| Local Medical Reserve Corps Honored with "Points of Light" Award | | Print | |
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Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy and First Lady Sally Ganem presented a Nebraska Governor's Points of Light Award to members of the Eastern Nebraska-Western Iowa Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) on August 11th. The awards are presented quarterly in recognition of volunteers who give their time,talent and energy to help Nebraskans build stronger communities. The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) joined forces to provide volunteer support at the Douglas County Health Department’s H1N1 mass vaccination clinics. Volunteers from both organizations participated in 20 vaccination clinics held between November 5 and December 31, 2009. More than 41,000 doses of vaccine were administered to the community. MRC and CERT members contributed a total of 1,536 service hours. CERT also received a Points of Light award.  Members of both groups served as screeners, greeters, parking lot attendants, behavioral health crowd-control counselors (due to long lines), assisted with paperwork and keeping vaccination stations stocked with supplies, monitored the exit area to answer questions about the vaccine and how to watch for adverse reactions and assisted with the set-up and break down of the clinics. The CERT & MRC volunteers provided additional manpower which was absolutely essential to the effective and efficient operation of the clinics. Their participation enabled Douglas County Health Department to focus on vaccinating as many people as possible to protect the health of those who live in the Omaha community. The health department nominated the MRC and CERT for this recognition.
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