USS Peleliu’s “Pacific Partnership” Reaches the Solomon Islands

Lt. Tracy Branch of the HHS U.S. Public Health Services (USPHS) comforts a local child before examining him during a medical screening at Voza Medical Clinic, Solomon Islands, in support of the humanitarian mission called "Pacific Partnership" on August 31, 2007. (Photo by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick M. Kearney)

August 31, 2007 – From August 19-25, 2007, Commissioned Corps officers in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) served the people of the Solomon Islands through the provision of medical and dental care and environmental health interventions as part of the USS Peleliu’s three-month humanitarian mission to six countries in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Working largely in Sasamungga and Voza, and on board the Peleliu, HHS/USPHS officers and other members of the humanitarian mission, called the “Pacific Partnership,” assisted in the development of information to give the parents of children treated for acute diarrhea; reviewed practices for the handling of medical waste; and provided medical and dental treatments, optometry checks, pediatric check-ups and immunizations. LT Tracy Branch, an HHS/USPHS physician assistant, treated numerous patients in the clinic, and CAPT Michael Wilcox performed several surgeries aboard ship.

For more information:

• Medical Clinic Thrives with Help from Pacific Partnership (U.S. Navy)
• USS Peleliu Photo Gallery

Last revised: October 05, 2007