The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) extends its thoughts and prayers to those affected by Hurricane Harvey. We are in touch with our colleagues at the Texas Medical Association (TMA) and they recently provided information on how we can help, both by volunteering and by donating to the TMA Family of Medicine Disaster Relief Program. Below are links to some ways you can help those who have been caught in the wake of Harvey’s devastation.
Donate Your Time: Physicians Wishing to Volunteer in Texas
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has temporarily suspended all necessary statutes and rules to allow health care providers employed by a hospital and licensed and in good standing in another state to practice in Texas to help with Harvey disaster response. E-mail health care provider information (provider’s name, provider type, state of license, and license identification number) to: [email protected].
Expedited permit information for out-of-state physicians not affiliated with a hospital.
Volunteer Your Time Via Telemedicine:
North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) member Karyn Hargett, MD, a pediatrician in Jacksonville, sent information about her work with R.O.W.E., a Houston-based telemedicine network of 60 physicians in 21 states. Dr. Hargett, as a part of the ROWE network, is seeing patients — both in and out of Houston shelters — virtually and without charge. As noted above, the Texas Medical Board has allowed temporary medical licenses for physicians seeing patients affected by the hurricane. That includes out-of-state physicians who would like to see patients virtually. RoweDocs is working closely with the Houston Mayor’s office and is a part of the disaster relief efforts.
If you would like to help by see patients virtually, please email: [email protected] or [email protected] — indicate “HARVEY help” in the subject line.
Support Disaster Relief Funds
Red Cross: You can make a donation by texting HARVEY to 90999 to help the Red Cross or visit their website to make a gift.
Salvation Army: Support the Salvation Army by texting STORM to 51555 or visit their website to learn more and make a donation.
Related Articles:
NPR: Here’s How You Can Help People Affected By Harvey
Huffington Post: Hurricane Harvey’s Public Health Impact Extends Beyond Flooding
NY Times: Where to Donate to Harvey Victims (and How to Avoid Scams)