President George W. Bush will meet Dr. Mark Asperilla upon arrival in Ft. Myers, Florida, on Thursday, November 13, 2003. Asperilla, an infectious disease specialist, is an active volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps.

Earlier this year, President Bush celebrated the first anniversary of the USA Freedom Corps – his initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country, like Asperilla, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Asperilla wanted to help make his community stronger and better prepared to respond to emergency situations, specifically in cases of terrorism or a biological attack. As a result of his efforts, Asperilla formed a group of 35 physicians in Port Charlotte, Florida, to help educate and inform Florida communities about how to prepare and respond during these types of emergency situations. Currently, Asperilla volunteers with the local Medical Reserve Corps unit, an important Citizen Corps program that coordinates the skills of practicing and retired physicians, nurses and other health professionals who are willing to volunteer during emergency situations. Asperilla is also the founder of the Peace River Boxing Club, a community center that provides at-risk youth with an athletic challenge, positive role models and a supportive team atmosphere as an alternative to drugs and violence. In 1994, Asperilla founded A.C.C.E.S.S. Care Inc., a nonprofit organization that invites medical professionals to travel to South America to provide free health care to individuals and families. He also helped found the Charlotte County HIV Clinic, a medical clinic that offers free health care for individuals coping with HIV/AIDS and volunteers twice each month treating patients.

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster a culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to volunteer service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities to protect our homeland, support our communities and extend American compassion around the world. Interested volunteers can find opportunities in their own neighborhoods through the USA Freedom Corps web site at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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