets. Together, we’ve made great strides and administered more than 396,281 doses as of April 19, including New Hanover Regional Medical Center.  

Over the last few months, our team members have hosted clinics all across North Carolina with resounding support from the community. In February, we partnered with Ally Financial and the Charlotte Hornets to host a mass vaccination clinic at the Spectrum Center for Group 1 and Group 2 individuals. More than 3,000 Novant Health team members and volunteers stepped up to deliver access to care in this time of need.

“This vaccination effort presented us with a unique opportunity to drive health equity and provide remarkable care,” said Ann Caulkins, president of Novant Health Foundation. “I’m proud to say this community has responded like never before. With gracious support from partners, our team is ready to charge ahead until we beat COVID-19.”

Meet our sponsors

Ally Financial, one of our major sponsors, sought to make an impact on COVID-19. To date, Ally has pledged $80,000 to our COVID-19 relief efforts and maintains a commitment to strengthening communities and improving economic mobility.

“Ally Financial is proud to partner with Novant Health Foundation to make COVID-19 vaccinations more accessible to the vibrant Charlotte community,” the bank said in a statement. “The Novant Health Arms Against COVID mass vaccination initiative is addressing an urgent need at an especially critical time in our fight against the virus. As we did in 2020, we are continuing to allocate funds for pandemic relief efforts, especially in our most vulnerable communities. It is more important than ever for Ally to showcase our commitment to ‘Do It Right.’”

Fellow healthcare providers have also contributed greatly to our vaccination efforts. Providence Anesthesiology Associates is an independent practice, with many physicians, nurses and team members working with patients on the front lines, that served as one of our sponsors.

“At Providence Anesthesiology Associates, we value providing the highest quality care to our patients and community,” said Mark L. Casner, Providence Anesthesiology Associates CEO. “From Day One, our physicians have worked diligently with our Novant Health partners to create the safest possible environment for our patients. We are excited to continue to partner with Novant Health in the fight to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the communities where we live and work.”

Arms Against COVID proved to be an excellent opportunity to align with several community and nonprofit partners. The Good Fellows Club is a local organization that provides emergency assistance to working families in need, and the club saw a parallel with COVID-19.

“Aggressively taking the COVID vaccine into underserved communities is in great alignment with the Good Fellows Club’s core mission of providing a hand up,” said Stick Williams, Good Fellows Club president. “Our members consider the Arms Against COVIDmass vaccination initiative the perfect opportunity to partner with Novant Health — focused on success in every corner of our community.”

COVID-19 has had a deep impact on our communities, and our sponsors have observed it in numerous ways. Good Friends Charlotte is a woman’s organization that connects individuals and families with financial resources to improve lives and inspire hope. Anne McPhail, president, said the organization has witnessed the upheaval COVID has caused in assistance requests.

“We believe that the faster our community can be vaccinated and feel safe returning to normal, the faster stability returns for all,” said Anne McPhail, Good Friends Charlotte president. “Early adoption of the vaccine depends on it being easy and accessible for all. We supported Novant Health’s Arms Against COVID because it breaks down the barriers of transportation and time away from work to get the vaccine.”

COVID-19 presented a once-in-a-lifetime challenge, and the response from our sponsors and community partners across each of the communities we serve has been nothing short of remarkable.

We would like to thank our sponsors for joining in our mission to save lives from COVID-19 including:

Ally Financial
The Budd Group
Carolina Golf Cars
Charlotte Hornets
Commercial Realty Advisors
Compare Foods
Compass Group
Davis Delivery Service
Dunkin’
First Bank
Good Fellows Club
Good Friends Charlotte
Mecklenburg Radiology Associates
Providence Anesthesiology Associates
R.J. Leeper Construction
Robins & Morton
Selwyn Pub