Date:                            September 20, 2005

To:                               All Commissioned Corps Members

From:                           United States Surgeon General

Subject:                        Hurricane Response Efforts

Three weeks ago, Hurricane Katrina unleashed her energy on the Gulf Coast communities of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. When she made landfall, hospitals and other medical centers were destroyed and the number of people needing health and medical attention grew enormously - but you were ready to step forward in the best sense of our mission, to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the people of the Gulf Region.

The Commissioned Corps quickly responded to areas with the greatest need, caring for the victims and evacuees. Your untiring efforts in the field have been outstanding, including the significant contributions you are now making to the rebuilding of these ravaged communities.

Among the 22 ongoing Public Health Service missions in Louisiana, five hospitals in New Orleans are now receiving patients and two, Kenner and Meadowcrest, are closer to opening their doors. Charity Hospital is being cleaned up to open as well, and Touro Hospital's emergency department is expected to be operational in a couple of days. In the meantime, assessments are continuing at schools and shelters throughout the region.

PHS officers are also supervising several missions that are now being operated primarily by volunteers, or unpaid temporary federal employees. And several operations throughout the region are finally beginning to wind down. The convention center shelter in Houston is expected to shut down by the end of this week and Reunion Arena in Dallas is closing its doors as primary care providers in the community assume the care of evacuees.

Our mission has not been completed.  Hurricane Rita is expected to make landfall later this week somewhere between the Mexican border and New Orleans.  As I write this, we are sending officers to stand-up a SERT and a "point of the spear" clinical team in Austin, Texas.  Once again we are ready to respond to the call.

As I thank you for your distinguished service, I'm reminded that it's the people you have cared for during these tragic few days who appreciate it most.  We hear from across the Gulf Region, and from evacuee centers in other areas, of the professionalism, kindness, and character of our Commissioned Officers.

CAPT Richard J. Calvert, who recently returned from missions in Alexandria, in Lafayette and at Louisiana State University, noted that he worked with exemplary medical professionals, both Commissioned Corps officers and volunteers. But it was the people they served that left a lasting impression.

He said he "observed a considerable improvement in morale as patients located family, received appropriate medical care and were allowed to rest in a comfortable and safe environment. MPs (military police) served as security, but were seldom required to exert their authority during my tour at the facility. Every person I met in the State of Louisiana was courteous and greatly appreciated our presence, including most importantly, the patients themselves."

Stories like that make me proud of you and the U.S. Public Health Service. Keep up the good work.  We are making mission, every day.

Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S.

VADM, USPHS