Central Nova News

The Alexandria Health Department has published the 2023 Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program Impact Report. The document highlights the service contributions of Alexandria's MRC, comprising 1,299 trained medical and non-medical volunteers ready to respond to public health emergencies.

Throughout 2023, the MRC completed 1,747 service hours, equating to $57,000 in workforce savings. A significant portion of their time, 41%, was devoted to various public health projects.

In spring 2023, MRC volunteers aided in relocating over 100 health department staff members to the Redella S. "Del" Pepper Community Resource Center. During summer, they participated in community events across Alexandria, discussing topics such as heat safety, vaccines, and sexual health. By December, volunteers assisted in surveying residents about home health and safety priorities as part of the City’s Healthy Homes Initiative.

The MRC continues its legacy of dedication established during the COVID-19 public health crisis. "Working with MRC, especially during the pandemic, was and is the most fulfilling time I've ever had,” shared Lynn Blandford, an MRC volunteer. “All the people, clients, and fellow MRC were always smiling and were very appreciative of our help."

Apart from project deployments, MRC engaged in various public health emergency preparedness trainings covering basic life support, N95 mask fit testing, and epidemiological interviewing for infectious disease investigations.

“Volunteers wear a number of hats and bring their diverse skills and experiences to our unit,” said Rosy Noguchi, MRC Coordinator. “So our team is stronger with every new member’s perspective. Being able to leverage your special skill or help a neighbor – it’s the best feeling.”

For more information on joining or viewing the report visit Alexandria’s MRC website.