Memories of Katrina

Luther Midelfort registered nurse Valorie Semingson recalls a 90-year-old victim of Hurricane Katrina saying that, with tears in his eyes, about the Wisconsin nurses who had come to aid with recovery efforts.

Val was among five Luther Midelfort staff members who went to Lafayette, La., five years ago as part of Mayo Clinic's response to the disaster. The Luther Midelfort volunteers were:

• Nancy McNutt, RN, Family Medicine
• Lorraine Medes, RN, Eye Care Center
• Valorie Semingson, RN, Cardiac Center
• Naomi Starck, RN, Women's Health Center
• Dr. David Usher, Family Medicine

Val and Lorraine were interviewed by WEAU News 13 recently to mark the fifth anniversary of the hurricane. Here is part of Val's interview as she and Lorraine sat in Luther Midelfort's Healing Garden, reminiscing about their experiences.

The nurses talked about how grateful the people were, despite all they had been through. The women said they gladly would help in other relief efforts, and they expressed appreciation for Mayo, which was well organized in its assistance plan.

When they returned home, all four of the nurses were invited to attend an "Oprah Winfrey Show" that honored Katrina volunteers. They were surprised to find it was a "favorite things" episode, so they received many gifts, including a watch Lorraine still wears.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• hurricane
• katrina
• hurricane katrina
• nurses
• healthcare
• disaster
• disaster relief
• humanitarian efforts
• New Orleans
• Louisiana
• Lafayette
• Mayo Clinic
• Mayo Health System
• Luther Midelfort
• Eau Claire
• Oprah
• WEAU
• television
• interview

[hairspeaks]

God bless all the voulenteers!!