Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Northwestern Medicine physicians, scientists, students and staff have been on the front lines of care and discovery. On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the first emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, paving the way for the first vaccinations against the disease. One week later, the FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Even with two separate vaccines available, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicted that supplies would be initially limited, and recommended that the first doses of the vaccine be allocated to healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents.
Northwestern Medicine physicians have begun receiving their vaccines, an experience that for many was inspiring, sobering and hopeful. See below for the reactions of a few Northwestern Medicine physicians upon receiving their COVID-19 vaccines.
Maria Theodorou, MD, assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine
As I sat down to get the #COVID19 #vaccine I felt gratitude, joy, relief. These are tears of thanks for those who worked tirelessly all year- the nurses, RTs, physicians, scientists, community members, and most importantly, patients who’ve allowed me the privilege of their care. pic.twitter.com/NNR1Wk9R4m
— Maria Theodorou, MD, FACP (@metheodorou) December 18, 2020
Karl Bilimoria, MD, MS, vice chair for Quality and John Benjamin Murphy Professor of Surgery
#Vaccinated! Sincere thank you to the scientists, vaccine trial participants, and the always-amazing @NorthwesternMed team! Please step up and get your vaccine when the time comes!
(Just wish I had been working out the guns a little more before my vaccine selfie!) 🤣 pic.twitter.com/17td2usvhT
— Karl Bilimoria (@kbilimoria) December 18, 2020
Michael Ison, MD, MS, professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and of Surgery in the Division of Organ Transplantation.
Thanks to the scientists, study teams and subjects for making this happen! Thanks to @US_FDA and @CDCgov for following the regs to ensure safety and effectiveness. Thanks to the hidden teams locally for making this happen seamlessly @NUFeinbergMed #IGotTheShot @NUCATSInstitute pic.twitter.com/kVc63LrzR6
— Michael Ison, MD MS (@MichaelGIsonMD) December 18, 2020
Khalilah Gates, MD, assistant dean of Medical Education and assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care and of Medical Education
"I entered with mixed emotions. I was excited, had some anxiety and a bit of fear. But I was able to wrap them all up and get my #COVID19vaccine, for which I'm very grateful." Khalilah Gates, MD, who is on the #COVID19 #frontlines @NM_Lung @NorthwesternMed, shares her experience. pic.twitter.com/pHWsz42C6x
— NM Media Relations (@NMHC_News) December 19, 2020
Mita Goel, MD, MPH, associate professor of Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics
Celebrating my birthday with deep gratitude to scientists, trial participants, frontline workers, and smooth shot givers. And to my family, friends, and community, I got my shot cause, like the tattoo says, “I love you to the moon and back!” #vaccinated #notthrowingawaymyshot pic.twitter.com/61poyMruTQ
— Mita Sanghavi Goel (@mita_goel) December 18, 2020
