English: Zamboanga, Republic of the Philippines (May 27, 2006) - Navy Lt.Cmdr. Elizabeth Ferrara, pediatrician, checks a young boy’s vital signs onboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19). Mercy's visit to Zamboanga will provide a multitude of medical, dental and veterinary care for the people who live in this region. This care is provided by a portion of Mercy's staff working side by side with their Filipino counterparts at several medical centers in the city, as well as patients being given care on the ship itself. Mercy's port visit in Zamboanga is the first of many, during its humanitarian deployment to South and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Mercy is able to rapidly respond to a range of situations on short notice and is capable of supporting medical and humanitarian assistance needs with special medical equipment and a multi-specialized medical team, providing a range of services ashore as well as aboard the ship. The medical staff is augmented with an assistance crew, many of whom are part of non-governmental organizations that have significant medical capabilities. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Ryan Clement (RELEASED)