Editor's note: Providence St. Mary Medical Center's vaccine clinic is no longer located at Our Lady of the Desert Church. We have since transitioned the vaccine clinic into a drive-thru clinic located in the parking lot of St. Mary's Healthy Communities Building, 16000 Kasota Road, Apple Valley.
Dear Community Members,
COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our community, as we have witnessed since November. From overrun emergency rooms and ICUs to friends and family members lost to this virus, it breaks my heart to know the toll COVID-19 has taken on every single one of us.
While COVID-19 numbers are on the decline here at Providence St. Mary Medical Center and beyond, our battle with this virus is far from over.
As health care leaders, it is imperative that we do everything we can to lend our efforts and support to the county to help vaccinate this community.
In the spirit of our founding sisters, who committed to a lifetime of helping others, we have decided to open our COVID-19 vaccine clinic to the community.
Yes, it is ambitious to host a San Bernardino County mass vaccination site during this time. But whenever the community has needed us, we’ve been there and that will never change.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention all the incredible support we’ve received to realize the idea of a High Desert mass vaccination site.
In order to accommodate a large volume of people without disturbing the day-to-day activities at the hospital, Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Church has graciously agreed to let us use its church hall. Additionally, local school districts have provided staff to help with clinic operations, and countless others have agreed to help spread the word about our site.
It has been a true team effort, and we can’t thank those who have rallied around us enough.
While we are excited to vaccinate as many people as possible throughout the next couple of months — our best defense against future surges, as well as our best hope in regaining a sense of normalcy — it is important to know that we strictly follow county guidelines on those allowed to be vaccinated. So please check our website for the latest updates and information regarding vaccine availability.
As we head into this new phase of the pandemic, it brings me joy to know that we continue to do everything we can to serve our community and defeat this virus.
Thank you for continuing to look to us in a time of great vulnerability, and please consider getting yourself and your loved ones vaccinated if you haven’t done so already.
Respectfully,
Randall Castillo
Chief Executive
Providence St. Mary Medical Center
