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A Special Message from the Surgeon General - Richard H. Carmona

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HHS Deploys More Than 450 Health Workers to Aid Hurricane Victims (posted 9-15-04)

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced today the deployment of emergency medical personnel to the Southeastern United States to provide assistance to communities and families in Hurricane Ivan's path.

HHS is working with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal partners to send 150 public health and medical professionals to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi to provide care and assistance should Hurricane Ivan hit those states. Many of these workers helped Florida residents during Hurricanes Charley and Frances.

"We are monitoring Hurricane Ivan day and night and are ready to send emergency and longer term medical assistance to any community hit by this latest storm," Secretary Thompson said. "Our 150 disaster response professionals stand ready to help these communities in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ivan."

The latest deployment to Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana will include 10 teams of 12 health care professionals made up of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. In addition, the Secretary's Emergency Response Team (SERT) and other logistical support will be on site to help assess long term needs.

As part of President Bush's $3.1 million supplemental aid request for hurricane-damaged areas, HHS is seeking $50 million to provide assistance to those areas in greatest need. This supplemental funding would help provide nutritional, medical and social services to affected individuals.

Over the past month, Secretary Thompson has deployed 451 officers of U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps to support the emergency and medical needs of the victims of the storms. The Commissioned Corps is the uniformed service specifically designed to provide medical and public health care and assistance to Americans. Secretary Thompson has worked to make the 6,000-member corps more flexible and adept to handle emergency medical needs.

Also, the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) response to these natural disasters is by far the most coordinated effort in the history of the Corps. To date, 23 MRCs units, consisting of more than 400 volunteers have been activated.

  • Nine MRCs from various parts of the country have been deployed by FEMA to support their efforts in local communities.
  • Eight others have submitted rosters to FEMA, and are waiting deployment, which may come during Hurricane Ivan.
  • Several Florida-based MRCs have members assisting in special needs and Red Cross shelters. Some also augmented hospital staffs during critical shortage periods.
  • The Mississippi MRC is responding to a call from the American Red Cross to assist in their shelters. They are deploying eight medical doctors, over 100 support personnel, and their communications unit.

The MRC is the medical component of President Bush's USA Freedom Corps Initiative. After the outpouring of support in the wake of Sept. 11, President Bush called on citizens to volunteer in their own communities setting up Citizen Corps volunteer programs. To date there are more than 27,500 volunteers among 212 MRC units across the country.

"The American people recognize that natural disasters are unavoidable and that in times of need, we all pitch in," Secretary Thompson said. "I look forward to Congress approving President Bush's request so that we can continue to provide the services that the people affected by these storms need."

The $50 million will help provide nutritional, medical and social services to affected elderly individuals; provide social services support to communities most affected by the hurricane; make available counseling services; support an increase in demand for unreimbursed health care; and restore community health centers in the impacted areas.

HHS officials also are taking the following steps to respond to the hurricanes:

  • Maintaining contact with state health officials, hospitals, health centers and nursing homes to provide assistance with storm damage or emergency health needs.
  • Monitoring blood centers' supply and taking necessary steps to ensure the safety of the blood supply.
  • Working with state and local governments and the private sector to protect the food and water supplies. HHS is working to make sure contaminated food or crops do not make it into the food supply, as well as help ensure the quality of water supplies. HHS also is working where required to ensure public health in the wake of any flood or sewage backups.
  • Providing mental health services to communities, schools and individuals, as necessary.

After Hurricane Charley last month, Secretary Thompson visited storm-damaged areas and announced that HHS was making more than $11 million available to support Florida families. That money included $1 million to assist DeSoto County Hospital and Osceola Regional Hospital; a $200,000 emergency grant to help provide meals, shelter and services to elderly residents; and up to $10 million in emergency one-time grants to Head Start and Early Head Start centers. Secretary Thompson said that HHS is working to assess damage from Hurricane Frances before announcing new grants and said that any unused money from Hurricane Charley also will be available to victims of Hurricane Frances.

