Air Force Senior Airman Candace N. Cimball.

When an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile and severely damaged the regional hospital in Angol, the daughter of a Lake Stevens man and woman stepped up to provide the support needed to continue providing medical aid to the local people.

Air Force Senior Airman Candice N. Cimball, daughter of Patrick Cimball of East Lake Stevens Drive, and Tammie Stewart of 24th Street N.E. in Lake Stevens, is a part of the 85-person team called to build a field hospital and provide treatment to the 110,000 people in the region. She is a medical log tech deployed from Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi.

“We have provided the Chileans with medical support and assisted with logistical needs,” Cimball said.
Cimball’s efforts allowed U.S. and Chilean agencies to build a fully functional hospital with about 70 beds and two surgical wards getting the earthquake victims the medical attention they needed.
“We have helped to expand their medical capabilities, showing our support and dedication to the country,” said Cimball. “If we were not here, many Chileans may have gone untreated.”
A Chilean surgical nurse (left) and a U.S. Air Force surgical technician prepare instruments shortly before the first surgery at the mobile hospital set up by the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support team.  The team supplemented a Chilean hospital damaged during a recent 8.8 magnitude earthquake in the region.


Even with the devastation, the local people of Angol were friendly and appreciative of Cimball and her fellow airmen and the help they gave the recovering region. While the circumstances weren’t the best for the team, most came away with a positive impression of the country and its people.

“The hospital was a sight to see with cracks in the walls, shattered windows and everything left as it was when the earthquake hit,” said Cimball. “The Chilean people were very thankful to us for being there helping them.”
Whenever disaster strikes, Cimball and airmen like her, will be prepared to provide whatever support is needed to help the people of Chile return to a normal life.

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