400 volunteers to bring much needed healthcare to New Orleans

The football team aren't the only "Saints" the city has. 400 healthcare volunteers will deliver much needed services beggining Sunday!

Despite the colorful collection of images of the New Orleans Saints and a Superdome that have been refurbished, much of the city is still in need of repair. Some of our hospitals still remain unopened and many returning residents are finding themselves without health insurance or a place to get heath care. Beginning this Sunday, 400 doctors, dentists, nurses and students will provide much needed healthcare in a week long healthfair for over 10,000 New Orleans residents. Dr. Walter Franz is among a team of nearly 40 health care workers from Rochester, Minn.'s Mayo Clinic, who have joined "Expedition New Orleans 2007." He was here after the hurricane and said he's struck by the needs that remain.

He said the situation isn't unlike that in Iraq, where has worked as a civil affairs medical officer for the military. In both places, he said, an overwhelming need for immediate care has been followed by a need for ongoing medical help as doctors try to rebuild the health care system. As a current resident and someone in need of these valuable service, I am asking you to pass this on to anyone you know in the New Orleans area! Thanks!