Sioux Center, Iowa — A Sioux Center pharmacist has been honored with a statewide award.
Hy-Vee, Inc. is pleased to announce that Heather Vande Kieft, pharmacy manager of the Sioux Center Hy-Vee Pharmacy, has been selected as Iowa’s 2024 Immunization Champion by the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Hy-Vee corporate tells us the national award honors individuals from the state, local, and territorial jurisdictions who have gone above and beyond to foster and promote immunizations in their communities.
Vande Kieft 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 Iowa through her work in leading the Sioux Center Hy-Vee Pharmacy.
Since joining the pharmacy in 2023, Vande Kieft has focused on building relationships with her patients, as well as establishing a strong presence in the local community. Her pharmacy team often participates in local events, offering vaccines and sharing resources about the latest vaccine recommendations. Earlier this year, Vande Kieft organized mobile vaccine clinics to bring tetanus shots to residents and first responders in surrounding communities who were impacted by devastating flooding.
Within her pharmacy, Vande Kieft is dedicated to creating a safe and comfortable vaccination space for her patients and has been known to dress up as a syringe during the fall season to encourage vaccinations and help reduce anxiety among young patients. This year, Vande Kieft and her team will also be offering drive-thru flu shots outside of the Sioux Center Hy-Vee on select days in October.
Dr. Robert Kruse, Iowa Health and Human Services State Medical Director says, “We are proud of the work that Heather Vande Kieft has done to promote vaccines to customers in her community in northwest Iowa. Immunizations can be beneficial in preventing serious illnesses or even death, and I want to congratulate Heather for her passion and pursuit to keeping her community safe while being a trusted resource for patients wishing to get vaccinated.”
To learn more about the national Immunization Champion Awards, visit https://www.immunizationmanagers.org/about-aim/awards/champion-awards/.
