Medical Reserve Corps Unit Receives $25K COVID RISE Award

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Howard County Medical Reserve Corps unit, which is overseen by the Howard County Health Department, has received a $25,000 MRC COVID-19 Respond, Innovate, Sustain and Equip (RISE) Award given by the National Association of County and City Health Officials. These funds will be used to purchase additional equipment and enhance the unit’s training capacity to help with ongoing preparations for any future health-related emergencies.

“The health professionals and community members who volunteer their time to serve in our local MRC unit have been critical in assisting with Howard County Health Department’s COVID-19 response,” Howard County Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman said. “This additional funding will ensure that the Howard County MRC remains properly equipped, trained and prepared to respond to emerging public health needs.”

The MRC is a national network of volunteers, organized locally to improve the health and safety of their communities. In Howard County, there are 854 volunteers registered in the unit. This group completed nearly 2,000 hours of volunteer work in fiscal year 2021, saving the county health department more than $100,000. Work performed by the MRC includes staffing at COVID-19 vaccination and testing clinics, administration of Psychological First Aid training and projects related to improved accessibility at point of dispensing sites.

"The Medical Reserve Corps are an extraordinary group of volunteers who have been essential as our community responded to the COVID-19 pandemic," Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. "We're so pleased to see our MRC unit recognized and the additional resources will ensure that our community is prepared to address public health emergencies in the future."