operation. Before any ships, planes or tanks go into combat, hospitals with trained medical professionals need to be in lace, ready to treat the sick and wounded. But not all hospitals are the same. The military hospital that Danilo S.
operation. Before any ships, planes or tanks go into combat, hospitals with
trained medical professionals need to be in lace, ready to treat the sick and
wounded. But not all hospitals are the same. The military hospital that Danilo
S. Cayaban of ‘Ele’ele works at does more than some other hospitals. Not only
does it provide vital health services, it floats.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd
Class Cayaban, the 25-year-old son of Marcelo and Loreta Cayaban of ‘Ele’ele,
serves aboard the United States Navy Ship (USNS) Mercy (T-AH 19), which is
homeported in San Diego. In addition to medical personnel, the Mercy requires
many other people to keep it running smoothly. Like any hospital, the Mercy has
an administrative staff, cooks, repair technicians and others to meet a variety
of needs. Cayaban knows his skills are important to the Mercy’s mission.
“I
contribute to the repair and proper operation of air conditioning equipment,
while participating in fire fighting parties,” said Cayaban, a four-year Navy
veteran.
As one of only two Navy hospital ships, the Mercy’s primary
mission is to provide rapid, flexible and mobile acute medical and surgical
services to support Marine Corps air and ground task forces deployed ashore,
Army and Air Force units deployed ashore, and naval amphibious task forces and
battle forces afloat. Cayaban understands how the Mercy enhances the military’s
mission.
“It’s important for the Navy to have hospital ships in order to
support the Navy in times of war and in humanitarian issues,” said Cayaban, a
1993 graduate of Waimea High School.
When it comes to hospitals, the Mercy
is no small player. With a total patient capacity of 1,000 beds, the Mercy is
one of the 10 largest hospitals in the country. Designed as a trauma hospital,
the Mercy has 12 operating rooms, four intensive care units, a burn center, a
dental clinic, an optometry clinic and a pharmacy. The Mercy at nearly 900 feet
long and over 100 feet wide, is one of the largest in the Navy.
Being part
of the Mercy’s crew brings responsibilities not found in a regular hospital.
Fire or flooding aboard a ship can quickly spell disaster, and each crewmember
must go through extensive fire fighting and damage control training to keep the
ship safe. Despite all the hard work, Cayaban believes in what he is
doing.
“The most rewarding part of my job is the places I’ve seen on our
voyages, while working and learning new things every day,” Cayaban
said.
Being in the Navy brings with it many interesting experiences.
Cayaban has had many opportunities to pursue personal and professional
goals.
“I feel professionally I have learned to work well with others,”
Cayaban said.
The USNS Mercy remains an important part of the military’s
capabilities and stands ready to wherever needed, anywhere in the world. But
the Mercy is more than just a hospital ship, it is a visible symbol of our
nation’s commitment to taking care of every service member.
(Tatum is
a public affair officer assigned to Naval Medical Center, San Diego. Cook is an
administrative officer assigned to the Navy Public Affairs Center, San
Diego.)
