Captain Julie Darling is the chief nursing officer of the USNS Comfort, and she and her crew came to talk to us today about hospital ships. The USNS Comfort(T-AH20) is a steamboat that runs on diesel fuel and is one of two Mercy-class hospital ships, her sister being the Mercy (AH-8). It was built in 1976 as an oil tanker called the SS Rose City, then converted to a hospital ship in 1987 by the US Navy. The ship's primary mission is to be a military treatment facility and provide on-site healthcare to military personnel, or just ordinary people who need it. Lots of people needed their help, so the ship has visited many countries all over the world. The USNS Comfort varies in many different types of medical aid, such as orthopedics, dentistry, cardiology, ENT, dermatology, pediatrics, radiology, study in nutrition, women's health, and so much more! They also have a pharmacy, blood bank, lab, 12 operating rooms, and over 1000 beds. That makes them one of the largest trauma facilities in the US! If something bad happens, like a war or a disease breaks out, they're there. The ship was sent to New York and other places during the COVID-19 global crisis to treat patients with the virus. Not only do they help with healthcare, but they also have a therapy dog for anyone who needs a hug. Captain Julie Darling and her crew taught us a lot of information about medical aid on the go and I hope they come back next year so I can finally go visit the ship because my mom said no.
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