Medical Reserve Corps
The national Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a volunteer group of both medical and non-medical professionals, organized on a local basis to help provide needed services to their communities during emergencies and disasters. Formed in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks, the MRC has grown to more than 185,000 volunteers nationwide, standing ready to augment and assist existing staff in dealing with situations that can carry significant public health consequences. The Chicago Department of Public Health recruits, organizes, and leads Chicago’s arm of the MRC, and always welcomes new volunteers seeking to use their time and expertise to strengthen both our neighborhoods and our nation.
Who can volunteer for the MRC?
Both medical and non-medical personnel are needed, such as:
- Practicing or retired medical and health professionals
- Nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and medical assistants
- Mental health professionals
- Dentists
- Health care students
- Public health professionals
- Interpreters and social workers
- Administrative support volunteers
- Other volunteers with skills to contribute in a health care setting
What do MRC volunteers do?
Depending on the nature of one’s skills and the needs of a given situation, MRC volunteers can be called on to perform the following tasks, among many:
- Administering vaccines
- Measuring and dispensing medication
- Medical interviewing and evaluation
- Patient education and translation
- Administrative support and data entry
- Assisting with forms completion
- Providing mental health support
To sign up for the Chicago Medical Reserve Corps, visit www.illinoishelps.net and create a new volunteer account. Select “Chicago Medical Reserve Corps” in the Organization section.
For more information, contact the CDPH Medical Reserve Coordinator at chicagomrc@cityofchicago.org.
See what the MRC is up to nationwide: aspr.hhs.gov/mrc.
Our Volunteers
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