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Fleet Surgical Team 1 Begins Philippine Portion of Pacific Partnership

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070626-18
Release Date: 6/26/2007 5:10:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick M. Kearney, USS Peleliu Public Affairs

USS PELELIU, At Sea (NNS) -- Members of the San Diego-based Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 1 began treating patients from the Bicol Region of the Philippines on June 22 in support of Pacific Partnership.

FST 1 is deployed on USS Peleliu (LHA 5) for the four-month humanitarian assistance mission. They will work in conjunction with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and health professionals from Canada, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines to render aid to the local population.

“We bring surgical capabilities to Peleliu, which doesn’t have a surgeon of its own,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW) Katesha Payne, FST 1 leading petty officer. “We bring surgeons, nurses and operating room technicians to augment the ship's medical department.”

The members of FST 1 are comprised of 20 individuals selected because of their expertise in specific areas of medicine. Led by a general surgeon, the team also has operating room technicians, intensive care nurses, a respiratory therapist, an X-ray technician, lab technicians and hospital corpsmen who are available 24 hours a day.

During this phase of the mission, patients will be brought to the ship for care. Members from FST 1, along with health care volunteers and professionals from the Philippines, partner nations, NGOs and members from the U.S Army and Air Force will see up to 20 patients daily for routine surgical procedures.

“Seeing the patients leave the ship in a better condition than when they came here is satisfying,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman Ron Obdulio, FST 1 leading chief petty officer. “It’s really nice for me because this [the Philippines] is where I’m from and it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do -- give back.”

“This is my first time participating in a humanitarian mission and it’s very exciting,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Tiffany Shorey. “I’m very happy to be here. This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I’ll remember this forever.”

FST 1 and Peleliu are scheduled to return to San Diego in September.