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HHS Continues to Strengthen Umbrella of Protection From Bioterrorism (posted 9-10-04)

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said the third anniversary of the worst attack on American soil marks a time to remember the lives lost and their families, take measure of the tremendous progress made in bolstering our nation’s preparedness for another attack, and reaffirm our commitment to further strengthening our nation’s public health system.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, the nation’s public health infrastructure has been strengthened, hospitals’ surge capacities have grown, new science to limit the dangers of bioterrorism have been created, and antidotes to deadly agents and other medical countermeasures have been produced and stockpiled. Yet, Secretary Thompson warns there is more work to do and the nation must remain vigilant and dedicated to further strengthening our public health system and preparedness for a terrorist attack.

“The evil of the terrorist mind is difficult to comprehend but too dangerous to ignore,” Secretary Thompson said. “Because of that, we must continue preparing for every contingency, every possibility -- including the use of biological and chemical agents in an attack on our citizens.”

President Bush is proud of the progress the nation has made since Sept. 11, but continues to push America forward in its ability to protect the homeland and respond to another attack, Secretary Thompson said.

“It truly is remarkable how far we’ve come in three short years,” Secretary Thompson said. “From Washington to Main Street, we’re better able to protect our citizens from bioterrorism. We’ve developed and stockpiled new medicines, and we’re researching cutting-edge ways to further secure our citizens.

“We were able to strengthen our capabilities so quickly because of unprecedented cooperation between federal, state and local governments as well as the medical and public health communities. We must use these new partnerships to continue driving forward so that our public health infrastructure is as strong as possible. We must get stronger every day and never waver in our commitment to this task.”

Strengthening the Public Health Infrastructure

Since Sept. 11, 2001, HHS has invested more than $4.1 billion in strengthening the nation’s public health infrastructure. In three installments over the past three years, HHS has distributed funding to hospitals, health care facilities, states, territories, and four major metropolitan areas to strengthen the ability of government and public health agencies to respond to bioterror attacks, infectious diseases and natural disasters.

Hospitals will use the funds they receive from states to effect a rapid temporary expansion of bed capacity to accommodate mass casualties, increase isolation and decontamination capacity, identify qualified volunteer health care workers to augment hospital staff to deal with mass casualties, and plan for hospital-based and community ready pharmaceutical caches.

Public health departments in the states, territories and metro areas will use this funding to improve the readiness of the public health sector and other major health care providers to respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies.

Research, Development, and Manufacturing of Vaccines and Antidotes

Immediately following Sept. 11, HHS worked to secure enough smallpox vaccine for every man, woman, and child in America and funded additional research and technologies to combat bioterrorism.

When President Bush signed the law authorizing Project Bioshield, he ushered in a new era of protection over bioterror agents for the American people. Project Bioshield provides new tools to improve medical countermeasures protecting Americans against a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) attack.

Project BioShield will allow the government to buy improved vaccines, biologics, and drugs. The fiscal year 2004 appropriation for the Department of Homeland Security included $5.6 billion over 10 years for the purchase of next generation countermeasures against anthrax and smallpox as well as other CBRN agents.

As the result of the Project BioShield legislation, the administration has already begun the process of acquiring a number of new medical countermeasures. These include:

  • 75 million doses of a second-generation anthrax vaccine to become available for stockpiling beginning next year.

  • New medical treatments for anthrax directed at neutralizing the effects of anthrax toxin.

  • Polyvalent botulinum antitoxin.

  • A safer second-generation smallpox vaccine.

  • Initial evaluation of treatments for radiation and chemical weapons exposure.

Biodefense medical research and development and related laboratory construction at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been funded at more than $1.5 billion per year since fiscal year 2003, 30 times the investment in fiscal year 2001. NIH researchers are developing and evaluating new and improved treatments and vaccines against smallpox, anthrax, and, for the first time, Ebola, as well as other dangerous pathogens. This funding will cultivate and sustain a national network of researchers including the eight new Regional Centers of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research (RCE).

Ensured Medicare Services to all Beneficiaries

After the attacks of Sept. 11, and all natural disasters, HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services guarantees payment of services to all health care providers who give services to Medicare beneficiaries, regardless of paperwork or other obstacles. During times of catastrophe, HHS’ health care payment system continues to work and ensure the health care that Americans need.

Additional Funding to Community Health Centers in Affected Areas

HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration awarded $10 million to 33 New York City and northern New Jersey health centers to support services provided in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Community health centers normally provide care to thousands of residents who would not otherwise have access to health services.

