Friendships Endure: Brazil Native Supports Pacific Partnership 2022

By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Lt. Elizabeth (Emmert) Jeffers, a native of Brazil, Indiana, is serving aboard Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) as part of Pacific Partnership 2022 (PP22), deployed in the Pacific Ocean.

Mercy departed its homeport in San Diego May 3, with more than 800 personnel aboard, including military medical and engineering personnel, support staff, partner nation representatives and civil service mariners to participate in the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific. Each year the Pacific Partnership staff works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships. 

Jeffers is a registered nurse responsible for working alongside fellow Intenstive Care Unit registered nurses to to ensure operational readiness of the Mercy’s 80-bed intensive care unit.

"I am the Division Officer of the intensive care unit and while we are underway, we are constantly running drills and ensuring all of our staff are educated in the most up to date evidence based practice," said Jeffers.

“I am so proud to be serving alongside Lt. Jeffers and this outstanding group of sailors as we support this important mission on the largest floating hospital in the world,” said U.S. Capt. Hank Kim, PP22 mission commander. “I’m looking forward to watching this incredible team forge new friendships and strengthen existing relationships with the nations in Oceania and the Western Pacific.”

At the invitation of host nations, Jeffers and the Pacific Partnership team work together to conduct tailored medical, dental, veterinary, engineering civic action projects, and subject-matter-expert exchanges.

"It’s an honor to play an important role in this exercise because it strengthens our bonds with other countries in providing maritime security around the world," said Jeffers. "I also really appreciate the opportunity to experience other cultures and provide quality healthcare to small communities in the Pacific, that might not have ever had the opportunity. Mercy’s primary mission will always prioritize operational support, and with this ever changing world, we are on standby to support whatever might come."

Pacific Partnership assists local communities with a wide range of services enhancing host nation capabilities, building regional relationships, and exercising a collective ability to respond to situations, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.

"I am blessed to be able to use my love of medicine and people to promote democracy," added Jeffers. "Being active duty is a 24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 day a year job that not only impacts myself, but my family, friends and the future. With these experiences, I can easily say I am very proud to be an American and wholeheartedly defend the many freedoms of our country."