OUR HISTORY
In November 2005, several months after Hurricane Katrina caused massive flooding in New Orleans, there were a number of churches offering St. Anna’s Episcopal Church assistance.  We were offered a used RV that could be used for housing.  During our discussions, the lack of medical care was broached in conversions between Fr. Bill Terry, Rector, Diana Meyers, a parishioner and registered nurse who had lost her job due to the storm, and other churches.  It was decided the RV would best be used in as a medical unit of some type.  Support was offered from these other churches and the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana was so encouraged with our plans they gave us a grant of $100,000 for the first year’s budget.

As things go, the RV was not “road worthy” and the search for another RV, and the funding for it, began.  Through the generosity of many individuals, churches and groups around the country and another grant from the La. Diocese through the national Episcopal Relief and Development we were able to secure an RV and have graphics placed on it to identify us.  The back of the RV reflects the names of those who contributed as little as $12.50 or as much as $12,000 towards its purchase. 

While waiting for the RV to arrive, screenings were conducted at the church and at fairs.  Partnerships were being formed and contacts made to provide medical care on the unit once it arrived.  The RV finally arrived in late June 2006 and within two weeks we were on the road.

OUR MISSION AND PURPOSE
The St. Anna’s Medical Mission identifies and provides the resources and skills of health and faith communities at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church as well as the surrounding New Orleans community to provide preventive wellness, medical services and spiritual guidance with dignity and respect.

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, a Mobile Medical Mission concept had value because of the culturally provincial mindset of New Orleanians and the poor free medical delivery systems that tended to de-humanize the poor.   In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans’ systems of health care have sustained a devastating blow.  Its publicly funded health care systems are ruins. 
Neighborhoods around St. Anna’s Episcopal Church are repopulating with poor, marginalized and working class residents.  Many of these people are coming home despite lacking access to medical care within the city. They also do not have the ability to travel to other communities in search of free health care. 

OUR GOALS
To develop and provide health programs that address the needs of the community we serve.

To provide a welcoming resource for the community that will enable individuals to strengthen their spirituality and find meaning in life.

To establish a volunteer base that will provide quality care to the whole person in a dignified manner.

OUR OPERATION
The Mobile Medical Unit is taken into various areas in and around New Orleans to provide healthcare to the people there.  Our schedule has included the St. Rock area, the Lower 9th Ward, Meraux (a hard-hit section of St. Bernard Parish), Central City and a predominantly Hispanic area of Kenner, in addition to our own neighborhood.  We continue to be cognizant of other areas that may benefit from our services with the continued lack of “normal” health care access, especially for the un-insured and under-insured, and hope to expand as we are able to increase the availability of physician coverage.

Our schedule is based somewhat on the availability of our affiliates, Tulane School of Medicine and Daughter’s of Charity-New Orleans.  Tulane had provided us with an attending physician in Internal Medicine/Geriatrics two half-days a week, but because of increased activity at their own clinics, they won’t be able to help us any longer.  An attending physician (Psychiatrist), her residents and/or students join us one full day a week.   The Daughter’s of Charity provides us with an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse one evening and one half day a week.  We continue to search for other partners to enable us to provide care more frequently.  Registered Nurses are used in conjunction with these outings and to provide screenings and education when physicians are not available.  A neighboring public high school also uses the RV as clinic space one day a week in conjunction with Tulane School of Medicine Pediatric/Adolescent Department.

Basic medical care is available when physicians are on-board; when no physician is available we provide blood pressure and diabetes screenings, education and referrals.  Mental health screenings and counseling are available when psychiatrists or social workers are on board.  Spiritual guidance/counseling is available when priests or deacons are available.  As our financial situation allows, we provide some immunizations (i.e., flu, tetanus and we’re looking into the new vaccine to prevent some cervical cancers).  All of our services are free.

Most of the issues we see are hypertension (newly diagnosed or uncontrolled), diabetes, medication refills, depression/PTSD, rashes, colds/flu, and occasionally cuts/scrapes.  We accept patients on a first-come-first-serve basis; we do not usually make appointments.  We often place handouts outside regarding mental health, hypertension and/or diabetes.  We sometimes have “give-a-ways” for clients as well.

We have no laboratory, EKG or radiology facilities, but can do simple procedures such as suturing simple lacerations, incision and drainage, etc.  Referrals are made to several area clinics and/or hospitals for further care, and patients are encouraged to pursue a more consistent means of healthcare (clinic or physician). 

The EMS System (911) is called for life-threatening emergencies.  If a client needs more care than we can give on the Unit as soon as possible, yet it is not a “911 emergency”, they are sent to one of the referral clinics or to the nearest ER.  If the client does not have transportation we have a contract with a local taxi company to get them to the clinic/ER and back home.
 
