President's Message "There But For The Grace Of God" Mike F. Mass, M.D., President

Living in Florida during hurricane season begins to feel a bit like being in a shooting gallery as we track the major storms on their way towards us. For many years, Duval County has been fortunate not to receive the violence of hurricanes. We have noted the destruction visited on our neighbors living on the east coast and have reached out to help them.

The devastation of Central America caused by Hurricane Mitch is of a totally different dimension. The loss of life and property has been staggering in countries with limited ability to deal with them. Some reports from the U.N. put numbers to these events. As of November 6, 4.2 million people (about 70% of the population) were without water delivery systems in Honduras. The hurricane destroyed 95% of plantation crops with similar damage to grain crops, shrimp packing plants, and cattle. In the capital, Tegucigalpa, only 22% of city sectors receive any water. We have all seen pictures of the massive mud slides causing loss of roads, bridges, and infrastructure. This same level of destruction has occurred in Nicaragua and other parts of Central America.

As we all know, the bad news does not stop now. After all the death and property damage, there is now the unfolding tragedy of starvation and infectious disease that follows the incredible destruction. Various organizations are giving aid, but I'm sure that the need is still far greater than what is provided. I believe that we in Duval County should also help.

I was planning to write about local physicians who have devoted their time and resources to bring their medical skills into underdeveloped countries. There are many stories to be told about their unselfish, and even heroic, acts our colleagues have performed. It would be a good idea for us to tell their stories and honor these physicians in future issues of Jacksonville Medicine. But now I would like to ask all of us to play their role for a brief period. I don't believe the DCMS has the facilities to ship food and medicine directly to Central America, so we can do the next best thing. We have established a fund through the Academy of Medicine where you can send your tax-deductible contribution. The Academy will collect your contributions and forward one check to the "Hurricane Mitch International Response Fund." Let's all do a little medical missionary work by proxy _ don't delay. Write your check to the Academy as soon as you finish reading this sentence. Marilyn and I have sent ours.

Jacksonville Medicine / December, 1998

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