Albany Area Nurses Honored For Tropical Storm Irene Service

Two Albany area members of the Nurse Practitioners Association of New York State (NPA) were recently recognized by the Albany County Medical Reserve Corps for their ongoing dedication and work as volunteer responders during the critical hours following Tropical Storm Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

Nurse practitioners and NPA members Rosemary Duncan-Cleary and Jeanne Millett were among 100 volunteer responders honored for their work at the ninth annual Albany County Medical Reserve Corps Appreciation Dinner on April 17. Each received deployment supplies and first aid materials from Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy as a recognition gift.

As founding members of the Albany County Medical Reserve Corps, both Duncan-Cleary and Millett have provided five years of service to the organization, which enhances the county’s emergency preparedness efforts by ensuring that a trained group of healthcare professionals and community volunteers are ready to assist in response to a public health emergency. Over 500 volunteers actively participate in the program, including nurse practitioners.

Duncan-Cleary, who has a background in bioterrorism preparedness, was recognized for being on-call to provide emergency tetanus shots to flood victims of Tropical Storm Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in Schoharie County, as well as to provide immunizations to immigrants. Additionally, she assisted in training new Medical Reserve Corps volunteers on vaccinations and standard Points of Dispensing procedures.

Millett was cited for her service following an urgent call for volunteers to staff the Albany County Shelter at Cohoes High School in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. During the critical hours following the flooding, Millett volunteered her time to assess the medical needs of those at the shelter, including many seniors, area college students and other residents of the river communities who were displaced.

In New York, there are more than 15,000 licensed nurse practitioners. The Nurse Practitioner Association New York State serves as the statewide voice for the profession.

Do you know someone who volunteered during Tropical Storm Irene? Please leave names and greetings in the comment section below.