Following the attacks, area centers saw substantially higher demand for their health care services, and the increased demand is expected to continue in the coming months, especially for grief counseling and other mental health services. Two centers near the World Trade Center had their operations briefly interrupted following the attacks. Others sent staff members to assist at area hospitals and the disaster site.

Established the Office of Public Health and Emergency Preparedness

HHS created the office to oversee the department’s overall monitoring and response to man-made and natural disasters. It is the headquarters for the Secretary’s Emergency Response Teams (SERTs) and the department’s International Early Warning Surveillance efforts. It also provides funding for bioterrorism preparedness, planning, and evaluation.

Built a State-of-the-Art Operations Center

The $3.5 million Secretary’s Operations Center (SOC) is manned 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. It provides the Secretary with instant information on public health emergencies across the country and potentially around the globe. The SOC is capable to engage video conferencing with a nearly infinite number of participants, track migrating diseases, and monitor world news.

Increased and Expanded the Strategic National Stockpile

HHS has expanded the stockpile to include antibiotics and a wide variety of supplies that would be needed in the event of an attack. In addition, the number of sites for ready deployment have increased from eight to 12, strategically located around the country. Stockpile of supplies could reach any location in the United States within 12 hours.

Improved Mental Health Services

Recognizing the immediate and long-term implications of mental health in the wake of traumatic events, Secretary Thompson directed HHS to commit resources and personnel to provide mental health services to those in need.

As early as Sept. 13, 2001, Secretary Thompson announced that HHS personnel were already working to coordinate crisis counseling programs for victims, their families, and the thousands of professional and volunteer rescue workers. That included the immediate release of $1 million in funding for New York to support mental health services and strategic planning for comprehensive and long-term support.

On Sept. 21, 2001, Secretary Thompson announced the immediate awarding of $126.2 million in support services for communities affected by the attacks -- part of $5.1 billion released by President Bush. The HHS funds included $28 million for mental health services and $25 million for such social service programs as assistance for children whose families were affected by the attacks; emergency food and shelter; and assistance to homebound disabled and elderly people whose aid was disrupted.

Within a month HHS released an additional $20 million in mental health services grants to areas in and around the three ground zeroes.

And recognizing the lasting impact of post-traumatic stress, on Sept. 17, 2002, Secretary Thompson announced $2.4 million for mental health services for public safety workers affected by the attacks, including firefighters, search and rescue personnel, emergency medical personnel, law enforcement personnel, construction workers and others.

Immediate Child Care Assistance

In addition to the money included in the $126.2 million for child welfare services, HHS’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) provided $200,000 in emergency child care funds to the State of New York in the weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Immediate Care for Seniors in Need

Immediately after the Sept. 11 attack, HHS released $1.3 million to assist older Americans affected by the attacks to ensure seniors continued to receive critical services such as meals, transportation, and health and mental care needs. This money was included in the $126.2 million announced Sept. 21.

Immediate Care for Refugees and Refugee Resettlement

ACF also awarded emergency grants to New York, Virginia, and the District of Columbia for services to refugees affected by the Sept. 11 attacks. These three grants, totaling $3.6 million, were made to provide additional services such as job training, job placement, English language training, and mental health services for refugees affected by the terrorist attacks.

Immediate and Continued Health Monitoring of Ground Zero Workers

HHS immediately committed $10.4 million to environmental hazard control, including $5 million for safety of emergency workers, with provision of respirators and ongoing health assessments of workers. It also provided $5.4 million in technical assistance for response to hazardous environmental exposures and potential needs related to asthma, including dilators, asthma surveillance, and tracking exposure to contaminants.

HHS’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), with the assistance of the New York City Department of Public Health, created and maintains the World Trade Center Registry, which will enroll and monitor the health of up to 200,000 people who may have been exposed to harmful substances from the collapse of the World Trade Center.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health provided funding to establish the World Trade Center Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program. Through August 2004, the screening program has provided free standardized medical assessments, clinical referrals and occupational health education to nearly 12,000 workers and volunteers exposed to environmental contaminants, psychological stressors, and physical hazards.

Strengthened the United States Public Health Service

HHS reorganized the uniformed Public Health Service to make it more responsive in times of public health need. Currently, the 6,000 officers of the Commissioned Corps continue to undergo training exercises to effectively support state and local health officials during emergency situations.

