Touro’s PA Program Continues Its COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts Across the Las Vegas Valley

Jun 16, 2021

Touro University Nevada’s Physician Assistant (PA) students have continued their goal to vaccinate as many Southern Nevadans as possible against COVID-19.

“Students come to Touro from all over the United States, many of them drawn here by the promise of community outreach. During these unprecedented times of the pandemic, our students are playing a vital role in the wellness and recovery of our neighbors in the valley,” said Dr. Rebecca Edgeworth, Assistant Professor in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. “We’ve especially been reaching out to the populations disproportionately affected by COVID infections, and the students are genuinely proud and excited at the impact our outreach has had in the community.”

Under faculty supervision, students from the School of Physician Assistant Studies and the College of Health and Human Services have vaccinated more than 11,000 people across the Las Vegas Valley. They’ve done so in numerous locations, sometimes with local and federal politicians on-hand to witness the difference that Touro’s students are making in the community.

PA students vaccinated more than 100 people in front of the ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign during ‘Vaccines After Dark,’ an event led by Clark County Commissioners Justin Jones and Michael Naft; and attended by U.S. Congresswoman Dina Titus.

PA students, in addition to students from Touro’s Latino Medical Students Association (LMSA), also administered COVID-19 vaccines at the East Las Vegas Community Center on Cinco De Mayo. During the follow up event the next month, Touro students were greeted by U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen and Las Vegas City Councilwoman Olivia Diaz, who watched them administer COVID-19 vaccines.

“I’m so grateful that I’ve been given this chance to make a difference,” said PA student Leslie Shen. “By reaching out to our local communities, we’ve been able to educate and vaccinate so many people that I otherwise never would have been able to help. It’s been a busy month on top of an already crazy year to say the least, and I still think we have a long road ahead of us. I also believe we are making the right steps toward achieving some sense of a return to normalcy.”

As the temperatures heat up during the summer months, Touro’s PA students continue to provide vaccinations at places like AREA 15, the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, apartment complexes with Nevada HAND, and many more pop-up locations across the Las Vegas Valley.

“From a tent outside Catholic Charities to the ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign, Touro has gone above and beyond in helping vaccinate our community, anywhere and everywhere,” Commissioner Jones said. “Clark County couldn’t ask for a better partner in this effort and I want to thank CEO Shelley Berkley, the indefatigable Dr. Rebecca Edgeworth, and the dozens of Touro students who have volunteered their time at countless pop-up vaccination events over the past six months.”