Sundi Smith Herring (E&H ’97) Participating in Covid Vaccine Trials
Sundi Smith Herring (E&H ’97) says she’s not really worried about being in a vaccine trial for Covid-19. She is following all the directions about mask-wearing and social distancing, but she has grown weary of what everyone has been calling “the new normal.”
In short, she says, “I’m ready for all this to be over!”
So she felt like one of the ways she could help was to volunteer to be part of the vaccine trials. She doesn’t know whether she’s getting a placebo or a live strain of the virus, but she feels great physically, and she also feels good about doing her part. She works for the American Cancer Society so she understands the importance of tests and trials in terms of reaching better treatment for everyone.
Sundi and husband David Herring (E&H ’98) aren’t strangers to being helpful. They tell a great story of spending time together in the Peace Corps shortly after they got married. They served in Suriname, South America, and still carry great memories of the people there, and their home is adorned with decorative items from those days of service so far from home.
You can hear a bit of their story at the E&H Online Global Street Party this weekend (October 10, 5 pm) as alumni from around the world participate with greetings and insights about their study abroad experiences. Participants will also be treated to great musical performances by Annabelle’s Curse, Ron Miller, the E&H Marching Band, and even Grammy-nominated Amythyst Kiah.
Sundi and David agree that their time in the Peace Corps gave them great insights that follow them still in their personal and professional lives. And it just may have given Sundi the courage to stand up for all of us right now, as her role in the vaccine trials moves the world closer to a solution for Covid-19.
- Sundi Smith Herring E&H Class of 1997