Naval Hospital Bremerton welcomed back 12 staff members, Feb. 24, who had been deployed aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5) in support of Operation Unified Response in Haiti.

The doctors, nurses, and hospital corpsmen were deployed Jan. 17 for approximately six weeks.

“We were a casualty and receiving team and began doing that almost immediately,” said Cmdr. Janine Wood, who acted as senior nurse for casualty receiving and staff nurse for the Bataan’s Ward.

According to Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Elena Hutchinson, the NHB team just got on the Bataan, finished lunch, and then went to their berthing to get situated when the word was passed about a ‘mass casualty incoming.’

“I asked if it was a drill and was ensured that it wasn’t,” said Hutchinson. “It was chaotic at first, but we got the job done. We relied on ship’s company, because we didn’t initially know where supplies were and who was who. But ship’s company, the Fleet Surgical Team and our team all pulled together.”

The medical personnel on the Bataan mainly handled orthopedic injuries. There were numerous broken bones and associated wounds. There were several amputations conducted which were the result of infection setting in. There were washouts for wounds that needed to be kept cleaned. There were dressings that needed changing, antibiotics and other medications dispensed to speed the recovery process. There were also a lot of children who needed medical treatment of some type.

“The resilience of those injured was remarkable, whether they were young or old,” Wood said.

Patients were transported daily to the Bataan or Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20). They could arrive on schedule or unexpectedly be coming. “We would get a mass influx of over 20 patients that would suddenly be arriving without any prior notice,” said Hutchinson.

The Bataan became more than a floating hospital for the Haitian patients, and the NHB staff morphed into more than just a group of nameless medical personnel. There were smiles shared, songs sung, and spirits soared. There was also a sort of communal sharing after mail call. 

“The patients loved it as much as we did when care packages came in the mail,” Wood said. “And I think the Marines bought out the ship’s store of all the clothing articles to donate to many of the Haitians. And we could not have done our job without the Marine Corps translators. They were truly great.”

Members of the team also spent time ashore, such as working on Sailor Ashore Missions (SAMs). SAMs work included helping to triage for hundreds of patients and aiding with medically evacuated Haitians in need of urgent medical care, as well as providing on-site medical care and needed medications.

“We continue to be mindful and just as proud of our remaining 51 staff who are supporting global operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and in other countries throughout the world,” said Capt. Mark Brouker, NHB commanding officer.