The 3-minute interview: Dr. Grace Keenan
By: William C. Flook
Examiner Staff Writer
September 28, 2009
|
| Dr. Grace Keenan (Courtesy photo) |
Keenan is the medical director and founder of Nova Medical Group, which offered drive-through flu shots at two of its urgent care clinics this past weekend in Northern Virginia.
Is there heightened demand for regular flu shots this year, with the H1N1 scare?
Everyone is afraid of it, and people are wanting the flu shot more than they ever have. We have always sold flu shots, it's not like that's new. But there is certainly increased demand now because of all the hysteria over [H1N1].
Do you consider this hysteria?
People are more concerned and more worried about it than you typically see. We had the bird flu scare a while ago. We are due for a big plague type event, the fact [is] that history repeats itself. It's been discussed for years by the CDC and infectious disease community that sooner or later is going to strike and it's going to cause some problems. Everyone is worried swine flu is going to do that.
Will you be offering a drive-through clinic for swine flu vaccine?
We very well may. I don't think we can plan this just yet until we know just how the CDC is going to release it, and when and where and to whom.
Why and how did you get into the field of urgent care?
I was trained to practice medicine in Newfoundland [Canada]. So we were trained there with the concept of treating people in the community where there isn't a lot of backup support, because you might be the only doctor for 200 to 300 miles of wilderness. We were well trained to manage a complex number of things, and a had a lot of hands-on experience early in the process.
-- William C. Flook
