People can now make appointments through RUMC CARES mobile app
With the resurgence of COVID-19 and the spread of the delta variant, Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) continues to implore everyone to get vaccinated. Now, getting a vaccination appointment at RUMC is faster and easier than ever before thanks to RUMC CARES, a new, free and easy to use app available for download through the Apple App Store or Google Play.
“We continue to vaccinate more members of our community every week at our on-site vaccination center. To date, we have vaccinated over 17,000 people and we continue to see a steady stream of individuals which is very encouraging, especially given the surge of the delta variant,” RUMC President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel J. Messina, PhD, FACHE, said. “Our new app will make it easier for people to schedule their vaccination appointments here at RUMC not just for themselves, but family and friends.”
RUMC CARES gives users the ability to select their vaccination date and time, set up multiple individual appointments for themselves, family and friends, download registration forms to be completed before they arrive, and the option to cancel or re-schedule appointments if needed. RUMC CARES also protects all personal information by creating a unique registration code when someone makes their appointment, provides a confirmation email, sends reminder emails, and lets the individual immediately schedule their second dose once their first appointment is complete. RUMC CARES also provides links to the RUMC website for the latest information on COVID-19, the vaccination process, and all healthcare services provided by the hospital.
“With full FDA approval just awarded for the Pfizer vaccine, we anticipate more people overcoming their vaccine hesitancy and stepping up to be vaccinated,” Dr. Messina continued. “Our new app lets them do that using just their fingertips.”
RUMC CARES was created through a grant from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH). RUMC partnered with JMT Media, a Staten Island based marketing and public relations firm, to develop RUMC CARES. JMT Media is a New York State and New York City certified Minority-Women Business Enterprise and was founded in 2015. JMT Media is managed by its founder and Chief Executive Officer, Jaclyn M. Tacoronte.
“As of one of the only MWBE’s on Staten Island focused on digital media and marketing, we are proud to work with Richmond University Medical Center’s ongoing efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to distribute vaccinations for the entire borough and community at large,” Tacoronte said.
Since last year when the pandemic began, RUMC has treated and discharged nearly 4,400 COVID-19 positive patients. In recent weeks, RUMC has seen an increase, largely in unvaccinated people, needing to be admitted for additional medical care, primarily because of the delta variant of the virus. “The vast majority of patients being admitted have been unvaccinated,” RUMC’s Chair of Medicine and Endocrinology, Philip Otterbeck, MD, said. “This is most likely due to the virulence of the new delta strain which is more aggressive and infectious than previous variants.”
The public is strongly urged to get vaccinated to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to adhere to the safety guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the New York State Department of Health, and NYC DOHMH.
“RUMC CARES is the fastest and easiest way to get a vaccination appointment at our hospital, which has protected and cared for the health of our community for over 116 years,” Dr. Messina said. “Scientific evidence has documented that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. These vaccines are the best opportunity we have at protecting ourselves, our loved ones, and our community.”
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Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), is a not-for-profit healthcare provider serving the ethnically diverse community of Staten Island and its neighbors. We provide premier-quality patient care through a full spectrum of emergent, acute, primary, behavioral health and educational services. We do this in an environment that promotes the highest satisfaction among patients, families, physicians and staff. For more information call 1-718-818-1234 or visit www.rumcsi.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
