This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Dr. Adam Wolk — a physician who has been working tirelessly to get people vaccinated for COVID-19.

As the three different people who separately nominated him all agree, that is just the beginning of the good work he does.

“Just today, I get a text that he’s giving 150 shots and then 100 shots tomorrow and 100 shots the day after while doing his normal job,” said Satya Kallepali.

Dr. Wolk has focused his efforts on vaccinating people in underrepresented and underserved communities. He’s organized vaccination drives among local teachers. He’s done outreach with Black churches and residents in public housing communities.

In many cases, his work has literally taken him door to door sometimes late at night.

“One of our friend’s mom, who was 95, was having a lot of trouble trying to get a shot,” said Sean Cavanaugh. “And he had left overdoses. So he just drove all the way and made sure that she was taken care of late at night. And this was something he doesn’t have to do. He’s going above and beyond and working until the wee hours of the night.”

Jeff Nieman had a chance to see Dr. Wolk in action when he went to get his own vaccine at a recent clinic.

“I’m watching my friend giving people vaccines, families who had small children that they had to try to deal with and didn’t want be in the car. He comes out to the car,” Nieman said.

“I really the word that came to my mind when I saw him was heroic. He is hustling, sweat on the brow, and I just thought that is a hero.”

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Listen to this week’s Hometown Hero segment:

Related Stories
‹
Hometown Hero: Gracie Kirchgessner
This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Gracie Kirchgessner. Charlotte White — Kirchgessner’s daughter and the co-founder of the SKJAJA Fund — said she’s been a pivotal volunteer since day one. “No matter what I mean, she’s like, ‘Yes, I’m there,'” White said. “She’ll collect things for fundraisers. She loves working with the […]
Hometown Heroes: Lynne Privette and Tiz Giordano
This week’s Hometown Heroes, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, are Lynne Privette and Tiz Giordano. They’re members of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Mother’s Club on Facebook. Earlier this year, the club turned its attention to finding ways to help UNC students who were having to stay in town after campus go shut down due to the COVID-19 […]
Hometown Hero: Tom Raynor from Carrboro United
This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Tom Raynor from Carrboro United. Carrboro United is a new food initiative that was created to safely feed the community and support the local economy throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The initiative provides an opportunity for Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents to pick up fresh produce, quality meats, […]
Hometown Hero: Kayla Ferro from Hearts for the Homeless International
This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Kayla Ferro from Hearts of the Homeless International. Hearts for the Homeless International works to provide weekly health screenings to people experiencing homelessness. The organization initially began as club at the University of Central Florida — where Ferro was once a student — but has now […]
UNC Hospitals Begins Visitor Restrictions Based on Rise of Respiratory Illnesses
The UNC Hospitals campuses in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough began visitor restrictions on Monday as respiratory illnesses tick up.
5 Things We Know and Still Don’t Know About COVID, 5 Years After It Appeared
COVID-19 is less deadly than it was in the pandemic’s early days. But the virus is evolving, meaning scientists must track it closely.
Nearly 10,000 Died From COVID-19 Last Month, Fueled by Holiday Gatherings and New Variant, WHO Says
The head of the U.N. health agency said holiday gatherings and global spread led to increased transmission of COVID-19 last month.
UNC Health Tightens Rules on Children, Sick Visitors Over Respiratory Infection Risks
Starting on Tuesday morning, UNC Health locations in Orange and Chatham counties will have temporary restrictions on young visitors.
On Air Today: 'Let the Healing Continue' with Mignon Hooper
Piedmont Health's Mignon Hooper discusses anxiety: as we ease back into the world, how do we manage the difficult feelings that generates?
Biden Ends COVID National Emergency After Congress Acts
Written by ZEKE MILLER The U.S. national emergency to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic ended Monday as President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan congressional resolution to bring it to a close after three years — weeks before it was set to expire alongside a separate public health emergency. The national emergency allowed the government to take sweeping […]
›