Recorded presentation

Robert Tosatto, RPh, MPH, MBA, Office of the Surgeon General, Medical Reserve Corps Program, Room 18C-14, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301.443.2528, RTosatto@OSOPHS.DHHS.GOV

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) program was officially launched as a national, community-based movement in July 2002. The purpose of the MRC program is to establish teams of local civilian medical and public health volunteers who can utilize their professional expertise while contributing to local public health initiatives, such as those meeting Healthy People 2010 objectives, on an ongoing basis and supplement the existing emergency response capabilities of the community.

MRC units have been formed or planned in over 180 communities throughout the United States; and over 14,000 medical and public health volunteers have either joined local units or have expressed interest in volunteering. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, emergency medical technicians, dentists, veterinarians, epidemiologists, and infectious disease specialists. In addition, volunteer interpreters, chaplains, amateur radio operators, logistics experts, legal advisors, and others fill key support positions.

The MRC program is a specialized component of Citizen Corps, a national network of volunteers dedicated to making sure their families, homes, and communities are safe from terrorism, crime, and disasters of all kinds. Citizen Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Peace Corps are all part of the President's USA Freedom Corps, which promotes volunteerism and service throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Learning Objectives:

• Particpants will learn about the activities of the Medical Reserve Corps.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation