INFORMATIONAL PACKET
Released – Jan 01, 2011
Humanitarian Mission Informational Packet
Since 2006, our organization has partnered with the U.S. Navy in their humanitarian missions abroad. Students
and professionals have had an opportunity to provide care and humanitarian assistance on two naval hospital
ships—the USNS Mercy and the USNS Comfort, as well as the USS Peleliu and the USS Byrd battle ships. A wide
range of countries have been visited during this time, including those in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, the
Caribbean, and Central America. As one of the largest Non-Governmental Organizations to work with the Navy, we
hope to participate with them as an integral component of the team.
This year, the UCSD Pre-Dental Society will have the opportunity to participate in this unique partnership with the
U.S. Navy throughout the Caribbean and Central America with the USNS Comfort as part of Continuing Promise
2011. The UCSD Pre-Dental Society will also be assisting the USS Cleveland as part of Pacific Partnership 2011 in
the Oceana Islands. These will be two very different missions with different scopes and capacities. Continuing
Promise 2011 and Pacific Partnership 2011 mark the UCSD Pre-Dental Society’s 7th and 8th missions with the
U.S. Navy. Both missions work in concert with partner nations, host nations, non-governmental organizations and
other U.S. governmental agencies to provide humanitarian civic assistance.
The Pacific Partnership mission will operate off an amphibious grey hull. Our organization’s role on this mission will
primarily be in the dental department where our volunteer dentists and assistants can supplement the team. That
being said, we will only be able to consider applicants for this mission who can volunteer as dentists or dental
assistants. Continuing Promise 2011 will be using the hospital ship USNS Comfort as its operational platform and
will primarily focus on providing medical, dental, optometry and pharmacy care to the populations of the Caribbean
and Central America. As this is primarily a medical mission, all healthcare professionals and students with clinical
experience that can volunteer as assistants and technicians are welcome to apply.
Mission Summary
USNS Comfort – Continuing Promise 2011
Departing from Norfolk Virginia at the beginning of April, the USNS Comfort will deploy for a 5-month humanitarian
mission to provide care to underserved communities in Jamaica, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Nicaragua, Guatemala,
El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Haiti.
USS Cleveland – Pacific Partnership 2011 2012
The USS Cleveland will depart San Diego 25 March 30 April For a mission in Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and
Cambodia.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are looking for interested students with clinical experiences in the health care setting (preferably at least one
year of experience) and licensed health care professionals from all different disciplines.
Assistants/Technicians include all pre-health majors (pre-dental, pre-med, pre-pharm, pre-nursing, and etc.) and
those currently enrolled in a health professional school (dental, medical, pharmacy, nursing, and etc.).
Assistants/Technicians with a high competency in Spanish speaking skills will be given greater priority as they can
also be utilized as translators.
Health Professional volunteers include, but are not limited to, dentists, dental hygienists, physicians, physician
assistants, veterinarians, acupuncturists, physical therapists, nurses, and etc.
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INFORMATIONAL PACKET
Released – Jan 01, 2011
Our Mission Team
Working closely with Dr. Irvin Silverstein and Dr. Sussi Yamaguchi, this year’s head coordinators and liaisons for
the Pacific Partnership 2011 and Continuing Promise 2011 missions between the UCSD Pre-Dental Society and
the U.S. Navy are Sammy Baho and Kevin To.
Our Mission Team members work to ensure proper documentation and qualification of our volunteers. The team
will be comprised mostly of students from the UCSD Pre-Dental Society who have volunteered to help with the
application and credentialing process. Please understand that our students have generously donated their time to
assist you. Without our volunteers who work behind-the-scenes, this mission would not be possible.
Tentative Schedule – Pacific Partnership 2011 USNS Mercy (PP12)
* Dates are subject to change at any time. Please keep this in mind when you are traveling.
(The following dates are port arrival and departure dates.)
The light grey shading is for reading purposes only.
COUNTRY
ARRIVAL
DEPARTURE
San Diego, CA
Pearl Harbor, HI
Guam
Indonesia
Philippines, Site 1
NA
5 May
23 May
31 May
18 June
30 April
11 May
26 May
15 June
1 July
Philippines, Site 2
3 July
7 July
Vietnam
10 July
24 July
Cambodia
Guam
Pearl Harbor, HI
San Diego, CA
28 July
20 July
4 Sept.
15 Sept
11 August
23 July
7 Sept.
NOTE
Embark Port
Embark Port
Embark Port
Not a mission site.
At this moment, volunteers CANNOT
embark/disembark in this country. (Subject to change)
At this is moment, volunteers CANNOT embark /
disembark in this country. (Subject to change)
Disembark Port
Disembark Port
Disembark Port
Tentative Schedule – Pacific Partnership 2011 USS Cleveland (PP11)
As the Islands of Pacific Partnership are difficult to travel in and out of, mission rotations will revolve around the
liberty ports.
