Hilton Raethel, the Executive Director of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, spoke at Governor David Ige’s Tuesday afternoon press conference to ask for volunteer medical professionals to join the Hawai‘i Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).

The Health Care Association of Hawai‘i and the Hawaii State Department of Health are seeking licensed healthcare professionals, not currently working in clinical roles to help shore up volunteer medical personnel in case of a potential surge in COVID-19 patients. Non-medical volunteers are also needed. This can include retired or out-of-state professionals such as:

• 1. Physicians
  2. Nurses
  3. Respiratory Therapists
  4. Radiologic Technologists
  5. EMTs
  6. Community Health Workers
  7. Many other roles

Anyone can volunteer. An emphasis is currently being placed on the recruitment of licensed medical and healthcare volunteers that will satisfy clinical needs and provide surge capacity for public health emergencies. However, volunteers who do not have any medical training are welcomed and are encouraged to register. There will be a need for volunteers with all types of skills and expertise, such as those who are skilled in: interpretation (languages and hearing impaired); administration; transportation training; provision of day care; security; computers; clerical work; data entry; and construction. All volunteers are valued, even if you have no specific qualifications other than the willingness to help.

Those interested may go online to www.nlk.doh.hawaii.gov  which details what the process is and what the needs might  be, especially under the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section.