WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Medical Reserve Corps Returns from Gulf Coast

Medical Reserve Corps Returns from Gulf Coast

Some medical professionals who help us all the time answered the call after Hurricane Katrina. They're the Medical Reserve Corps, and the government's never had to put them to work before. We spoke with some of the trained medical professionals just back from the Gulf Coast about their effort.

After a long journey, a group of 18 medical professionals from Chatham County woke up to a sunrise which revealed a completely flooded interstate in New Orleans.

"The devastation was worse than I ever imagined," said nurse manager Michael McCumber.

So they loaded boats with medical supplies, then split up and went to work. "One of our physicians went and worked at a jail in Boglesia and saw inmates that were in need," Dr. Mary Kay Ross.

Others tried to protect people from contamination that was everywhere. "There was a tent set up to give hepatitis A, hepatitis B injections, also tetanus," McCumber told us.

They worked from the street and in makeshift treatment centers in parking lots and convention centers. McCumber recalled "operating with a flashlight in my mouth, trying to give a shot to someone. So you learn how to improvise."

They made house calls, patched roofs, gave out food, water and generators. They say the biggest medical problem was people dealing with diseases. "Mainly people were out of their medications, and so a lot of diseases they had were just getting exacerbated by the situation," said Ross.

In the end, they rescued 28 people, three dogs and one ferret, treated 12 inmates and gave medical attention to countless other people.

McCumber says it was a life-changing experience. "I've always been a pessimistic person about evacuating and now I am very pro-evacuate," he said. "My family and everyone will get out."

The medical professionals were able to provide supplies, thanks to both Memorial and St. Joseph's/Candler hospitals. And all say they would go back and help again if needed.

Reported by: Kim Angelastro, kangelastro@wtoc.com