Established the Medical Reserve Corps

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is the medical component of President Bush's USA Freedom Corps Initiative. After the outpouring of support in the wake of Sept. 11, President Bush called on citizens to volunteer in their own communities setting up Citizen Corps volunteer programs. Including fiscal year 2005, nearly $23 million has been committed to establishing and building up local MRC units. To date there are more than 27,500 volunteers among 212 MRC units across the country.

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HHS Deploys Medical Workers to Assist Florida Families (posted 9-6-04)

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced today that the department is coordinating the deployment of dozens of emergency medical personnel to provide assistance to communities damaged by Hurricane Frances, while also urging Florida residents to take necessary precautions to protect their health and safety as they begin cleaning up from the hurricane.

"HHS is working day and night to support the people of Florida in their time of need," Secretary Thompson said. "We are in constant contact with local, state and federal officials to provide medical care and expertise to Florida families and communities."

Under Secretary Thompson's direction, HHS is deploying approximately 70 nurses and five pharmacists to four locations along the eastern seaboard of Florida to provide services to special needs shelters. These shelters are set up to provide basic nursing and medical care to individuals already suffering from sickness or injuries or at high risk of illness often due to age. These shelters are located in Indian River County, St. Lucie County and Martin County.

HHS also is assembling six additional teams to deploy to Florida, as the need arises. The Secretary's Emergency Response Team is expected to deploy to Florida in the next few days to help survey and establish the overall short-term and long-term medical and health needs of the areas damaged by Hurricane Frances.

In addition, four Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units are being used to increase medical staffing at shelters for people who evacuated their homes in the storm's path. Members of the Lake County MRC, from Travares, Fla., are supporting special needs shelters around Orlando, and the West Palm and Lake County MRCs are working with their local Red Cross Chapters to assist residents staying in local shelters. In Augusta, Ga., the MRC volunteers of the East Central Health District are providing medical staff to treat people injured or displaced by the hurricane who arrive at the local shelters. And the Clark County (Nev.) MRC is traveling with their local Red Cross Chapter to Florida to assist those affected by the storm.

The MRC is the medical component of President Bush's USA Freedom Corps Initiative. After the outpouring of support in the wake of Sept. 11, President Bush called on citizens to volunteer in their own communities setting up Citizen Corps volunteer programs. To date there are more than 27,500 volunteers among 212 MRC units across the country.

HHS officials also are taking the following steps to respond to Hurricane Frances:

  • Maintaining contact with state health officials, hospitals, health centers and nursing homes to provide assistance with storm damage or emergency health needs.
  • Monitoring blood centers' supply and taking necessary steps to ensure the safety of the blood supply.
  • Working with state and local governments and the private sector to protect the food and water supplies. HHS is working to make sure contaminated food or crops do not make it into the food supply, as well as help ensure the quality of water supplies. HHS also is working where required to ensure public health in the wake of any flood or sewage backups.
  • Providing mental health services to communities, schools and individuals, as necessary.

After Hurricane Charley last month, Secretary Thompson visited storm-damaged areas and announced that HHS was making more than $11 million available to support Florida families. That money included $1 million to assist DeSoto County Hospital and Osceola Regional Hospital; a $200,000 emergency grant to help provide meals, shelter and services to elderly residents; and up to $10 million in emergency one-time grants to Head Start and Early Head Start centers. Secretary Thompson said that HHS is working to assess damage from Hurricane Frances before announcing new grants and said that any unused money from Hurricane Charley also will be available to victims of Hurricane Frances.

Secretary Thompson also urged Florida residents to exercise extreme caution as they return to their homes to begin cleaning up after the storm, including taking care not to eat spoiled food or drink unclean water; wearing protective clothes when cleaning up debris; operating generators and pumps outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning; and being sure not to overexert themselves while cleaning up.

"As we saw after Hurricane Charley, many of the injuries and deaths from hurricanes occur after the storm has long since passed through a community," Secretary Thompson said. "We are urging Florida families to be careful as they cleanup from this latest hurricane."

More information on personal safety in the wake of a hurricane is available at http://www.hhs.gov/disasters/hurricane.html.

