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Nancy McCarthy
Whitehall
Hero Story
When asked who a Michigan Hero in the face of COVID was, instantly Nancy McCarthy came into mind for her works and efforts in Muskegon County for vaccinations, COVID-19 testing, social justice, and other philanthropic works. Nancy is a retired RN who stepped forward in the face of crisis during our road to recovery. Nancy has volunteered over 150 hours as a licensed healthcare provider to aid and work alongside our nurses, doctors, and Public Health officials at dozens of pop-up clinics across the county. She was one of the first volunteers to join the United Way of the Lakeshore Emergency COVID Volunteer team and volunteered twice a week at our local mental health provider HealthWest to aid in COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
During the first release of vaccines, the need in Muskegon was great. With thousands on a waiting list, the ethical and moral predicament came to who needed to receive a vaccine first and how were we going to reach those people? Nancy helped answer that need by working through the Rotarian Club of Muskegon. She along with other Rotarians helped sort this waiting list by age and physically called our oldest and most vulnerable citizens to schedule their vaccine within a few days to the vaccine being available to the public. By calling hundreds of elderly people, we were able to vaccinate this population quickly and effectively despite low supplies upon initial release.
When asked about Nancy’s work in the field during the Muskegon “Crush COVID” campaign, Sunny Crenshaw – Volunteer Point & Administrative Secretary for the Public Health Office of Muskegon County – stated:
“I was blessed to know Nancy McCarthy before the COVID-19 pandemic, but I have to admit that working with her during the pandemic has made me appreciate and respect her even more. She was willing to help call our most vulnerable residents when the vaccine first became available to help them set up an appointment when supplies were low and it wasn’t as easy to schedule or receive the vaccine. Then as more vaccines became available to switch gears and helped administer vaccines throughout the county. She’s an amazing woman and continues to advocate for our seniors who are still the most vulnerable to COVID-19.”
Nancy’s community work does not just stop at her tireless hours as a Community Emergency Response Team volunteer in the face of COVID. Originally a Yooper, Nancy moved to Muskegon almost 50 years ago. She was the Executive Director of the Visiting Nurse Home Care Services in 1987. She was the third woman to join the Rotarian club in 1989 and was later president of the service club in 2003. She was one of the leaders to bring the first Hospice Care Home to our community and then later retired in 2007.
In 2005, Nancy’s work was recognized by the Muskegon Chamber of Commerce by receiving the Athena Award for her leadership as a bold and courageous woman. Later in 2009, she chaired the United Way of the Lakeshore campaign to help bring in over 2 million dollars in funding to local programs and services. Currently, she is most known for her work in social justice in Muskegon County. Nancy started the McCarthy Family Peace and Justice fund through the local community foundation to aid and fund programs that promote anti-racism, social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She co-chairs and assists in hosting “Community Conversations” that openly discuss discrimination, institutionalized racism, and ways that community members can come together to help bridge gaps and work unified in finding solutions.
Nancy McCarthy
Whitehall
Hero Story
When asked who a Michigan Hero in the face of COVID was, instantly Nancy McCarthy came into mind for her works and efforts in Muskegon County for vaccinations, COVID-19 testing, social justice, and other philanthropic works. Nancy is a retired RN who stepped forward in the face of crisis during our road to recovery. Nancy has volunteered over 150 hours as a licensed healthcare provider to aid and work alongside our nurses, doctors, and Public Health officials at dozens of pop-up clinics across the county. She was one of the first volunteers to join the United Way of the Lakeshore Emergency COVID Volunteer team and volunteered twice a week at our local mental health provider HealthWest to aid in COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
During the first release of vaccines, the need in Muskegon was great. With thousands on a waiting list, the ethical and moral predicament came to who needed to receive a vaccine first and how were we going to reach those people? Nancy helped answer that need by working through the Rotarian Club of Muskegon. She along with other Rotarians helped sort this waiting list by age and physically called our oldest and most vulnerable citizens to schedule their vaccine within a few days to the vaccine being available to the public. By calling hundreds of elderly people, we were able to vaccinate this population quickly and effectively despite low supplies upon initial release.
When asked about Nancy’s work in the field during the Muskegon “Crush COVID” campaign, Sunny Crenshaw – Volunteer Point & Administrative Secretary for the Public Health Office of Muskegon County – stated:
“I was blessed to know Nancy McCarthy before the COVID-19 pandemic, but I have to admit that working with her during the pandemic has made me appreciate and respect her even more. She was willing to help call our most vulnerable residents when the vaccine first became available to help them set up an appointment when supplies were low and it wasn’t as easy to schedule or receive the vaccine. Then as more vaccines became available to switch gears and helped administer vaccines throughout the county. She’s an amazing woman and continues to advocate for our seniors who are still the most vulnerable to COVID-19.”
Nancy’s community work does not just stop at her tireless hours as a Community Emergency Response Team volunteer in the face of COVID. Originally a Yooper, Nancy moved to Muskegon almost 50 years ago. She was the Executive Director of the Visiting Nurse Home Care Services in 1987. She was the third woman to join the Rotarian club in 1989 and was later president of the service club in 2003. She was one of the leaders to bring the first Hospice Care Home to our community and then later retired in 2007.
In 2005, Nancy’s work was recognized by the Muskegon Chamber of Commerce by receiving the Athena Award for her leadership as a bold and courageous woman. Later in 2009, she chaired the United Way of the Lakeshore campaign to help bring in over 2 million dollars in funding to local programs and services. Currently, she is most known for her work in social justice in Muskegon County. Nancy started the McCarthy Family Peace and Justice fund through the local community foundation to aid and fund programs that promote anti-racism, social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She co-chairs and assists in hosting “Community Conversations” that openly discuss discrimination, institutionalized racism, and ways that community members can come together to help bridge gaps and work unified in finding solutions.