COLLEGE STATION, TX — As the need continues to rise for medical camps in the state, students of Texas A&M’s BUILD student organization has provided Texas Aggie Medical Camps, TAMCs, to be used for medical professionals.
Earlier this month, BUILD sent a medical camp to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Sugarland.
"It happened all within a week pretty much,” explains Abby Launikitis, BUILD CEO. “A-1 towing came out on that Thursday, businesses were still running at that point and he took the time that morning to lift the containers and move them for free for us.”
This past fall BUILD constructed five TAMCs all with intentions to be sent to help non governmental organizations in third world countries, but when the state of Texas needed extra assistance during coronavirus pandemic, they were ready to answer.
“We did the same thing during hurricane Harvey and we sent it to Rockport. So that feels good that we are representing A&M,” says Ivan Rivas BUILD'S CFO.
The shipping containers have all the basic essentials from flooring, generators fans, air conditioning and so on.
"What we try to do is have a base line clinic whenever we send it out so it can really be transformed into dental prenatal pediatric what non government organization needs or desires," explains Launikitis.
Originally the TAMC sent to Memorial Herman was going to be used for COVID-19 Testing, explains Launikitis.
“We originally thought it was going to be used for testing. They are going to use for more of a triage area,” she said.
As they work to transform shipping containers into medical camp, its the Aggie’s selfless service that continues to help communities that Rivas is most proud of.
"Being apart of something that is bigger than yourself," says Rivas.
As of right now BUILD is still on track to construct five new TAMCs this upcoming fall, as they pledge to continue building so they can continue to helping communities near and far especially during this global pandemic.