In April 2020, the music legend and philanthropist donated $1 million to a Vanderbilt University research fund that led to the Moderna vaccine production, which was developed in conjunction with the US National Institutes of Health.
The Tennessee-born star thanked Vanderbilt physician Dr. Naji Abumrad and staff members Andrea Calhoun and Heather O'Dell for administering her second COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the Nashville Tennessean, Parton's first vaccine in March was also administered by Abumrad.
The singer met Abumrad in 2013 after a car wreck, and they've remained close since then. Their friendship is what inspired Parton to donate to the vaccine research fund that contributed to the Moderna shot, according to the Tennessean.
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For her second COVID-19 vaccine appointment at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Parton, 75, wore a sparkly tan sweater with a subtle embellishment: a hole cut out in one sleeve to reveal the upper arm where she received the shot.
During her first COVID-19 vaccine appointment on March 2, Parton wore a top with a similar combination of style and substance - except the blue sparkly sweater she wore that day had cutouts in both sleeves, not just the arm in which she was vaccinated.
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