Amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) has one of the largest medical departments in the fleet aside from the hospital ships USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) and USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), and has acquired some new faces with unique specialties to aid their mission overseas.
Makin Island has added a psychiatrist to their medical staff in addition to an osteopathic physician and family care physician trained in acupuncture. Together they will stand up integrated services in mental health, musculoskeletal care, and pain treatment.
The medical department can also offer treatments for Sailors and Marines with physical pain who do not prefer or have exhausted narcotic options.
Osteopathic manipulation treatment (OMT) is another service the medical department may provide to Sailors and Marines aboard Makin Island during deployment as alternative pain treatment.
Makin Island is on a scheduled deployment to promote peace and freedom of the seas by providing deterrence, humanitarian aid and disaster response while supporting the Navy’s maritime strategy in the U.S. 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility.