Banner Health Chief Clinical Officer: Vaccine Is Way Out Of Pandemic, But Still Work To Do To Get There
Download mp3 (11.84 MB)Arizona has added 1,507 new coronavirus cases and is subtracting 3 deaths from its daily dashboard Feb. 22 due to residual death certificate matching. Today’s figures are also likely reflective of usual delays in weekend reporting. As the nation reaches 500,000 fatalities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arizona ranked third in the country for COVID-19 deaths per capita over the last seven days and 19th in cases.
The state had led the nation in both categories back in January. Hospitalizations dropped again and ICU bed use is at 85%.
As for vaccinations, nearly 1.5 million doses have been given in the state, while nearly 1.1 million have received at least one shot.
One of the leading medical voices in Arizona during the pandemic has been recognized for her work.
Dr. Marjorie Bessel, chief clinical officer for Banner Health has been named one of the country’s 25 Women Leaders for 2021 by the health care news publication Modern Healthcare.
Bessel calls the honor a “humbling recognition.”
The Show caught up with her and started by asking about vaccine shipments that’ve been delayed by winter storms across the country, and how big of an issue they’ve been for Banner.
