Erlanger Treats Four Patients From Planeload Of Refugees

  • Monday, September 5, 2005

Erlanger Medical Center received three adult patients immediately after evacuees from the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina arrived in Chattanooga by plane on Sunday.

All three were treated and released.

Later Sunday evening, Erlanger received an additional patient, who was admitted.

The TN-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team has deployed a total of 37 members for relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina. This is the first time TN-1 has been deployed as a unit.

Previous service has been as support to other DMAT units.

Here's the updated deployment breakdown:
* 3 members are with the GA-3 DMAT team in Dallas, Texas
* 5 are part of a strike team deployed with the RI-1 team now in New Orleans
* 29 additional members arrived in Baton Rouge on Saturday.

TN-1 DMAT is made up of professional and paraprofessional medical personnel - supported by logistical and administrative staff - who provide emergency medical care during a disaster or other event. While TN-1 DMAT is based at Erlanger, the members of the team come from throughout the region and work at a number of facilities. The current deployment includes members from the Chattanooga area, Knoxville, Nashville, North Georgia and Alabama.

According to Erlanger Senior Vice President of Operations, Roger Forgey, "The deployment of this manpower does not compromise care to our own region."

TN-1 DMAT was officially designated by the Department of Health and Human
Services on July 8, 2002. The first DMAT in Tennessee, TN-1 was the 68th such team in the United States. Each team has a sponsoring organization, such as a major medical center. Erlanger is the sponsor of the TN-1 DMAT team - and as such, organizes the team, recruits members, arranges training and coordinates the dispatch of the team.

Other Erlanger Relief efforts:

MedComm, the Regional Communications Center for Southeast Tennessee based at Erlanger's LIFE FORCE complex, is also continuing to assist the State EMS division in tracking EMS assets in our region as well as tracking regional (non-Hamilton County) resources for possible deployment as state assets.

Prior to the weekend, two evacuees were treated and released from the Erlanger North ER and one evacuee was treated and released from the Children's Hospital ER.

On Thursday, a drive spearheaded by LIFE FORCE Ground Captain David Poteet netted $7,215 in cash and checks, over 400 cases of bottled water, and 10 pallets of miscellaneous hygiene and non-perishable items, which included $2,000 of formula donated by ContinuCare. This effort included collections from the public taken at the HealthLink Plus office at Northgate Mall and from employees, visitors and physician groups on the Baroness Campus. Several LIFE FORCE employees donated their time to the effort and were supported by Erlanger Security, Materials Management and Construction departments.

On Wednesday, approximately 150 evacuees came to the Erlanger North ER from Fall Creek Falls, where they had been sheltering. Some needed prescriptions written for medical conditions. Their needs were accommodated by the ER staff. Erlanger North employees went above and beyond the call, collecting money, toys for the children, providing a hot meal and embracing the plight of these individuals, it was stated.

Living Well
“Moments Of Grace” Summit To Offer Support, Education And Hope For Dementia Caregivers
“Moments Of Grace” Summit To Offer Support, Education And Hope For Dementia Caregivers
  • 7/17/2025

The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Chattanooga is hosting “Moments of Grace: A Memory Caregiver Summit” – a heartfelt event designed to empower caregivers with knowledge, ... more

Brightli And Centerstone Plan To Merge, Creating Nation’s Largest Nonprofit Provider Of Behavioral Health Services
  • 7/17/2025

Nonprofit behavioral health providers Brightli and Centerstone, have entered into a non-binding agreement with the intent to merge and create a unified organization. The due diligence process ... more

Charter Senior Living Of Chattanooga Celebrates $2 Million Grand Reopening With Community Event On July 31
  • 7/17/2025

Charter Senior Living announced its Grand Reopening Celebration following a transformative $2 million renovation. The event will take place on Thursday, July 31, from 4-6 p.m. at 825 Runyan ... more