MINGO COUNTY, W.Va. – Medical outreach teams from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Marshall Health Network mobilized three visits to southern West Virginia to provide support to residents in McDowell and Mingo counties impacted by severe flooding earlier this year.  

During the last two weeks in February, more than 30 Marshall Medical Outreach student volunteers, along with Katherine Steele, MD, Marshall Health Family Medicine physician faculty, and resident physicians from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine delivered brief medical exams as needed, offered prescription assistance, provided donated over-the-counter medications and helped administer vaccinations such as tetanus and hepatitis A. Most of their time was spent assisting with widespread cleanup efforts, helping residents in and around Kermit, Williamson and Welch clear debris and sanitize affected areas to support recovery. 

“I became a physician to help others and make a difference.” said Makala Murphy, M.D., a family medicine resident physician and Gilbert, West Virginia, native, who facilitated the School of Medicine’s cleanup efforts. “I am so thankful that my colleagues and mentors rallied together to serve my hometown.” 

Contributions totaling more than $2,000 in the first week allowed Marshall Medical Outreach, a medical student-led free mobile health clinic under the direction of Dr. Kate Steele, to provide truckloads of blankets, bleach, mops, shop vacuums, etc. to the affected areas. There were also medical and cleaning supplies generously provided by Marshall Health Network, Ebenezer Medical Outreach and the Robert C. Byrd Center for Rural Health at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and other private donations by individuals and local businesses.  

"Community is at the heart of our mission, our oath as physicians and the nature of what it means to be West Virginians," said Adam M. Franks, M.D., vice dean for rural health and professor and chair of family and community health at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. "In West Virginia, we help one another, and we hope through this outreach, we hope we made a difference in the lives of the neighbors we were able to help in their time of need." 

Contributions to support this effort through the School of Medicine may be made on Venmo to @MUFM_FloodRelief. Tax deductible contributions to the Dr. Charles W. “Chuck” Clements II, Marshall Medical Outreach Endowment through the Marshall University Foundation can be made here: give.marshall.edu/project/31785/donate?des_id=633670.    

Date Posted: Thursday, March 6, 2025