May 2023
Rita
Jacoby
,
RN
VNA of Central Jersey Children & Family Health Institute
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Freehold
,
NJ
United States
She fosters an environment of communication within the community and teamwork among other nurses and staff.
Rita Jacoby has been working for the Covid-19 vaccine efforts for two plus years with the CHC, VNA and CFHI. Throughout that time she was a strong lead at the Asbury Park Covid-19 mega site administering the 100,000th vaccine for us. She fosters an environment of communication within the community and teamwork among other nurses and staff. Rita educates patients on Covid-19 so they fully understand the vaccine, side effects and after care. She shows empathy and patience to each patient she vaccinates. Rita also stepped up and led us through administering monkeypox vaccine during the epidemic. When Rita is not working for the VNA/CFHI and CHC, I have personally seen her run to aid in a clinical crisis. I’m proud to work with Rita and know that our patients are in excellent care under her eye.
I immediately recall a day Rita was heading home after a vaccine event. A SUV was on the other side of the road from her, speeding towards her head on when she swerved and avoided being hit, hitting a curb instead. She then jumped out of her car and witnessed the SUV barreling out of control into a neighbors fence then across the street and into another fence and onto their lawn. She ran to the vehicle and an off duty firefighter said the man needed Narcan. Rita identified herself as a nurse, ran back to her car and retrieved a Narcan dose she carries with her and used it on the man. The police and EMS arrived shortly after and told her she had saved this man’s life.
There are many instances during our time at the Asbury Park mega vaccine site that patients would faint, act irrationally and many other behaviors that Rita would handle professionally. I’ve seen her follow up with patients who had adverse reactions to the vaccine with a phone call later that day and the next. I met with patients who were thankful for Rita setting up their elderly parents/relatives who were homebound to ensure they were getting their Covid vaccine. Rita is well known in the communities we serve with a vast majority exclaiming “Nurse Rita” when they see her. It is always a pleasure to listen to their personal experiences with Rita.