Represented DC Physicians in Emergency Preparedness Planning

In 2004-nearly three years after the horrific events of 9/11-MSDC remained committed to efforts to make the City safe in the event of a terrorist attack or other emergency.  Throughout the year, MSDC and its Medical Reserve Corps participated in many regional emergency preparedness activities, and MSDC continued to play a key role in communicating information to the DC physician community.

Received Award from Mayor for Medical Reserve Corps
In April, Mayor Anthony Williams recognized the emergency preparedness work of the MSDC Medical Reserve Corps with his "DC Citizens Corps Service Award."  The award is presented to programs that support emergency preparedness activities on behalf of the District and its residents.  The Corps, along with the Medical Society's Emergency Preparedness Committee, were established after 9/11 so that the city's physicians would have a voice and a role in emergency preparedness activities. 

Deployed Medical Reserve Corps for Reagan Funeral and World War II Memorial Inauguration
Two high-profile DC events in 2004 provided an opportunity for the Medical Reserve Corps to gain valuable training experience: former President Ronald Reagan's funeral and the activities leading up to it; and the inauguration of the World War II Memorial.  Although the two events were not emergencies, they provided an opportunity for Medical Reserve Corps participants to hone their skills and partner with similar entities that make up the DC Citizens Corps Council.

Partnered with DC DOH on Mass Casualty Exercises
In September--National Preparedness Awareness Month--the Medical Society partnered with the District's Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health on a series of educational events designed to prepare the health care community for potential local and region-wide emergencies.  These included a two-day, full-scale, mass casualty exercise.

Issued Alerts to Members on Emerging and Known Health Concerns
West Nile virus.  Avian flu.  SARS.  Lead in the City's water.  Flu vaccine shortage.  MSDC issued alerts to members on these threats and many others as part of its communication plan in 2004.