| National Honors for Omaha-Based Medical Reserve Corps |
|
The Eastern Nebraska-Western Iowa Medical Reserve Corps has received national honors for its regional health activities, including many hours of service at last fall and winter’s H1N1 vaccination clinics.
"The Eastern Nebraska-Western Iowa unit was honored for its outstanding work with the MRC and supporting its mission to engage volunteers to strengthen public health, emergency response and community resiliency," said Capt. Robert J. Tosatto, Director of the OCVMRC. Tosatto said "it’s a shining example of the strength, impact, and importance of the national MRC network." Award recipients were chosen though a selective process from more than 80 nominations from MRC units across the country. The local unit received the Ambassador Award for successfully carrying out activities and initiatives that address the U.S. Surgeon General’s priorities; improving health literacy, increasing disease prevention, eliminating health disparities, and improving public health preparedness." Omaha coordinator Tom McMahon and MRC volunteers Alane Jespersen and Margo Franz accepted the award on behalf of the 550+ members of the Nebraska-Iowa unit. McMahon said "Members of the Eastern Nebraska-Western Iowa MRC provided more than $75,000 in volunteer service last year, working side-by-side with county health departments and other agencies to improve citizens’ health and insure their safety. That’s why our members serve – to protect our communities." The local unit also participates in local safety and health fairs year-round, provides medical and dental screenings, and members staff the first aid stations at the College World Series in Omaha, alongside ‘first-responders’ from the Omaha Fire Department. United Way of the Midlands coordinates the MRC unit, in partnership with the Omaha Metropolitan Medical Response System. Visit the MRC page on our site! The 2010 awards were given in nine categories, including the Community Resiliency Award, Ambassador Award, Outstanding MRC Responder Award, Outstanding Public Health Volunteer Award, Outstanding MRC Housing Organization Award, Outstanding MRC Partner Organization Award, Innovator Award, Mentor Award, and MRC Picture of the Year Award. MRC units are community-based, and they engage medical, public health, and other civilian volunteers to strengthen local efforts in public health, emergency preparedness and response. Currently, there are 885 MRC units and more than 207,000 volunteers across the nation. For more information on the Medical Reserve Corps, please visit http://www.medicalreservescorps.gov.
|
