Huntingdon’s Henry and Creel share experiences of working in healthcare during pandemic and receiving COVID-19 vaccine

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Choosing a career in healthcare is not always an easy decision.

In normal times, a job in healthcare can be stressful and exhausting. During a worldwide pandemic, the demands on healthcare workers are multiplied exponentially.

For Huntingdon College student-athletes Wallace Henry and Madeline Creel, the circumstances of the past year only reinforced their belief in pursuing a career in healthcare.

Henry, a senior baseball player from Deatsville, Ala., is a Rehab Aide with Baptist Health. Creel, a sophomore tennis player from Florence, Ala., is a Care Partner in the emergency room at North Alabama Medical Center.

Henry, who wants to pursue a career as a Physical Therapist, began working with Baptist early in the pandemic and has been on the job both in the hospital and in an outpatient setting for seven months.

Creel, who wants to become a Registered Nurse and work in the Emergency Room, began working at North Alabama Medical Center in November.

As part of their jobs, both recently received the COVID-19 vaccine.

Below, Henry and Creel talk about their experiences in receiving the vaccine, working during the pandemic and the excitement of returning to campus for class and to compete in their sports this spring.

In Their Own Words

Tell us about receiving the vaccine. What was the experience like for you? Did you have any apprehension?

Wallace Henry: "Receiving the vaccine was an easy choice for me because I have multiple high-risk family members whom I did not want to expose to the virus. The vaccine experience was just like receiving any regular vaccine. After receiving the vaccine, I felt extremely fatigued and there was some soreness around the injection site for a few days. Those symptoms are normal.

"Ultimately, I felt like getting the vaccine was going to help manage spreading the virus while treating patients and I felt like getting the vaccine was the best choice to keep my family safe and to do my part in stopping the spread of COVID-19."

Madeline Creel: "I was apprehensive at first about receiving the vaccine, but I have family in my household who are at very high risk for it and I did not want to be the reason they got sick. Also my dad got the vaccine a week before I did and that encouraged me to do it too.

"In the ER, patients are at their most vulnerable. The last thing I would want is for me to get sick and then pass it on to someone else."

With some people being hesitant to get the vaccine, is there anything you would say to calm their concerns? 

Wallace Henry: "I would tell them to look up the facts about the vaccine and not listen to non-credible sources. If people could see what is happening in the hospitals (especially the ICUs), then they more than likely would not be hesitant anymore. Yes, the vaccine does produce a few minor side effects, but I would rather spend a few days fatigued and sore than potentially getting the virus and exposing my family."

Madeline Creel: "There are people who say there isn't enough testing for the vaccine and it was made so quickly, who knows the effects of it. I totally understand that. It is difficult to make a decision to get the vaccine when it is all so sudden.

"But, all of the doctors who get asked questions about getting the vaccine are all supportive of people getting it. I haven't met one doctor yet who does not support it. This also encouraged me to get it." 

What can you share from your personal experience that sheds light on what it has been like to work in healthcare through the pandemic?

Wallace Henry: "I was offered my first job in healthcare due to the pandemic.  Healthcare facilities had to quickly restrict access into their buildings and monitor everyone who was allowed to come in, so they created a facility screening position.  The facility screening position was the perfect entry level position for college students or recent college graduates. Once inside the healthcare setting, I was able to transfer into Physical Therapy which affords me the opportunity to be involved with direct patient care.

"I have seen a lot of sorrow, sadness and heartache. Of the patients with COVID- 19 that require admission to the hospital, some do well and are discharged home with their loved ones. However, I spent a lot of time helping the teams caring for the acutely critically ill patients in intensive care units.  Unfortunately many of the patients that require intubation and mechanical ventilation do not have a good prognosis. I have seen a good bit of death during my short time here. There are days that probably could only be described as 'close to a war zone' as I have been.

"My parents have worked in healthcare my entire life, and honestly I see then come home now more mentally exhausted than ever. Most healthcare team members go into healthcare in order to make a difference and during this pandemic, sometimes they feel as if they have failed.

"Being involved in sports my entire life, I have been involved with both effective and infective teams.  I will say that this healthcare team has pulled together and demonstrated amazing teamwork. I know they are exhausted and frustrated, everyone is emotionally and physically drained, and most of them are working many more extra shifts, which means missing time with their families. But they are working harder than ever and doing the best they can."

Madeline Creel: "I have only worked here a few months, but these few months have been bittersweet. Since I have been working, there are times when you just want to cry because of how affected people really are from this virus, especially the elderly. But, all of the nurses and doctors that work in the ER continue to remain positive. They never allow themselves to become negative. I have met some pretty cool co-workers that maybe I will work with in the future."

With all that everyone has been through during the past several months, for you individually, what does it mean to have a sense of normalcy in being able to return to class and compete in your sport?

Wallace Henry: "I am a little different than some of the student-athletes at Huntingdon College. COVID took away my senior baseball season, so receiving the news about having an extra year of eligibility was very exciting. This has also given me the opportunity rehab an injury so I am able to compete at a high level.

"I am ready to get back on the field with my teammates and compete for a conference championship. It means the world to me that we get to the hit the reset button on the 2020 season and basically restart as a team. Now we have to do our part to make everyone proud."

Madeline Creel: "I cannot tell you how ready I am for things to be back to normal. I feel like I am more engaged when we have in-person classes and it feels more normal being with all of your friends and actually having class with your professor right in front of you.

"The thought of hopefully having a season is amazing. I am a sophomore this year, so this would be my first actual full season if we get to play. I hope everyone in every sport just enjoys the time they have with their team and has a good season."