January/February - Sign In - Commissioned Officers Association

Transcription

C
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VOL. 52, ISSUE 1 A
U.S. P
Salus Populi Suprema Lex Este H
S
January/February 2015 COA: Protecting the interests of the USPHS Commissioned Corps since 1951
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A New Year, A New Surgeon General
Thoughts as We Begin
2015
T
he New
Year and
the 50th Annual Symposium
Well, here we
are, two
months into
the new year,
and everything
is moving
quite rapidly.
Your COA/
James T. (Jim) Currie, PH.D COF staff is
Colonel, USA (Ret.) busily preparing for the upcoming Symposium, about
which I wrote in the December issue of
Frontline. I hope that you all have already registered for the Symposium (1821 May, Atlanta) and have secured your
hotel reservations. For those of you who
live in the greater Atlanta area, this will
be an ideal opportunity for you to engage
in professional activities with other
members of the Corps, to hear some terrific speakers, and to pick up continuing
education credits at a rock-bottom price.
We look forward to seeing at least a
thousand PHS officers in Atlanta.
The New Congress
With the new year came the new 114th
Congress. I can’t say much about what it
promises for the Commissioned Corps
and the U.S. Public Health Service, because we have a whole new cast of characters who have taken control. As I am
sure you know, Republicans took the
Senate in the November 2014 elections
and now enjoy a 54-46 majority in the
Senate and an increased majority in the
House.
(Executive Director, cont’d. on p. 35)
Pictured L to R: Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, COA Execu ve Director Jim Currie, and COA Deputy Execu ve Director John McElligo D r. Vivek H. Murthy was confirmed by the United States Senate as the U.S. Surgeon General on 15 December, 2014, and was sworn into the office on 18 December. Dr. Murthy assumed the rank of Vice Admiral upon assuming the office and now commands the 6700 commissioned officers in the U.S. Public Health Service. VADM Murthy was born in Huddersfield, England, to a family that had emigrated from India. His family moved to Miami when he was three years old, and he grew up there. VADM Murthy graduated from Harvard University Magna cum Laude in three years and received both an MD degree and an MBA in Health Care Manage‐
ment from Yale University. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. VADM Murthy founded and served as President of Doctors for America, a group of physicians who support healthcare reform. President Obama appointed him to the U.S. Presiden al Advisory Council on Preven on, Health Promo on, and Integra ve and Public Health in 2011. This group advises the Na onal Preven on Council on ways to advance the country’s health. COA Member Benefits
Capitol Hill Representation
Efforts on Capitol Hill
continually support all Commissioned Corps officers - active-duty,
and retired.
Car Rental Discount Avis & Budget
Members enjoy discount rates on
Avis and Budget rentals.
Financial Services Pentagon Federal Credit Union
PenFed is an on-line credit union
providing full service to members
worldwide.
Frontline
COA’s newsletter reports on monthly activities and items of interest
about the Corps & COA.
Insurance Programs - AGIA
Participate in low-cost insurance
programs that may continue
after leaving the PHS as long as
your membership in COA remains
current.
Local Representation
COA Branches generate new venues
for meeting fellow officers within
your local area while providing a
forum for the discussion of concerns
within the Commissioned Corps.
Publication Public Health Reports
Free subscription to the Journal
Public Health Reports.
Scholarship Program
COA offers thousands of dollars
towards college scholarships for
children and spouses of COA
members.
MPH@GW/MHA@GW
$7500 scholarships to earn completely online, accredited Master of
Public Health and Master of Health
Administration degrees
Ribbon
Authorized to be worn on the PHS
uniform by members in good standing when attending COA functions.
2
Legislative Update
Looking Ahead: COA Legislative Advocacy in 2015
W ith the New Year well underway, important legisla ve and regulatory issues affec ng the PHS Commissioned Corps and its individual officers have landed in COA’s lap. Some are new, such as the obsta‐
cles that some new parents are experiencing as they try to access established benefits. And some are holdovers, such as ge ng the sluggish Transporta on Safety Administra on to include PHS officers in its program offering streamlined screening to airline passengers who pose no terrorist threat. Hard to believe, but COA has been on this case for two years, joined by MOAA and PHS leadership. COA’s most immediate issue, however, is the anxiously awaited report of the Military Compensa on and Re rement Moderniza‐
on Commission (MCRMC). As I write, the report is not yet available; we were told the expected release date would be January 30. Military Compensa on & Re rement Whatever the Commission recommends and Congress ul mately decides, current ac ve‐
duty and re red service personnel will not be affected. Looking to the future, however, it’s a different story. All of the military and uni‐
formed services community is concerned about the MCRMC recommenda ons. A er all, the Commission’s goals are to save mon‐
ey and, and the same me, find a way to be “fair” to service personnel who do not stay for the 20 years that historically have been necessary to earn re rement pay and bene‐
fits. Indeed, it is hard to see how career in‐
cen ves can be taken from one group and offered to another without disrup ve threats to an all‐volunteer force. COA has a par cular concern. As Frontline readers will recall, the President’s orders to the Commission two years ago included a direc ve to “consider the differences” be‐
tween the armed forces and the other uni‐
formed services, meaning PHS and the NOAA Corps. That caught our a en on. If the “modernized” military compensa on and re rement system je sons the PHS Commis‐
sioned Corps, there will be nothing be er out there. So the future of the PHS is at stake here, even if current ac ve‐duty and re red officers are not at risk. Commissioned Officers Association
The Board’s Legisla on and Benefits Commi ee has had a work group looking at this whole issue since it began to take shape nearly five years ago. The work group deter‐
mined that the idea of looking separately at PHS and NOAA did not originate with the President. It was in the enabling statute. And before that, it was a part of the Defense Department’s original proposal. So, what is our plan? The Legisla on & Benefit Commi ee’s work group agreed to review the MCRMC recommenda ons the moment they hit the street, and forward their views to COA staff. COA Execu ve Director Jim Currie and Deputy Execu ve Director John McElligo are represen ng COA and advoca ng for PHS interests in a two‐day workshop hosted by MOAA. They and others will thoroughly and carefully peruse the MCRMC report. The idea is to bring together all organiza ons in The Military Coali on to develop a serious and united response that will, in the end, carry the day with Congress. Do you want to weigh‐in and try to help preserve career incen ves and the future of your service? Visit the MCRMC website a er 30 January, access the final report, and let COA staff know what you think. Budget Authority for OSG A high priority item on COA’s Legisla ve Agenda is money (and control thereof) for the Office of the Surgeon General. OSG has been without its own appropria on for five years. Thus, when it came me to train PHS clinicians and hospital administrators headed for Liberia to care for Ebola‐infected health care workers, there was no money for essen‐
al pre‐deployment training. Unbelievable but true. At the last minute, CDC came through with enough money for three days of training in Anniston, Alabama, for PHS teams on their way to Monrovia to staff and manage a new hospital for health care workers sick with Ebola. COA would like to see $5 million for OSG for emergency response and pre‐deployment training, and $35 million overall. It may be an impossibly steep climb. Late last year, COA (Legisla ve Update, cont’d. on p. 14) COA Chair’s Corner
COA Board Releases COA 2015-2019 Strategic Plan!
M y fellow officers and friends, It gives me great pride and pleasure to introduce the Commissioned Officers Associa‐
on's (COA) 2015‐2019 Strategic Plan on behalf of the COA Board of Directors (BOD). The BOD Strategic Planning Com‐
mi ee worked hard to put together a plan that sets a clear and bold direc on for COA, CAPT Sara Newman, USPHS and serves as a guiding docu‐
ment for COA staff and the COA commi ees and branches. We believe it will help COA achieve its mission to support a strong and robust PHS Commissioned Corps and ul mate‐
ly protect and promote the health and safety of the American people. We refined COA's vision and mission in this updated plan, and established new goals and objec ves to address four priority areas: Membership, Visibility, Advocacy and Branches. The COA is a membership organiza on whose sole purpose is to protect and enhance the public health and safety of the United S tates by suppor ng and advancing the inter‐
ests of the Commissioned Corps and its Officers. We believe every ac ve duty and re red PHS commissioned officer should be a member of COA to further its ability to support our work in uniform. Visibility of the important work the Commissioned Corps does is another priority. The Commissioned Corps cannot remain an unknown en ty in the federal government, in the public health arena, and as a significant uniformed service for the American People. Lack of visibility correlates with a lack of support needed for training and response ac vi es, and parity with our sister services. Advocacy for the Commissioned Corps is much more than parity of benefits as a uniformed service. Commissioned officers need an advocate to speak on our behalf. Like other uniformed services, PHS Commissioned Corps officers have risked and lost their lives in the line of duty. They are called to serve on the front lines of raging outbreaks of epi‐
demic disease, and must respond within days of a natural disaster to work in temporary medical facili es or austere condi ons to care for vic ms of such events. Corps officers serve in remote field areas to help the most vulnerable popula ons, and in research laboratories, administra ve posts and opera ons centers to support a breadth of cri cal health and safety efforts facing the Na on. Officers need a strong advocate to support this essen al role. Finally, our branches are the key link to our membership and to local communi es. And because the work of the Corps impacts communi es locally, we need strong Branches to support advocate and provide opportuni es for our officers to be er serve at the local level. When branches are inac ve and/or have low membership, this diminishes the capacity of COA to be effec ve. We need strong, ac ve branches that carry the message of COA and demonstrate the impact of our efforts. I am grateful to the many officers and most senior Commissioned Corps leaders who shared their input and ideas to inform this plan. We believe it captures the priori es of our members and provides a clear framework for suppor ng key areas of needed a en on. We are thrilled to present it here. Finally, I am proud to lead an outstanding and highly dedicated COA Board of Directors this year, and I am humbled to serve alongside the most hard‐working, loyal and caring people in this Na on: our Commissioned Corps officers. Sara B. Newman, DrPH, MCP CAPT USPHS Chair, 2014‐2015 Board of Directors INCREASING COA MEMBERSHIP
IS OUR #1 PRIORITY!
