Disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the Southeast Asia tsunami have demonstrated the need for an organized group of qualified volunteers who are prepared to help. 

With this in mind, the Advanced Practice Center is working with health directors in Region 4b to recruit and train volunteers for a Medical Reserve Corps that would serve the region.  In a disaster situation, volunteers might be called upon to deliver medical care, interpret for individuals who do not speak English, or provide administrative support.  Volunteers would also have the opportunity to assist local health departments in the region with routine activities, such as flu clinics and health screenings. 

Recognizing that many professionals have limited time to volunteer, the Advanced Practice Center encourages Medical Reserve Corps members to choose their level of participation. For instance, members may elect to volunteer only during emergencies. In addition, volunteers can choose which communities in the region they would like to serve.

Who Should Join?

The Region 4b Medical Reserve Corps is looking for volunteers who are interested in serving their community. Volunteers may include:

1. Practicing, retired, or otherwise employed health professionals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, nursing assistants, veterinarians, and respiratory therapists.
2. Public health professionals, including epidemiologists and health educators.
3. Medical, nursing, public health and other allied health professional students.
4. Social workers, interpreters, and chaplains
5. People who wish to help their community but do not have a health care background.

MRC volunteers can be:

1. Active or inactive in their profession
2. Retired
3. Students

Licensed medical professionals must maintain a current license if they are volunteering to provide medical services within the scope of their license. Medical professionals with an inactive license may still volunteer to provide other services to the Medical Reserve Corps. To RSVP for the orientation or for more information about the program, please contact Alison Minkoff at 617-665-3871 or aminkoff@challiance.org. General information is also available on the health department's Region 4b Medical Reserve Corps web page.

United States citizenship is not required to be a Medical Reserve Corps volunteer.