Her training and experience as a UNC Emergency Medicine physician equipped her to assist multiple families during long and difficult days in storm-ravaged western N.C.
Dr. Mariecely Luciano-Feijoo was driving home from work at 4 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon when she got a call with “activation orders” to immediately deploy in preparation for Hurricane Helene, a highly destructive storm that was steadily approaching western N.C.
Ready to Serve Those in Need
The UNC Department of Emergency Medicine maintains an ongoing relationship with the N.C. State Highway Patrol. Through this program Dr. Luciano volunteered to be on a rescue team that responds rapidly to emergencies throughout the state.
Dr. Luciano is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician, whose regular duties include caring for patients in UNC’s Emergency Department, and educating residents in training.
However, on September 27th and 28th, she found herself working outdoors in the middle of a natural disaster zone, being required to be ready to respond to any new orders within 5 minutes at any time of day or night, wading through flood waters, carrying a child in her arms to safety, and helping many other ways along the way.
Walking the Walk, and Talking the Talk
Originally from Puerto Rico, Dr. Luciano’s ability to speak Spanish fluently proved to be an indispensable asset.
She helped move one Spanish-speaking mother and her three children to higher ground. Noticing that the family’s cold and wet six year old boy was especially frightened, she picked the child up and carried him to safety, while continually reassuring him and answering his many questions.
During this time the child spotted a cat swimming through the water and expressed his concern. Dr. Luciano quickly notified a nearby rescue team member who scooped up the feline and moved it to a safer location.
Dr. Luciano’s fluency in Spanish also enabled her to reassure and encourage a hesitant group of men to immediately vacate the rising water, and provided them with the location and information regarding the nearest shelter.
She and her team members assisted many other N.C. residents in the aftermath of the hurricane.
Saving Lives is a Family Tradition
While growing up, Dr. Luciano watched as her mother became one the first two female firefighters in Puerto Rico. A passion for helping others lead her mother to work in this role for decades while becoming a lieutenant and captain, and only retiring due to mandatory age limits.
Similarly, Dr. Luciano pursued Emergency Medicine because she wanted to help a wide range of people in the challenging, fast-paced, and constantly changing ER environment. These skills are especially important in Swift Water Rescue, which involves working outdoors, in a variety of environmental circumstances.
“I have always been drawn to faster paced medicine, and saw how much good there was to be done while practicing as a physician in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria,” said Dr. Luciano.
“The swift water team appeals to me because it is uniquely challenging, and I also enjoy working in the field.”