HELP COA GROW AS THE
COMMISSIONED CORPS GROWS —
RECRUIT A NEW/FORMER MEMBER TODAY!
January/February 2015 - Frontline
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Advancing public health and public health leadership for a healthier Na on.
Visit the Founda on online at www.phscof.org.
COF President’s Corner
G’day, Mate!*
I remember Australia Born in New Jersey and raised in Illinois, as a beau ful coun‐ John is a product of public grade school try. The areas we and Catholic high school and college. A travelled years ago returned Peace Corps volunteer, John were lush and green has worked in a state health department and many of them and with non‐profits. He is a platoon reminded us of the leader in the Army Reserve, drills with a 1950’s and 60’s in the second unit on Capitol Hill, and is co‐
United States, a less chair of The Military Coali on’s Guard RADM Robert C. rushed and more and Reserve Commi ee. Williams, (Ret.), USPHS peaceful me. Aus‐ tralians were kind, generous, and Bob: What is your favorite part of being outgoing people. A stranger could meet the COF Deputy Director? you at a gas sta on and invite you to lunch with his family. They might have John: I enjoy helping our team of trus‐
honked at you for driving on the “right tees and staff to support the con nuing side” of the road, but they were just as educa on of PHS officers. It’s nice to quick to beam you an invi ng smile. It is, know that our efforts will impact the fu‐
however, one of the few English‐speaking ture of the Commissioned Corps. countries where you can almost always count on someone asking you to speak. Bob: What is the hardest part of your “Let me hear your accent mate – say job? something to my wife and kids.” My ac‐ cent? “Yeah, your American accent.” It John: Mee ng our goals for fundraising, happened me and me again. Despite when our supporters receive so many my Texas inflec ons, which somehow be‐ other worthwhile requests for dona ons. came more pronounced “down under,” We try to break through that noise and English was translated into English and convince ac ve duty and re red officers why it’s important to support the uni‐
communica on was achieved. formed service which launched their ca‐
The ability to make a connec on, to reers. translate from one “arena” to another, is not a simple task. Last month, CAPT Sara Bob: What do you like the least? Newman introduced you to our Execu ve Director, Jim Curie, who is making the John: Watching the disrespect the Corps transi on to the PHS Commissioned Corps gets from our government. If we want with ease. This month I’ll introduce you the Corps to con nue, and the vast ma‐
our Deputy Execu ve Director, John McEl‐ jority of informed people do, then we ligo . John keeps the ac vi es of COA need to train and equip the force like any and COF moving smoothly; in par cular, other uniformed service. he translates the administra on of the Founda on into a highly efficient, “well‐ Bob: How do you find the me to do all oiled” opera on. You may not see him the things that you do for COA and COF? o en in Frontline, but he is always there behind the scenes making things happen, John: I priori ze my ac on items and then try to minimize distrac ons. Since I and we are fortunate to have him. enjoy my work, I don’t mind checking 4
Commissioned Officers Association
email from home or while riding the bus or train. We do a lot with such a small staff. I am proud of our team’s accom‐
plishments. Bob: What would you describe as your proudest accomplishment or milestone in your professional career? John: I remain very proud of my decision to volunteer with the Peace Corps in both Cote d’Ivoire and Madagascar. Those ex‐
periences set me on a path of na onal service and ins lled in me a sense that I can and will shape the future, in whatever small ways possible. Bob: What would you describe as your proudest accomplishment or milestone in your personal life? John: During my last semester of gradu‐
ate school at the University of Arizona, I asked out the hot girl in my class. A few years later, Leslie and I married in Tucson, her hometown. We have grown together and love each other’s company. Bob: What is your favorite hobby or ac v‐
ity? John: I am an outdoors kind of guy. That’s part of why I joined the Army. A great weekend for me would be hiking to some remote campsite for a night, explor‐
ing trails, and then heading to the range to prac ce grouping with the M&P 9mm that I bought last year. Bob: What are you reading now? John: I am reviewing my French textbooks and star ng to learn some Arabic. Both languages will help me as I transi on to civil affairs in the Army Reserve. (President’s Corner, cont’d. on p. 8) Commissioned Officers Foundation
Register for the 50th USPHS Symposium - Atlanta on May 18-21
J oin us for the 50th annual U.S. Public Health Service Scien fic and Training Symposium. The dates are May 18‐21, 2015 at the Sheraton Atlanta. Expanded Agenda
The agenda has expanded from previous years and will allow for more con nuing educa on, plenary speakers, and opportuni es for network‐
ing with fellow PHS officers and state and local health professionals. The popular leadership pre‐conference session will be on Sunday, May 17, as will another re rement seminar. Category Day is on a Tuesday and the Surgeon General’s 5K Run/Walk will be held on the morning a er Category Day. The formal Anchor and Caduceus Dinner will have less talking and more opportuni es to socialize! Hot Topics to Discuss The Public Health Service is ge ng coverage in the media for the response to Ebola in Liberia. But a great deal more is happening behind the scenes and on a regular basis to advance the Na onal Preven on Strategy and improve the health of Americans domes cally. Go online to register for the Symposium and book your hotel rooms. Reserving your hotel nights online will ensure you receive accurate infor‐
ma on on availability and cost. Visit symposium.phscof.org for more details. January/February 2015 - Frontline
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ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM
Category Day Highlights Announced
C ategory Day at the 2015 USPHS Scien fic and Training Symposium will be held on Tuesday, May 19. On this day a endees will meet by professional category (den st, nurse, pharmacist, etc.) for updates on hot topics, trends and other useful informa on related to the profession. Visit h p://
symposium.phscof.org/agenda/category‐day for more informa on. Highlights will include:
Den sts
 Caries management by risk assessment  Transmission of infec ons agents in dental se ng  Infec ons disease and its role in oral health and treatment of oral disease  Health equality and dispari es Die ans
 Childhood obesity preven on: Building blocks for a healthy future  Dietary guidelines for Americans: Transla ng nutri on science to policy  Achievements and challenges of diabetes preven on and weight management in the Indian health system.  Global correc onal public health nutri on issues in involun‐
tary feeding of hunger‐striking inmates Environmental Health Officers
 How to build a “soil kitchen” and reduce community expo‐
sures to lead in urban soils  Taking healthy swimming to the next level: The model aqua c health code  Assessment of new ship construc on and gastrointes nal illness levels  Delivery of a comprehensive ins tu onal environmental health program in the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service Engineers
 Leadership roles in the USPHS  Environmental engineering in disease outbreaks  Wastewater treatment: Maximizing water reclama on with membrane bioreactors (MBR's)  Stopping Ebola starts with you Health Services Officers
 Promoted officer profile, 2010‐2014 trend analysis  Officer perspec ves: Liberia mission  Modified Professional Advisory Commi ee mee ng  Roundtables on an array of topics 6
Nurses
 Ensuring nursing excellence in dynamic health care land‐
scape  Trea ng Ebola  Transforming nurse leaders in a dynamic health care en‐
vironment  Health care in a fla er world Pharmacists
 Naloxone and chronic pain management  Using data to improve outcomes  Ebola response  Opera ons and innova ons in clinical trials Physicians
 The Carter Center’s mental health program in Liberia  Unaccompanied minors mission  Overview of scien fic publishing  Updates on heat stress preven on and management Scien sts
 The cri cal role of communica ons in the Ebola response  Demographic and health behaviors among a diverse group of adult Hispanic/La no Males (Ages 18 to 64 years)  Protec ng public health through improving test method‐
ology and modernizing the FSIS Accredited Laboratory Program  The associa on between doctor‐diagnosed arthri s and falls and fall Injuries among middle‐aged and older adults Therapists
 Career pathways panel  Deep surgical site infec ons in an inmate popula on  Ves bular rehab  Ebola response Veterinarians
 An microbial resistance and the human‐animal interface: The food safety and inspec on service’s piece of the global puzzle  The role of veterinarians on Federal Advisory Commi ees  Ebola response  Wet lab: Introduc on to animal biosafety level 3 Commissioned Officers Association
ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM
Symposium Pre-Conference Workshops Announced
J oin us for the following pre‐conference workshops at the 2015 USPHS Scien fic and Training Symposium in Atlanta. Visit h p://symposium.phscof.org/agenda/tuesday‐sessions for details. You may sign up for these courses during conference registra‐
on. A minimum of 20 pre‐registered a endees are required for a course by April 15 in order to ensure that it will go forward. Sunday, May 17
Leadership Training (8:00 am ‐‐ 4:00 pm): This pre‐conference session will promote a culture of leadership within the context of the unique structure of the United States Public Health Ser‐
vice (USPHS). The 2015 all‐day workshop/training will focus on cri cal leadership skills that will ensure success in dealing with na onal and interna onal public health crises. Speakers will include senior leaders from within the USPHS and faculty from Emory University. This year’s agenda includes keynote address‐
es, inter‐ac ve exercises, a panel of senior leaders, small group discussions, and break‐out sessions that focus on the key lead‐
ership skills that are cri cal for managing public health crises. This workshop will build on lessons learned from the 2012 pre‐
conference workshop “Leadership in the 21st Century: Empow‐
ering Women Officers in the U.S. Public Health Service” and the 2013 and 2014 pre‐conference leadership training. Re rement Seminar ($25 fee, 8:00 am ‐‐5:00 pm): All officers nearing re rement, and those who recently re red, will gather helpful informa on from the Separa ons Coordinator of the Commissioned Corps. Other speakers will include representa‐
ves from AARP and an investment adviser. Basic Life Support Full Course (1:00 pm ‐‐ 5:00 pm): The American Heart Associa on’s BLS courses reinforce healthcare professionals' understanding of the importance of early CPR, and defibrilla on, performing basic steps of CPR, relieving choking, using an AED, and the role of each link in the Chain of Survival. In this classroom‐based course, healthcare profes‐
sionals learn to recognize several life‐threatening emergencies, provide CPR to vic ms of all ages, use an AED, and relieve choking in a safe, mely and effec ve manner. In this course, you’ll learn how to: Recognize the signals of heart a ack and take appropriate ac ons, perform one and two rescuer CPR, gain early access to Emergency Medical Services (EMS), recog‐
nize and respond to sudden unexpected death, assist a choking adult, child or infant vic m and perform adult, child and infant CPR. CLASS SIZE LIMITED TO 24 Students. Disclaimer: Use of American Heart Associa on materials in an educa onal course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Associa on. Any fees charged for such a course, except for a por on of fees needed for AHA course materials, do not represent income to the Associa on. Monday, May 18 (Half day in the morning)
Basic Life Support CPR Renewal Course: This course is designed for healthcare providers to learn how to save a life. The course provides informa on for assessing, planning, implemen ng, and evalua on during cardio‐pulmonary emergencies. In this course, you’ll learn how to: recognize the signals of heart a ack and take appropriate ac ons, perform one and two rescuer CPR, gain early access to Emergency Medical Services (EMS), recog‐
nize and respond to sudden unexpected death, assist a choking adult, child or infant vic m and perform adult, child and infant CPR. Students must bring current BLS card and book to class. CLASS SIZE LIMITED TO 24 Students. Disclaimer: Use of Ameri‐
can Heart Associa on materials in an educa onal course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Associ‐
a on. Any fees charged for such a course, except for a por on of fees needed for AHA course materials, do not represent in‐
come to the Associa on. COA Branch Leadership Workshop: This session is intended for current leaders of COA branches and those interested in leader‐
ship roles. It will provide background informa on, skills training and more. Nurse Skills Training: The Nurse Category will again by popular demand present a training session designed to address request‐
ed skill‐sets required by nurses, as well as other healthcare pro‐
fessionals, during an emergency deployment situa on. There will be seven basic training skills offered by nursing experts from various federal agencies: 1. Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Documenta on 2. Basic Triage – Emergency Management 3. Basic Nurse Care (IV Inser on & Medica on Administra on) 4. Wound Care 5. Basic PPEs Training 6. Immuniza on 7. Direct Access update Each par cipant will receive didac c as well as hands‐on prac ‐
cum training of each skill. In addi on to the skills training, this year we will also make available Direct Access sta ons providing actual hands‐on experience with trouble shoo ng/entry/
upda ng informa on for readiness purposes and the EMR emu‐
lator if internet access is available at the conference for end‐
users to access remotely using their own laptops. Scien fic Skills: This session will help officers develop and hone necessary scien fic wri ng skills. The session will describe the parts of a scien fic abstract (Objec ves, Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions) and the types of informa on each should contain; examine types of scien fic document review and ex‐
plain how they differ from each other; explore key principles of (Workshops, cont’d. on p. 8) January/February 2015 - Frontline
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ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM
Symposium Pre-Conference Workshops Announced (cont’d. from p. 7)
“plain language” as they apply to scien fic wri ng, and pro‐
vide examples of each one; and finally discuss mul ple effec‐
ve presenta on strategies and the ra onale for their use. Thursday, May 21 (1:00 pm ‐‐ 5:00 pm)
Basic Life Support CPR Renewal Course: This course is de‐
signed for healthcare providers to learn how to save a life. The course provides informa on for assessing, planning, imple‐
men ng, and evalua on during cardio‐pulmonary emergen‐
cies. In this course, you’ll learn how to: recognize the signals of heart a ack and take appropriate ac ons, perform one and two rescuer CPR, gain early access to Emergency Medical Ser‐
vices (EMS), recognize and respond to sudden unexpected death, assist a choking adult, child or infant vic m and per‐
form adult, child and infant CPR. Students must bring current BLS card and book to class. CLASS SIZE LIMITED TO 24 Stu‐
dents. Disclaimer: Use of American Heart Associa on materials in an educa onal course does not represent course sponsor‐
ship by the American Heart Associa on. Any fees charged for such a course, except for a por on of fees needed for AHA course materials, do not represent income to the Associa on. (President’s Corner, cont’d. from p. 4) Bob: What is your favorite movie? John: The Usual Suspects, directed by Bryan Singer. Amazing cast, great dialogue, and fantas c plot twists. Bob: Tell us a li le about your family. John: I am the second of four children. We’ve spread ourselves throughout the country. My maternal and pater‐
nal sides of the family come from New York. We are hardworking folks with strong es to our roots and we love to have fun. All of my grandparents were amazing hosts and great friends to those around them. Bob: What are looking forward to achieving as the Deputy Director? John: Increasing visibility for Corps officers and their impact 8
Empowering Ourselves to Op mal Health through Comple‐
mentary and Alterna ve Medicine: Complementary and Alterna ve Medicine promotes op mal health by offering pa ents many self care modali es that will encourage a life‐
me of wellness and "build a healthy, vibrant and resilient na on." Please join us and experience Yoga, Qi‐Gong (moving medita on), nutri on demonstra on, mindfulness medita‐
on, acupressure, and Reiki Self‐Care. Enlighten yourself to your bodies own self‐healing and self‐regula ng abili es. on public health, strengthening the Office of the Surgeon General, and suppor ng the next genera on of leaders in the Corps. The COF Board of Trustees and the COA Board of Directors appreciate the con nued outstanding efforts of John McElli‐
go . We thank him for his service, both to our organiza ons and to the Na on. Remember to give him a smile and a “g’day mate” when you see him at the Symposium in May – he well deserves the recogni on! Yours in public health, Bob Williams, P.E., DEE RADM, USPHS (ret) President PHS Commissioned Officers Founda on * How my Australian friends say “hello” Commissioned Officers Association
CALL FOR COA BOARD NOMINATIONS
N
ational COA is seeking nominations for the Board of Directors. The full
details are also available at the COA Website (www.coausphs.org),
“Latest Stories.” The deadline to submit a nomination is March
6, 2015.
Six seats will open for the COA Board of Directors on July 1,
2015. The open seats include:
Dental, Engineer, Environmental Health Officer, Scientist, Field
Officer (outside of DC), and Retired Officer. Anyone interested in running for election should review the document linked
below, which includes responsibilities and information
required for the election.
