Listen "A Shot in the Arm"
Episode Synopsis
Yvette Calderon, MD, MS, understands why vaccine hesitancy remains stubbornly high in communities of color. Growing up in New York City public housing, she heard stories of forced sterilization in Puerto Rico and saw the medical system put other families first. Now Dr. Calderon finds herself on the flip side of the coin, trying to persuade reluctant colleagues and community members to take the COVID-19 vaccines. With the United States passing 500,000 pandemic deaths, including her father, Dr. Calderon argues that the vaccines are key to our resilience and shares advice for meeting hesitancy with compassion, enthusiasm, and science. Dr. Calderon is Chair of Emergency Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel.Also in this episode: Justine Sarkodie, 17, talks about how COVID-19 transformed her West Bronx community and what she's learned about neighbors' attitudes toward the vaccines. Ms. Sarkodie is a senior at the High School for Health Professions and Human Services.LinksYvette Calderon, MS, MD official bioCOVID-19 Vaccination Information and ResourcesJustine's survey on vaccination hesitancy (for New York City residents)Road to Resilience listener survey"COVID Vaccination in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Individuals" (Dr. Calderon refers to this YouTube video)Mount Sinai Beth Israel Emergency DepartmentMount Sinai Office for Diversity and InclusionHigh School for Health Professions and Human Services (HPHS)Check out more episodes of Road to Resilience —as well as guest pictures, transcripts, and more— on the Mount Sinai website.Road to Resilience brings you stories and insights to help you thrive in a challenging world. From fighting burnout and trauma to building resilient families, we explore what’s possible when science meets the human spirit.
More episodes of the podcast Road to Resilience
Heart and Hustle: The Caregiver's Journey
23/12/2025
Running Against the Odds
11/12/2025
So You're Feeling Anxious?
26/11/2025
Life on the Front Lines
11/11/2025
Finding Light After Loss
30/10/2025
No Need to Struggle Alone
16/10/2025
A Mother's Resolve
02/10/2025
Donating Your Brain to Science
18/09/2025
What I Learned in the Operating Room
04/09/2025
The Historic Triple Transplant
21/08/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.