Just Back from Gulfport-the Free Clinic Thrives and the Need for Nurses Remains

Sheri Stern, RN
Baltimore

Just a note of appreciation for all the incredibly coordinated and effective work CNA has done, (and paying airfare!)-not just for my experience in Gulfport, but for all nurses you've helped deploy south for Katrina relief efforts.

If any nurses you know are "on the fence" about going, feel free to offer my email. I'd be glad to share with them. Your organization and its members are both compassionate and efficient at getting the job done. And you personally performed miracles from across the miles to make it happen.
      
The experience was incredible and the need continues in Gulfport (and likely elsewhere). I've organized OTC med drives back here in Baltimore to send cough and cold preps, OTC ointments, and even some x-mas toys for the clinic/church to distribute. I'm so glad and proud, to be an American and a registered nurse who became part of the solution to an American disaster. Thank you for the opportunity to serve, and be a part of history.
      

Comments

[Beryl Shaw]

Diane: I just returned from 9 days in NOLA and actually worked at Covenant House as well. (saw your little note). The experience was incredible and I feel as if I would return in a heartbeat. I too encountered folks dealing with incredible stories, and both medically and psychologically, felt that I actually made a difference. The stories were truly unbelievable. There were many hugs, many grateful touches, and perhaps most importantly, I was able to assist w. providing medical services to at risk populations with multiple chronic diseases. Many of these people had lost their medications during evacuation. We saw out of control diabetics, hypertensives, many skin infectios, and multiple, multiple serious mental health problems, many directly a result of the trauma they had and were continuing to experience. The residents I worked with were generally terrific, very open and appreciative of the expertise and experience the CNA nurses brought to the clinics.

I cannot leave behind this experience, and hope to be able to return if at all possible.
Thank you so much CNA for helping all of us with this opportunity to give back to others.

Beryl Shaw, RN
American Lung Association of the East Bay
Emeryville Ca.

[Donna McNulty]

I am a registered nurse from Georgia with many years of emergency room and critical care nursing and am interested in volunteering in the gulfport relief effort but do not know who to contact or how to get involved. Can anyone help me? Thank you! Donna