San Diego nurses to return home after treating earthquake victims in Nepal

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – The San Diego nurses who have been treating earthquake victims in Nepal are scheduled to return home Saturday.

The Scripps Health group was divided into two teams and left May 1. They went to 13 remote mountain villages, most of which were accessible only by helicopter.

Authorities said around 8,500 deaths resulted from the magnitude-7.8 and magnitude-7.3 earthquakes that struck the Himalayan country, and many more were injured.

According to Scripps Health, Nurses Debra McQuillen, Jan Zachry, Patty Skoglund and Steve Miller treated more than 2,200 patients for a variety of injuries and illnesses during their three-week trip, which was led by Scripps Health Vice President Tim Collins.

 Scripps Health CEO Chris Van Gorder will be available for interviews before the plane lands just before 6 p.m. at Lindbergh Field, Media Center in Terminal 2 West.