Augusta, GA - Mary Bannan, certified registered nurse first assistant at MCG HealthCare, spent last week working in the midst of the greatest tragedy to occur on United States soil. She was assisting in the relief efforts at the World Trade Center in New York as part of the Georgia Disaster Medical Assistance Team.

Ms. Bannan's seven-day deployment included an eight-hour shift from 4:00 p.m. to midnight each day. Medical personnel treated firefighters, police officers and other relief workers who were injured in recovery efforts. Ms. Bannan will share stories about caring for those in medical need and how the tragedy impacts those who are there to help.

"This was a truly life-changing event. I was overwhelmed by all the support from across the country and around the world," said Ms. Bannan. Relief workers received thank you letters from children. She has brought a couple of letters home to write back to those children.

MCG HealthCare is the health system of the Medical College of Georgia and is comprised of MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the School of Medicine and the members of the Physicians Practice Group. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Hospitals and Clinics, Children's Medical Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by offering the highest level of primary and specialty health care.