Parts of this story are reprinted from Fresno State Stories, as written by Victoria Cisneros.

“It’s a labor of love for me. If we can help get out there, reach the individuals and help them get the care they need, I’m all for that,” said Dr. Kathleen Rindahl, associate professor in the School of Nursing.

As faculty coordinator, Rindahl leads the Community Health Mobile Unit – a clinic on wheels that allows Fresno State nursing students the opportunity to provide free health screenings in underserved communities throughout Fresno County.

Since February, the Community Health Mobile Unit has shifted its focus and partnered with community organizations to increase access to the COVID-19 vaccine for some of the Valley’s most vulnerable populations. To date, students have helped administer over 7,500 vaccines in ten communities.

“[The students are the] best part of my job,” Rindahl said. “This is what feeds my soul. This is the only thing that keeps me going, is being out there with the students, because it’s not work.”

Rindahl’s steadfast efforts were recently recognized by Assemblymember, Dr. Joaquin Arambula, who selected her as Woman of the Year for the 31st Assembly District. The award touches on Rindahl’s commitment to COVID-19 efforts locally and for her tireless leadership in bringing health services to rural communities, as a health care provider and educator.

“I cannot express enough how critical Kathi and her team have been in our partnership’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts,” Arambula said. “And, whether it is this task or serving our most vulnerable communities in other ways, Kathi is a remarkable and compassionate leader. She balances the desire to serve people while giving her students the first-hand experience of delivering health services to people from diverse backgrounds.”

Prior to serving as faculty at Fresno State, Rindahl was a migrant health nurse for the Fresno County Office of Education for 10 years, and even served as a hospital corpsman for the U.S. Navy.

Read more about Rindahl’s remarkable work with the health mobile unit’s vaccine clinics in the latest Fresno State Stories piece, “Bridging the gap”.

Learn more about the School of Nursing vaccine clinics on Fresno State News.

[ Photos by Cary Edmondson, University Brand Strategy and Marketing ]