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A donor-funded mobile vaccine clinic, 2025
Moraine Valley Community College hosted a free mobile vaccine clinic for 20 students on Sept. 3 at its Palos Hills campus, 9000 W. College Parkway. The mobile clinic was funded by the Healthcare Education, Research and Innovation Foundation (HERIF) and provided free vaccines and lab tests to students in the Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy and Basic Nurse Assistant programs.
The clinic is part of a pilot program designed to remove financial barriers that prevent students from enrolling due to unmet health requirements. HERIF partnered with Moraine Valley to evaluate logistics during this first year of the initiative, with the goal of potentially expanding it in the future.
Located in Oak Park, HERIF develops and supports high-impact programs that seek to transform person-centered care for individuals, families and communities. They provide resources, support and partnerships that enable health care and social professionals to enhance their skills, knowledge and expertise while fostering innovation and research that drives new discoveries and improves health outcomes.
Dan Roman, executive director of HERIF, shared, “Partnering with Moraine Valley Community College to provide vaccines on campus ensures students have access to preventive care while also reinforcing the vital link between health and education. By partnering with clinics to bring preventive care into colleges, HERIF connects our core pillar of education with our mission to advance community health and equity. This collaboration demonstrates how investing in student well-being supports their ability to learn, grow and lead in their communities.”
Kristy McGreal, executive director of the Moraine Valley Foundation, also shared, “Our partnership with HERIF on this mobile vaccine clinic allowed us to provide vaccines to students training to be future health care workers in our community. Students can face financial need even before stepping foot in a classroom, and this clinic removed one financial barrier for students in need.”
HERIF partners with the Moraine Valley Foundation to provide scholarships to students in health care programs, providing scholarships for seven students during the 2025-26 academic year.
