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Teresa Gray founded Mobile Medics International in response to seeing Syrian refugees in need back in 2015. Since then she has formed a large and nimble volunteer team from around the world who bring their unique brand of mobile medicine, support, and love to people in need around the globe. From Turkey and Syria to Ukraine, from the Philippines to Haiti to Florida, they are now responding to the horrific inferno that destroyed the historic town of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

With medical facilities in Lahaina entirely decimated along with more than 2200 other structures––nearly the entire town––Mobile Medics International is not only responding to medical needs of the displaced population who are reeling from a massive loss of life along with their homes, they are also preparing to restore ongoing medical help to serve this population grieving and in shock.

“Honestly, every disaster we've ever responded to, I would guess that 60%, if not more, of what we do is psychological first aid. Just listening to your story, holding your hand, holding you while you cry, helping you, you know. you know, find water, you know, because that's what you need in the moment, or diapers for your baby.” - Teresa Gray

In this episode, Teresa talks about the realties of life in the aftermath of a tragedy of this magnitude. Her volunteer team of medical professionals for this specific mission includes a doctor, a nurse, a paramedic and an EMT. They provide health care not only for burns and smoke inhalation, but for ongoing emergencies as well, particularly since residents lost their ongoing medication like insulin, heart medications, and the like. Others are traumatized and haven’t slept for nights, so they may provide something to help them sleep. They may also find themselves at a distant Wallmart buying diapers or formula, since supplies that arrive are likely stuck in a warehouse awaiting humans to sort and organize physical donations.

DONATE to Help Mobile Medics bring medical care to Lahaina

With Lahaina’s infrastructure entirely decimated, no medical facilities exist in the town. Teresa’s Mobile Medics are helping open, staff, and supply medical provisions to a temporary structure to serve patients. Though one might assume the town is empty of residents who fled to seek shelter, the truth is many people do not leave the remains of their home or town for a number of reasons, including wanting to stay with their pets that shelters don’t accept.