Riley Smith
Government Relations Intern
Fall 2009

Upon meeting Joe Miklosi, the director of government relations, I was pleasantly surprised to find that he was kind and energetic.  Though busy, Joe was very supportive and gladly took time to provide me the direction needed to work effectively at PROJECT C.U.R.E.  Within a week of starting, Joe had assigned about 300 pages of reading so that I could familiarize myself with the US Navy Operation Continuing Promise.

Operation Continuing Promise partners the US Navy, US government agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to deliver humanitarian aid to developing countries in Central and South America.  PROJECT C.U.R.E. will be delivering medical equipment to eight countries on the mission, while US Navy and NGO medical personnel provide treatment to citizens, and assistance to doctors in the host nations.

One of my primary tasks as an intern has been communicating with US Navy personnel and other NGOs to compile information on hospitals and clinics that could benefit the most from our assistance.  Whether sifting through seemingly ancient databases or phoning the directors of hospitals in Suriname, the work has been consistently interesting and challenging.

Though the work I have done for the Continuing Promise mission merely scratches the surface of the research and communication I have engaged in at PROJECT C.U.R.E., it has afforded an interesting new perspective on the US military’s role as a force for good.  It has also provided valuable insight into the dynamism of the world’s healthcare needs.