On September 11 we the volunteers of International Medical Alliance of Tennessee arrived at Gulf Coast Worship Center (GCWC) in Long Beach, Mississippi.  GCWC was the only church still standing with minimal structural damage after hurricane Katrina; Pastor Jay West opened the doors of his church to Harrison County.  In cooperation with two churches from Mobile; Knollwood Assembly of God and St. Paul’s Episcopal, an ecumenical relief effort of unimaginable proportions was operated.  Serving as a distribution center, more than 90,000 tons of food and clothing were distributed.  IMA’s clinical base and pharmacy were based at GCWC and our volunteers were housed there.  Over one thousand volunteers comprising chain saw and clean up crews, distribution volunteers and medical staff were housed and fed.

International Medical Alliance of Tennessee opened and operated ten clinic locations in four different Mississippi counties, totaling 9,328 patient encounters.  We had indispensable assistance from UTMCK, Facilities Services Group, National Renal Alliance, Watkins Assoc. Industries, Land Span, Inc., Indiana Osteopathic Society, EADS North America, the Rotary Clubs of Fairhope and Mobile Alabama and Chicago, Illinois, the Medical Society of Mobile, Gulf Coast Worship Center, Knollwood Assembly of God Church, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Pfizer Corporation, and King Benevolent Fund.

 It was one of the greatest privileges of our careers to participate in the Katrina relief effort in Mississippi.  IMA had over 149 volunteers: 52 doctors, 43 RNs, 2 paramedics, 3 EMTs, 8 LPNs, 5 med students, 7 mental health professionals and 30 other non-medical support persons.  Some 31 state and local governmental and health agencies, private organizations, churches, corporations and universities contributed personnel, supplies, medicines and equipment.

EADS North America donated the use of an inflatable mobile surgical unit that was used as our clinic.  This donation enabled our volunteer staff to server more people each day in a clean and air conditioned environment.  We are forever grateful for this wonderful donation.

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