Oregon's CDC Childhood Immunization Champion
2019
Kathy Tompkins has been the backbone of the immunization program at Hillsboro Pediatric Clinic for more than 30 years. She leads the team to improve vaccination rates for children served in the practice. Ms. Tompkins is a tireless educator of new and seasoned staff about new developments in vaccines, changes in protocol, and standards of care. She promotes excellence in all aspects of vaccine storage and carefully monitors compliance.
Ms. Tompkins conducts monthly updates for all staff about vaccines, including any changes in dosing, supply challenges, and the clinic’s vaccination statistics. She also conducts extensive training with all new clinical staff to ensure they are well educated on vaccines and in compliance with current vaccine standards.
Hillsboro Pediatric Clinics’ high standards are a result of Ms. Tompkins’ diligence. Ms. Tompkins is unwavering in her monitoring, measuring, and training of vaccine administration, storage, and handling. She truly embodies a passion for the safety and health of children in her community, and she leads the team with a consistent attitude of excellence.
Read Kathy's profile on the CDC website, or visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/champions to learn more about CDC's Childhood Immunization Champion Award program.
2018
Dr. Joel Amundson’s passion for childhood immunization began when he saw children suffering from vaccine-preventable illnesses. He realized that misinformation was causing parents to decline vaccines for their children. Now he runs his own pediatric practice in the heart of Portland. Despite local challenges, he has achieved 100% vaccination rates and works to equip other practices to communicate the importance of childhood immunization with parents.
Dr. Amundson believes it is important to listen to parents’ concerns and values and create positive vaccine messages that appeal to parents’ desires for their children. He shares his communication techniques with pediatric practices in his community through Boost Oregon, a grassroots non-profit committed to vaccine education. As President Emeritus of the Boost Oregon Board of Directors, Dr. Amundson leads parent workshops, where he teaches vaccine basics to parents, medical providers, and community members. He also mentors other vaccine leaders in his community so they can also lead these workshops.
Dr. Amundson has co-authored two vaccination guides for education efforts entitled “Parent’s Guide to Children’s Vaccines” and “Counseling Vaccine-Hesitant Parents: A Medical Provider’s Guide.” He also educates others about vaccines through speaking engagements at children’s hospitals, midwives groups, and medical schools. Dr. Amundson’s work has improved immunization rates, influenced countless families to choose vaccines, and inspired physicians and medical students to reshape their vaccine conversations. For his commitment to explaining the importance of immunization to parents with questions, Dr. Joel Amundson is Oregon’s 2018 CDC Childhood Immunization Champion.
Read Joel's profile on the CDC website, or visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/champions to learn more about CDC's Childhood Immunization Champion Award program.
2017
The Oregon Immunization Program is proud to announce that Jacie Zahler, Quality Care Specialist for Klamath Health partnership, has been selected as the 2017 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Childhood Immunization Champion for Oregon. CDC and the CDC Foundation hold this annual awards program to honor immunization champions across the 50 U.S. states, 8 U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States, and the District of Columbia during National Infant Immunization Week.
Jacie was nominated and selected from a pool of health professionals, community advocates, and other immunization leaders for making a significant contribution to public health in Oregon through her work in childhood immunization.
As a Quality Care Specialist with the Klamath Health Partnership, Jacie secured an agreement allowing the Partnership to become a delegate site for the Klamath County Health Department. She has been instrumental in developing the immunization workflow at the Health Partnership’s main clinic and expanding it to two additional sites. She coordinates vaccine supply for all three clinics and trains staff on vaccine administration and forecasting.
Read Jacie's profile on the CDC website, or visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/champions to learn more about CDC's Childhood Immunization Champion Award program.
2016
Christine Wysock, RN, ADN, Corporate Infection Preventionist for the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinics, was the 2016 Childhood Immunization Champion for Oregon.
Christine was selected for making a significant contribution to public health in Oregon through her work in childhood immunization.
In her capacity as a nurse overseeing vaccinations in three of Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinics, Christine’s efforts to establish and maintain registries for infants and children have proven to be among the most successful in Marion County. Yakima Valley Farm Workers consistently rank among the highest in the county in AFIX reports on immunization coverage.
Read Christine's profile on the CDC website, or visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/champions to learn more about CDC's Childhood Immunization Champion Award program.