During National Volunteer Week, April 15-21, 2012
National Volunteer Week is April 15-21, and the Satilla Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) unit will be dedicating this time to demonstrating to the nation that this nationwide network of local volunteers can make a difference in the health, safety, and resiliency of our communities. MRC units across the nation will hold volunteer recognition events, in addition to supporting activities that strengthen public health and emergency preparedness.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Medical Reserve Corps, which was launched in 2002 after the events of 9/11 brought to light the need for an organized system for medical and public health professionals who could be ready to respond to emergencies, but also help to improve public health on a day-to-day basis. During both public health and preparedness-related events, MRC volunteers have the opportunity to work as a team. And, in collaboration with local partners, these events not only improve the health of the people in the community—often the young, elderly or underserved—but also strengthen the members of the MRC unit to respond as a team in the event of an emergency.
“Our unit has increased the health and preparedness of Ware and surrounding counties as educating citizens about emergency preparedness,” said Perry Blackburn.
The Medical Reserve Corps program began with 42 units and has grown to a robust network of almost 1,000 units including more than 200,000 volunteers in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and most of the U.S. territories. Over the past decade, MRC units have helped to meet the emergency needs of their communities by assisting with a variety of small and large-scale responses, such as Hurricane Katrina, the Gulf oil spill, and mass vaccinations for the H1N1 influenza virus. More recently, MRC volunteers have provided support following wildfires in New Mexico, floods in Minnesota, and tornadoes in Alabama, Missouri, and Massachusetts.
Since its inception, the MRC’s mission has reflected the priorities of the Surgeon General–increasing disease prevention, eliminating health disparities, improving health literacy, and focusing on becoming a healthy and fit nation. Last year, MRC units across the country reported almost 10,000 local activities that are conducted by thousands of MRC volunteers and have an effect on millions of people. “The MRC has a tremendous impact at a very low cost to Federal, state or local government,” says CAPT Rob Tosatto, MRC Director in the Office of the Surgeon General. “It has a high return on investment, is value added to the community, and has a direct impact on many individuals.”
The network of MRC volunteers includes medical and public health professionals who provide health care and education for individuals and communities, as well as non-medical volunteers who provide leadership, logistics and other support. MRC units can initiate and participate in public health activities ranging from flu vaccination clinics and smoking cessation initiatives to disease prevention programs like the “Million Hearts” (focused on reducing heart disease) and “Let’s Move!” (the First Lady’s initiative addressing the challenge of childhood obesity) campaigns. The public health activities can also help to reduce vulnerability and susceptibility in the community, which lessens disaster risks. In general, healthier people are less susceptible to injury and illness following disaster; additionally, minimizing health disparities increases personal and community-wide resiliency.
Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week has grown exponentially in scope each year since, drawing the support and endorsement of all subsequent U.S. presidents, governors, mayors and other respected elected officials. “National Volunteer Week is a time to recognize the difference that volunteers can make on a daily basis as they lead by example—not only encouraging the people they help, but motivating others to serve as well,” says Dr. William Parham. “Volunteering not only provides the great satisfaction of helping others, but also can provide you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life.”
Medical Reserve Corps volunteers can have a profound impact on the health and safety of their communities. Volunteers can serve as MRC leaders, provide medical care, administer vaccines and dispense medications, offer health education as part of a local public health initiative, provide counseling for victims, families and responders, promote preparedness, and contribute administrative, logistical and communications support. For more information about the MRC program, and to find out how you can get involved, please contact your local MRC unit at [email protected], www.warecitizencorps.com or visit www.medicalreservecorps.gov, www.facebook.com/medicalreservecorps, or contact [email protected].
#####
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of local groups of volunteers committed to improving the health, safety, and resiliency of their communities. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals, as well as non-medical volunteers who are interested in strengthening the public health infrastructure and improving the preparedness and response capabilities of their local jurisdictions. The Division of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps (DCVMRC) is headquartered in the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, and it functions as a clearinghouse for information and best practices to help communities establish, implement, and maintain Medical Reserve Corps units nationwide.
03-13-12
16:15 hrs