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The SCPS Disaster Committee presents
Questions & Answers: Disaster Relief and Psychiatry

Online: Thursday, January 20, 2022
7:00 P.M.

featuring:
Leslie Gise, MD
Randy Mervis, MD
Mary Ann Shaepper, MD

Providing disaster relief mental health is an extremely rewarding experience. This program will present three perspectives of this inspiring work. Our three presenters will each speak for 10 minutes describing the fascinating disaster relief mental health work that they have each done.  At the end of the three presentations, they will answer audience questions.

Leslie Gise, M.D. will talk about what she learned from going to Katrina in 2005, deploying to the Big Island of Hawaii in 2018, serving as Mental Health Lead for the Maui Red Cross, and serving as a member of the MRC Medical Reserve Corps (Maui County Health Volunteers). Dr. Gise is an active member on the APA’s Committee on Psychiatric Dimensions of Disaster and was formerly in DMAT Disaster Medical Assistance Team and VOAD Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

Randy Mervis, M.D. is a geriatric psychiatrist who retired from the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs System after 30 years of service in 2018.  He had been a volunteer for the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Red Cross for over 25 years.  He has served this organization as a mental health worker for multiple traumatic events, including fires, floods, train and plane crashes.

Mary Ann Schaepper, M.D. is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist. She completed general psychiatry training at Loma Linda University, then continued at UCLA with a Child and Adolescent Fellowship.  Dr. Schaepper is committed to providing services for Syrian refugees both abroad and in the local area, and has met with local leadership and refugee groups in the Middle East.

Through the Peace of Heart project, Dr. Schaepper provides professional mental health support via online telecommunication platforms to refugees, as well as “front line” workers (i.e., teachers, doctors, community helpers, etc.), working directly with the refugees.  This very special population will receive vital emotional and psychological support, through professional assistance in trauma coaching, and the opportunity to heal and grow in a safe nurturing environment, learning not only how to cope with the tragedies they have experienced, but gaining tools for them to have a healthy mind.

This online event is free for SCPS Members.

Please Contact Us to RSVP