Whenever and wherever there’s a disaster, nurses respond with heroism and skill. The skills required in the nursing process – medical and scientific expertise, a level head, and an understanding of the full range of human responses to illness – are the same skills needed in disaster relief.
NYSNA’s disaster relief work began in the days after Hurricane Sandy, when hundreds of nurses rushed into the devastation to help out. We went door-to-door in affected areas to assess medical needs, and get medical attention to people without electricity or running water.
Since then, we have deployed medical missions to the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan; and to Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands following Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.
We have also responded to man-made disasters, offering medical expertise and humanitarian aid. NYSNA nurses are partnering with healthcare practitioners and trade unionists as part of the New York Relief Network (NYRN) to deliver critical, timely, and compassionate care to those in need.
To discuss medical missions, registration, and next steps, or to get answers to any other questions related to medical missions, email Rony Curvelo or call 347.244.9508.
Medical Mission Materials
- 2024 Medical Missions Calendar (Registration is now open in link below. For more information, please email Rony Curvelo or call 347.244.9508)
Register Online for a Medical Mission Educational Component
NYSNA offers of a corresponding 10 CH / 1.0 CEU educational program, Preparing Nurses to Successfully Participate in a Short-Term Medical Mission, for each medical mission. PLEASE NOTE: only nurses who are registered, approved, and attending a medical mission can engage in the corresponding educational program. When you register for one of these educational programs, you are not registered for the medical mission. You must register first for the medical mission separately. To register for a medical mission, please use the online registration form.
Click on the links below for each medical mission's corresponding educational program flyer. Use the registration links on each flyer to register for the educational program.
Please note that the following Medical Missions are now FULL:
- Brazil, February 15-24- FULL
Make a Donation
Make a tax-deductible donation to NYRN Medical Missions by any of the following resources:
- Venmo: New York Relief Network, Inc.
- Check (made payable to NYRN): NYSNA, MCP, 155 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210.
- Credit Card or PayPal:
Medical Mission Video Highlights
Update on NYRN Medical Missions
Medical Mission to Mexico
Medical Mission to Thailand
Medical Mission to Chipas, Mexico
Medical Mission to Vieques, Puerto Rico
Medical Mission to South Africa
Medical Mission to Dominican Republic
Medical Mission to Brazil
Medical Mission to Mexico
NYSNA's First Solidarity and Medical Mission to India
NYSNA RNs report from Puerto Rico: February, 2018
NYRN Visits the U.S. Virgin Islands
NYSNA RNs Delegation to Puerto Rico: December, 2017
When Sandy Hit, We United with the Community
NYNSA RNs rescued thousands of lives during and after Hurricane Sandy. At facilities including Bellevue, Coney Island, and Coler-Goldwater, we evacuated more than a thousand patients with no lights, no electricity, and no elevators. Not a single patient died, or was left behind. Nurses worked with hard-hit communities in Staten Island, Red Hook, the Rockaways and Long Island, setting up emergency field clinics, and checking in door-to-door to make sure that thousands of New Yorkers with urgent medical issues received care.
NYSNA RNs, Sandy Relief in the Rockaways
NYSNA RNs offer relief in Staten Island following Superstorm Sandy
On volunteering in the Philippines, following Typhoon Haiyan:
“It was tough. I’ve been on missions to the Philippines before, but never in a disaster situation… it humbled me to see so much suffering. I think the experience will help me be more patient. I received thank you letters that made me cry.” - Nella Pineda-Marcon, RN, Mt. Sinai Hospital
