The Union County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a group made up of healthcare professionals (practicing and retired) and community health volunteers dedicated to the support of public health programs and emergency response. It is one of almost 800 units in a national Medical Reserve Corps network of more than 200,000 volunteers organized locally all over the country. The MRC was founded in response to the September 11 attacks as there was a need for organization among the volunteers who assisted during emergency response.
The Union County MRC unit was a significant part of Union County’s response to COVID-19 since March 2020. To date, the County has administered x COVID vaccinations and x COVID tests – mostly thanks to dedicated MRC volunteers who sacrificed time and energy during the pandemic to ensure the health and well-being of others.
MRC volunteers also participate in community outreach through doing health education at health fairs, translate health materials and documents, work field hospitals, first aid stations, and emergency shelters, and assist during health screenings, disease outbreak investigations, and medication clinics. They are also needed for exercises and drills done by the county.
All members of the community are encouraged to volunteer their skills and knowledge as long as they are a U.S. Citizen and 18 years of age or older. Volunteers include physicians, physician assistants, nurses (RNs, LPNs, NPs), EMTs and first responders, dentists, pharmacists, veterinarians, communication specialists, translators, administrative/support staff, and students in the healthcare and public health fields.
The Union County Medical Reserve Corps is actively recruiting and training volunteers to help Union County communities face any emergency or disaster as well as be a part of programs and services that promote health education, disease prevention, and emergency prevention. If you are interested in joining the Union County MRC, you can contact Jessica Mindo, Union County MRC Coordinator at 908-518-5622 or jmindo@ucnj.org, or Breon Boseman-Sims, Back Up MRC Coordinator at 908-518-5678 or breon.sims@ucnj.org.