Partnering to increase vaccine access<\/h2>\n![\"Group](\"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/05\/bessler-group-photo-2-e1778716324816-300x146.png\")
From left: Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD), Acts Pharmacy and Bessler Center<\/p><\/div>\n
Passionate physician leaders Michele Cannon Bessler, MD, and Rob Bessler, MD, joined forces with MultiCare Mary Bridge Children\u2019s Hospital & Health Network<\/a> and Mary Bridge Children\u2019s Foundation<\/a> donors in 2023 to pursue a bold vision: Children within our community will be the healthiest in the nation.<\/p>\nCommunity input and health data informed three strategic priorities:<\/p>\n
\n- Ensuring health starts at birth<\/li>\n
- Supporting wellness and illness prevention<\/li>\n
- Ensuring children thrive through school participation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Local statistics underscored the urgency: Fewer than half of Pierce County children receive all recommended vaccines by age 3, and respiratory illness is the leading cause of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for regions served by Mary Bridge Children\u2019s.<\/p>\n
To build upon existing efforts and close access gaps, the Bessler Center reached out to local partners to bring vaccines directly into neighborhoods and serve as an entry point for accessing the Mary Bridge Children\u2019s Health Network.<\/p>\n
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/05\/bessler-acts-pharmacy-Photo-3-scaled-e1778716014426-300x253.jpeg\")
Pictured right: Jazel Bautista, RPh, Acts Pharmacy, is a foundational partner.<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cIt was just an amazing journey,\u201d says Acts Pharmacy owner-pharmacist Jazel Bautista, RPh. \u201cWe were able to really use our resources well, because there was a collaboration among Bessler, us, TPCHD, MRC and the community sponsors.\u201d<\/p>\n
In one year, the partnership delivered 1,376 cumulative vaccines, preparing children for school and protecting kids like Winifred \u2014 and adults like Ashley \u2014 from respiratory illness.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Bessler Center and partners were fantastic,\u201d Ashley says, reflecting on her daughter\u2019s experience. \u201cThey were able to step up and help when we weren’t able to find anybody else. We know this year we\u2019re going to seek them out right away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Answering the call<\/h2>\n![\"Person](\"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/05\/bessler-health-dept-Photo-4-300x207.jpg\")
Anne Tu, MSN, RN, TPCHD, worked with the Bessler Center to ensure back-to-school vaccine events continued.<\/p><\/div>\n
Vaccination clinics held in community and learning centers make access easier \u2014 especially for families without reliable transportation, a regular health care provider or health insurance. Last year, 40 percent of individuals vaccinated at the neighborhood clinics were covered by Medicaid and 30 percent were uninsured.<\/p>\n
Knowing how many Pierce County caregivers rely on options like back-to-school vaccine events, the TPCHD immediately called the Bessler Center when unexpected vaccine funding cuts threatened to upend planned drives just days before they were scheduled.<\/p>\n
The announcement came on a Friday, and by Tuesday, the Bessler Center had mobilized to have a Memorandum of Understanding in place ahead of the next-day clinic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were able to reach out to the Bessler Center to see if they would be able to help support these vaccine clinics, so they can go on as planned in any way possible,\u201d explains Anne Tu, MSN, RN, a public health nurse who handles immunization and provider engagement at TPCHD. \u201cThey were able to figure it out for us; there was no delay. We didn\u2019t have to cancel any appointments, so there were no hiccups there. All the kids were able to get their vaccines, and all the vaccine clinics that were scheduled went on as planned, so that was really great.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey made it work in a short turnaround time, and we really appreciate their support,\u201d she continues.<\/p>\n
Less traumatic vaccinations<\/h2>\n![\"Adult](\"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/05\/bessler-event-candy-Photo-5-300x225.jpg\")
Bessler Center\u2019s Chris Ladish, PhD, offers a prize post-poke.<\/p><\/div>\n
Location also matters for how a child experiences care. Familiar spaces like schools and community centers can help reduce anxiety around injections.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kids are more comfortable if they see the school setting compared with that barrier of fear going to the doctor\u2019s office,\u201d Bautista says. \u201cThey would see familiar faces, teachers, school nurses.\u201d<\/p>\n
And having a pediatric psychologist on-site, like Bessler Center Assistant Vice President Chris Ladish, PhD, can help frightened children by teaching coping skills, using distraction techniques and reframing fear in the moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was one kid \u2026 he was just really scared, and then Dr. Ladish just talked to the kid, putting her psychology hat on,\u201d Bautista shares. \u201cHow she talked to the kid \u2014 it was amazing. Being there and listening, kids, parents see if you\u2019re genuine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Winifred also usually struggles with shots. But after the vaccination team met her where she was, she left Franklin Pierce High School all smiles.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had \u2014 I think it was \u2014 four ladies that were helping us, because my daughter, I forewarned them, does not do well with shots,\u201d Ashley remembers. \u201cAnd it was the best she had ever done so far. Everybody just came together to help out, to make it nice and calm.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey put my mind at ease and were able to crack my daughter, and that just means so much,\u201d she continues.<\/p>\n
