Southwest Florida Prepares Foundation

Southwest Florida Prepares Elects New Officers

Press Release
Robert Brace
239/896-2904
barefootbraces@embarqmail.com

April 27, 2007. The trustees of Southwest Florida Prepares, the 501(c)(3) foundation supporting the Southwest Florida Medical Reserve Corps (SWFMRC), elected its board officers for the coming year at its recent annual meeting.

Elected to two-year terms are Clark Hamilton, President; Raymond Santucci, M.D., Vice president; Robert Brace, Secretary, and Mark Tesoro, Treasurer.

Outgoing officers Carl Meier, M.D., Frank Lazovick, M.D., and Ms. Jeanne Hamilton continue to serve on the three-year old organization’s board of trustees. Other trustees include Don Brown, M.D.; Dolores and John Conte; Andrea Gainer; Susan Baker; Patricia Santucci, M.D.; Maureen Tesoro and Raymond Boyce.

Incorporated as the Southwest Florida Medical Reserve Corps Foundation (dba, Southwest Florida Prepares), the organization is dedicated to supporting the Southwest Florida Medical Reserve Corps (SWFMRC).

The SWFMRC is a volunteer organization sponsored by the Lee County Health Department. It is one of over 600 volunteer MRC units that were established following the events of Sept. 11, 2001. All operate under the aegis of the Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. More information can be found on the Medical Reserve Corps web site (www.medicalreservecorps.gov).

Natural and man-made disasters place great strains on local resources, notably healthcare resources. The 9-11 attack and recent hurricanes clearly demonstrate that the first response to disaster must be a local response. MRC volunteers are a vital part of that response, providing needed backup to local area healthcare providers and first responders. The Corps has nearly 200 trained and credentialed volunteers in Lee and neighboring counties. Volunteers include a wide variety of medical professionals and non-medical support personnel.

While keeping a watchful eye on the coming hurricane season, the SWFMRC, assisted by Southwest Florida Prepares, is also actively preparing for the eventuality of a flu pandemic. Public support in terms of funding and volunteers is much needed. If you’d like to help, please contact the following: Bob Brace at 239/896-2904 (barefootbraces@embarqmail.com) or Clark Hamilton at 239/472 -2353 (lchanda@comcast.net). Tax-deductible donations may be sent to: Southwest Florida Prepares, P.O. Box 9, Sanibel, FL 33957.