Red Cross Nurse Answers the Call

By: Heather Kanipe, American Red Cross Volunteer

Michelle Smith was finally rewarded with retirement in January 2018. Prior to that retirement, she worked as a registered nurse in the long-term care industry for 25 years, then as an emergency preparedness coordinator for 21 years in Uma County, Arizona.  Today we found her volunteering far from home on her first ever deployment for Hurricane Florence at a Bennettsville, SC shelter.

Michelle Smith 

“I found myself longing to give out band-aids and comfort to those in need,” says Michelle.  

So that’s just what she’s been up to since arriving at the shelter.

When the Red Cross opens a shelter for evacuees, one of the many positions they have staffed is a nurse. Currently, dozens of nurses working throughout various shelters throughout the Pee Dee/Myrtle Beach areas. During our Hurricane Florence recovery efforts, there have been more than 2,850 health service visits provided. While inside a shelter, nurses work around the clock to monitor, assess and treat the people staying inside. That can include, prescribing medications, changing dressings, ordering glasses, dentures and other medical equipment and medical needs.

The progression to the Red Cross was an easy one for Michelle because she worked a lot with Red Cross employees coordinating emergency plans back home and formed friendships with them along the way.

For Michelle, the chance to work inside an organization she has supported for so long has been so rewarding.

“They had a need for nurses and I had a need to be needed,” Michelle said.