Health Care District staff support Hurricane Matthew efforts
Dr. Belma Andric, the District's Chief Medical Officer, second from left, with members of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue at the Special Needs Shelter
As Hurricane Matthew was churning toward Florida on October 5th, more than 180 clients along with their family members, caregivers and service dogs began arriving to the county’s Special Needs Shelter at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
The clients qualified to stay at the shelter because they were either oxygen-dependent and needed access to electricity, had multiple chronic conditions or required medical observation that made it unsafe for them to stay at home. The shelter provides round-the-clock monitoring of clients and access to emergency services if needed.
From left: Dr. Belma Andric, Shiree Blake, Registered Pharmacy Technician, and Marcos Ordonez, Pharmacist
Belma Andric, MD, the Health Care District’s Chief Medical Officer, served as the Director of Medical Operations for the shelter. Members of the Health Care District’s Pharmacy team also staffed the shelter, including Marcos Ordonez, Pharmacist, and Shiree Blake, Registered Pharmacy Technician. The Pharmacy Department plays an important role in county disaster preparedness and provides pharmaceuticals to the shelter.
In addition, Nikerson Geneve, DO, with the C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics and Lakeside Medical Center’s Residency Program Director, staffed the Special Needs Shelter along with the following Family Medicine Residents from the hospital:
- Monique Samuel, D.O. , PGY-3
- Bralin Bean, D.O. , PGY-2
- Ron Mathew, D.O. , PGY-1
- Elisa Diaz, D.O. , PGY-3
- Tyler Provost, D.O. , PGY-2
- Caitlin White, D.O. , PGY-1
- Hayley Baum, D.O. , PGY-1
Also working side-by-side at the shelter during the 48 hours the shelter was activated through Friday afternoon were nurses and staff from the Florida Department of Health Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office personnel, as well as volunteers from numerous other local non-profit agencies and businesses.
Dr. Andric said it was an enormous task that required the cooperation of multiple agencies. Thanks to the dedication and volunteer spirit of those who oversaw and staffed the shelter, clients were provided a safe and comfortable environment during the storm.