Being an Aloha Medical Mission (AMM) volunteer on the USS PELELIU's mission to the Philippines has been one of the best experiences of my volunteer career.  I am a veteran of the USNS Mercy and I was initially unsure how a warship could be used in a humanitarian medical effort. To my delight, the USS PELELIU and crew were outstanding in their dedication to the mission and making my experience meaningful and safe.  With the additional capabilities that a warship can provide, we were able to mobilize large numbers of patients, escorts and crew between shore and ship for medical and dental care.

My duties in the Philippines varied.  I am trained as an intensive care nurse for pediatric and adult patients., However, I worked in various nursing roles on the ship.  I recovered surgical patients, performed discharge teaching for patients and escorts, and transported patients and escorts by helicopter between ship and shore. I also was fortunate to assist in the screening of surgical patients onshore while scheduling OR rooms. The diversity of my work was excellent and I learned a lot.

The number of patients we were able to see and help is amazing. While I worked primarily with the surgical aspect of the mission, there were many projects onshore that volunteers were updated on daily. Teams of healthcare individuals set up medical and dental camps in different areas to treat people onshore. I learned of the Seabee projects to reconstruct hospitals, schools, clinics, and dams. The U.S. Public Health Service and the Veterinary service assessed IDP camps in the region, and there was a reforestation program on the slopes of the recently active volcano that devastated many buildings in the Legaspi area.

The contact we had with patients and families was priceless. Their gratitude was enormous and many cried while giving thanks. The surgeries performed were life changing for these people. Being able to participate in this kind of experience is amazing. It opens your heart and makes you a better human.

Cindy Benton
AMM Volunteer