Doctors, nurses and major donors were recognized by Project Hope Sunday, March 6 at a luncheon hosted by President and CEO John P. Howe III, M.D. The event took place at Millwood, Project Hope's historic headquarters.

The doctors and nurses were recognized for volunteering their time on the USNS Mercy in the wake of the recent tsunami disaster in South Asia. Major donors who were recognized included Middleburg's Project Helping Hands committee, whose energies and generosity to Project Hope made it possible for several medical professionals from our area to volunteer their time on the USNS Mercy.

Founded in 1958 by William Walsh, M.D., Project Hope now provides medical training and health care education programs on five continents. Health Opportunities for People Everywhere (HOPE) focuses its work on its mission, which is to provide health education and humanitarian aid.

In early January, seven nurses from the Winchester Medical Center were sent to Baltimore, MD to the USNS Comfort, the USNS Mercy's sister ship to take part in two days of training in preparation for their journey to Banda Aceh, Indonesia and their duties on the USNS Mercy. From there they were sent to Singapore and then on to the USNS Mercy off the coast of Indonesia.

The USNS Mercy is one of the seven largest hospitals in the world. It boasts 1000 beds and 12 operating rooms. For this mission it held a staff of 500 from 22 states and 21 hospitals, 93 of which were volunteer doctors and nurses from our area working 12 hour shifts on 30 day rotations of duty.

With a helicopter as their main mode of transportation to and from the ship, they set up a screening area at the University Hospital in Banda Aceh. The hospital had also been ravaged by the tsunami- at one point sitting in four feet of water and two feet of mud.

Throughout their tour of duty, the doctors and nurses were gratified by the graciousness and warmth of the Indonesian people. Asked how she felt about the experience, one nurse described it as "life changing."

As the relief effort continues, assistance will focus on more than just emergency aid, to ensure that rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts are well supported.