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 Home > MRC Spotlights > Volunteer Spotlight - October 2005
MRC Focus and Activities This MRC unit focuses on community service and preparedness. Volunteer Personal Information Lois Wagner has a Board Certification in Occupational Medicine – Certified Occupational Health Nurse. She retired as an occupational nurse from the postal service after 25 years of service. Despite her retirement, she has been working part time for 1 1/2 years with a private practice family physician. What did the Volunteer do to be in the Spotlight? Ms. Wagner was nominated by the Anchorage MRC Coordinator, Roy Sursa, for being a dependable and active volunteer. He stated, “If injured or involved in a disaster, there are not many I would rather have with me than Lois!” Not only did Ms. Wagner deploy readily during the Florida disaster, but she consistently participates in a wide range of community events, including volunteering as a medical standby staff member at the racetrack, state basketball tournaments, and the Alaska State Fair. Roy Sursa also mentioned her willingness to learn makes her a valuable asset to the unit. Ms. Wagner wanted to have experience providing pre-hospital care that EMTs practice in the field, because it would better prepare her for a disaster situation. As a result, she completed EMT I basic training in December 2004. When and Why did the Volunteer Join the MRC? Ms. Wagner has been a volunteer with the Anchorage MRC for about 2 1/2 years. She wanted to become a volunteer so that she would be available to assist in a national disaster or a local emergency. She continues to volunteer so that she can maintain her medical skills in any emergency situation. What are Some Activities that the Volunteer has Participated in? Ms. Wagner was deployed for 3 weeks to Florida following the hurricane disasters in the fall of 2004. She provided mental health support to hurricane survivors. Additional roles included assisting in service centers, emergency response vehicles, soup kitchens, and managing fellow volunteers. She stated that her reason for deploying was not only to help people traumatized by the hurricanes, but to see how different organizations coordinate with one another. She wanted to have experience in a disaster so that she would be prepared to act in her own community. The experience was very rewarding and educational in that it changed her life. Ms. Wagner also has been involved with other local events with the Anchorage MRC, such as the Mayors Marathon, Alaska Fighting Championship, Ceremonial Start of the Iditarod, and equestrian shows. Fun Facts Ms. Wagner’s hobbies include cake decorating with a special interest in wedding cakes, basket weaving, and camping. She recently drove 8,000 miles (round trip) from Alaska to Ohio, which took approximately 4 weeks in her recreational vehicle. Ms. Wagner's volunteering with the Anchorage MRC provided her the opportunity to meet WWE wrestler Big Show during the unit’s coverage of the event in February 2005. Last Updated on 5/25/2006 |
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