Sawtooth Mountain Clinic receives more than $1 million for COVID vaccine support

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC) announced this week it will receive more than $1.1 million in federal funding to aid in COVID-19 vaccinations and treatment in Cook County from the American Rescue Plan.

The American Recuse Plan was proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration and approved by a majority of Congress. Community health centers, including SMC, will be able to use the money to support and expand COVID-19 vaccination, testing and treatment for vulnerable populations. The funds can also be used to deliver needed preventive and primary health care services and share information about the vaccines, according to the clinic’s CEO Kate Surbaugh.

“This funding will very helpful as we meet the challenge to further expand vaccinations to all persons eligible in our area,” Surbaugh said. “We are so proud of the partnership between Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, North Shore Health and Cook County Public Health and Human Services ­­­– along with all our providers and volunteers – to deliver the state’s leading vaccination rate.  Nearly 55 percent of the population of Cook County has already received their first dose and that continues to grow.”
 
WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Surbaugh about the federal funding coming to the local healthcare facility through the American Rescue Plan, as well as other news relevant to the ongoing pandemic and related healthcare news from Cook County. The audio below is their conversation that aired lived March 31.