Parish Nurse Takes Flu Shots on the Road

This Time of Year, Parish Nurse Program Nurse at Redlands Community Hospital is Rolling Up Sleeves and Advocating for Prevention

REDLANDS, CA - It’s the season for the sniffles, headaches and coughing fits, and it’s also high season for nurse Lynne Roy. As coordinator of the Parish Nurse Program for Redlands Community Hospital, Roy spends her days rolling up sleeves and administering flu shots for hundreds of local seniors and others.

This flu season, which officials from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta believe will put many people at risk for serious complications, Roy is traveling throughout the Inland Empire, making stops from Carol’s Kitchen to help the disenfranchised to a church in Banning. In all, she will administer upwards of 600 flu vaccines this season.

"It’s important for seniors especially to get a flu shot. They are the most at risk and they can have serious consequences if they are not protected," said Roy, who works year round as an outreach specialist for the hospital. "Besides seniors, we also offer shots to those who are at-risk as well, such as those with chronic diseases and those without medical care."

Roy’s Parish Nurse Program is a county-wide effort of Redlands Community Hospital to ensure that access to medical care is improved through cooperation with area church congregations. "I am essentially a health educator when I go out and meet with other nurses and volunteers at area churches," she said. "Churches are a great resource for the community and they serve as effective partners in educating people about key health issues, such as disease prevention, breast cancer, diabetes and others."

Besides serving to educate, Roy says that she and her team of volunteers serve as advocates for health care, particularly to a congregation that may have special needs. "Our team is there for them in any way, such as making doctor appointments or helping to find someone who can help them with housework while they recover from illness," she said.

During flu season, Roy says her program targets the most at-risk populations in the Inland Empire. "Prevention is the key message to our program. A flu shot is the most effective way to prevent from getting sick in the first place. Our philosophy is if you won’t come to us for help, we’ll come to you. It makes a difference."