LA CROSSE, Wis. — As the COVID-19 vaccine continues to arrive across the state, the very first doses at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse were given to health care workers Tuesday.

Dr. Elizabeth Cogbill, an Internal Medicine and Geriatrics specialist, was the very first to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

“As I was receiving the vaccine, I was thinking about my long-term care patients and their families, and I was thinking about the staff and all that we've been through together,” Cogbill said. “I am crying because I am so grateful and humbled to be here.”

Gundersen Health System received its first shipment of more than 1,900 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines Monday. Cogbill, who works with long-term care residents, said she is grateful her patients are being made a priority.

“My patients and their families are very grateful that our government has recognized the value of their lives and that preventing COVID from getting into these facilities, and preventing it from spreading and causing severe disease is a priority.”

Five healthcare workers received their vaccination publicly Tuesday while another 45 were scheduled to get their first dose later in the day.

Calling it a “shot of hope” Gundersen Health System CEO Dr. Scott Rathgaber said it's a moment worth celebrating.

“This is a triumph of science, government, community, and health care,” Rathgaber said.

It is a kind of triumph Dr. Cogbill hopes more people will trust now that she has received the shot.

“I hope people see me getting the vaccine and, if they have any hesitancy, they see I willingly did it,” Cogbill said. “I believe in the science, I trust the science, and I truly think this is our shot of hope and our way forwar.”

Since they are emergency vaccines, the CDC doesn't require health care workers to get the shot—leaving it up to the individual.

Gundersen Health System anticipates it can vaccinate up to 180 employees a day.

Though the public phase of vaccinations is still far away, patients of Gundersen Health System can get ready by creating a MyChart account and downloading the MyChart app, which will provide notifications and make the process easier when their vaccination turn comes.