Tuesday Rx | November 13th, 2018 | Resources and Information for Recent Disasters November 14, 2018 Monday RX, Tuesday Rx 1013 Winston Churchill once said, "If you're going through hell, keep going." Those words are emblematic of the past two weeks. The shooting in Thousand Oaks, which took the lives of twelve innocent victims and impacted countless more, physically and emotionally, followed by the wildfires resulting in more casualties and loss of properties. The one common thread are the first responders and physicians caring for victims. At the same time, I'm aware of dozens of physicians caught in the swath of the devastation, homes potentially damaged or lost. To physicians impacted by the Woolsey Fire, there are several resources available for you, whether you are member or not. Our number one priority is to provide support and resources for you, your families and your patients. CMA has a campaign to raise funds for victims that can be found here. I encourage our strategic partners to help in any way possible so physicians who've lost homes or loved ones can find support. If physicians need help with housing, Airbnb has launched free housing for displaced neighbors and relief workers deployed to help. For those not impacted, you can add your home to the growing list of those who have opened their homes to evacuees. Camp Fire: https://www.airbnb.com/welcome/evacuees/buttecounty Hill and Woolsey Fires: https://www.airbnb.com/welcome/evacuees/venturacounty Additionally, the American Red Cross is hosting a "Safe and Well" website where you can list yourself as safe, as well as search for other people who have done the same. If you need or have resources to offer, please contact CMA at (800) 786-4262. One of our leaders, Dr. Maria Lymberis, provides several resources for physicians as well on the topics of managing stress, helping people after a tragedy and dealing with grief: Helping People After a Loss Grief Leadership: Leadership in the Wake of Tragedy Managing the Stress of Children After a Disaster Safety, Recovery and Hope after Disaster: Helping Communities and Families Recover Addressing the Needs of the Seriously Mentally Ill in Disaster As always, if any physician needs help, don't hesitate to reach me by cell at 760-685-2823 or email at gustavo@lacmanet.org. We are here for you. Gustavo Friederichsen Chief Executive Officer Los Angeles County Medical Association "If it matters to our LACMA members, it matters to me."