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Secretary Ridge Takes Time To Discuss Homeland Security Issues With Los Angeles County Medical Reserve Corps Director (posted 7-29-04)

Photo of Tom Ridge and Dr. Ray Goodman Shaking HadsDr. Ray Goodman, Director of the Los Angeles County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), was recently given a unique opportunity to spend some timewith one of the most prominent figures in U.S. national security, HomelandSecurity Secretary Tom Ridge.

Secretary Ridge, who was scheduled to visit Los Angeles on June 22, 2004, had expressed interest in meeting a member of the Los Angeles community who is making a difference through volunteer efforts. Sandra Shields, the lead for Community Emergency Response Team activities in Los Angeles County, learned of Secretary Ridge’s planned visit and suggested Dr. Goodman represent the volunteers of Los Angeles County Citizen Corps Council programs working in homeland security. Having worked with Dr. Goodman for more than a year, she was confident he was more than qualified for the task.

Before the visit, Dr. Goodman was asked to submit to Secretary Ridge’s office a detailed biography and briefing on his previous volunteer services dating back more than 50 years. After passing all the necessary security checks, Dr. Goodman was then scheduled for a 5-minute meeting with Secretary Ridge.

Dr. Goodman greeted Secretary Ridge early in the morning at the Los Angeles hotel where the Secretary was staying. Dr. Goodman and Secretary Ridge discussed some of the unique threats facing Los Angeles, the efforts being made to prepare for them, and the role of the MRC in aiding in these efforts through volunteering. After the allotted meeting time elapsed, Secretary Ridge continued talking with Dr. Goodman, generously giving 30 minutes more of his time.

“[Secretary Ridge] was most personable and intensely interested, especially in our public education program and the Interfaith Bereavement Council,” Dr. Goodman noted. Dr. Goodman’s Interfaith Bereavement Council represents about 4.5 million members of religious congregations in Los Angeles, from all the major faiths and denominations.

Dr. Goodman added that by the end of the meeting, he and Secretary Ridge were referring to each other on a first-name basis. The meeting provided a rare opportunity for an MRC Director to meet one of the highest ranking U.S. officials and to discuss real issues and possible solutions with an authority figure who is working to effect real change and impact the future of the nation.

Dr. Goodman is scheduled to appear on National Public Radio to discuss the Los Angeles County MRC on August 5 at 11:30 a.m. PST (local area station 89.3 KPCC). Listeners outside the Los Angeles area can hear the broadcast online at http://www.scpr.org/news/.

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HHS Medical Personnel Serving Citizens During State Funeral (posted 6-11-04)

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today activated the U.S. Public Health Service, Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, and called on assistance from the Washington, D.C., Medical Reserve Corps as thousands of citizens pay their respects to former President Ronald Reagan in Washington, D.C.

"At this time when we join together to remember and celebrate President Reagan, we want to make certain that our citizens have access to the best emergency health services available," Secretary Thompson said. "We expect thousands of people to come to the nation's capital to honor this great American and with the heat and hours of standing, it's possible that some will need medical care. That is why we have so many medical personnel activated and on alert."

As of this afternoon, 65 U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) officers are providing medical care to citizens on the Mall. PHS officers will rotate into service until Friday afternoon. In addition, a local Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) PHS-1 is on site and able to assistance in providing medical care as the need arises. Also, the Washington, D.C., all-volunteer Medical Reserve Corps is joining HHS in coordinated response to the activities on the Mall.

"This effort is a testament to the spirit of the U.S. Public Health Service, its 6,000 officers, and the vision of Secretary Thompson to create a mobile force to serve the needs of our citizens," U.S. Surgeon General VADM Richard Carmona said. "We have so many highly qualified, highly skilled, and highly trained medical professionals serving in the Public Health Service that it makes good sense to have them available and on site during these times of large public gatherings."

The U.S. Public Health Service is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. It's mission is to provide highly-trained and mobile health professionals who carry out programs to promote the health of the nation, understand and prevent disease and injury, assure safe and effective drugs and medical devices, and deliver health services to citizens of the country and the world.

