Mayo Clinic Helping Katrina Hurricane Disaster Relief

The Mayo Clinic is helping the Kartina hurricate disaster by commiting $1 million dollars up front to reliefe efforts. They are also working with the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), which they are a part of. They are also working with representatives from the federal government to prepare for coordinated, long-term assistance.

In addition, Mayo Clinic Rochester (Rochester, MN) is sending volunteer doctor and nurse response teams to the disaster area, with the first bus load leaving Rochester, MN on Sunday, September 4, 2005. This first load of volunteers were able to commit to leaving upon a very short notice, some only having hours to prepare to being gone from their homes, family, and work. They will travel about 20 hours by bus, and then immediately upon arriving, will begin in their disaster relief efforts. Each volunteer has committed to a two week period of time, and will probably be living in conditions that may include living and working in mobile hospital stations (tent cities). Mayo Clinic is a coordinating center for volunteers from the southeast Minnesota region. Addtional busses of volunteers will be continuing to leave from Mayo Clinic, to include relief teams for the first team after it's two week shift. Even though the doctors and nurses are graciously volunteering for each two week shift, Mayo Clinic is also offering to pay them their normal salary during their volunteer efforts.

Volunteers are warned to expect difficult conditions to work under, both physically, as well as emmotionally. The mobile hospital stations are expected to be in areas where there is access to power and fresh water, but conditions are still expected to be difficult. They are warned that they will need to be in excellent health, be current in their immunizations, and be prepared to work under physically demanding conditions for extended periods of time.

Mayo Clinic Rochester anticipates that volunteer teams will be participating for a minimum of 10 weeks, and potentially up to three or four months. The current plan is for volunteers to be deployed for a two week shift, and then be replaced by new volunteers. Those who choose to volunteer and participate, will receive their normal compensation. They will also be covered by federal worker liability and federal workman's compensation programs. Their transportation will also be provided them. They are also warned that accomidations could be challenging and the ability to communicate back to their loved ones, may be very limited.

Mayo Clinic Jacksonville is accepting patients from the Gulf Coast areas that have been affected by hurricate Katrina. One hundred twenty patients are expected to arrive on Sunday, September 4, 2005 via military air evactuation to Navel Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville. At least 20 of those patients are expected to be transferred to St. Lukes Hospital, but the number could be greater, depending on medical needs. Mayo Clinic Jacksonville was not communicated these needs from the NDMS until late afternoon, on Friday, September 2nd.

Mayo Clinic Arizona has learned from the Department of Health Services of Arizona, that Arizona will receive at least 1,000 Gulf Coast evacuees to chelters in and around Phoenix, most likely begining on Sunday, September 4th. They have been asked to identify a small group of health care professionals who can be ready to assist at the local chelters with the medical needs of the evacuees, if called upon.