Name:

As part of the response to Hurricane Katrina, a team of UNC Hospitals' physicians and staff left Friday, Sept. 2 to travel to the Gulf Coast as part of the MidCarolina Trauma RAC's State Medical Assistance Team II. The team from UNC Hospitals is comprised of: Christine Clark, RN; Randy Kearns; Preston "Chip" Rich, MD; Michele Rudisill, RN; Ed Wilson, RN; Ben Zarzaur, MD; and Janet Young, MD. A second team from UNC Hospitals left Sept. 9 to relieve the first group of volunteers. The second team to help staff the K-Mart Klinic in Waveland, Miss., is comprised of: Alberto Bonifacio, RN; Joe Manese, Radiology Tech; Peter Milano, 5th year surgical resident; Andrew Millager, Pharmacist; Jim Rawlings, Pastoral Care; Tina Schade-Willis, MD; Renae Stafford, Trauma Attending Surgeon; Jim Starlin, Air Care Communications; and Wes Wallace, MD., attending, emergency medicine.

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Waiting

We pulled into Camp Shelby this morning. We expected food, beds, showers and fuel. Still waiting on fuel and food. There is a tremendous fuel shortage down here and the expected shipment has not yet arrived. While we wait an advance party including Chip has gone ahead to Biloxi. They are looking at the needs of the hospital there as well as a spot for us to set up. The officials here wanted us to look into setting up a forward trauma unit in Biloxi next to the hospital that was damaged in the storm. Once the assesment is made and the logistics worked out we will be back on the road. It is possible that this placement will not work out, and back up plans are being made. Despite an overnight bus trip with two stops due to blown tires, we are all ready to get on with this mission.
Ben