Dakota City, Neb.

During an establishment visit on July 20, Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, left) and Consumer Safety Inspector Joshua Hand (pictured, right) share a laugh on the production floor. Photo by Jonathan Thompson, OPACE.

Lewes, Del.

Angela Glodowske is a senior import specialist with the Office of Field Operations’ Recall Management and Technical Analysis Division. She received her final dose of the COVID vaccine at her doctor’s office in May and was excited to say, “I got my second shot!” Photo courtesy of Angela Glodowske, OFO.

Tar Heel, N.C.

On May 17, Office of Public Health Science Assistant Administrator Dr. Denise Eblen (pictured, right) met with Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Ashley Gauze (pictured, left) and Frontline Supervisor Philip Williams (pictured, center) as part of her tour of Raleigh and Jackson District establishments. At this meat slaughter and processing plant the trio discussed the work involved in performing inspection duties at the largest pork slaughterhouse in the world. Photo by Cassandra Daniels, OFO.

Tar Heel, N.C.

On May 17, Office of Public Health Science Assistant Administrator Dr. Denise Eblen (pictured, left) visited with Supervisory Consumer Safety Inspector (SCSI) Cody VanAntwerp (pictured, right). He is assigned to a meat processing and slaughter plant. During the visit, Eblen and VanAntwerp discussed the duties of an SCSI. Photo courtesy of Denise Eblen, OPHS.

Wilkesboro, N.C.

Pictured, from left: On May 19, Frontline Supervisor Galen “Chris” Springle, Office of Public Health Science Assistant Administrator Dr. Denise Eblen, Consumer Safety Inspector Dexter Anthony and Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Chrissie Royal met in Wilkesboro. Eblen toured the facility and spoke with the inspectors about their roles and responsibilities within the large New Poultry Inspection System facility. Photo by Miranda Thompson, OFO.

Harrisburg, Pa.

On April 13, Amir Ali, a compliance investigator with the Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit, received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination at Harrisburg Area Community College. He said, “I encourage everyone to do their part and get vaccinated to protect our great nation." Photo by Ahmad Ali, a son of Amir Ali. 

Morganton, N.C.

Angel Billings McGregor is a consumer safety inspector in the Raleigh District. She said, “After a tough run with COVID last summer, which landed me in the hospital with pneumonia, I’m not taking any unnecessary chances! I’m so thankful for this vaccine!” Photo courtesy of Angel Billings McGregor, OFO. 

Gaithersburg, Md.

Annette Vanderhall is a management analyst with the Office of Planning, Analysis and Risk Management. On April 8. she said, “I'm very happy that I received my vaccination shot at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.” Photo courtesy of Annette Vanderhall, OPARM.

Georgetown, Del.

Pictured, from left: Consumer Safety Inspectors Modupe Banjoko and Rosalinda Salinas-Castro of the Raleigh District pose after recieving their second COVID-19 vaccines on March 29. They said, “We are relieved to be one step closer to coming out of this pandemic.” Photo by Dr. Janet MacDonna, OFO. 

Manhattan, N.Y.

John Macri, an enforcement, investigation and analysis officer in the Office of Field Operations, is pictured here after his COVID-19 vaccination at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Photo courtesy of John Macri, OFO.

Seguin, Texas

On May 21, Dallas District Consumer Safety Inspector Elena Martinez receives the COVID-19 vaccination. She said, “I was vaccinated to protect myself, my family and my coworkers.  I hope to encourage others to do the same.” Photo courtesy of Josie Aguilar, OFO.

Little Falls, Minn.

Kevin “KP” Polson received his second vaccine shot on April 28. Here, he takes a selfie during the 15-minute post-shot waiting period. He is a relief consumer safety inspector detailed to establishments in his area to cover vacancies or colleagues’ vacations. 

Russellville, Ark.

Consumer Safety Inspector Pamela Palmer of the Springdale District was vaccinated March 12. She said, “I was the first to receive the vaccine at my establishment.” Photo courtesy of Pamela Palmer, OFO.

Eau Claire, Wis.

Pictured, from left: FSIS’ Office of Public Health Science’s Dr. Sheryl Shaw, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Dr. Debra Sime and USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service’s Regional Administrator Dr. Patty Bennett gather around the “Vaccination Site” sign that directs Wisconsinites where to go to get vaccinated. The trio are some of the USDA “Vaccination Heroes” who volunteered for 30-day deployments to help stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

Smithers, W.Va.

On April 6, Raleigh District Consumer Safety Inspector Sharon Peredis made getting vaccinated a family affair. She is here with her son, Logan Roberts, 28. Peredis’ other son, Teagan Quackenbush, 16, (not pictured) was also there to receive the vaccine. They said they were vaccinated because they want to see peoples’ smiles again and they believe in the science. Photo courtesy of Sharon Peredis, OFO.