Sample medications, when available, are given to clients by the physician or APRN.  Medications that we can use most are inexpensive hypertensive and anti-depressant medications, although oral diabetes medication and antibiotics are also very useful.  Over-the-counter medications (cold/flu, anti-itch, Tylenol, etc.) are also given out as needed.

Charts are made for each patient seen when the RV returns to the church.  These files are then kept in the RV.  Patients will be asked if they’ve been seen by us before, so that the nurse/physician will know whether to pull an old record. 

Besides our “routine” schedule, we participate in health fairs or other similar type gatherings coordinated by various groups and organizations in town.  Blood pressure, diabetes and stress/depression screenings are usually done at these events, but if there is a physician or local APRN available, we’ll also offer their services.  Psychiatry students from Tulane University Medical School received a small grant (Helping Hands Grant) to provide screenings and education on stress and depression, which will be done mainly through St. Anna’s Medical Mission.

OUR STAFF
Fr. Bill Terry is the Rector of St. Anna’s Church and is the one who grew the notion of a Medical Unit in its early days. 

The Medical Mission is run by Diana Meyers, a registered nurse, who holds the title of Parish Nurse/Disaster Relief Coordinator for St. Anna’s Church.

Luigi Mandile is our driver and also assists with on-site registration and Medical Mission and church program coordination.

Our Medical Director is Ben Springgate, M.D., a native New Orleanian, Tulane University School of Medicine graduate and a current UCLA Scholar who was instrumental in bringing medical care to New Orleans in the initial days and weeks post Katrina.

Diana and Fr. Bill with the RV

Volunteer doctors, nurses and social workers are used to staff the unit, as well as non-medical personnel to assist with registration, when available.  The availability of volunteer doctors allows us to plan more “clinics” in different locations, thereby serving a larger population.

We may also have a Deacon or Priest with the unit to provide spiritual support.

VOLUNTEERS
What type of volunteers can work on the unit?MDs, RNs (APRNs work as RNs unless they have a local MD sponsor), Social Workers and non-medical people for registration.

How many medical volunteers can work at one time? Due to limitations of space, we comfortably can use 1 physician, 1-2 nurses, 1 registration person and 1 social worker or psychologist per outing. 

Are there any temporary licensure requirements? There are forms that must be completed for temporary licensure for RNs, MDs and Social Workers.  I have these forms and, if you choose to volunteer, will gladly send them to you.  They will need to be completed and returned TO ME at least 2-3 weeks in advance of your arrival to assure completeness and allow me time to get them to the LA-DHH or appropriate Boards for approval. You will also need to include copies of your license, driver’s license, DEA number, health insurance cards, etc. Once here, the MD and RN must go to the LA-DHH between 9am and 3pm, Mon-Fri. with picture ID and license to verify identity before they can start to work; I will provide directions. Social Workers have no similar requirement.. Non-medical volunteers should complete the personal information sheets and releases only.

What about malpractice insurance? According to Dr. Erin Brewer at the LA-DHH, MDs and RNs who follow this process and volunteer their services (not paid), "DHH and volunteer agree that volunteer to the extent allowed by law is an employee of DHH for the limited purposes of indemnification, immunity, and worker's compensation medical (but not weekly disability payments) benefits for any actions that may arise in the course and scope of volunteer's assigned duties."

Do I need to bring medical supplies? There are no supplies you must bring with you, unless you’d like to bring your own stethoscope. If you or your church/group wish to collect and bring supplies for the unit, I can provide a list for you.

What do I wear? No uniforms are needed.  Casual, decent clothing suitable for the weather is fine.  Lab coat is optional.  Closed toed shoes are strongly suggested due to debris and safety climbing in/out of the RV.

Do I need to provide my own housing? The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana's Office of Disaster Response (ODR) is able to offer housing to volunteers on a first come first serve basis – the sooner you turn in the Volunteer Intake Form included in your Licensure Packet, the sooner we can assign housing (this form can be turned in before the rest of the packet). Accommodations are modest, usually a cot with a foam mattress, often in dormitory type rooms.  Most areas have kitchens and shower facilities.  You will need to provide your own sheets, towels, etc. If you are coming with a group that will be doing other volunteer work, your group coordinator should be making those arrangements for you; please note on your packet which group you are with and the name and contact information for your group coordinator.

Do I need to provide my own transportation and meals? Yes. If you are not driving to New Orleans, please be prepared to rent a vehicle. Most days when a bag lunch should be brought on the unit with you, as you will be out all day with little or no time to go get something to eat and few places open in the areas we serve.