Beyond the walls of Mary Bridge Children\u2019s<\/h2>\n
Today, the Bessler Center, Acts Pharmacy and Pierce County MRC continue their community-first approach with recurring, static vaccination clinics at the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center in Tacoma.<\/p>\n
From left: Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD), Acts Pharmacy and Bessler Center<\/p><\/div>\n
Passionate physician leaders Michele Cannon Bessler, MD, and Rob Bessler, MD, joined forces with MultiCare Mary Bridge Children\u2019s Hospital & Health Network<\/a> and Mary Bridge Children\u2019s Foundation<\/a> donors in 2023 to pursue a bold vision: Children within our community will be the healthiest in the nation.<\/p>\n Community input and health data informed three strategic priorities:<\/p>\n Local statistics underscored the urgency: Fewer than half of Pierce County children receive all recommended vaccines by age 3, and respiratory illness is the leading cause of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for regions served by Mary Bridge Children\u2019s.<\/p>\n To build upon existing efforts and close access gaps, the Bessler Center reached out to local partners to bring vaccines directly into neighborhoods and serve as an entry point for accessing the Mary Bridge Children\u2019s Health Network.<\/p>\n Pictured right: Jazel Bautista, RPh, Acts Pharmacy, is a foundational partner.<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cIt was just an amazing journey,\u201d says Acts Pharmacy owner-pharmacist Jazel Bautista, RPh. \u201cWe were able to really use our resources well, because there was a collaboration among Bessler, us, TPCHD, MRC and the community sponsors.\u201d<\/p>\n In one year, the partnership delivered 1,376 cumulative vaccines, preparing children for school and protecting kids like Winifred \u2014 and adults like Ashley \u2014 from respiratory illness.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Bessler Center and partners were fantastic,\u201d Ashley says, reflecting on her daughter\u2019s experience. \u201cThey were able to step up and help when we weren’t able to find anybody else. We know this year we\u2019re going to seek them out right away.\u201d<\/p>\n Anne Tu, MSN, RN, TPCHD, worked with the Bessler Center to ensure back-to-school vaccine events continued.<\/p><\/div>\n Vaccination clinics held in community and learning centers make access easier \u2014 especially for families without reliable transportation, a regular health care provider or health insurance. Last year, 40 percent of individuals vaccinated at the neighborhood clinics were covered by Medicaid and 30 percent were uninsured.<\/p>\n Knowing how many Pierce County caregivers rely on options like back-to-school vaccine events, the TPCHD immediately called the Bessler Center when unexpected vaccine funding cuts threatened to upend planned drives just days before they were scheduled.<\/p>\n The announcement came on a Friday, and by Tuesday, the Bessler Center had mobilized to have a Memorandum of Understanding in place ahead of the next-day clinic.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were able to reach out to the Bessler Center to see if they would be able to help support these vaccine clinics, so they can go on as planned in any way possible,\u201d explains Anne Tu, MSN, RN, a public health nurse who handles immunization and provider engagement at TPCHD. \u201cThey were able to figure it out for us; there was no delay. We didn\u2019t have to cancel any appointments, so there were no hiccups there. All the kids were able to get their vaccines, and all the vaccine clinics that were scheduled went on as planned, so that was really great.<\/p>\n \u201cThey made it work in a short turnaround time, and we really appreciate their support,\u201d she continues.<\/p>\n Bessler Center\u2019s Chris Ladish, PhD, offers a prize post-poke.<\/p><\/div>\n Location also matters for how a child experiences care. Familiar spaces like schools and community centers can help reduce anxiety around injections.<\/p>\n \u201cThe kids are more comfortable if they see the school setting compared with that barrier of fear going to the doctor\u2019s office,\u201d Bautista says. \u201cThey would see familiar faces, teachers, school nurses.\u201d<\/p>\n And having a pediatric psychologist on-site, like Bessler Center Assistant Vice President Chris Ladish, PhD, can help frightened children by teaching coping skills, using distraction techniques and reframing fear in the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was one kid \u2026 he was just really scared, and then Dr. Ladish just talked to the kid, putting her psychology hat on,\u201d Bautista shares. \u201cHow she talked to the kid \u2014 it was amazing. Being there and listening, kids, parents see if you\u2019re genuine.\u201d<\/p>\n Winifred also usually struggles with shots. But after the vaccination team met her where she was, she left Franklin Pierce High School all smiles.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had \u2014 I think it was \u2014 four ladies that were helping us, because my daughter, I forewarned them, does not do well with shots,\u201d Ashley remembers. \u201cAnd it was the best she had ever done so far. Everybody just came together to help out, to make it nice and calm.<\/p>\n \u201cThey put my mind at ease and were able to crack my daughter, and that just means so much,\u201d she continues.<\/p>\n Today, the Bessler Center, Acts Pharmacy and Pierce County MRC continue their community-first approach with recurring, static vaccination clinics at the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center in Tacoma.<\/p>\n\n
Answering the call<\/h2>\n
Less traumatic vaccinations<\/h2>\n
Beyond the walls of Mary Bridge Children\u2019s<\/h2>\n
![\"Foundations](\"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/06\/Foundations-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
Connect health care and community services where children play, learn and grow<\/strong><\/p>\n