Founded in Lafayette after the devastating hurricanes of 2005, the Louisiana Emergency Medical Unit has answered an urgent request from the administrator of Thibodaux Regional Medical Center to assist with medical needs in the wake of Hurricane Gustav.
Hospital administrator Greg Stock called in LEMU, saying his facility is the only hospital currently operating in a four parish area.
The medical units had been assisting Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center and Lafayette General Medical Center since the day after the hurricane, according to the Dr. Andy Blalock, LEMU's founding president. More than 30 cases were triaged in the emergency units, while more severe injuries were directed to the hospitals' emergency rooms for treatment.
Two fully equipped clinical units and a pharmaceutical supply unit left Lafayette for Thibodaux yesterday afternoon. Blalock is calling for medical, technical, clerical, and other volunteers to assist in Lafourche Parish and the surrounding areas. All medical personnel are asked to bring their stethoscopes and prescription pads. To volunteer in any capacity, e-mail [email protected] or call 337-852-8771.
“Without volunteers the LEMU concept would not be able to direct medical assistance where it is most needed, " Blalock says. "They are the backbone of LEMU."