Tag: mrc

RHHD Invites You to Give the Gift of Time for Giving Tuesday 

December 2, 2025
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov

RHHD Invites You to Give the Gift of Time for Giving Tuesday
Volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps

RICHMOND, Va. – This Giving Tuesday, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage you to give one of the most meaningful gifts of all: your time. By joining the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), you can make a lasting impact on public health and emergency preparedness right here at home.

“Greater Richmond Medical Reserve Corps volunteers from many different backgrounds come together to help make our communities safer, stronger, and healthier,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Acting Local Health Emergency Coordinator Alyssa Lewis. “Volunteering not only makes a difference in your community; it can also reduce your own stress and loneliness, provide a sense of purpose, improve your physical and mental health, and create lifelong friendships.”

The MRC is a statewide network of volunteers who partner with RHHD year-round and step in during disasters and emergencies. Volunteers come from all walks of life. No medical degree is required. Whether you’re a retiree looking to stay active, a student seeking service hours, or simply someone who wants to give back, there’s a place for you in the MRC.

As an MRC volunteer, you’ll receive free lifesaving training, gain valuable skills, and connect with new friends while serving your community. From health fairs to emergency response efforts, volunteers help keep families safe and healthy.

In RHHD, the MRC volunteers:

  • Support vaccination events for flu, COVID19, and school-required immunizations.
  • Staff shelters and mobile clinics during storms and other emergencies.
  • Teach hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) use, and bleeding control skills.
  • Assist with opioid response by leading Revive! training sessions.
  • Staff first aid tents at marathons, races, and community celebrations.
  • Assist with rabies vaccination clinics and drug takeback events.
  • Provide administrative and call center support.

This Giving Tuesday, share your time and talents with the MRC. Together, we can strengthen our communities and spread the gift of good health.

Apply today at Virginia Volunteer Health or learn more by contacting RHHD at 804-501-4532 or alyssa.lewis@vdh.virginia.gov.

Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook.

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The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Invites You to Give the Gift of Time for Giving Tuesday

December 2, 2025
Media Contact: Dr. Zelalem Attlee, Zelalem.Attlee@vdh.virginia.gov

The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Invites You to Give the Gift of Time for Giving Tuesday
Volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps.

WARRENTON, Va. – This Giving Tuesday, Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District encourages you to give one of the most meaningful gifts of all: your time. By joining the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), you can make a lasting impact on public health and emergency preparedness right here at home.

“Giving Tuesday reminds us that the greatest gift we can offer is our time. Volunteering with the Medical Reserve Corps strengthens the health and resilience of our entire community,” said Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Director J. Carr, M.D. “I’m grateful for every neighbor who steps forward to serve.”

The MRC is a statewide network of volunteers who partner with Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District year‑round and step in during disasters and emergencies. Volunteers come from all walks of life. No medical degree required. Whether you’re a retiree looking to stay active, a student seeking service hours, or simply someone who wants to give back, there’s a place for you in the MRC.

As an MRC volunteer, you’ll receive free lifesaving training, gain valuable skills, and connect with new friends while serving your community. From health fairs to emergency response efforts, volunteers help keep families safe and healthy.

In Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District, the MRC volunteers:

  • Support vaccination events for flu, COVID‑19, and back‑to‑school immunizations.
  • Staff shelters and mobile clinics during storms and other emergencies.
  • Teach CPR, AED use, and bleeding control skills.
  • Assist with opioid response by leading Revive! training sessions.
  • Staff first aid tents at marathons, races, and community celebrations.

This Giving Tuesday, share your time and talents with the MRC. Together, we can strengthen our communities and spread the gift of good health.

Apply today at Virginia Volunteer Health or learn more by contacting Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District at www.rrhd.org.

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Southside Health District Offers REVIVE, CPR Training in South Boston

April 25, 2025
Media Contact: Brian C. Little, Sr., brian.little@vdh.virginia.gov

Southside Health District Offers REVIVE, CPR Training in South Boston

SOUTH BOSTON, Va. — Southside Health District, in collaboration with the Southside Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and Southside Behavioral Health, will offer free CPR and REVIVE!

Date: Saturday, May 3
Location: Ash Avenue Baptist Church, 900 Ash Ave., South Boston

Scheduled Classes:
Instruction provided by Southside MRC
CPR – 10 a.m. – Noon
REVIVE! class – 1 – 2 p.m.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
To preregister, complete the online form or call (804) 914-2608.

“Opioid overdose is one of the leading causes of unnatural death in Virginia,” said Pittsylvania-Danville and Southside Health District Director Scott J. Spillmann, MD, MPH. “CPR and REVIVE! training provide essential skills to help people respond to individuals experiencing a medical emergency.”

REVIVE! participants will gain skills to respond to an opioid emergency and learn how to effectively use naloxone. Upon completion, the class participants will receive two free doses of naloxone, two face shields and two pairs of gloves. People aged 18 and older are encouraged to attend REVIVE! training. Minors are welcome to observe the classes with parental consent.

In addition to the REVIVE! classes, community members will be given the opportunity to learn how to save lives through CPR. Individuals of all ages may register for this class.

