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Emory University doctors help Hurricane Maria victims

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Emory University doctors help Hurricane Maria victims

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A road in the Roseau area, Dominica, is littered with debris, uprooted vegetation and felled poles and power lines from Hurricane Maria. Photo obtained via Wikimedia Commons

Emory University sent eight doctors to Dobbins Air Reserve base in Marietta to tend to victims of Hurricane Maria, which has devastated Puerto Rico and surrounding islands.

“On Sunday, Sept. 24, U.S. officials air-transported more than 67 patients and family caregivers (nearly 120 people) from St. Croix and neighboring islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands to Dobbins Air Reserve Base for urgent medical evaluation,” Emory University said in a press release.

“Eight Emory emergency medicine faculty/physicians volunteered to meet the plane at Dobbins on Sunday evening and conduct rapid triage to determine which patients required immediate medical attention. Most of the patients had dialysis-requiring end-stage renal disease, and there were significant concerns that they had received inadequate dialysis in the preceding days, which could lead to life-threatening complications. The regional CMS End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network was activated, and regional director John Doran, MD, Emory assistant professor of medicine (nephrology) was on site at Dobbins all day.”

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Planes were scheduled to arrive at 1:30 p.m.. but didn’t land until after 10 p.m. on Sunday, Emory says. A third plane arrived at 1 a.m. on Monday morning.

“All patients were triaged by 2:15 a.m. In addition to the patients with end-stage renal disease, other complex co-existing conditions were discovered, including diabetes, hypertension, pre-term labor and recent trauma,” the University said. “EMS transported five patients to local hospitals.”

The faculty who volunteered were, Hany Atallah, MD, Kate Heilpern, MD, Sheryl Heron, MD, Julio Lairet, MD, Brooks Moore, MD, Kathleen O’Donnell, MD, Tammie Quest, MD, and Arthur Yancey, MD.

The New York Times says there are several ways to help victims of Hurricane Maria. For a complete list of charities you can donate to, click here.

Decaturish has also learned about two local Puerto Rican restaurants who have joined in the relief effort. A reader passed along the following information …

ATLANTA friends: here is how you can directly help the people of Puerto Rico and those affected by #HurricaneMaria!

The two Puerto Rican restaurants in Smyrna/Marietta have joined forces and confirmed a cargo plane to transport donated goods to Puerto Rico. The plane leaves on Sun Oct 1st.

You have until Saturday Sep 30th to donate! You can bring all supplies and donations to either Porch Light Latin Kitchen or Buen Provecho ATL Restaurant during their regular business hours (please visit their FB pages for their hours of operation).

Any donation is welcome!!

Here is a list of supplies that are needed:
1. Bottled water (there is no drinking water on the island)
2. Insect repellent (this is critical!!)
3. Ziplock bag with travel sized toiletries
4. Canned goods (preferably those with a pull top opening)
5. Powdered milk
6. Hand sanitizer
7. Batteries (any size but especially C and D)
8. Baby formula
9. Diapers
10. Adult diapers
11. Baby wipes
12. First aid kits
13. Non prescription medicine (for children and adults)
14. Gently used clothing (no winter clothes please!)
15. Cleaning supplies
16. Feminine hygiene products
17. Duct tape
18. Trash bags
19. Disposable silverware
20. Sheets
21. Towels
22. Battery powered fans
23. Gloves
Muchas Gracias!!
Porch Light Latin’s address: 300 Village Green Cir SE Smyrna, GA 30080 Suite 110
Buen Provecho’s address: 2468 Windy Hill Rd SE, Marietta, GA 30067

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