9
Commissioned Officers Foundation
Acknowledges Donations Received November 16, 2014-January 15, 2015
LEADERSHIP SOCIETY CAPT Leah Bigalow, (Ret.) PLATINUM RADM Sven E. Rodenbeck, (Ret.) VADM Richard A. Carmona CAPT Janet B. Clear, (Ret.) CDR Sylvie I. Cohen RADM Charles W. Grim, (Ret.)* CAPT Frank A. Dodge* CAPT William H.J. Haffner, (Ret.) RADM Marlene E. Haffner, (Ret.) RADM Robert H. Harry, Jr., (Ret.)* RADM Julia R. Plotnick, (Ret.) GOLD CAPT Fred G. Rueter, (Ret.)* RADM Richard J. Ber n, (Ret.)* CAPT Delbert A. Larson, (Ret.)* CAPT Thomas A. Ford, Jr., (Ret.) CAPT Bruce W. Furness CDR Selden D. Wasson, (Ret.) CAPT Leslie L. Royall, (Ret.) CAPT Eric M. Wassermann SILVER RADM William R. Maas, (Ret.) RADM Jerrold M. Michael, (Ret.)* CAPT Charles G. Helmick, III, (Ret.)* CAPT Walter L. Fava* CAPT Stephen J. Garza, (Ret.) CAPT William G. Lotz* CAPT Ulana R. Bodnar* LCDR Samuel Rudnitsky* CAPT Thomas M. Tarpley, (Ret.)* RADM Michael R. Milner, (Ret.)* CAPT Kathy L. Balasko* CDR Maria D. Benke* CAPT Leland L. Fairbanks, (Ret.)* BRONZE CAPT Mary R. Ingram, (Ret.)* CAPT Ronald F. Coene, (Ret.) CAPT James L. Dickens* CDR Cindy J. Flacks CAPT Janet L. Wildeboor, (Ret.)* CAPT Alice M. Stang, (Ret.)* RADM Webster Young, (Ret.)* RADM Daniel F. Whiteside, (Ret.)* CAPT Paul O. Fehnel, Jr., (Ret.)* CAPT Amy C. Barkin, (Ret.)* CAPT Gregory M. Dubitsky, (Ret.)* CDR Cathy L. Bagley* CAPT Donald M. Mason, (Ret.)* CAPT Bruce C. Tierney* RADM Kerry P. Nesseler* CAPT Frederick C. Hoesly, (Ret.)* CAPT Gordon R. Aird, (Ret.)* CAPT Gary R. Lounsberry, (Ret.)* CAPT Robert N. Zimmerman, (Ret.)* CAPT William R. Hall, (Ret.)* CAPT James A. Keene, (Ret.)* CAPT Gordon S. Siegel, (Ret.)* CAPT Corwin D. Strong, (Ret.)* CAPT Geswaldo A. Verrone, (Ret.) CAPT Ferdinand R. Hassler, (Ret.)* CAPT Fred W. Love, (Ret.)* CAPT Glen D. Drew, (Ret.) CAPT Arthur J. Plumstead, (Ret.)* CAPT George J. Nemo, (Ret.)* CAPT Mar n D. McCarthy, (Ret.)* CAPT Walter F. Hunter, (Ret.)* Mrs. Cora Koop* CAPT William A. Be s, (Ret.)* CAPT Gary T. Blache LCDR Edwin L. Wilkinson* CAPT Jeffrey D. Schulden CAPT Richard Q. Dunn, (Ret.)* CAPT Margaret J. DiClemente* CAPT Herbert F. Klein, (Ret.)* CAPT Lawrence M. Nelson* CAPT Robert B. Dick, (Ret.)* CAPT Perry C. Bracke , (Ret.)* CAPT James R. Grigdesby, (Ret.)* CAPT James A. Reagan, (Ret.)* CAPT Frederick Dykstra, (Ret.)* CAPT Johnny B. Peebles, (Ret.) RADM Richard C. Bohrer, (Ret.)* RADM Leonard Bachman, (Ret.)* CDR Abraham M. Maekele* CDR Carol A. Kirkland* CAPT Timothy F. Svoboda, (Ret.)* RADM James H. Erickson, (Ret.)* CAPT Alice E. Duncan, (Ret.)* CAPT Judith A. Whitecrane, (Ret.)* CAPT Paul H. Bedrosian, (Ret.)* CAPT David W. Alton, (Ret.) CAPT Mark D. Anderson, (Ret.) CAPT Jules M. Meisler, (Ret.)* CAPT Ira Berkower, (Ret.)* CAPT Michael J. Kennedy, (Ret.)** CAPT Robert G. Raymond, (Ret.) CAPT Celeste B. Evans, (Ret.)* 10
CAPT Barbara A. Maxwell, (Ret.) CAPT Gerald G. Vurek, (Ret.)* CAPT David L. Duncan, (Ret.)* CAPT Bertha E. Bryant, (Ret.)* CAPT Carol A. Lewis, (Ret.)* CAPT Patrick J. Hennelly, Jr., (Ret.)* CAPT Ronald A. Reddick, (Ret.)* RADM Clara H. Cobb* CAPT Donna K. Chandler, (Ret.) RADM Boris D. Lushniak* CAPT Michael D. Schwartz* CAPT Lillie D. Golson* LCDR Melvin T. Eddleston, (Ret.)* CAPT Beverly A. Dandridge CAPT Mar n I. Goldenberg, (Ret.)* CDR Jimee Hwang* CAPT Patricia D. Mail, (Ret.)* CAPT John R. Sundell, (Ret.)* CAPT Barbara A. Rolling, (Ret.)* CAPT Lois M. Dommert, (Ret.)* CAPT Robert J. Davis, (Ret.)* CAPT Julie E. Warren* CDR Anne K. Whi s* CAPT John Iskander* RADM Fitzhugh S. Mullan, (Ret.)* CAPT Laurencia J. Liebmann, (Ret.) CAPT Elizabeth K. Wi er, (Ret.)* CAPT Richard T. Light, (Ret.)* CAPT John L. M. Robinson, (Ret.)* CAPT M. Elizabeth Dickey, (Ret.)* LCDR Eva D. McLanahan* CAPT Michael J. Long LCDR Alexandra M. Oster* Mrs. Carol Dellapenna CAPT James D. Felsen, (Ret.)* CAPT Steven D. Chickering, (Ret.)* FRIENDS CAPT John J. Henderson, (Ret.) LT Diyo R. Rai* CDR James L. Kenney, III CAPT Dianne T. McRae, (Ret.)* CDR James L. Kenney, III LT Yee Vang CAPT Charlo e A. Spires CAPT Richard R. Trui * CAPT Michael R. Ball, (Ret.)* CAPT Charlo e A. Spires RADM Clare Helminiak, (Ret.)* RADM Gerald V. Quinnan, Jr., (Ret.) LCDR A. F. VanNostrand, Sr., (Ret.)* CAPT Carol L. Van Price CAPT David L. Levin, (Ret.) Commissioned Officers Foundation
CAPT Katherine L. Matrakas, (Ret.)* CAPT Robert DeChristoforo, (Ret.)* CAPT Raymond J. Farkas, (Ret.)* CAPT Mark S. Eberhardt* CAPT Kirby I. Campbell, (Ret.)* CAPT Charles A. Herron, (Ret.)* CAPT James E. Mills, (Ret.)* CAPT Pamela L. Brye, (Ret.)* CAPT Edgar F. Seagle, (Ret.)* CAPT Elaine G. Offu , (Ret.)* CAPT Florence M. Seidler, (Ret.)* CAPT John E. Roller* CAPT Ann M. Hardy* CAPT Rita K. Chow, (Ret.)* CAPT Mitchell H. Gail, (Ret.)* RADM Preston A. Li leton, Jr., (Ret.)* CAPT Melvin Lessing, (Ret.)* CAPT Joseph R. Marches, (Ret.)* CAPT James E. Bleadingheiser, (Ret.)* CAPT Leopold R. LaBranche, (Ret.)* CAPT Lawrence E. Chaitkin, (Ret.)* CDR Freddie D. Mitchell, (Ret.)* CAPT Bruce J. Baum, (Ret.)* CAPT Thomas L. Blumenberg, (Ret.)* CDR Joseph W. Ma hews, (Ret.)* CDR Thomas B. Ellis* LCDR Michael B. Ahmadi* LCDR Mar n J. Stephens* RADM Robert L. Smith, (Ret.)* CDR Shonda M. Stacey RADM Henry Falk, (Ret.)* CAPT J. Gary Sirmons, (Ret.)* CAPT Thomas J. Sorg, (Ret.)* CAPT Gary S. Logsdon, (Ret.)* CAPT Bruce M. Burne , (Ret.)* CAPT Walter L. McPartlin, (Ret.)* CDR Maurna E. Complita, (Ret.)* CAPT Louis Levy, (Ret.)* Stephen C. Adler* CAPT Fe R. Dela Paz, (Ret.)* CAPT Judith E. Maeda, (Ret.)* CAPT George P. Hoskin, (Ret.)* CAPT Marian P. Mehegan, (Ret.)* CAPT Jim P. Magnuson* CAPT Cynthia C. Kunkel* CAPT Wilne a A. Swee ng* CDR Alois P. Provost* CAPT Robert Bialas Donations Can be Made
RADM Stephen B. Corbin, (Ret.)* at Several Levels:
CAPT Charles E. Lee* CAPT Robert L. Sanders* Leadership Society .... $10,000
CAPT David L. Madden, (Ret.)* President’s Society .... $5,000
CAPT Merilys P. Brown, (Ret.)* Founder’s Society .... $2,500
CDR James F. Calvert, Jr.* Platinum .... $1,000
CAPT Sonja S. Hutchins* Gold .... $500
CAPT Michael Mendelson* Silver .... $250
CAPT Charles M. Weber* Bronze .... $100
CAPT Arthur S. Kawatachi, (Ret.) CAPT Roy A. Blay* Visit www.phscof.org/giving to
CAPT Janet B. McDonald, (Ret.)* donate online today!
