Faces of the Tsunami

Faces of the Tsunami

In 2004, a tsunami swamped Indonesia. The USNS Mercy hospital ship was deployed to help with the relief effort; Rear Admiral Bill McDaniel, MD headed up that effort. This is his story.

Episodes

October 10, 2020 17 mins

In 2004, a tsunami swamped Indonesia. The USNS Mercy hospital ship was deployed to help with the relief effort; Rear Admiral Bill McDaniel headed up that effort. This is his story

CONTENT WARNING: this introduction descriptions of infant respiratory distress (no death!)

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In early 2004, Bill McDaniel gathers his team and travels to Indonesia to meet the USNS Mercy hospital ship.
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October 10, 2020 23 mins
Bill McDaniel arrives in Banda Aceh ready to save lives...but bureaucracy and politics have to be maneuvered.
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October 10, 2020 23 mins
Arriving at the USNS Mercy hospital ship, Dr. McDaniel faces some resistance as he designs the workflow and standard of personnel interaction he desires. Needless to say, he seeks to create a compassionate and efficient process for both his staff and the patients.
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June 2, 2021 42 mins

Dr. McDaniel writes medical situation reports to his superiors, and when politics and bureaucracy interrupt his missives, his superiors are left on a cliffhanger!

'What happened to the patients, Bill?? You can't just leave us hanging like that!'

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