Reflections on Resilience
Thirty days of writing about disasters sounds heavy, and it is, but it’s also hopeful. Because within every tragedy I’ve witnessed lies a thread of humanity that refuses to break. Resilience isn’t the absence of loss; it’s the courage to rebuild while still grieving. It’s the teacher returning to a damaged school, the nurse setting […]
Innovation in Action: Technology and Triage
I’ve watched AI tools predict wildfire spread and drones deliver medical kits to isolated areas — proof that innovation can be as humanitarian as it is high-tech. But technology alone isn’t enough; it must serve equity, ethics, and empathy. AI-powered triage systems, remote sensing, and data analytics can transform disaster medicine, but they must complement, […]
The Climate Generation: Youth Leading the Change
The young people I meet give me hope. They organize climate strikes, design sustainable tech, and challenge the rest of us to act faster. Many have never known a world without disasters on the news, yet they still believe in a better one. Youth aren’t just the future; they’re the present force for adaptation and […]
Rebuilding Healthier Communities
Recovery doesn’t end when the last debris truck leaves. It continues in rebuilding neighborhoods, restoring trust, and addressing what made communities vulnerable in the first place. As nurses and public-health professionals, we have a unique role in recovery, not just to return things to normal, but to create something better. That means equitable rebuilding, mental-health […]
Caring for the Caregivers: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Disaster Responders
FREE Training! Interested in hearing more about mental health and psychosocial support for disaster responders? Don’t miss the upcoming webinar “Care Caring for the Caregivers” featuring Dr. Todd Benham on 2 December at 09:00 PST / 11:00 EST / 16:00 GMT. Presentation Summary: Disaster medicine and emergency responders face extraordinary psychological and emotional challenges as […]
✨ Join Me for Lt. Collins Day of Service! ✨
On Saturday, December 6th, I’ll be spending the day honoring the life and legacy of 2nd Lt. Richard W. Collins III through community service, and I’d love for you to stand beside me. Lt. Collins lived a life of purpose, courage, and service. Coming together on his birthday is more than just volunteering, it’s a […]
The Power of Volunteers
Every disaster I’ve responded to shares one constant: volunteers who show up before they’re asked. They sort supplies, comfort children, and carry hope in heavy times. Volunteerism is often underestimated, but it’s the backbone of recovery. It reminds me that while disasters break things, they also reveal what’s unbreakable, community. If you’ve ever handed out […]
Violence as a Humanitarian Disaster
Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. While not a “natural” disaster, gender-based violence devastates lives and communities. In shelters, hospitals, and camps, I’ve met survivors who carry invisible wounds as heavy as any physical injury. Violence is a public-health crisis. It thrives in silence, stigma, and systems that fail […]
Language Can Save Lives: Multilingual Disaster Communication
During a shelter operation, I met a mother who didn’t understand English. She stood frozen, afraid she was in the wrong place. A volunteer approached, spoke her language, and her entire body relaxed. That moment taught me: communication is the first form of care. In multilingual communities, lifesaving messages must reach everyone. When warnings are […]
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Every cross, candle, or roadside bouquet tells a story. Behind every crash statistic is a family forever changed. Responding to traffic trauma has shown me how split seconds define lifetimes. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, not just drivers. Pedestrians, cyclists, first responders, all share the same fragile space. Preparedness here means mindfulness: slower speeds, seatbelts, […]