Dr. Janak Patel of UTMB, who lost his wife to COVID-19, is determined to help vaccinate Houstonians

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – Vaccinating thousands of people in one day in one location is a major undertaking.

Walter Hall Park in League City has become one of those locations in Galveston County.

On Friday, they were to vaccinate 3,000 people. It is part of a major effort from Galveston County, the County Health District and the University of Texas Medical Branch.

One of the UTMB doctors, Dr. Janak Patel, participated in all of this.

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“It’s a drive-thru program, and we’ve had it for almost two months now,” said Patel.

However, for Dr. Patel, the vaccine has become personal.

“I have a passion for this vaccination program,” said Patel. “I know it saves lives.”

Since the beginning of COVID-19, his wife, Nisha, has been giving back to those on the front lines.

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“During the initial phase of the COVID-19 crisis, many health professionals worked 24 hours a day,” he said. “She was cooking meals and delivering them to hospitals as well.”

Then, his 38-year-old wife received COVID-19 and unfortunately did not survive.

“I watched everyone struggle to give her the best care possible and, like many others, she succumbed to it,” said Patel. “It gave me an extra meaning in terms of my work in the fight against COVID-19.”

That’s why Patel is motivated to continue doing what he does today.

He is determined to help other people fight this virus that, he said, has taken so many.

“Her life has given me extra meaning,” said Patel.

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