Organizing COVID Efforts Through Social Media [VIDEO]

May 31, 2023
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(Part of the Health Innovators collection)

Dr. Alex McDonald is forming a digital grassroots effort to elevate the voice of healthcare heroes to build vaccine trust for a COVID free world.

Innovator’s Full Name

Dr. Alex McDonald

Title and Specialty

Family medicine and sports medicine specialist

Innovation project and tagline

#ThisIsOurShot is a digital grassroots effort to elevate the voice of healthcare heroes to build vaccine trust for a covid free world. We have over 23,000 individuals and 47 major organizations who have joined the coalition and have already raised their voice and are working towards address vaccine hesitance and working to counter mis and disinformation surrounding the covid vaccine.

Problem your innovation solves

The covid pandemic and return to some sense of normalcy.

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Intended target audience/user of your innovation

Mostly healthcare workers, however, our goal is to start with healthcare workers and then build the network to local community leaders and into trusted networks and build on existing relationships to help address questions, educate and build trust.

Interesting experience while developing your innovation

There have been thousands of inspiring and uplifting stories which our coalition has shared.

Mistakes/hurdles along the way

Digital grassroots organizing has been interesting to say the least, however organizing and educating physicians to share their voice on social media and beyond is our largest challenge. Collectively we work to innovate and find new and effective ways to engage with missions, however this is certainly a bit of a moving target.

Typical day in your life

It’s highly variable, I practice about 60% outpatient primary care newborns to geriatrics, as well as many office based procedures. I practice 25% sports medicine and treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal issues utilized Diagnostic and interventional Ultrasound, 15% of my time is practicing hospital medicine. I also teach medical students, residents and fellows in all of these settings. Lastly, I do some health policy work, usually in my free time with the California medical association, California and American academy of Family Physicians.

Someone who inspires you

I developed this with a friend of mine from the young physician section of the California Medical Association. He has amazing grassroots organizing experience and I had social media experience. He also has more energy than I do which is first I think. Together we saw a need and have been blown away by the growth and engagement of the healthcare community.

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Parting words of wisdom

Although it may sound cliché, never underestimate the power of personal passion and community driven mission. This is truly a collective effort. There are so many individuals who are each doing your part to make this movement a success. I am inspired and encouraged every day by my colleagues and can’t wait to meet and learn for others.

Interview Footage

Innovation website

http://www.instagam.com/thisisourshot

Innovator Bio

Dr. Alex McDonald MD, CASQM, FAAFP is a Family physician, Sports Medicine specialist, in the fields of physical activity, advocacy, health equity and policy. Dr. McDonald holds a BA from Connecticut College as well as his medical Degree of the University of Vermont Larnar College of Medicine. He completed his medical internship at Duke University, Family Medicine residency and Sports Medicine Fellowship at Southern California Kaiser Permanente Fontana, CA.

Dr. McDonald currently is a member of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) in Fontana, CA where he is involved with family medicine resident and sports fellow graduate medical education as well Clinical professor at the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine. He serves on the board of the California Academy of Family Physician as well as the Public Information Committee for the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. McDonald is also a member of the American Association of Sports Medicine and serves on the American Academy of Family Physicians Commission on Membership Services as well as Congress of Delegates.

He serves as the team physician for the California State University of San Bernardino and Upland High School.

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