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 Printer-friendly Nov-Dec 2008 Inside HRSA (PDF-5MB) |
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HRSA's Corps Provides Comfort, Care to Hurricane Victims
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Fifty-five HRSA Commissioned Corps officers were deployed to the Gulf Coast to counter the devastation of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in August and September. HHS’ response to the crisis was massive, with Secretary Mike Leavitt putting all 6,000 officers of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps on alert and ready to deploy to communities that needed assistance preparing for, responding to and recovering from Gustav and Ike. The Corps provided operational, administrative, logistical and planning support for the public health and medical response to Gustav and Ike in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. Though the effects of Gustav were not as severe as those caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many Gulf Coast residents were displaced due to the storm and remain in general population and medical special needs shelters, as well as in Federal Medical Shelters (FMS) throughout the region. HRSA’s 55 officers — more than 24 percent of the agency’s Commissioned Corps cadre — were among approximately 800 HHS officers deployed to the Gulf Coast. Many officers were deployed for the standard two-week period; others were deployed for longer periods. “We are obviously very proud of our officers,” said HRSA Administrator Elizabeth Duke. “They are a lifeline to those in need, and reflect the very spirit of public health service.” During the mission, integrated teams of health care providers, administrative and support staff cared for patients and caregivers who were displaced from their homes or assisted living and rehabilitation facilities. Many had chronic illness and disabilities that necessitated highly skilled medical, nursing, and social support, and round-the-clock assistance with activities of daily living. |
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HRSA’s main mission was to set up and operate FMS sites in Alexandria and Ruston, Louisiana; Louisiana State University Field House in Baton Rouge; and College Station, Texas, where most individuals had special care needs. The officers worked generally in 12-hour shifts. Admissions and discharges were in constant flux, and FMS capacities fluctuated as additional cots arrived or were transferred elsewhere.
In addition to setting up and staffing the FMS, Corps officers in Texas also conducted disease surveillance, environmental health assessments, and food service site inspections. Patient advocacy teams worked in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana.
For CAPT Raelene Skerda of HRSA’s Office of Commissioned Corps Affairs, this was her sixth call-up. This time, she deployed to Atlanta, followed by Dallas and College Station, Texas. “Each time I have deployed with my fellow officers, I have been awed by the caliber of the professionals we have in the Corps, and humbled by their commitment to ensure the safety and care of the people entrusted to us.”
First-time deployee LCDR Morrisa B. Rice, HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau, felt her adrenaline rushing when she received her e-mail orders. Despite the short notice (six hours), she quickly got her family and office affairs in order and departed for College Station, Texas, on September 22.
Working in the FMS, LCDR Rice assisted patients with special healthcare needs (e.g. dialysis, oxygen dependent and mental health needs), and also helped with discharge planning. She was proud to serve in this deployment and looks forward to future opportunities.
For more information on the Commissioned Corps, visit www.usphs.gov. And look for an upcoming article on HRSA Corps officers’ participation in Secretary Leavitt’s Health Diplomacy Initiative in the Caribbean, Latin America, the Pacific Rim and Pacific Islands.
Deployed Officers
CAPT Laura Aponte |
CAPT Mark Nehring |
CDR Gettie Audain |
CDR Tracy Matthews |
CDR Regina Bennett |
CDR Barbara Olaniyan |
LCDR Wanza Bacon |
LCDR Mahyar Mofidi |
LT Jae Choi |
LT Devin Williams |
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