At this year鈥檚 International Propeller Club Convention (IPCC), the USF Health College of Nursing, in collaboration with Port Tampa Bay and the Seafarer鈥檚 Ministry, led a groundbreaking panel discussion titled 鈥淧ortside Care: Addressing the Health Needs of International Maritime Workers.鈥� The session highlighted an often-overlooked population鈥攕eafarers鈥攚ho are critical to global trade but face unique healthcare challenges due to their extended time at sea and limited access to medical services.
The panel, moderated by Usha Menon, PhD, RN, FAAN, FSBM, senior associate vice president of USF Health and dean of the College of Nursing brought together key figures involved in improving health outcomes for seafarers. The panelists represented Port Tampa Bay, the Seafarer鈥檚 Ministry, and the USF Health College of Nursing, each playing an essential role in ensuring the well-being of maritime workers.
- Susan M. Perry, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, FAANA, Col, USAF, NC, retired
Tampa Port Ministries Seafarers Board Member, former USF Health College of Nursing Associate Professor, and Adjunct Professor, Barry University College of Health and Wellness - Wade Elliott, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Business Development at the Tampa Port Authority
- Steve Finnesy, Chaplain at the Tampa Port Ministries Seafarers Center
The panel also addressed some of the logistical challenges involved in delivering healthcare at the port. Wade Elliott outlined how the unpredictable nature of the port community鈥攄ue to weather, resources, and timing鈥攃an make access to care difficult. Susan Perry added that the partnership between the Seafarer鈥檚 Ministry and the College of Nursing is key to overcoming these challenges. "This partnership is vital. It allows us to provide continuous, expert care despite these hurdles," she said.
A central theme of the discussion was the importance of building strong partnerships
and fostering trust between the healthcare providers, the maritime community, and
the seafarers themselves. Steve Finnesy noted the shared mission between the port
and its partners in supporting seafarers, while Wade Elliott discussed the importance
of building relationships before they are needed to reduce distrust and encourage
maritime workers to seek care.
The IPCC panel was a testament to the power of collaboration and the vital role that
partnerships play in addressing healthcare disparities. The USF Health College of
Nursing continues to lead the way, ensuring that the health and well-being of seafarers
and maritime workers are prioritized.