Office of the Surgeon General Medical Reserve Corps September 17, 2004

September 11, 2001

Anthrax October – November, 2001

MRC Concept Developed Create system to pre-identify medical and public health volunteers – at the community level Prepare them in advance of an emergency Utilize them on an ongoing basis to strengthen the public health infrastructure

State of the Union January 2002 President Bush calls for all Americans to offer volunteer service in their communities Formation of USA Freedom Corps and Citizen Corps announced

MRC Demonstration Project July 2002 –MRC officially launched –HHS/Office of the US Surgeon General October 2002 – 42 grants awarded October 2003 – 42 year one grants continued – 124 new grants awarded

To serve citizens and communities throughout the United States by establishing local teams of medical, public health and other volunteers to strengthen the public health infrastructure and improve emergency preparedness Mission

Status 218 MRC units in 46 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands Almost 30,000 volunteers: –4210Physicians –336 Physician Assistants –532 Nurse Practitioners –7536 Registered Nurses –554 Licensed Practical Nurses –1986 Pharmacists –1669 Mental Health Professionals –736 EMTs/Paramedics –2163 Other - Medical –581 Other - Public Health –7220 Other - Non-medical/public health

MRC Volunteers Local decision (based on needs) May include those in training, in active practice, or retired Medical and public health professionals Persons with no health experience who can help with communications, administration, logistics, and other essential functions

Departments of Public Health Boards of Health Medical Centers/Hospitals Medical Societies Emergency Management Offices Citizen Corps Councils Municipal Governments Police Departments Volunteer Centers Faith Based Organizations American Red Cross Regional Planning Groups Medical Societies Non-Profit Community Organizations Housing Organizations

Health Care Systems, Hospitals and Clinics Departments of Public Health Centers for Disease Control Medical Retirement Groups Medical Examiners Offices Local and State Emergency Management Agencies Emergency Planning Committees Police and Fire Departments Community-Based Disaster Groups Healthcare Outreach Coalitions Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs Nursing and Medical Schools Metropolitan Medical Response Systems Emergency Medical Services Military Organizations & National Guard Public Schools Neighborhood Associations Regional Commissions City Attorney’s Offices Corporations Partner Organizations

Surgeon General Priorities Prevention Public Health Preparedness Health Disparities Health Literacy

Types of Activities Laying the Foundation of the MRC –Partnership Building –Volunteer Recruitment/Retention –Credentialing –Training Public Health Initiatives Emergency Preparedness

Hurricanes!

Reagan State Funeral

MRC Program Office Role Facilitate the formation, implementation, and sustainability of MRC teams in communities throughout the U.S. by coordinating mechanisms for information sharing and providing forums for discussions of “promising practices” and lessons learned

MRC Program Office Program management Technical assistance Outreach/awareness Coordination (301)

Issues/Challenges Legal Protections Training Credentialing Sustainability National Mass Catastrophic Event

Future Directions Growth Increase focus on the SG’s priorities Increase outreach and awareness Increase and improve coordination Involvement of PHS Officers – Active Duty, Inactive Reserve, Retired, “Alumni”

The SG’s “Call” “…the MRC offers PHS Commissioned Corps officers with an opportunity to help in their own local communities… I would encourage all PHS officers to lead by example in their local communities by volunteering.” VADM Richard H. Carmona Surgeon General Commissioned Corps Bulletin Vol. XVI, No. 12 December 2002

How to Get Involved Call your local MRC coordinator What are their needs? Mentor/train MRC members If there is no MRC unit in your area – encourage local leaders to establish one. Provide leadership and advice as it is developed

Unique Challenges for PHS Officers MRC activities strictly as a private citizen Adherence to PHS standards and conduct Volunteer activities may not interfere with official PHS duties or deployment

Contact Information: Robert J. Tosatto, RPh, MPH, MBA Commander, US Public Health Service Director, Medical Reserve Corps Program Office of the Surgeon General Room 18C-14, Parklawn Building 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD Tel. (301) Fax (301)