Heart attacks and opioid overdose are life-threatening medical emergencies. If you think either a heart attack or an overdose may be occurring, it is important to act quickly to save a life and call 911 immediately.

For more information, or to schedule additional trainings, contact Amanda Hutchins at (804) 914-2608 or amanda.hutchins1@vdh.virginia.gov.

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Chesterfield Health District Celebrates Virginia Volunteer Week

April 21, 2025
Media Contact: Kristy Fowler, PR Specialist, kristy.fowler@vdh.virginia.gov

Chesterfield Health District Celebrates Virginia Volunteer Week
Medical Reserve Corps volunteers make significant contributions to public health.

CHESTERFIELD, Va. — Emily Garofalo, of Midlothian, has volunteered with the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) at Chesterfield Health District since 2021. She had just retired from VCU Health in 2020 after 45 years as a nurse in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), including working in pediatrics. Emily jumped back into patient care shortly after receiving her COVID-19 vaccine when she volunteered to help with COVID-19 testing and immunizations. Having worked in infectious disease units, she trusted her personal protective equipment and vaccine to keep her safe.

Years later, Garofalo found out she could help with the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program. She was excited to continue helping babies and children. Now, she takes and records their height, weight and tests hemoglobin (iron). She relies on her many years of experience to use distraction tactics and techniques that make it easier to get kids to cooperate when getting a shot.

“Kids just want to help and they’re naturally curious,” Garofalo said. “I just play with them and have fun, so they’re distracted from a quick finger or heel prick.”

She has taken her passion to the next level and now trains other volunteers to help in WIC. MRC Coordinator Sarah Gagnon, said, “I love it when we can match a volunteer’s passion with a program we offer. They can take it beyond levels we are able to accomplish with limited staffing.”

One afternoon, Garofalo recognized one of her WIC clients as a former patient in the pediatric ICU at VCU Health. The parents remembered how she cared for them in their time of need. It was a surreal moment to come full circle and be able to help the client get access to healthy foods and understand the nutrition needed for growth and development.

As a daughter of a Polish immigrant who was a prisoner of war for seven years, she has a strong desire to help people who have been displaced with disproportionate access to healthy lifestyles. The health department is the perfect place for her.

Volunteering is a great way to give back.

Pete Plourd, also of Midlothian, has volunteered since 2019. He earned a silver pin for 500 hours last fall and now has more than 800 hours. Plourd grew up on a farm in northern Maine, retired from the Army after 20 years in computers, 19 years as a government contractor in computers, 12 years as a real estate broker and maintained yards on the side.

He first found out about the MRC program while volunteering with the Community Emergency Response Team in Chesterfield. Despite having no medical background, he volunteered countless hours in the COVID vaccine clinics, helping with call centers, setup, registration and cleanup. Now he works in the women’s health clinic, bringing patients from the waiting room to the exam room, checks their weight and height, and prepares the room for the provider.

“The nurses absolutely love him!” Gagnon said. “He’s been a reliable help over the years and makes life easier for everyone.”

“I love helping people and giving back to my community,” Plourd said. He also volunteers at his church and golf club. At 87, he doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

The need for bilingual volunteers is great.

Angelica Galindo, of Chesterfield, volunteers in the preventive and community health clinic, walking patients from the waiting area to the exam room. Originally from Mexico, Galindo speaks the same language as most of the patients, which makes them feel more at ease. She’s only volunteered a couple of months but she’s already studying to earn a certificate in translation.

“Since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to work in health care,” Galindo said. “Now I am putting my love of meeting people and helping them to good use.

When she’s not working, Galindo takes people to the hospital and court to translate and be supportive.

“She is blazing a trail for us to streamline our volunteer onboarding process for those whose primary language is not English,” Gagnon said. “She’s doing a great job helping the patients and nurses here.”

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New River Health District Announces Efforts During National Preparedness Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 11, 2023

Media Contact: Beverly Hill, M.Ed.,
Public Health Emergency and Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator,
New River Health District, beverly.hill@vdh.virginia.gov

New River Health District Announces Efforts During National Preparedness Month
The annual designation focuses on preparing older adults for disasters

Christiansburg, Va. – September is National Preparedness Month (NPM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) annual preparedness outreach event sponsored by FEMA’s Ready Campaign. The New River Health District has committed to participate in NPM to increase preparedness in the community by offering educational resources to the public, providing training opportunities to local health department staff and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers, and providing Stop the Bleed training to community members across the district.

This year, National Preparedness Month will focus on preparing older adults for disasters. Older adults have specific needs during a disaster, specifically those who are disproportionately affected by all hazards. Older adults face greater risks associated with disasters, especially those who live in rural areas, live alone, are low-income, or have a disability. National Preparedness Month is a perfect time to create or review your own emergency plans, or those for our parents, grandparents, and elderly friends and neighbors.

Preparedness is a shared responsibility that takes the Whole Community.  Learn ways you can take action by visiting www.ready.gov/older-adults and Ready.gov/prepare. 

“The importance of preparedness cannot be overstated. Outcomes are far better with these simple measures on the front end versus picking up the pieces on the back end,” said Dr. Noelle Bissell, Health Director for New River Health District.

For more information about the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month, visit Ready.gov/September.