About the Medical Reserve Corps

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was founded after President Bush’s 2002 State

of the Union Address, in which he asked all Americans to volunteer in

support of their country.

The MRC is a partner program of Citizen Corps, a national network of volunteers

dedicated to ensuring hometown security. Citizen Corps, along with the

Corporation for National and Community Service, and the Peace Corps are all part of

the President's USA Freedom Corps, which promotes volunteerism and service

throughout the nation. MRC units are community-based and function as a way to locally

organize and utilize volunteers—medical professionals and others—who want to

donate their time and expertise to promote healthy living throughout the year and to

prepare for and respond to emergencies. MRC volunteers supplement existing local

emergency and public health resources. MRC volunteers include medical and public

health professionals such as physicians,nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, and

epidemiologists. Other community members, such as interpreters, chaplains,

office workers, and legal advisors, can fill other vital support positions.

What Can MRC Volunteers Do?

Support local public health initiatives and the goals of the Department of Health and

Human Services’ Healthy People 2010, while advancing the priorities of the Surgeon General:

Promoting disease prevention
Improving health literacy
Eliminating health disparities
Enhancing public health preparedness

Assist local hospitals and health departments with surge personnel needs.

Participate in community preparedness activities, such as exercises for shelters, mass

prophylaxis, vaccination clinics, and other emergency scenarios.

Train with local emergency response partners.