LVHN Pharmacist Receives National Recognition for Contributions to COVID-19 Immunization

Lauren Grantz, PharmD, Administrator of Outpatient Pharmacy Services at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), has been named Immunization Champion for her outstanding efforts to promote immunization in the Lehigh Valley by the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM). Grantz is recognized for being a key leader of LVHN’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Under Grantz’s leadership, LVHN was selected as one of the sites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Pilot Program for Provider Oversight visits. 

Grantz also helped plan and facilitate some of Pennsylvania’s first drive-through COVID-19 vaccine clinics and assisted with in-school vaccination clinics for students and their families. These efforts resulted in more than 650,000 vaccinations in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding communities.

“It's been a true honor to be part of this critical initiative in vaccinating our community against COVID-19, and I am completely humbled that my efforts were recognized,” Grantz says.  “Of course, it wasn’t only me. We have had the most amazing interdisciplinary team working tirelessly, sometimes around the clock, to ensure safe and timely access to vaccines in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. We’re proud of the work we’ve done and the lives that we’ve saved.”

Immunization Champion selections come from a pool of health professionals, coalition members, community advocates and other immunization leaders. These awards acknowledge the outstanding efforts of individuals who go above and beyond ensuring immunization access in their communities. State immunization programs coordinated the nomination process and submitted nominees to AIM. One winner is selected in each participating state and the District of Columbia.

“Through the many challenges faced, Lauren Grantz implemented innovative strategies, built collaborations and showed true leadership to positively impact the community she serves,” said Pennsylvania Department of Health Acting Secretary and Physician General, Dr. Denise Johnson. “We are thrilled to see her receive this much-deserved recognition. She is worthy of the title, and we are proud to have her as the representative for Pennsylvania as our Immunization Champion.”

Before the pandemic, each year during National Infant Immunization Week, the CDC and AIM honored health professionals and community leaders from around the country with the CDC Childhood Immunization Champion awards. This year AIM has taken over the award and expanded the program to include opportunities to recognize Immunization Champions in multiple areas of immunization.