Heritage Health partners with Kroc Center to deliver vaccines

Starting next week, Heritage Health will partner with The Salvation Army Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene as a central location in Kootenai County for providing COVID-19 vaccinations to individuals age 65 and older.

“Part of the mission of The Salvation Army has always been to meet the need in His name without discrimination,” said Kip Sharbono, Kroc Center director. “We are fortunate to have the facility that was awarded to Coeur d’Alene, and even more so to have an organization that continues to find new ways to meet the needs of our community every day.”

The vaccination clinic will be held in the theater area on the east end of The Kroc Center, Monday through Friday, by appointment only. Patients and community members can sign up on the Heritage Health waiting list by going to myheritagehealth.org and clicking on the link to fill out the sign up form. Sign up is not available at The Kroc Center.

Heritage Health is working with the Panhandle Health District to vaccinate patients and community members as quickly as vaccine comes available. To date, Heritage Health has vaccinated about 1,200 individuals.

“We’re blessed to be able to do our part for the community,” said Sharbono. “These are challenging times and we’re all looking forward to being able to live more normal lives.”

The number of vaccinated people is expected to grow exponentially.

“Our operations team and clinic directors have worked hard to make this partnership with The Kroc Center a reality and to ensure prompt delivery of vaccinations to our community from this location,” said Dr. Peter Purrington, chief clinical officer for Heritage Health. “We’re super excited about being able to work with The Kroc Center. We hope to receive larger quantities of the vaccine in the weeks to come.”

Heritage Health will continue to offer vaccinations for its patients and community members in Shoshone County from its clinic in Kellogg.

Heritage Health and The Kroc Center previously collaborated on programs that promoted health and wellness for the community. The nonprofits also have worked on helping the homeless, including providing beds and staffing for the Warming Center.

“We are proud of the strong relationship we have with Heritage Health,” said Sharbono. “This vaccination clinic is simply a reflection of coming together for the greater good.”