Australian dentist participates in humanitarian mission in South Pacific

Courtesy Photo | Dentist Lt. Shannon Godfrey treats a patient at the local hospital in Luganville, Vanuatu, during a medical civic action project. Pacific Partnership is a humanitarian assistance initiative, which promotes cooperation throughout the Pacific, which will visit five island nations this summer: Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and the Federated States of Micronesia. (Photo by: Helen Frank)  

ABOARD USS CLEVELAND, AT SEA

06.27.2011

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Russell 

Pacific Partnership 2011

ABOARD USS CLEVELAND – Lt. Shannon Godfrey, a resident of Sydney, Australia, is serving as a dentist in support of Pacific Partnership 2011 aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland.

Cleveland is the lead vessel for Pacific Partnership 2011. Pacific Partnership is the Pacific Fleet’s annual mission to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands to engage in partnerships with host nations by improving dialogue, effecting a lasting, positive change, and employing subject matter expert exchanges in order to improve the capabilities and interoperability of the U.S. and partner nations when dealing with natural and man-made disasters.

“I haven’t had much experience with this type of work before, but now I’ve have so much confidence,” said Godfrey.

Cleveland completed its mission in Tonga and will continue in Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and the Federated States of Micronesia, and the military group will be accompanied by non-government organizations like Project HOPE, Vets Without Borders, and the University of California, San Diego Pre-Dental Society.

“I’m really enjoying working with the children too,” said Godfrey.

Godfrey attended the New Entry Officers’ Course at HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay.

Pacific Partnership developed as a mission following the tsunami in 2004 which devastated Indonesia and much of the South Pacific. Since 2006, Pacific Partnership has treated 150,000 patients in 15 countries, and is supported by all U.S. uniformed services and partner nations that include Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. Other nations providing teams include Canada, Spain, Malaysia, and France.


For more news from Pacific Partnership, visit:

www.cpf.navy.mil/pp11

http://pacificpartnership/wordpress.com

www.facebook/pacificpartnership

http://twitter.com/pacificpartner

• Date Taken: 06.27.2011
• Date Posted: 06.27.2011 22:28
• Story ID: 72861
• Location: ABOARD USS CLEVELAND, AT SEA