Reaching Out:
Kids know her--she's the MMR lady
Each spring Lisa Conn, CMA, takes five days away from the busy Smokey Point Family Medicine Clinic (now Cascade Valley Smokey Point Clinic) and visits the fifth graders of three local school districts.
"Unfortunately most of the students don't look forward to seeing me," chuckles Lisa.
With a goal of making sure no student is kept from starting sixth grade in the fall because of a missed Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) immunization, Lisa has been making these annual visits for over seven years.
While they wait, the little girls stir each other up by saying how scared they are and the little boys try very hard to show how brave they are.
"I have only had a few actually pass out. One young man came in telling me how this was going to be a 'piece of cake.' After the injection he stood up, thanked me very politely, walked out of the room, and lost his lunch. I felt so sorry for him."
For a low fee to cover the costs of syringes and other supplies, Lisa's service saves parents a special trip to the doctor and our communities from a possible outbreak of measles.
"I really enjoy the interaction with the kids," states Lisa. "At the same time it feels good to be providing this service for the community."
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. It should not replace a visit with your health care professional. Call your doctor if you need more information or have additional questions.