CAPT Carolyn V. Lee LCDR Judy A. Williams, (Ret.) CDR John H. Freer* CAPT Charles P. Froom, (Ret.)* John A. Wilkens CAPT Linda M. Po ern, (Ret.)* CAPT Joshua J. Zimmerberg CAPT Paul E. Johnson* CAPT Thomas A. McDermo , (Ret.)* CAPT Janet M. Jones, (Ret.)* CAPT Renee Joskow* CAPT George A. Durgin, Jr. *C. Evere Koop Living Legacy **Dependent Scholarship Program Fund T he PHS Commissioned Officers Founda on (COF) recently received a generous bequest from the estate of the late CAPT Leah Bigelow, USPHS (Ret.). CAPT Bigelow remembered the Founda on in her will, and the money she gave has been invested and will provide future income for COF ac vi es, including scholarships for junior officers to a end the annual USPHS Scien fic and Training Symposium. If you would like to become a member of the John Adams Society by including the Founda on in your will, please visit h p://www.phscof.org/giving. The website can guide you as you consider such a bequest, which should be made only a er consulta on with your tax advisor. January/February 2015 - Frontline
11
C OA Execu ve Director Jim Currie sent this le er to the Chairman/CEO of The Disney Company in December 2014. The Disney response came in the form of a telephone call from a completely‐uninformed Disney staffer who knew nothing about the PHS and disparaged it as “just another veteran’s group a emp ng to get privileges.” He then blamed the Disney policy on the US Department of Defense, which seems quite unlikely. Jim has sent another le er to Mr. Iger, which you can access on the COA web‐
site at h p://www.coausphs.org/documents/Le er_to_The_Disney_Company_Jan_15.pdf. Jim thinks it might be helpful if COA members who care about this issue (giving PHS officers the same admission discounts to Disney proper es as are given to members of the US military) were to flood the Disney Chairman/CEO with le ers on this subject, sent to him at the address on the le er. Please send copies of your le ers to us here at Frontline ([email protected]) (use “Disney” in the email subject line), and we’ll run some of them in the next couple of Frontline issues. 12
A Health Service Officer’s Mission Trip to Haiti
By CAPT Denise Goudelock, USPHS O n October 30 through November 7, 2014, CAPT Denise Goudelock and a co‐
worker, Jodi Trevino, CDA trav‐
eled to Hai to provide fluoride varnish treatment to orphans and school children and assist a medical team from Bellingham, WA. CAPT Goudelock and Jodi are employees at the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority Dental Clinic in Tacoma, Washington. CAPT Denise Goudelock & Co‐
The following ar cle is an worker, Jodi Trevino account of how helping people many miles away can be strenuous, overwhelming, humbling and gra fying. Many unfortunate and o en unse ling circum‐
stances were observed in Hai . However, this experience for both CAPT Goudelock and Jodi Trevino has truly made them more compassionate and open minded to the needs of others and they are grateful and feel blessed for the life they are fortunate to live, in the United States of America. They are looking forward to more mission trips and to con nue giving back in their own community. This mission trip to Hai was Jodi Trevino’s first. She always knew she wanted to go on a mission trip. Jodi’s church, Calvary Community Church in Sumner, WA, offers mission trips every year to Mexico and Hai . This year her heart was opened to going to Hai for a medical mission trip. This is CAPT Goudelock’s second medical mission trip. Her first mission trip was to Honduras in 2009, providing dental care. Jodi asked Denise to accompany a group from her church in the fall of 2014. The group from Calvary Community Church joined a medical team from Bellingham, WA, to provide medical ser‐
vices to orphans, students and adults in St. Marc and Timone e, Hai . The 8 days in Hai provided an opportunity to help the wonderful people in Hai , but also to meet new people and build life long friendships. The team from Calvary Community Church consisted of 14 people and was led by Tom and Tracey Mehrer of Sumner, WA (www.cleancompassion.org). We began this exci ng, and perhaps for some of us, anxiety‐ provoking journey on a red‐eye flight from Sea‐Tac airport to New York JFK airport on Thursday night, October 30, 2014. From New York, we arrived in the capital of Hai , Port au Prince, on Friday morning, October 31, 2014. From Port au Prince, there was a two hour drive by a mini bus to St. Marc, Hai . Hai occupies the western half of the island of Hispanio‐
la. This small country is located in the Caribbean Sea east of Cuba. It covers an area of just 10,714 square miles, about the size of Maryland. Hai is two‐thirds mountainous, with the rest of the country marked by great valleys, extensive plateaus, and small plains (h p://www.infoplease.com/country/
hai .html). Hai is one of the poorest and least‐developed countries in the world. This country has suffered years of poli cal, social and economic instability. On January 12, 2010, Hai was struck by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that was centered about 15 miles from Port au Prince – the most populated area in Hai . The massive earthquake severely damaged the country’s already fragile infrastructure, killed over 220,000 people and displaced 1.3 million people. In the area of Port au Prince alone, 188,383 homes were damaged or destroyed. Four years later Hai is s ll struggling to rebuild along with some mes poli cal and social instability. Medical infrastructure is also fragile where people who are very poor must pay first for medical care and medica‐
ons and the hospital’s condi ons are not what we would be use to in the United States. There is limited access to clean wa‐
ter and there is a break‐down of public safety and sanita on, history of violent conflict and some mes spontaneous protests in the city. Unemployment is 66%. Seventy‐six percent of Hai‐
ans live on less than $2.00 a day with 80% of the popula on below poverty line. (h ps://www.cia.gov/redirects/ciaredirect.html). Despite the some mes dismal condi ons, Hai is a beau ful country. The people were friendly. Hai ans are very rela on‐
ship oriented, and have close family es. Gree ngs are very important in this culture. The children and students were so loving with plenty of smiles and hugs to fill you for a life me! Everyone was usually eager to help. We were fortunate to have a group of interpreters the en re week to help with the lan‐
guage barrier. Our team from Calvary Community Church, Sumner, WA, stayed at the St. Marc’s Youth With A Mission (Hai , cont’d. on p. 21) January/February 2015 - Frontline
13
RADM Romano Chosen as Dean at Inouye School
L ong‐ me COA member and COF Board Member RADM (ret.) Carol Romano has recently been chosen as Dean of the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, Hébert School of Medicine. Dr. Romano served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Graduate School of Nursing since No‐
vember 2010. During her career in the US Public Health Service she was Ac ng Deputy Surgeon General, Ac ng Chief of Staff OSG, Director of the Office of Reserve Affairs and Chief Nurse Officer. Asked about her selec on, Dr. Romano stated that, “I am both pleased and humbled to begin 2015 as Dean of the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing.” Con nuing, she said that, “The GSN has a 21 year history that I will con nue to honor and enrich. I will approach challenges with a look to the past, to those who preceded me and succeeded in crea ng and growing a robust graduate nursing school, and with a look to the future for what is needed in the 21st century to provide the na on with the highest quality advanced prac ce nurse clini‐
cians, scien sts and scholars dedicated to Federal health service. My Deanship will focus on:  building innova on in educa on, research and policy to transform prac ce  forging strategic partnerships with mul ple stakehold‐ ers  providing opportuni es for interprofessional collabora‐ ons  enhancing leadership development in our students and faculty  crea ng unity through respect for diverse perspec ves “I am commi ed,” she concluded, “to working in partnership with Faculty, Students, Staff, the University, and the Ser‐
vices to achieve our shared mission of crea ng the future genera on of uniformed nurse leaders.” Dr. Romano earned Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the School of Nurs‐
ing at the University of Maryland a er earning a diploma in nursing from the Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania. Dr. Romano also completed the Interagency Ins tute for Federal Execu ves at George Washington University and the Harvard University Senior Managers in Government Program at the Kennedy School of Government. She is board cer fied in nursing informa cs and as an advanced nurse execu‐
ve. Dr. Romano is also a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and the American College of Medical Informa cs. (Legisla ve Update, cont’d. from p. 2) approached appropriators in both chambers of Congress. We found Na onal Defense Authoriza on Act (NDAA), recently signed into law interest in the House, but not in the Senate. So we will keep going. by President Obama, mandates support for mothers who want to breast‐feed their infants to give them the healthiest possible start in life. I am told by service women that the military tradi onally has not New Parents’ Issues been par cularly helpful to mothers and babies. The new law is in‐
Are you an adop ve parent? Did you experience any difficulty in tended to fix that. How long it will take TRICARE to implement the accessing the PHS adop on benefit? The answer should be no, new provision is unclear. Meanwhile, if you are affected by this issue, because this benefit has been in place for a quarter‐century. It was or interested and willing to share your story, then I would like to hear included in a package of 17 small benefits originally provided to from you. Send me an e‐mail with BABIES in the subject line. It’s nice armed services personnel but not to PHS officers. I am told that for‐ to note that PHS appears to be ahead of the game. See the Surgeon mer COA Execu ve Director Mike Lord, a re red Navy lawyer, General’s Call to Ac on to Support Breas eeding h p://
managed to obtain the whole package for PHS. Despite this nice his‐ www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/breas eeding/ tory, I am hearing from adop ve parents who say that accessing the modest benefit is not easy. COA is looking into this and would like to ‐‐ Judy Rensberger hear from you. If you are affected, please send me an e‐mail with ADOPTION in the subject line to [email protected]. COA also wants to hear from PHS officers who are new or first‐ me mothers, especially if their babies were born prematurely. The 2015 14