The Medical Reserve Corps is the medical component of the Citizen Corps and the USA Freedom Corps. President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps in response to the outpouring of community support in the days following September 11. The MRC plays an integral part in our nation's preparedness and response strategy and provides an organized way for medical and public health volunteers to offer their skills and expertise during local crises throughout the year. Locally based MRC volunteers can assist during large-scale emergencies, such as an influenza epidemic or an act of terrorism. MRC volunteers also work to strengthen the overall health and well-being of their neighborhoods and communities.

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Outreach Coordinator Hired for the MRC National Program Office (posted 5-12-04)

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program Office, located in the Office of the Surgeon General, is happy to welcome its new staff member, Lieutenant Junior Grade Marna Hoard. LTJG Hoard comes to the MRC Program from West Virginia University, where she was most recently a Program Leader in the Center for Medical Preparedness. She has earned both an MPA and MPH from WVU and has been active in disaster planning and research, especially related to rural communities. LTJG Hoard will serve as an MRC Program Officer and Outreach Coordinator, helping to establish new MRC units across the country. With several years’ experience in public health administration and research, she brings hands-on expertise to the MRC Program and is sure to be another great resource for those interested in developing an MRC unit.

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Harris County Citizen Corps Honored with Best Practice Award for Medical Reserve Corps Initiative (posted 5-12-04)

On November 5, 2003, Sandra Steigerwald accepted an award on behalf of the Harris County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) in Austin, Texas. The award was presented by the Federal Emergency Management Association Region 6 at the Volunteers in Homeland Security Conference. Ms. Steigerwald represented the MRC for her paper entitled “Collaboration: The Key to Establishing a Medical Reserve Corps.”

Steigerwald’s paper first describes the rationale and need for an MRC, detailing the county’s vulnerability to terrorism. Being the third largest county in the United States, Harris County may be a focus for attacks, she notes. But the area also offers great resources on which to draw to prepare for an emergency, as well as provide ongoing public health awareness.

“Because all disasters are local, coordination of local response becomes the primary focus in volunteer management,” Steigerwald writes.

In response to the President’s call to service and the needs already identified in their area, Steigerwald explains, the MRC -- a component of the Citizen Corps Council -- was developed.

Judge Robert Eckels, of Harris County, realized the collaboration of agencies and organizations would be the most effective way to handle an emergency. Judge Eckels was instrumental in the creation of the Citizen Corps Council (CCC). As the CCC took root, the Medical Reserve Corps also began to take shape.

According to Steigerwald, through the joint efforts of the CCC, Harris County Community Access Collaborative, and Gateway to Care Program, the MRC now helps to provide “access to multiple organizations involved with community health and safety.”

* To read the full text of Sandra Steigerwald’s paper, please visit the MRC Clearinghouse (login required).

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MRC News & Updates (posted 2-9-04)

MRC NATIONAL CONFERENCE PLANNED JULY 7-9, 2004
The second MRC National Leadership Conference is being planned for July 7-9, 2004, here in Baltimore, Maryland. We look forward to a sizable turnout for this year's conference following on the success of last year's national MRC workshop, held in Chicago. I hope all of you will consider attending and participating.

To plan conference activities and speakers most helpful to you and your MRC initiative, someone from the MRC program office will be contacting you by phone within the next few weeks. We look forward to that opportunity to touch base informally with all MRC communities. Your input will also be invaluable as we plan for the coming year.

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Commander Robert J. Tosatto Appointed New MRC Program Director (posted 12-1-03)

Photo Maria Konold-Soto
Ethan Miller / Las Vegas Sun

The Office of the Surgeon General is proud to announce that Commander Robert J. Tosatto has joined its staff as Director of the Medical Reserve Corps Program.

CDR Tosatto comes to this position from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office of Global Health Affairs (OGHA), where he most recently served as Director of the Office for Eurasia, and prior to that as a Senior International Health Officer. His primary role for the past 4 years has been managing the DHHS Biotechnology Engagement Program and coordinating DHHS activities with Russia and other former Soviet countries.

Prior to the OGHA assignment, CDR Tosatto was detailed from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to the DC Commission on Mental Health Services, where he served as Director of the Medical Staff Office. He has also completed several tours of duty with the Indian Health Service, including assignments on the Navajo, Fort Hall, and Pine Ridge Indian Reservations.

