In the wake of the destruction caused in the United States and its territories by the recent hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has created a hurricane relief fund.
The new fund will be earmarked to help neurology practices that suffered loss or damage from these events — as well as those who may be affected by future hurricanes and major storms that may yet appear this season. This includes practices in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
The AAN started the fund with its own gift of $50,000 and is encouraging others to donate through a newly created YouCaring.com crowdsourcing site. Neurologists needing assistance are being asked to apply directly to the AAN.
Angela M. Babb, chief communications officer of the AAN, told Medscape Medical News that the organization is dedicated to providing 100% of the funds to affected neurologists and their patients.
“The extremes that many of our members are going through in order to continue providing care are quite exemplary. And we just want to make sure that if there are neurology practices affected by any of these hurricanes, and they are in need, that they know that the Academy is here to provide assistance,” said Babb.
Teshamae Monteith, MD, assistant professor of neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Florida, was not personally adversely affected by Irma but saw firsthand the destruction that the storm caused to others.
“Hurricane relief is necessary for some providers affected by flooding, structural damage, loss of staff, and having to close their practice,” Dr Monteith said to Medscape Medical News.
Care in the Face of Disasters
The AAN represents 32,000 neurologists worldwide, along with ” other neuroscience professionals,” Babb reported. “And our mission has been to provide the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care.”
After Hurricane Harvey initially hit in parts of Texas and Louisiana, “we were receiving countless stories of neurology practices being impacted by these floods, and we wanted to start a fund that would ensure that we could continue to provide the high quality care stated in our mission. So this was really a mission-based decision,” said Babb.
The fund currently has almost $57,000, but Babb said she hopes that amount will continue to increase through gifts from others as word about it gets out. “We’re also making a concerted effort to reach all of the hard-hit areas.”
Since starting the fund, the organization has already received requests for aid. “One request was from Puerto Rico, even before Hurricane Maria hit. So the need is even greater now after the destruction that they have experienced.”
In addition, Maria is expected to spin close to the East Coast as it makes its way northward. Although it has been downgraded to a Category 1 storm, that type of event still has 80-mph winds. Others being watched closely include Hurricane Lee and Tropical Storm Pilar.
“It’s a really unusual time. When disasters like this strike, it’s important to keep the neurologic care continuing,” Babb said. She noted that their funding site shows a picture of a neurology resident “who waded a mile through water to be able to reach his patients, to deliver stroke care.”
There were also stories of doctors who worked nonstop even when the floors of their hospitals were flooded, “and others who figured out how to borrow generators to make sure their patients could still be seen throughout the day,” said Babb.
After an affected practice contacts the AAN’s Member Services group and applies for aid, a Hardship Review Panel, composed of volunteer physician members, will review requests and award funds as quickly as possible.
With other recent disasters in the news, including the earthquakes in Mexico City, Babb said she hopes other organizations around the world will step up and “band together to ensure healthcare coverage continues even in the most dire situations.”
Welcomed Initiative
Dr Monteith reported that the offices at the University of Miami were closed around the time of Hurricane Irma, “which was a challenge for faculty and staff because the storm required a lot of safety preparations” for medical students, fellows, and residents.
“Anxiety was initially high, and many have been without electricity. Others suffered damage to their homes due to flooding.” And there were broken traffic lights and debris from fallen trees, she said.
“Recovery efforts have been effective. Most people have really stepped up and showed their humanity,” said Dr Monteith, but added that the new AAN relief fund “is an incredibly important and welcomed initiative to offset the financial strain” on some practices.
“The AAN is really showing their leadership by creating a fund to help our colleagues and ultimately patients during a great time of need.”
The AAN Hurricane Relief Fund for Affected Neurology Practices can be accessed at the organization’s website.
Follow Deborah Brauser on Twitter: @MedscapeDeb . For more Medscape Neurology news, join us on Facebook and Twitter .
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