Frank Receives Nursing Award From Immunization Coalition Board
Posted
Staff Report-
Debbie Frank was presented an award Dec. 11 by the Indiana Immunization Coalition Board of Directors. Frank, registered nurse and former Kosciusko County Health Department nurse, retired Sept. 1 after 20 years. It is the Coalition’s goal to award members and partner organizations in an effort to highlight and recognize some of the excellent work across the state and specifically outstanding efforts in the field of immunizations, according to information provided. Frank was selected for the Indiana Immunization Coalition's “Immunization Innovator Award” for 2014. This award is presented to an individual or group demonstrating a position of willingness to try something new. The world of immunization is ever changing and to stay relevant immunization professionals must adapt and be ready to meet new challenges, the information provided stated. Innovators don’t always find 100 percent success on their first attempt, but they are often ahead of their time. Immunization Innovator Awardees are visionaries that display consistent evidence of collaboration, information sharing, and are willing to take risks for the benefit of their community. According to Myra Alexander, Wawasee High School nurse, Frank has worked tirelessly - always going the extra mile - to assure that the students in the school corporation received vaccinations for school compliance. “After the death of one of our students to bacterial meningitis, Debbie conducted a meningitis vaccination clinic at our high school. We vaccinated hundreds of students during that clinic as well as giving much-needed assurance to parents that their child was protected from meningitis disease. This clinic was used as a model for the state. Debbie also held immunization clinics for the large Amish population we have in Northern Indiana. They learned to trust her with the health of their children and held her in highest regard – even inviting her to family wedding events,” Alexander said in her nomination of Frank. “Debbie is a kind, patient and compassionate nurse. I have seen her soothing fussy babies, consoling frightened toddlers and educating teens on the importance of vaccinations. She is a most worthy recipient of this award and I highly recommend her.”
