As President & CEO of Swope Health, Ravin was selected for his ability to contribute valuable strategies that reach the medically underserved
KANSAS CITY, MO (February 5, 2021) – Jeron Ravin, JD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Swope Health, has been appointed by Mayor Quinton Lucas to serve on Kansas City’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force. Ravin joins an esteemed group of leaders on the task force whose roles range from healthcare and public health to operational and organizational logistics. Mayor Lucas assembled the task force on Wednesday to ensure equitable and efficient COVID-19 vaccine distribution across Kansas City.
Swope Health is Kansas City’s leading provider of healthcare services for the medically underserved, with 50+ year legacy of ensuring access to healthcare, including preventive medicine, to the area’s most vulnerable and at-risk populations.
Swope Health has been active in COVID-19 testing and relief efforts, operating COVID-19 clinics on both sides of the state line as well as dozens of drive-through and pop-up community testing events. Swope Health has tested more than 13,000 individuals and continues to operate regular community testing events.
Recognizing the impact COVID-19 has had on families in our community, Swope Health partnered with several non-profit agencies and corporate sponsors to host 1st Saturdays, monthly give-aways of essential family supplies such as food, school supplies, cold weather gear and other necessities. These events, which included COVID-19 testing, served more than 7,000 people representing approximately 2,800 families in need.
Swope Health is now delivering COVID-19 vaccines to patients, following state guidelines and vaccine availability.
“I am honored that Mayor Lucas put his trust in me to deliver real solutions that enable everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting the vaccine,” said Ravin. “I know I speak for all my task force colleagues when I say we take this responsibility very seriously.”
One challenge facing the task force is informing people without internet access about when, where and how to receive the vaccine. The task force will develop a plan that provides proper focus on people in areas most devastated by the pandemic and least connected to online information. Swope Health provides healthcare services to more than 43,000 people each year, many of whom represent the vulnerable populations the task force plan will aim to protect.
“I agree with Mayor Lucas that every loss from COVID-19 is one too many, and I share his vision to ensure no one is forgotten when it comes to receiving this potentially life-saving vaccine,” said Ravin. “Through collaboration and innovative thinking, our task force will create a plan that is broad in reach but targeted in approach to protect the health and wellness of our community.”
