MRC Director’s Message
Dear Medical Reserve Corps Network, Colleagues, and Partners,
We are pleased to support the efforts of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and its work to produce this second edition of the Network Profile of the Medical Reserve Corps. Founded in 2002 as a way for medical and public health professionals and others to volunteer in their communities, the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) has since served to improve the health, safety, and resilience of the nation. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and the MRC Program work to build greater awareness of the MRC network through a variety of reports, presentations, and briefings.
To build resilience and reduce disaster risk, MRC volunteers are fully engaged in improving the overall wellness of individuals and their communities. Through their service, gaps in public health are filled, emergency preparedness capabilities are strengthened, responses are quicker, and recovery is smoother. By reducing vulnerabilities locally, the MRC network is lessening the need for federal level involvement while making their community healthier and stronger.
Building on the success of the first edition of this publication, the latest Network Profile highlights the efforts of the MRC network and the impact it is making across the country at this point in time. The Profile also takes into consideration where the network was in 2013 and clearly illustrates the areas of growth and evolution. The graphics, stories, and images showcase a diverse network connected by a common mission with more than a decade of success.
This profile would be incomplete and less well-rounded if not for the input of the MRC unit leaders and their willingness to share information and stories. Additionally, the tremendous work of the NACCHO staff in collecting, analyzing and sharing the information in a compelling way is to be commended. This publication will serve as a great way to tell the MRC story, increase awareness, and shed much deserved light on the efforts of these wonderful and dedicated volunteers.
With warm regards,
Robert J. Tosatto, RPh, MPH, MBA
CAPT, USPHS
Director, Medical Reserve Corps Program
