With the goal of raising awareness about Navy Medicine's mission, Navy Medicine ambassadors traveled to the Hawkeye State during Des Moines Navy Week, Aug. 15-17.

Capt. Jonathan Haun, Medical Analysis Branch, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations led a team of ambassadors from the greater Washington, D.C. area. They interacted with local Des Moines community members to develop ties and share information about the Navy Medicine mission. They also discussed their Navy Medicine careers and how they ensure the medical readiness of Sailors, Marines and their families.

"Coming to Des Moines for Navy Week reinforces the importance of having presence in areas of our country that are not traditional Navy regions," said Haun. "Our positive and interactive events help make the Navy part of the conversation as Iowans discuss and chart their future course."

While in town, the ambassadors appeared with other Navy assets at scheduled community events at the Walnut Creek YMCA, followed by visits to the Children's Hospital and the South Suburban YMCA.

"It was great having the Sailors visit us today," said Ryan Felton, South Suburban YMCA day camp counselor. "The kids enjoyed the visit and I learned a lot about the Navy, too."

The people of Des Moines appeared grateful to host Sailors from outside of the area because of their diverse backgrounds and experiences, which gave the community a lasting impression of Navy Medicine and its worldwide mission.

"Most people are unfamiliar with the awesome things Navy Medicine does, so it was a tremendous opportunity to describe to those people how Navy Medicine provides world-class care to Sailors, Marines and their families around the world, anytime, anywhere," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Sarah Pacquette, one of the Navy Medicine ambassadors during Des Moines Navy Week.

The Navy Week program is designed to raise awareness about the Navy in areas that traditionally do not have a naval presence and include community relations projects, speaking engagements, and media interviews with flag hosts and area Sailors.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for me and the rest of the Navy Medicine ambassadors to reconnect with the American public that we represent and serve," Haun said. "It's been a reinvigorating experience that reminds me what a great country this is and what an honor it is to serve."

Navy Medicine is a global health care network of 63,000 personnel that provides health care support to the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, their families and veterans in high operational-tempo environments, at expeditionary medical facilities, medical treatment facilities, hospitals, clinics, hospital ships and research units around the world.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Navy Medicine, visit www.navy.mil/.