Glenn Dale, Md.

Office of Planning, Analysis and Risk Management’s Yolanda Kennedy-Edwards received the vaccination on April 10 at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church. She said, “Though it was a struggle for me, I ultimately decided to get vaccinated because I see it as a semblance of hope. With the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the absence of, or very limited, in-person human interaction for more than a year now, it is time that we do our part to help get life back to normal for everyone and help save lives in the process.” Photo courtesy of Yolanda Kennedy-Edwards, OPARM.

Hillsdale, Mich.

Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, left) and Office of Field Operations Deputy Assistant Administrator Dr. Hany Sidrak (pictured, right) met with Dearborn Circuit employees during a visit to the Chicago District. 

Pictured above: Frontline Supervisor Dennis Wlasiuk (pictured, second from left), Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Megan Uitvlugt (pictured, third from left), Consumer Safety Inspector Sarah Parshall (pictured, third from right), and Food Inspector Danny Vazquez-Ortiz (pictured, second from right). They thanked Kiecker and Sidrak for “all the support you provide us all out in the field!” Photo courtesy of Dennis Wlasiuk, OFO.

Saginaw, Texas

On July 22, (pictured, from left:) Administrator Paul Kiecker, Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit Assistant Administrator Robert Bane and Consumer Safety Inspector Monte Johnson observed operations in Saginaw. Photo by Dr. Gary Davis, OFO.

Dallas, Texas

On July 22, (pictured, from left:) Administrator Paul Kiecker, Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit Assistant Administrator Robert Bane, Frontline Supervisor Dr. Adam Tittor and Consumer Safety Inspector Frankie Walzier visit an establishment in Dallas. Photo by Dr. Gary Davis, OFO.

Saginaw, Texas

On July 21, in the packing area, General Manager Tom Allen (pictured, near) explains the production process to (pictured, from left) Administrator Paul Kiecker, Consumer Safety Inspector Monte Johnson, Food Safety Quality Assurance Manager Kay Ketteler and Plant Manager Todd Davidson. Photo by Dr. Gary Davis, OFO.

Mott, N.D.

Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, back row, left) and Chief of Staff Karen Hunter (pictured, back row, second from left) visited the Des Moines District on July 16 to thank employees who are assigned to a meat and poultry slaughter and processing plant, for their continued dedication to the Agency’s food safety mission. The group discussed small plant operational challenges with plant management. Pictured, front row, from left: Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Megan Visger and Consumer Safety Inspector Johnny Conlon. Pictured, back row, from left: Kiecker, Hunter, plant owner John Roswech and Frontline Supervisor Dr. Jon Owen. Photo courtesy of Dr. Jon Owen, OFO.

Mandan, N.D.

During a July 16 tour of a meat and poultry processing plant, (pictured, from left:) Administrator Paul Kiecker, Consumer Safety Inspector Patrick Houser, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Megan Visger and Frontline Supervisor Dr. Jon Owen gather for a photo in the raw processing area. The purpose of the visit was to engage with field personnel in the region. They discussed COVID-19 issues and responses, among other topics. Photo by Karen Hunter, OA.

Georgetown, Del.

Pictured, from left: On April 6, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Janet MacDonna and Consumer Safety Inspector Beatrice Sturgis were vaccinated with their second COVID-19 shots. MacDonna and Sturgis are assigned to a poultry slaughter and processing plant. Photo by Lucille Duffy, OFO.

Milwaukee, Wis.

Pictured, from left: From April 26-May 10, Office of Policy and Program Development (OPPD) Food Safety Advisor Dr. Neal Westgerdes, Office of Field Operations Dallas District Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Talley, and OPPD’s Director of the Policy Development Staff Dr. John Linville supported the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s COVID vaccination program. They were responsible for preparing thousands of doses of COVID-19 vaccines for administration to Wisconsinites at the Wisconsin Center. Here the the FSIS volunteers are pictured without masks as each is fully vaccinated. While preparing vaccines and working in the Wisconsin Center they were masked. Photo by Dr. Monica Munoz, U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Baltimore, Md.

Dr. Jessica Forshee, an Office of Field Operations veterinary medical officer, received her vaccination at the Baltimore Convention Center. She also wears a mask with the pattern of the Maryland state flag. Photo courtesy of Dr. Jessica Forshee, OFO.

Spartanburg, S.C.

John Jeffers, an enforcement, investigation and analysis officer in the Office of Field Operations, shows his vaccination card. Photo courtesy of John Jeffers, OFO.