The PR DOH began to hear of other towns in dire need of supplies, personnel, and acute care. Many of those with chronic illnesses were decompensating. Many had been out of medications since the hurricane began, and those with limited medications had no place to refill them. For many who lived on insulin, the lack of power and the heat and humidity had ruined their remaining insulin. Many pharmacies were having problems issuing medicines, as power outages limited their ability to contact insurers to verify and authorize prescriptions. We reached out to Florida Hospital for a temporary solution. They sent insulin and several commonly prescribed medications. Ms. Torres asked us to try to reach as many towns as we could, assess their needs, deliver medications, and treat anyone we could. Our travel was limited, as the road conditions were poor; driving at night was treacherous.

The solution to that problem arrived. Antonia Novello, MD, surgeon general during President George H.W. Bush’s administration, was a friend of one of the leaders of our group, Dr. Lopez. She came to join our team efforts. With her collaboration with the PR DOH and the U.S. Army, we were granted access to the 101st Airborne Division, who flew us to several hospitals throughout PR. We found needs similar to those seen in Aguadilla. On more than one occasion, care providers were forced to place acutely sick patients in ambulances and transfer them, without any notification, through harsh terrain and dangerous roads. Dr. Lugo and Dr. Novello came across an orphanage where kids were out of food and water. By the next day, with the help of the 101st Airborne, they had crates full of water and food.

After three weeks in PR, our team had been able to reach 28 towns and deliver medications, supplies, food, and water and provide medical care to thousands of patients. However, we did more than that. We lifted the spirits of the people of PR. The sight of joy and hope as we landed in desolate towns is now permanently embedded in my memory. It is a tribute to the simple truth that what we do as emergency physicians matters. I am grateful and honored to be part of this family and would never choose a different specialty.

Dr. Trivino is chief resident in the emergency medicine residency at Florida Hospital in Orlando.