**Vaccines are not offered at The Urology Center of Colorado – please refer to you primacy care physician for your options**
We are living in a historic time when scientists, governments, and healthcare experts around the world are coming together to fight COVID-19. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the emergency use of two vaccines that will help turn-the-tides on the global pandemic.
The Urology Center of Colorado (TUCC) physicians and leadership are proud to support the use of the vaccine. We are glad to join the efforts of the Colorado Medical Society (CMS) to encourage medical professionals to get the vaccine, and share our “Why”. For more information on the CMS movement, visit WWW.CMSWHATSYOURWHY.COM
Dr. Ragan, Co-Director for the Advanced Therapeutics Clinic for Prostate Cancer, and Urologist at TUCC, received his vaccine this week. Here is Dr. Ragan’s experience and “Why”:
“I received my first injection on Saturday, December 19, 2020.
As I drove to Lutheran hospital for my first injection of the COVID-19 vaccine, I experienced multiple different emotions. They ranged from:
Exuberance, Joy, Sense of relief, Sadness, Hope, and Amazement
Exuberance about being able to participate not only in a national event but an International / worldwide endeavor to vaccinate the human population from a deadly disease.
Joy that we were able to start the process of vaccinations in 2020.
Sense of relief that possibly, we have started to ‘turn the corner’ on getting this virus under control.
Sadness for all the lives lost and that we have to distribute the vaccine in a tiered approach and that the many underdeveloped and developing countries in the world may not see the vaccine until the end of 2021 or 2022.
Hope that in the next year or two, our lives can return to normal.
Amazement about how our scientific community in less than 1 year was able to identify the virus and bring all the different facets of the research community together to develop a vaccine.
‘The Why’
Family & Friends: Although my immediate family has been healthy and continue to follow the recommended guidelines of social distancing of at least 6 feet, wear a mask and wash your hands, I have extended family and friends that have been affected by this disease.
A few have lost loved ones, some have been affected more than others and many have experience the effects of social isolation and economic hardship that this virus has caused.
Cancer patients: A lot of our cancer patients are in the higher risk elderly population that will be the next phase (2) of vaccinations in the Spring of 2021. In our Advanced Therapeutics Clinic (ATC), I have almost 50% of our patients in their 70’s and over 25% in their 80’s & 90’s. These are the patients and individuals that I worry the most about. If they contract the COVID-19 virus and become hospitalized, they are the least likely to go home to their loved ones: spouses, children and grandchildren.
As part of the Hippocratic Oath for physicians, ‘I will use …. regimens which will benefit my patients according to my greatest ability and judgement, and I will do no harm or injustice to them’.
This vaccine has the potential to save millions of lives around the globe and we as the human race have the ability not only to do no harm, but to help others in a simple manner by protecting our loved ones, our neighbors and our fellow humans by allowing ourselves to be protected by modern medicine.”
