Florida Hospital doctors return from Puerto Rico

Florida Hospital doctors have returned from Puerto Rico, after spending nearly two weeks on the island assisting with Hurricane Maria recovery efforts. 

"Our experience there was a very fulfilling one," explained Dr. Katia Lugo.  "We were able to accomplish different things. We don't only impact health care. We were able to provide water, food, supplies and everything in different areas of the island." 

The emergency physicians worked in conjunction with response agencies and health care organizations and focused mainly on rural and isolated areas, where access to care was limited.

"The only regional hospital in the northwest of the island was about to close. We went there as a team and relieved some of the physicians that had been working since Maria and helped them get diesel, medication,"   Dr. Lugo added. 

A second group of physicians traveled to Puerto Rico last week and will continue to provide critical care and assistance, while also assessing the island's overall health needs.

Florida Hospital says that, over the weekend, another group of physicians was dispatched to the U.S. Virgin Islands to provide relief to local doctors who have been working around the clock since Hurricane Maria struck.