COA Branch Activities
Baltimore COA Branch 12th Annual Maryland Public Access On-Air
Pledge Drive
By LT Teisha Robertson, LCDR Jeanne ee Joyner and LCDR Gerald Brozyna, USPHS O n December 4, 2014, eleven Public Health Service (PHS) officers volunteered for the twel h consecu ve year to man the phones in the studio for Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) On‐Air Pledge Drive in Owings Mills, Maryland. The event was hosted by the Bal more Branch of the Commissioned Officer Associa on (BCOA), and was a ended by PHS officers from the Maryland Metropolitan area. MPT is the public broadcas ng service (PBS) for the state of Maryland and operates under the auspices of the Maryland Public Broadcas ng Commission, an agency of the Maryland state government. Each year, MPT hosts live pledging broad‐
casts to assist in their mission to produce and distribute informa onal, educa onal, and cultural television programs of the people of Maryland and the Na on. In keeping with our mission of service to the community as well as increase the visibility of the United States PHS, officers were adequately trained and provided a pledge worksta on equipped with a telephone, computer and pledge materials. Officers worked during an on‐air pledge campaign live broadcast to receive calls and record contribu ons from callers. Each contribu on makes a difference for the children, furthering educa on and the well‐being of the Maryland Metropolitan region. One of the show’s hostesses, Rhea Feikin, seen at center in the photograph, gladly stood for a photo opportunity with the officers following their tour. Rhea also interviewed LCDR Jeanne ee Joyner on air which allowed us to illuminate the mission of the Commissioned Corps and briefly detail just a few of the many categories that span the USPHS. Overall, this was a great experience as officers were able to not only meet and greet while contribu ng their me and re‐
sources, but also took in 93 contribu ons which totaled over $11,000. Chicago Branch Community Activities
O fficers from the Chicago Branch spent the a ernoon at A Just Harvest Community Kitchen, helping to serve dinner and distribute take‐home food items to more than 200 residents from surrounding neighborhoods. The Community Kitchen serves hot meals 365 days per year to anyone in need and distributes several thousand pounds of food each month by hos ng the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s Produce mobile, which distributes fruit and vegetables to more than 200 families. Because A Just Harvest collects service sta s cs from everyone who comes for dinner (including name, demographics, family size and current zip code), we had the opportunity to talk with people one‐on‐one. We also enjoyed a bit of teasing about our official government t‐shirts! The a ernoon was very gra fying for all of us. Officers from the Chicago Branch have par cipated in an annual volunteer event with A Just Harvest for the past two years, and look forward to next me. Members of the Chicago COA also collaborated with the United States Navy, Medical Reserve Corps, and other medical volunteers to staff the spo er towers throughout the race course during the Chicago Marathon in the Fall of 2013. A few individuals also served as people movers, assisted in the medical tents and provided support with the AED/Triage teams. January/February 2015 - Frontline
15
USPHS DCCOA PACE Program: Supporting the National Prevention Strategy 2014 Back to School Resource Fair
By CDR Yoon Kong and LT Jennifer Frieman, USPHS A s Commissioned Corps Officers, we have a unique to ensure that they opportunity to serve as a posi ve influence in our com‐ are prepared for muni es. The DC Commissioned Officers Associa on (DCCOA) the new academic ini ated the Preven on through Ac ve Community Engage‐ school year. Ap‐
ment (PACE) Program in January 2013. The purpose of the proximately 50 local program is to support officers implemen ng the Na onal Pre‐ and na onal organi‐
ven on Strategy (NPS) in the DC metro area. On June 16, 2011, za ons convened to the Na onal Preven on Council released the Na onal Preven‐ provide supplies on Strategy (NPS), followed by the NPS Ac on Plan in 2012 and services for (h p://www.healthcare.gov/preven on/nphpphc/2012‐npc‐
families, including ac on‐plan.pdf). The NPS was authorized by the Affordable clothing, backpacks, Care Act, and is the collabora on of 17 federal departments school supplies, CDR Yoon Kong and LCDR Dorinda Ball and agencies across the Federal government commi ed to haircuts, vaccina‐
promo ng preven on and wellness to improve health via PRE‐
ons and health educa on. CDR Kong, LCDR Dorinda Ball and VENTION. The NPS recognizes that the Federal government LT Freiman planned PHS’s par cipa on at the fair. CDR Kong alone cannot create healthier communi es—partnerships are and LCDR Ball staffed the PHS booth promo ng visibility of cri cal if the USPHS and providing health educa on with a focus on good oral health and hygiene. Specifically, they used the food sustainable health improvements are to be achieved. guide pyramid to guide discussions about nutri on and In support of theNPS, the DCCOA and USPHS Scien st Category healthy food choices. They provided visual aids to illustrate Professional Advisory Commi ee (SciPAC) engaged in a part‐ the amount of sugar contained in a number of beverages to nership with the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) educate parents and students that sugary beverages can con‐
with the goal of empowering young people to make life‐long tribute to the development of dental caries and poor dental healthy choices. For the past two years, there have been many hygiene. In addi on, CDR Kong and LCDR Ball provided Eng‐
events that have been sponsored by MCPS and DCCOA/PACE lish and Spanish dental educa on pamphlets to students and such as Career Days, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering parents on proper techniques of tooth brushing and overall and Mathema cs) Programs, and providing interac ve and maintenance of good oral hygiene. They demonstrated prop‐
hands‐on presenta ons to a variety of grade levels on topic er brushing and flossing techniques using dental educa on such as nutri on, ac ve living, and the importance of hand puppets with actual‐size teeth, and provided samples of washing. Through PACE, officers provide ac onable health toothbrushes and toothpastes. informa on based on the NPS, empowering individuals to About 4,000 students and parents a ended the event. In make healthier choices. addi on to the USPHS educa on, organiza ons and partners Following the successful partnership with MCPS, DCCOA want‐ at the resource fair provided 2,043 school supply kits, 125 ed to expand the PACE program beyond Montgomery County haircuts, 55 vision screenings, and administered 39 Tdap vac‐
to other areas within DC. As part of the PACE Expansion Team cina ons. According to the exit survey conducted by FCPS for Northern Virginia, CDR Yoon Kong and LT Jennifer Freiman staff, 100% of the parents felt that their children were pre‐
co‐led a partnership with the Fairfax County Public Schools pared to start the academic school year as a direct result of (FCPS). Beginning in the fall of 2013, CDR Kong and LT Freiman the services provided by the Resource Fair. reached out FCPS and developed a collabora ve partnership. CDR Kong and LT Freiman embarked on a yearlong journey This served as a precedent‐se ng collabora on between working with the Planning Commi ee to support the 2014 FCPS and DCCOA/PACE. CDR Kong and LT Freiman are plan‐
Annandale Pyramid Back to School Resource Fair on August 13, ning to con nue working with FCPS to accomplish the goal of equipping and empowering youth with tools and resources 2014, at the Annandale High School in Annandale, Virginia. to promote sustained, life‐long healthy choices. The Annandale Pyramid Back to School Resource Fair connects students and families to resources in the community 16
DC COA Community Health Subcommittee - 2014 Highlights
By LCDR Simleen Kaur, USPHS C ommunity Health Subcommi ee was formed to support the Surgeon General's Preven on Ini a‐
ve. In 2014, the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) officers and members of DC COA volunteered at three annual health fairs where they provided infor‐
ma on on various health diseases and their preven on measures. In addi on, the officers provided volunteer administra ve tasks such as pa ent registra on. Five USPHS officers volunteered at Ama Tu Vida Mul ‐
cultural Health Fair in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The officers gave informa on on diabetes, food safety and proper food prepara on prac ces. The informa on was well received by more than 100 people who a ended the health fair. Six USPHS officers (pictured bo om le ) volunteered at Pass It Forward 4th Annual Health Fair in Columbia, Mary‐
land. The officers primarily supported the check‐in table where they registered people and signed them up for the raffle. In addi on, they answered health‐related ques ons and assisted in se ng up the booths and wrapping up at the end of the fair. Two USPHS officers, LCDRs James Pi and Candice Co le‐
Delisle, par cipated at Masjid Gulzar E Madina Medical Camp in Bal more, Maryland. They provided informa on on cardiovascular health and diabetes. In addi on, they provided insight on mercury in fish and safe cooking and ea ng prac ces for pregnant and nursing women. These annual health fairs gave these officers an opportuni‐
ty to par cipate in an annual community service event and promote visibility of PHS Commissioned Corps offic‐
ers. If you are interested in learning more about DC COA Community Health Subcommi ee, please contact LCDR Simleen Kaur at [email protected].
Ama Tu Vida Mul cultural Fes val— (L‐R) CDR Ida‐Lina Diak, CDR Jenney Doan, LCDR Simleen Kaur, CDR Iris Valen n‐Bon, LT Chris‐
ne Corser
Masjid Gulzar E Madina Medical Camp ‐LCDR James Pi Pass It Forward Health Fair (L‐R) LCDR Quynh‐Van Tran, LCDR JuWon Lee, CDR Aline Moukhtara, LT Olive Taylor, LCDR Anna Park January/February 2015 - Frontline
17
DC COA PACE Subcommittee Members Execute “Semper Gumby” Gaithersburg High School Annual Academy Career Day
By LCDR Leo Angelo Gumapas, USPHS L T Jonathan Leshin, LT Eithu Lwin, LT Long Pham, and LCDR Leo Angelo Gumapas under the DC COA PACE on November 17, 2014 par cipated at Gaithersburg High School in Gaithers‐
burg, MD, for the LT Jonathan Leshin and LT Shiny Mathew (L‐R) Annual Academy Ca‐
present at Career Day at Brown Sta on Elemen‐
