#introduction

I am a geriatric psychiatrist practicing at a state hospital, for my day job. I lead #DisasterHealthServices and #DisasterMentalHealth teams for the American #RedCross at the chapter and National HQ levels. Our NHQ teams are currently assigned to multiple operations.

I am committed to doing as much good as I can as long as I can.

Resisting #COVID every way I can, including now recovering from it. #COVIDIsNotOver #WearAMask

Proud dad of @crescent_latte .

In my NHQ role on the call center team I am heavily engaged in assisting the call center #DisasterHealthServices and #DisabilityIntegration teams. The most acute need of these by far is the DHS team, so I spend a lot of time there.

I'm grateful I have the opportunity to assist. It's an absolute privilege to help meet the needs of those affected by these large #disasters. At the end if the day, I feel like I made a difference- and in the cases of #Ida and #Ian we saved lives.

#RedCross

5/5

Outside the region, I have been deployed to or otherwise responded to 50 or so disaster response operations since 2017, most notably Hurricanes Laura, Ida, Ian, wildfires out West, and mass shootings in El Paso, Dayton, and Indianapolis (FedEx). I deploy as a #DisasterMentalHealth manager, #DisasterHealthServices supervisor, and now am qualified as a #DisabilityIntegration supervisor.

#RedCross

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I haven't mentioned my roles in #RedCross.

In my chapter I am the #DisasterHealthServices lead. I am responsible for the nurses, physicians, EMT's etc- training, onboarding, engaging, etc. During steady state we respond to house fires, small plane crashes, and other small (in scale- these are very significant to those affected!) disasters, following up on injuries, replacing lost medication and medical equipment, and verifying that fatalities that occur are disaster-related.

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