The Lee group that partnered with Samaritan’s Purse, front row, from left, Connor Brown, Anna Lloyd, Dr. Amy Jo Perry, McKayla Thompson, Rachel Warner, Sarah Livingston, Delaney Harris, and Katherine Thompson; back row, from left, Seth Knott, Clay Perito and Jake Fast
Clay Perito and Rachel Warner helping the homeowner load trees and brush into the truck along with a Samaritan’s Purse volunteer
Lee students grabbing equipment to continue the cleanup
Lee’s Disaster Response Club, a part of the school's Disaster and Healthcare Mission Management program, traveled to Clarksville, Tn. to partner with Samaritan’s Purse to help victims of the December tornadoes that swept through Tennessee.
This trip was led by Dr. Amy Jo Perry, interim dean for Lee’s School of Nursing and assistant professor in nursing, and Jacob Fast, director of the DHMM program and assistant professor of science in emergency management.
“The Disaster Response Club was formed by students with a heart for helping people who have been impacted by natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods,” said Dr. Perry. “Many of these students are preparing for careers in this field. When we heard about the devastating tornadoes on Dec. 7, we knew we wanted to help in some way, and Samaritan’s Purse gave us that opportunity.”
Members of the DHMM club started their day in the Samaritan’s Purse orientation, learning more about the work that Samaritan’s Purse does and how it operates command centers. Students were able to tour one of these command centers and learn about all the equipment needed for any situation they would respond to following a natural disaster.
After orientation, students served a single mom in White Bluff who had contacted Samaritan’s Purse for assistance from tornado damage.
"The relief work we did with Samaritan’s Purse was very impactful,” said Connor Brown, a DHMM major and participant on the trip. “Even though this project only cost a few hours of my day, it made a difference in this single mom’s perspective during this hard time. It reminded me how impactful just being kind is, and that something small to one person could be something big for someone else. It also made me appreciate organizations like Samaritan’s Purse so much more. My work with them helped me gain motivation to pursue acts like this more.”
According to Mr. Fast, the purpose of this trip was to simply demonstrate what loving others can look like in the real world. This trip was also meant to allow students to apply what they have learned in their classes, such as Disaster Management and Holistic Care, in a real-world situation. Lastly, this trip was meant to springboard the DHMM program and club toward future response/recovery efforts.
“Our students are organized, dedicated, and well trained,” said Mr. Fast. “With their skills and knowledge, they can make a significant impact on those in need during the aftermath of a disaster. Because of this, I hope that our program can be called upon any time a disaster strikes within our region.”
The DHMM program prepares students to become leaders in the field of disaster preparation and response and healthcare missions. While in the program, students will receive numerous certifications and skills-based training, as well as experiential opportunities in various settings.
For more information about the DHMM program or club, visit https://www.leeuniversity.edu/academics/nursing/dhmm/.