File:US Navy 060529-N-3931M-003 Navy Hospital Corpsman John Hensley takes a patient's temperature.jpg

English: Zamboanga, Republic of the Philippines (May 29, 2006) – Navy Hospital Corpsman John Hensley takes a patient's temperature while Michael Foster, a registered nurse from Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) monitors other vital information prior to receiving medical attention aboard the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), anchored off the coast on a scheduled humanitarian visit. Project HOPE’s mission is to achieve sustainable advances in health care around the world by implementing health education programs, conducting health policy research, and providing humanitarian assistance in areas of need. Mercy is on a five-month deployment during which it will visit areas of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands where its crew and several health and civic related organizations will work together to aid in humanitarian and civic efforts. Like all US Naval forces, Mercy is able to rapidly respond to a range of situations on short notice. Mercy is uniquely capable of supporting medical and humanitarian assistance needs and has been configured with special medical equipment and a robust multi-specialized medical team to provide a range of services ashore as well as on board the ship. The medical staff is augmented with assistance crews, many of whom are part of non-governmental organizations and have significant medical capabilities. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Michael R. McCormick (RELEASED)