CDR Tosatto was deployed on five anthrax response missions with the Commissioned Corps Readiness Force (CCRF) following September 11, 2001. Prior to that, in 1999, he was deployed by CCRF to the Kosovar refugee health clinic in Fort Dix during the early period of "Operation Provide Refuge." That year he also completed a technical assessment of the pharmaceutical and medical supply situation in the Republic of Montenegro after the NATO bombing campaign in Serbia.

CDR Tosatto has been a PHS Commissioned Corps officer since 1988. He holds a bachelor's degree in pharmacy as well as master's degrees in public health and business administration. He brings to the Office of the Surgeon General a unique mix of clinical and administrative skills, knowledge of national security issues, and emergency response experience, as well as service in a variety of geographic and cultural settings.


President Bush Recognizes Las Vegas MRC Volunteer (posted 11-25-03)

Photo Mark Asperilla
Sun photo by Jonathan Fredin

Maria Konold-Soto, a full-time pharmacy technician at University Medical Center in Las Vegas, volunteers her professional skills to her local Medical Reserve Corps unit. She also gives time to the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP), which provides emotional support to individuals or families coping with traumatic events or crises, and to Nevada Child Seekers, which helps to find missing, abducted, or runaway children.

President Bush took time from his travel schedule to recognize Ms. Konold-Soto for the substantial community contributions she has made over the course of her life. In a public speech later that day he remarked, "The strength of America is in the hearts and souls of citizens willing to volunteer. Maria Konold-Soto is part of making America a compassionate place."


President Honors SW Florida MRC Volunteer, Dr. Mark Asperilla (posted 11-13-03)

President Bush today honored Dr. Mark Asperilla for outstanding community service. A Port Charlotte, FL, physician and MRC volunteer, Dr. Asperilla was instrumental in establishing a local biowarfare response team comprised of doctors, nurses, paramedics, and emergency managers. That team eventually was merged into the region's Medical Reserve Corps unit, which currently is headed by Wendy Wilderman. Dr. Asperilla takes time from his private medical practice to offer his services as medical director of a local charitable pharmacy. And, as an infectious disease specialist, he volunteers his expertise to treat patients with AIDS and other chronic diseases. Dr. Asperilla also travels abroad annually as part of ACCESS Care, a nonprofit organization he founded to bring care to underserved individuals in poorer countries.


Surgeon General Addresses Metro Fire Chiefs (posted 6-30-03)

On June 30, 2003, U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona addressed the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs conference on the importance of an all-hazards approach to preparedness. He particularly emphasized the role of the Medical Reserve Corps in strengthening local emergency response and mitigation capabilities, and offered examples of MRC Unit coordination with local fire departments.

More than 14 communities have developed such partnerships and in places as diverse as Anchorage, AK; Broward County, FL; Louisville, KY; Billings, MT; and Farmington, ME. Other communities are working in cooperation with local volunteer fire departments. Others are including fire chiefs on their advisory committees.


First National MRC Workshop Held in Chicago (posted 6-13-03)

The first national-level Medical Reserve Corps Workshop, hosted by the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, was held in Chicago, IL, on June 12-13, 2003, at the Palmer House Hilton. Fifty-one (51) communities were represented, from all over the United States and from as far away as Alaska, Oregon, California, Montana, Texas, Georgia, Florida, New York, and Vermont.

In addition to hearing from the U.S. Surgeon General (Dr. Richard Carmona), the Deputy Surgeon General (Dr. Kenneth Moritsugu), representatives from the White House's USA Freedom Corps (Ronald Christie), and FEMA's Citizen Corps (Elizabeth DiGregorio), as well as OPHS Regional Health Administrators (Steven Potsic and Karen Matsuda) took an active role in making more than 25 community-focused presentations to their peers and others present for the 2 days. The events were moderated by Captain Mary Lambert, newly appointed Director of the MRC Program, headquartered in the Office of the Surgeon General.

Along with sharing information in formal presentations, attendees also used the 2 days to network informally, to meet with other communities in their regions, and to ask many constructive questions, in fact far more than there was time to answer. Participant interest in this workshop was so high that everyone agreed to start the second day earlier and to cut back on lunch and breaks to allow more time for presentations. Even by the end of Friday, when many people had flights to catch to get back to their distant homes, more than half the attendees remained until the proceedings were brought to a formal close. Enthusiasm and commitment were continually demonstrated by these impressive community leaders.