WSU Tri–Cities Nursing Students Travel To Louisiana For Relief Efforts

TRI-CITIES, Wash. — A group of nine Washington State University Tri-Cities nursing students, along with their instructor Annette McClendon, are in Lafayette, La.,  dispensing medications, medical care and supplies to Hurricane Katrina evacuees being sheltered at South Louisiana Community College.

The students, organized by Amy Burk, a 27-year-old WSU senior, flew to Louisiana Monday night (Sept. 5) and are working 12–hour shifts in relief of some of the medical teams that have been overwhelmed by unending hours of clinical care for evacuees.

Travelling with just their backpacks and donated medical supplies, the students plan to return to the Tri-Cities Monday (Sept. 12), in time to attend 7 a.m. day-long clinical practicums at hospitals in the area.

The nursing students had a short time to raise funds prior to being called to come immediately to Louisiana. They have fronted all the expenses involved themselves.

Anyone who would like to help with the expenses associated with this effort can make a tax-deductible contribution with cash, checks or credit card to the WSU Foundation.  Contact the development office at WSU Tri-Cities, (509) 372–7252 or LoAnn Ayers at  ayers@wsu.edu.