Columbia woman honored for volunteer service
Published: August 1, 2005
A Columbia woman was among a group of medical volunteers honored by the White House for their service after an earthquake in Indonesia.
Carol Rogers, 50, an emergency room nurse at University Hospital, was among 40 volunteers who went to Indonesia after a major earthquake hit the region, which was already suffering from the effects of a tsunami in December.
After the tsunami, Rogers had volunteered for service with Project Hope, a not-for-profit organization.
She wasn’t selected, but she received a call from the organization in April, following the earthquake.
More than 4,000 people volunteered for 210 positions after the tsunami, said John Howe, a doctor and chief executive officer of Project Hope.
“It was a truly remarkable example of volunteerism at its best,” Howe said. “The volunteer physicians and nurses put a face on America’s humanity.”
Co-workers agreed to pick up Rogers’ shifts at the hospital, and she flew to Asia to join USNS Mercy, a 1,000-bed medical ship.
Rogers doesn’t know how many patients she treated but recalled one man who was carried 10 miles for treatment after a tree fell on him.
She is proud of her service.
“I just vehemently feel that Americans are wonderful people,” she said. “We have to show the world the goodness of the American people.”
Her husband, Gordon Rogers - also a nurse - received the initial phone call and encouraged her to take part.
The medical ship is usually staffed by the Navy, but those personnel were working in the Middle East.
Rogers said there was no time off aboard ship.
“I’ve never worked 16 days in a row before.”
Since returning from Indonesia, Rogers is considering further volunteer work overseas.
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