Comfort Crew Treats First Patients in Haiti
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090411-07
Release Date: 4/11/2009 7:19:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Marcus Suorez, Continuing Promise Public Affairs
PORT-au-PRINCE, Haiti (NNS) -- After a month of preparation, medical personnel from hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) saw their first patients of the four-month humanitarian mission Continuing Promise 2009 in Haiti April 10.
Comfort medical staff began treating patients at approximately 9:45 a.m. in Killick, one of two clinical areas the Comfort crew set up in Haiti.
"There was like a sea of people at the gates in the morning," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Jodi Snider, who works in surgical administration.
Capt. Dominik Rudecki, a dentist in the Canadian Army, said team members were doing everything they could to see as many Haitians as possible.
"They were very grateful to us for the smallest things that we back at home take for granted," Rudecki said. "A lot of these people have never seen a dentist and are seeing one for the first time now. They are happy to be here, and it feels good to help them."
Many of the patients who came through Killick traveled a long way to see doctors, said Ensign Kathleen Kostka. Some of the patients had serious injuries; others were there for routine check-ups, and some just wanted to see a physician and know that someone cares about them, she explained.
"One of the best parts of the day was seeing one of the kids running around with my hat on and the biggest smile in the world," she said. "It was a priceless moment I'll never forget."
For more news from USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), visit www.navy.mil/local/tah20/.
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