reer Day. The goal of tary School this annual program was to orient students on various career op ons available to the students upon high school gradua on. LT Leshin lead this year’s event, and it involved presen ng a presenta on highligh ng different qualifying degrees at |different levels to be a commissioned a USPHS officer. The presenta on had been developed by LCDR Rivera and LT Ruvalcaba during the previous year’s Gaithersburg High School Annual Academy Career Day. The presen ng group consisted of an engineer, a scien st, and two pharmacists; therefore, each officer would present about their respec ve career paths. Following the career path talk, LT Lwin provided a talk on dia‐
betes and the Surgeon General’s Na onal Preven on Strategy because November is Na onal Diabetes Month. She is a board cer fied diabetes educator (CDE). However, upon arrival, LT Leshin learned event coordinators at Gaithersburg High School Annual Academy Career Day sched‐
uled three separate sessions located distantly from each other 18
in three separate rooms to provide three separate career talks. Each class room was already scheduled and completely filled with approximately 50 students each. LT Leshin was the only officer that had a copy of the presenta on on his thumb drive; therefore, he needed to download the presenta on to three separate computers. He directed LT Pham and LCDR Gumapas to go to two of the three classrooms to establish presence and discuss USPHS while he escorted LT Lwin to her classroom to download the presenta on. When LT Pham ar‐
rived at his room he directed the en re class and informed an event coordinator to direct students to LT Lwin’s scheduled session. A er LT Leshin uploaded the presenta on file to the computer in LT Lwin’s session, he met with LCDR Gumapas who started a session introducing the USPHS. LT Leshin uploaded the presenta on onto the computer while LCDR Gumapas was talking, and LT Leshin stepped up seamlessly to discuss the scien st track. Although the event did not go according to the plan, through each officer’s leadership, flexibility (Semper Gumby), and im‐
provisa on, it resulted in a highly successful event educa ng 225 high school students and teachers about the USPHS, dia‐
betes, the Surgeon General’s Na onal Preven on strategy, and career paths in engineering, science and pharmacy. For more informa on about the PACE program or this lesson please contact LT John Pesce ([email protected]) or LCDR Leo Angelo Gumapas ([email protected]). Commissioned Officers Association
Greater New York COA joined the Region 2 Department of Health
and Human Services Let’s Move Coordinator at Local Health and
Wellness Events
By LT Onieka Carpenter and LT Kimberly Garner, USPHS (L‐R) LT Naisha Lee, LCDR Pamela Hamilton, Nzingha Prescod and LT Mark Chen M embers of Greater NYCOA worked with the Region 2 Department of Health and Human Services “Let’s Move” Coordinator to provide health and wellness consulta on and materials at various events around the Greater New York area during the month of September. These events included Let’s Move in Harlem; Bergen County Fit Day in Paramus, NJ, and Brownsville Mul ‐Service Children’s Fes val in Brooklyn, NY. The overall focus of these events was on nutri on, exercise, and making healthy lifestyle choices. A “Let’s Move” event took place in Harlem, NY, on September 13th and was organized by Greater NYCOA member, LCDR Tunesia Mitchell. The event was open to all members of the community. Officers were there to promote First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!“ ini a ve by teaching children about ea ng healthy, about being ac ve and having fun staying fit. Olympian Fencer Nzingha Prescod was present and introduced children to the sport of fencing, and offered fencing demon‐
stra ons. Addi onally, officers par cipated in games and ac vi‐
es with the children and gave school supplies away. The Bergen County Fit Day in Paramus, NJ, focused on commu‐
nity health by mo va ng adults, families and children to get moving and eat healthier each day. Officers assisted at the Re‐
gion 2 Department of Health and Human Services table by providing healthy ea ng and fitness literature, as well as by speaking with parents and children about healthier lifestyle op ons. In addi on, officers par cipated in hands‐on ac vi es with the children such as hula‐hooping and jumping rope. There were close to 100 a endees present throughout the day. Finally, officers par cipated in the Brownsville Mul ‐Service Children’s Fes val that took place in Brooklyn, NY, on September 20th. The fes val featured mul ple state and local government agencies, as well as many non‐profits, all providing messages about making healthy and smart lifestyle choices. Officers again assisted at the Region 2 Department of Health and Human Services table. The goal of this event was to make adults and children, especially those of underprivileged back‐
grounds, more aware of their op ons for health and fitness. The event was a ended by more than 100 people from the community. As a result of our collabora on with the Region 2 HHS office, officers were able to reach out to many community residents in NY and NJ; helped promote the First Lady’s ini a ve; and extended the message of healthier living to people of all ages and backgrounds. It was a rewarding experience for all, and we hope to collaborate on future events. (L‐R) LCDR Lia e Krueger, LCDR Tunesia Mitchell, Nzingha Prescod, Kedesch Al dor, LT Onieka Carpenter and LT Kim Garner January/February 2015 - Frontline
19
Pikes Peak Branch Events
Members from both the PPCOA and Rocky Mountain COA hiking a 14K mountain. The epitomy of health and fitness! (CAPT Laura Grogan, CDR Alicia Souvignier from PPCOA) PPCOA’s community service project, "Adopt‐A‐
Road. Pictured: LCDR Jill Breitbach, CDR Renee Pazdan, LCDR Jessica Schultz‐Fisher, (not pic‐
tured CDR Dale Thompson). Our members and families devoted nearly 3 hours of their me to the Adopt‐a‐Road project. New England Branch
20
(Hai , cont’d. from p. 13) (YWAM) base (h p://www.ywamhai .org). Youth With A Mission is an inter‐denomina onal, non‐profit Chris an missionary organiza on. Our medical mission trip was a short intense experience. Our goal for the week was to give medical help to as many people as possible. At our YWAM home base the first morning, we unpacked and separated the supplies that included over‐the‐
counter medica ons, cra s, s ckers, beads, coloring books, crayons, toys, clothes, and reading glasses that were donated from family, friends and co‐workers at the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority – Dental Clinic and Calvary Community Church. We received 28 suitcases of supplies to distribute and use during the week! The first full day in St. Marc, we provid‐
ed fluoride varnish applica on and medical care for children at a local orphanage (h p://www.hear orhai .org/
involved.html). As we drove up to the orphanage in our mini bus, the children surrounded the bus singing and waving. It warmed our hearts to see the excitement in the children’s faces. As we unloaded our supplies from the bus, we were covered with hugs and smiles! They seemed so eager to receive a en on, love, and hugs from their visitors. The children were eager to take photographs and view themselves in digital cameras. The next four days consisted of se ng up, briefing the team on how pa ent care would flow, and working un l a lunch break, then con nuing to the early evening. The temperature most days was in the 90’s and humid. Everyone made sure that their partner drank plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydra on or heat stroke. The water that was brought in everyday for the team to drink had to be filtered to prevent illnesses, stomach problems for the Americans. We were asked o en how we were doing, whether we were tak‐
ing care of ourselves as far as how we were feeling, drinking plenty of water and ge ng enough rest. Every night a er dinner at the YWAM base, the group par cipated in debriefing mee ngs to discuss how the day went, what changes were needed, and we received informa on on what was planned the following day. We provided medical care to the orphans, local school students, teachers and staff. We also provided medical care to adults/families in the town of Timone e, Hai . With the help of interpreters, each pa ent talked to a medical person to describe their main concerns before they saw the doctor. Every student received a dental screening and an applica on of fluo‐
ride varnish. There were also vision screenings completed, and some pa ents were able to take home glasses if they needed them! With doctor’s instruc ons, pa ents also were given med‐
ica on that may have included pain meds, vitamins, an sep c cream, and an bio cs. All the children received medica on to treat parasites and worms. The two teams worked hard and wished we could do more. We saw over 400 men, women and children! Every night we looked forward to the cold showers and to sleeping under our mosquito nets. On our last full day in Hai , we loaded 15 of the oldest orphans from the orphanage and drove to a resort with a nice beach and swimming pools. The children had a wonderful me playing in the ocean and pool. For many of them, this was the first me leaving St. Marc and experiencing the beach with friends. On our drive back to the orphanage, the children sang us songs in their na ve language. The sounds of their beau ful voices will always be in our memories. We helped a lot of people, and we were given back the most incredible warmth and hospitality. Needless to say, this was not a dream week in Caribbean to refresh and replenish. It was hard not to feel guilty for not being able to do more. The need in Hai is great and pales in comparison to what we were able to provide in a week. However, during the week we worked hard and diligently. Every evening as we tried to sleep in the heat and outside noises of St. Marc, we wished we could have done more. The week flew by fast and before we knew it, we were on our way home to family and friends with many memo‐
ries and stories of a great experience! Attention COA Members &
Local Branches
N
ational COA appreciates your time and efforts involved in creating submissions for COA Frontline
publications.
Please note that for all submissions for the Frontline publication, the required Guidelines are available at www.coausphs.org,
Members Only, Quicklink/Frontline. Direct all submissions to [email protected].
PLEASE note the BRANCH NAME in the email subject line.
For Local Branches requesting inclusion of an advertisement in Frontline, please provide the advertisement in PDF format,
in adherence with the 15th day of the month deadline.