COUNTRY
San Diego, CA
Pearl Harbor, HI –
Liberty Port
Tonga
Vanuatu
New Caledonia –
Liberty Port
ARRIVAL
DEPARTURE
NA
21 March
28 March
04 April
13 April
(12 April US)
28 April
(27 April US)
11 May
(10 May US)
25 April
(24 April US)
10 May
(09 May US)
14 May
(13 May US)
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Not a mission site. Home port of USS Cleveland,
will not be an eligible embarkation location
Not a mission site. May be possible to embark
the USS Cleveland here.
Not a mission site. Ideal to embark/disembark
the USS Cleveland here.
INFORMATIONAL PACKET
Released – Jan 01, 2011
Papua New Guinea
Darwin, AUS –
Liberty Port
Timor Leste
Micronesia
Pearl Harbor
San Diego
19 May
(18 May US)
7 June
(6 June US)
14 June
(13 June US)
02 July
(01 July US)
01 June
(31 May US)
12 June
(11 June US)
26 June
(25 Jun US)
15 July
(14 July US)
22 July
28 July
04 August
NA
Not a mission site. Ideal to embark/disembark
the USS Cleveland here.
Not a mission site. Possible to disembark the
USS Cleveland here.
Preference & Consideration
Our priorities when selecting volunteers for deployment are based off the number of available positions that are
requested by the U.S. Navy. Due to the limited number of participants our non-governmental organization is
allowed to bring, we will give priority to applicants based off the following criterion (not in any particular order):
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Technicians/Assistants will be required to stay on the mission for at least one month or two mission sites.
Priority will be given to those who can stay on for longer periods of time. It will take a week or two for
training purposes and to adjust.
Professionals applying for positions will be allowed to stay on for one mission site as it is understandable
that you cannot take off much time from work. That being said, priority in selection will still be given to those
who can stay on the mission for extended periods of time.
Clinical and health experiences
Language capability
Recommendations and references
Punctuality and responsibility in meeting deadlines
Flexibility in availability
Citizenship / Visa / Passport
Volunteers are preferred to be a citizen of the following countries: United States, Canada, and Mexico. All other
citizenships will be considered. You are required to have a valid passport for travel. You are required to have visas
for the countries that require it. More details about visa and passport requirements will be provided once you are
selected for a rotation to volunteer on this humanitarian mission.
Flight & Transportation
Volunteers are responsible for covering their own airfare to and from their designated country. The military will to try
to make arrangements to pick you up from an assigned location (i.e. airport) to the ship and from the ship back to
an assigned location (i.e. airport). However, due to unforeseen circumstances (i.e. ship arriving late, etc);
volunteers are expected to be flexible. You may be asked to arrange your own lodging and transportation at your
own expense until someone can arrange to get you on board the ship.
Expectations
The chance to volunteer with Continuing Promise or Pacific Partnership is considered a privilege and a once-in-alifetime opportunity. Our volunteers in the past have assisted in providing medical and dental assistance, health
education, interpretation, and civic assistance. Many past volunteers that have gone through our organization have
provided positive feedback about their experiences and have reflected on how it has impacted their life positively.
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INFORMATIONAL PACKET
Released – Jan 01, 2011
In order to ensure a smooth integration into the mission, all volunteers are expected to comply with rules and
regulations as set forth by the UCSD Pre-Dental Society, their team leader on board the ship, and the U.S. Navy.
Volunteers should also understand that this mission is operated by the U.S. Navy and, as a volunteer taking
residence on a Navy vessel, proper respect should be rendered to military personnel, officers (foreign and
national), as well as the UCSD team lead in this military environment. Volunteers may also be working with
personnel from other military branches (Army, Air Force, etc.), partner nations, non-governmental organizations
and U.S. governmental agencies.
While on board, you are asked to comply with tasks or assignments that your commanding officer(s) and
supervisors have assigned to you. You should expect possible alteration between working on shore and on the ship
to provide assistance to the local population. Makeshift clinics are set up on land to provide quick relief and
assistance, while more complicated procedures may be done on board the hospital ship. The military will provide
transportation from and to the ship during the duration of your volunteer service. Depending on the necessary mode
of transportation, you may be riding in a boat, car, bus or aircraft to and from the ship.
All volunteers must be in good physical health when taking this mission into consideration. The USNS Comfort is
roughly 894 ft. in length (about the size of 3 football fields) and has multiple levels. Participants are expected to be
able to walk 10 flights of stairs on a regular basis and be able to lift around 50lbs. Also, it is worth mentioning that
Continuing Promise and Pacific Partnership have been designed to be missions that help in natural disaster relief
and is considered a training mechanism for both military personnel and civilians in case a disaster strikes. In the
case of a disaster situation during the deployment of these Navy vessels, the mission will temporarily terminate and
all personnel will be asked to assist in the affected areas.
Dress Code
Volunteers going through our organization must adhere to the following dress code during duration of service:
1. Approved UCSD Pre-Dental Society – Pacific Partnership 2010 (USNS Mercy) polo shirt
2. Nametag issued by the UCSD Pre-Dental Society
3. Khaki pants
4. Closed toed shoes
Failure to follow appropriate dress code may result in a request to disembark the ship and termination of
participation in the mission.
