In regions where healthcare is scarce and even treatable conditions can become life-threatening, Mercy Ships is making a significant difference with its floating, high-tech hospitals. These vessels allow volunteer medical professionals to provide critical care for various conditions, including cleft palates, tumors, twisted limbs, and dental issues.

The ships are equipped to function almost like floating cities, providing lodging, schools, and all necessary amenities for staff and families on long-term deployments.

For such an ambitious operation to succeed, cutting-edge digital technology, reliable connectivity, and trusted partners are essential. That’s where Cisco and its long-standing partner, Presidio, step in.

At Cisco’s Partner Summit last month, Carrie Palin, Cisco’s Chief Marketing Officer, joined forces with Robert Kim, Chief Technology Officer at Presidio, to discuss how technology and partnerships can drive meaningful change.

Nichols, a former U.S. Marine with a technology background, joined Mercy Ships after seeking a purpose-driven mission that aligned with his expertise. With a deep passion for service, he found Mercy Ships’ work to be the perfect outlet for his skills. However, given the remote and challenging nature of the operations, the technological infrastructure had to be top-notch.

Cisco’s robust IT systems, supported by Presidio, provide critical infrastructure for Mercy Ships’ life-changing surgeries. The technology, including switches, routers, VoIP systems, and Webex teleconferencing, ensures seamless access to medical data and remote specialists, no matter where the ships are docked.

The partnership with Cisco is key to maintaining the high standards of care, providing reliability, scalability, and security in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

This collaboration exemplifies how technology can support humanitarian missions, improving lives and enabling healthcare in the most underserved parts of the world.