Lupe Rodriguez, APN, director of community care for the Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinics, received an award from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker for her efforts as a frontline healthcare provider during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ms. Rodriguez was one of 11 healthcare workers from around the state selected by the governor as grand marshals for the 2021 Twilight Parade on Aug. 12 to kick off the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Although the parade was cancelled due to inclement weather, Ms. Rodriguez and her fellow marshals were honored during an awards ceremony in recognition of their work to protect communities from COVID.

"It was a surprise and an honor to receive the recognition for the work we are doing in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic," Ms. Rodriguez said. "While I am the person who was named and received the recognition, I understand that it is a collaborative effort to meet the needs of the community during these difficult and unpredictable times. By working together, we will continue to make a difference!"

Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, Ms. Rodriguez and her team on the Community Care Connection (CCC) have been on the front lines of the pandemic, visiting medically underserved areas throughout Lake County to conduct COVID testing and deliver vaccinations. To date, the CCC team and their colleagues at RFU Health Clinics have administered more than 18,000 COVID tests and 5,500 vaccinations.

“Since early last year, our brave healthcare heroes have kept Illinois communities safe as the COVID-19 pandemic changed the lives of residents in every corner of the state,” said Gov. Pritzker in a media statement announcing the selection of the parade marshals. “Their ceaseless dedication to providing the best possible care for their neighbors saved lives.”

In addition to their work related to COVID, the Community Care Connection team also provides health screenings such as blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol testing free of charge to  uninsured and underserved Lake County residents. Visit rfu.ms/ccc to learn more.