Application Procedure & Checklist
We have received over hundreds of emails regarding interest in volunteering for the USNS Mercy 2010. However,
priority will be given to volunteers with experience, flexibility, and availability. It is also imperative that you submit
your application as early as possible to increase your chances of being selected. The primary application will need
to be submitted either in person at one our meetings or by mail and will consist of the items mentioned below:
Part 1: Primary Application
Interest Form
Application Essay (specifics detailed below)
Application Fee
Resume / CV
 Educational background
 Work experience
 Clinical experiences (medical, dental, etc.)
 Any special skills within the health field
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INFORMATIONAL PACKET
Released – Jan 01, 2011
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DUE DATE:
Outreach / humanitarian mission experiences
Last day to submit application: February 15th (Postmarked)
* Applications received the deadline will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis
Once selected for the mission, you will receive an email to confirm your acceptance. A Mission Team member will
then contact you to assist you in the credentialing process. Please understand that our students have donated their
time to assist you. We, therefore, ask that you complete your application and submit the proper documents in a
timely manner. Applicants will receive a warning of incompletion if we have not received all required documents.
Failure to follow through with our procedures and/or responding to our warning may result in being dropped from
the applicant pool.
Only those selected for the mission will need to complete a secondary application. Please do not begin your series
of immunizations or purchase any flights unless you have been notified and your rotation is verified. This list is
provided for your convenience so as to prepare the proper documents when they are needed.
Part 2: Secondary Application
Copy of Passport (picture page only)
Copy of Driver’s License
Copy of CPR card (required, no exception)
Immunization records
Required Immunizations:
Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
Hepatitis B
* There is series of 3 vaccinations; provide documentation of each vaccination as you get them.
Typhoid
Tetanus
* Listed on your immunization record as one of the following: DTap, DTP, Td, DT
Measles
Malaria chemoprophylaxis
Malaria is present in many of the countries we will be visiting. Be prepared to deploy with
malarial chemoprophylaxis prescribed by your physician. Suggested prescription
antimalarial drugs: Atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, malarone, or
chloroquine.
Additionally, the following tests must be current within the past 12 months:
Negative HIV Test
Tuberculosis (TB) Test
 If your TB test result is positive, you must submit documentation of a negative chest x-ray
Health Form
Volunteers must be in good physical health to participate in a mission of this nature.
Agreements & Liability (Read, signed and dated)
Waiver of Liability
Appendixes
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Flight itinerary
Embarking (Arrival) Flight
Disembarking (Departure) Flight
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
For Health Professionals
Copy of professional license (Medical/Dental/ Pharmacy, etc.)
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INFORMATIONAL PACKET
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Copy of all professional diplomas received (graduate, boards, fellowships, etc.)
Copy of Malpractice Insurance
For Undergraduate Students
Letter of Recommendation from the College/University Dean and/or academic advisor detailing the
student’s:
 Clinical experiences
 Current year in school
 More information about letter of recommendation(s) will be provided once you are selected.
For Graduate Students
Letter of Recommendation from the Clinical Dean/Advisor detailing the student’s:
 Clinical experiences
 Current year in school
 More information about letter of recommendation(s) will be provided once you are selected.
Application Fee
An application fee of $135 is required for all assistants/technicians and $225 for health professionals in order to be
considered. This fee covers the mandatory shirts that all Pacific Partnership participants will have to wear
throughout the mission, their nametags and any administrative fees that our non-profit organization must partake.
Checks will only be cashed if you are selected to fill our spots on the ship. If you are not selected, your check will
be voided and will be shredded for security purposes. If you send us a money order, we will send it back to you if
you are not selected for this mission. Checks/money orders are fully refundable before the selection process. If
you are selected and have confirmed your acceptance, the application fee becomes non-refundable. We
advise that you make a copy of your check or money order for your personal record. Please make sure that your
full name and address is written on the check or money order and that the check is made payable to UC
REGENTS. We do not accept cash.
Application Essay
All prospective volunteers will be required to compose a 500 word essay so we can learn more about you, your
qualifications, and your expectations. The essay should cover:
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Why you want to volunteer on the mission,
Why you feel we should select you for the mission.
Your expectations and what you wish to get out of the mission
Application Essay (cont.)
As many of our volunteers are not from San Diego, we cannot formally meet most of our applicants before they
embark on the mission. The application essay, as well as a short phone interview, will help us get to know our
volunteers and will provide the opportunity for us to answer any questions that an applicant may have before being
selected for the mission.
Submit Your Application
You may submit your application in one of the following ways:
1. Mail:
USNS MERCY 2010
C/O Dr. Irvin Silverstein
6080 Lake Murray Blvd. Suite A
La Mesa, CA 91942
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INFORMATIONAL PACKET
Released – Jan 01, 2011
2. In Person:
You may give your application to Sammy Baho or Kevin To at the UCSD Pre-Dental
Society meeting. Our meeting is usually held every Thursday night at the UCSD Skaggs
Pharmacy School in room A and B. Please refer to our organization calendar for meeting
date, time and location: fdc-pds.ucsd.edu.
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Contact Us
Email: UCSDMissions2011@gmail.com
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