Brief History of the Medical Reserve Corps, A (PDF)

After the life-altering events of 9/11, volunteer physicians recognized the need for an organized group of medical volunteers who would be trained and prepared to provide supplemental medical and public health support in response to emergency operations in New York City. The group submitted a proposal to the city, requesting that a cadre of trained medical volunteers be established; the proposal was expanded to suggest a nationwide group of volunteers be developed—a concept that eventually reached President George W. Bush and Congress.