21
VETERINARY CATEGORY HIGHLIGHTS
The Veterinary Category goes Wild at the Annual Symposium
By CDR Heather Bair‐Brake, USPHS Y ou think you know the sound of a ra lesnake. But in reality, the light‐
ning speed of the snake’s ra le emits a terrifying tenor somewhere be‐
tween white noise and a hundred tribal rain s cks shaking to evoke a thunder‐
storm. Not 12 feet from the ra ler, the sound held me and the other veterinari‐
ans as if by trance. No barriers stood between us and the CDR Heather D. Bair‐Brake Timber Ra lesnake calmly shaking its tail on the floor—just a promise from the snake’s caretaker that the coiled snake wasn’t mad and the proximity of two escape doors to either side of the room. Veterinary wet labs increase the capacity to respond As the other categories se led in for an a ernoon of lectures, the Veterinary Category hoofed it down four blocks through the heart of Raleigh to a end a wet lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Wet labs aren’t a new concept for PHS Veterinarians. The Veteri‐
nary Category members are o en expected to provide animal care during deployment events, even though very few actually fill a clinical role in their normal duty hours. To help with the capacity to respond, the Veterinary PAC looked for ways to develop hands‐on experiences. Since 2010, when they worked alongside a veterinary prac on‐
er in Los Angeles to prac ce blood draws and physical exams, the veterinary officers have dedicated one a er‐
noon of the USPHS Scien fic and Training Symposium for brushing up on clinical skills. For our experience in Raleigh, Veterinary Services and Living Collec ons staff at the NC Museum of Natural Sci‐
ences planned a wet lab that did not disappoint. “Handling and care of exo c animals in Emergency Situa ons” helped reinforce scenarios that category members may see in a deployment situa on. Who’s afraid of a big bad snake? Even before our wet lab began, I knew we were in for an a ernoon of wonder and delight. As we walked into the museum, I was amazed by the facility. The museum is top notch – clean, bright, and engaging. The complete skeletons of whales hang to the right of the entrance –
their bones a gentle reminder of the behemoths that they once supported. And on the other side, the realis c diora‐
ma of North Carolina mountain country made me feel like I was actually outdoors. There were so many exhibits in the museum I wanted to touch and explore that as our group walked toward the back of the museum, I felt like a kid in science class again. A er a quick introduc on to Dr. Dan Dombrowski, Chief Veterinarian at the museum, and other Veterinary Ser‐
vices staff, who on this day were drawing blood from the tail vein of a rare Matamata turtle, we gowned up in scrubs and lab coats and followed like eager children be‐
hind the scenes to the large Program Animal Collec on room. The door opened and.... We gasped in delight! The room was a sanctuary filled with large white tubs and lined with cages of varying sizes. All kinds of creatures lived here – large turtles, snakes, squirrels, and even birds – most of which were injured wild animals who had been rescued and brought back to health by the museum’s staff. Three animals were chosen to help “teach” us how to safely catch and handle rep les: a large boa constric‐
tor, a snapping turtle, and a juvenile alligator. As we took turns li ing and gently holding the animals, the Museum staff discussed care including preferred foods and acceptable environmental temperature ranges. Veterinarians at the Science Museum (Veterinary, cont’d. on p. 23) 22
VETERINARY CATEGORY HIGHLIGHTS
(Veterinary, cont’d. from p. 22) Next, Dr. Dombrowski led us to the venomous snake room and a close encounter with the Eastern Timber Ra lesnake. Surrounded by 20 venomous snakes stretched out lazily in their enclosures and a 70 lb snap‐
ping turtle as big as a serving pla er, we began to learn the techniques for handling snakes safely. Herpetologist Phil Bradley gently li ed the ra lesnake out if its box and onto the floor in front of us. With careful and sure movements, he demonstrated how to safely pick this animal up using snake hooks, and deliver it out of harm’s way. Then it was our turn to prac ce. In a nearby classroom, we found six clear plas c containers each housing a non‐venomous snake. The museum staff took each snake out of its box and laid him or her gently on the floor. My colleagues and I chose our favorites and began to angle our hooks to li the snakes. It was perplexing. Picking up snakes is a lot harder than I thought. Not only do you have to angle your hook just right to slide under their belly, but then you have to li up at the perfect spot where the snake feels comfortable and wants to stay on. I could feel the flush in my face rise as the snake I chose kept sliding off my hook like water spilling over the side of a container. But a er a few minutes of prac ce, I got the hang of it. Relieved, I finally was able to li my snake off the floor and set it into its box. PHS Veterinarians: Prepared for the unexpected Though working with rep les is not the ac vity of choice for some of the other categories, the other veterinary officers and I were beaming with joy as we le the Mu‐
seum that day. Our de‐
ployment experiences have taught us that a PHS veterinary officer needs to be prepared for anything. “You wouldn’t believe the range of animals we re‐
ceived in the shelter [following Hurricane Katri‐
na],” RADM Stokes said with a smile as we le the museum. “The pet alliga‐
tors, we had to release.” RADM Stokes tries his hand at subduing a snapping turtle Looking forward to 2015’s Symposium The Veterinary Category has already begun planning for a wet lab during the 2015 Symposium. Join us in Atlanta to see for an introduc on to Animal Biosafety level 3 and to learn what CDC veterinarians have been doing with pets exposed to confirmed Ebola pa ents in the U.S. January/February 2015 - Frontline
23
Today I am Healed, Tomorrow I Return to Heal Another
By: LT Michael R. Muni, USPHS, First Team’s Public Informa on Officer M onrovia Medical Unit (MMU) took the Corps Mission to West Africa star ng on November 12, 2014, with Physician Assistant Alvin Davis becoming the first Ebola con‐
firmed pa ent to enter the MMU and on November 27, 2014, he walked out Ebola‐ free. missioned Corps is also working with Liberian and other interna‐
onal partners to build capacity for addi onal care. Health care workers such as doctors and nurses are at higher risk of infec‐
on, because they’re in close, sustained contact with Ebola pa‐
ents who are symptoma c and infec ous. The Commissioned Corps mission in Liberia is to care for health care workers so they, in turn, can care for Ebola pa ents throughout the region, providing hope and a commitment to The USPHS MMU, located in Harbel, Grand Bassa, Liberia (Photo courtesy of Lt M. Holshue) Alvin Davis arrives to the open arms and tender care of the USPHS at the MMU (Photo courtesy of LT Muni) Alvin Davis, a 28‐year‐old physician assistant working at the Goodwill Health Clinic in Monrovia, Liberia, for the past three years, arrived at the Monrovia Medical Unit (MMU) on No‐
vember 12, 2014, becoming the first pa ent to step foot in the newly finished Ebola Treatment Unit. The MMU’s mission is to provide hope through care to health care workers in Li‐
beria who may have the Ebola virus disease. The United States is ac vely engaged in figh ng the Ebola outbreak, deploying deploying teams early on to meet grow‐
ing needs, especially in the area of Ebola isola on and treat‐
ment, safe burials, case management, and social mobiliza on. Among the country‐specific efforts in Liberia completed or currently in‐progress are construc on of Ebola Treatment Units and community care centers, training health care pro‐
viders, and delivery of more than 400 metric tons of personal protec ve equipment and other medical and relief supplies. The United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commis‐
sioned Corps is playing an integral role in the overall re‐
sponse. Staffed by the USPHS Commissioned Corps, the MMU is a 25‐bed Ebola Treatment Unit specifically designed to treat infected health care workers, who are of course at higher risk of infec on because they are in close, sustained contact with Ebola pa ents who are symptoma c and infec ous. The Com‐
care for those who are figh ng Ebola on the front lines. Since opening its doors in the beginning of November 2014, the MMU has received and provided care for numerous health care work‐
ers. Former pa ent Alvin Davis said he was encouraged by improved infec on preven on measures that people are now using in health care se ngs as well as in the community. He said his colleagues at the Goodwill Health Clinic always washed their hands, but the ini al absence of personal protec ve equipment (PPE) delayed efforts to combat the disease. When PPE was finally provided to staffers, supplies were limited to one set per employee. A er work, they brought their PPE home to wash, so they could reuse the next day. When Alvin learned that a pa‐
ent he was trea ng died of Ebola, he made the personal and professional decision to stay home and self‐monitor. A few days later, he had a fever. Later that day, when it had not subsided, Alvin decided to get a polymerase chain reac on (PCR) test. Several hours later, it confirmed. Alvin tested posi‐
ve. He immediately went to an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in Monrovia, Liberia, where he waited for the results of an addi‐
onal PCR test in a tent set aside for suspected Ebola pa ents. Upon receiving the second posi ve test result, Alvin said, “I felt like my whole world was turned upside down.” When Alvin, the father of a 3‐year‐old son, was offered the opportunity to be (MMU, cont’d. on p. 25) 24
(MMU, cont’d. from p. 24) treated at an American ETU made specifically for health care workers, he didn’t hesitate. about the news, but also a li le sad because he would be leaving a place where he had made so many good friends. He said the facility had the resources to provide an advanced level of treatment and a team of providers that truly cared about his well‐being. It was emo onal to see Alvin leave on Thanksgiving Day, Novem‐
ber 27, 2014, but he came back to pay us a visit shortly a erwards. “At first I thought about how the chance of surviving Ebola was slim, but as I witnessed loving and tender care for others here, it was an inspira on to li me up and try hard to beat the fa gue,” he said. Alvin described his first week figh ng Ebola at the MMU as a struggle both physically and mentally, but he said the provid‐
ers were there for him every step of the way. Commander (CDR) Jenny Mohon, USPHS Commissioned Corps MMU Team 1 nurse, s ll tears up when she recalled helping Alvin walk to the visi ng area to see his parents. He was only able to walk a few steps before he asked her to pray with him for the strength to keep walking. His aunt, stepfather, and mother drove from New Georgia, Liberia, every two days to check on Alvin, even though the trip took well over an hour each way. Mary, his mother, stated Alvin would struggle ‐‐ even with assistance ‐‐ when walking to the visi ng area, but over me, she said, he needed less help. By the start of the second week at the MMU, Alvin was feeling be er and regaining his strength. Alvin grips his discharge paper with pride at the MMU (Photo courtesy of LT Muni) On December 9, 2014, Alvin returned to the MMU looking stronger than we had ever seen him, flashing his trademark smile and receiving Hollywood movie star a en on by posing for photographs with USPHS Commissioned Corps officers. The night a er receiving his first PCR nega ve result, Alvin asked CDR Paul Garny, who is a USPHS Commissioned Corps MMU Team 1 nurse, who was caring for him at the me, to pray for him. Alvin recalls CDR Garny saying, “Be strong. God is watching over you.” Ebola survivor, Alvin (Physician Assistant), returns to MMU (Photo courtesy of LCDR P. Nordstrom)
Alvin and his family giving the glory to God at the MMU (Photo courtesy of LT Muni)
A er receiving the second PCR nega ve result confirming he was free of the Ebola virus disease, Alvin said he was excited Alvin said his family went through some difficult mes over the years, but gradua ng top in his class afforded him the oppor‐
tunity to follow his passion for nursing. He told me about his dream of always wan ng to help others and pursuing a career as a doctor. Alvin plans to pursue a master of public health degree in Monrovia so he can become a public health professional in rural areas. He talked about his long‐term goal of wan ng to give back to his hometown rural community located in Bong County, Liberia, which lacks a centralized public health system. (MMU, cont’d. on p. 26) January/February 2015 - Frontline
25
The USPHS Family Support Network and the Monrovia Medical Unit Mission
By LCDR Indira Harris, LCDR Luz Rivera, LT Mekeshia Bates & LT Tracy Tilghman, USPHS U SPHS has served in various locales around the world, manag– ing a plethora of missions ‐ but never one as significant or lengthy as the 2014 Ebola virus disease LT Bates, LCDR Rivera, LT Tilghman and LCDR Harris epidemic in West Africa. The Ebola Crisis represented a new challenge due to local and interna onal media coverage of the outbreak. In response to the impact this could have on families of USPHS Commissioned Corps officers deployed, on November 3, 2014, the Family Sup‐
port Network (FSN) was created to provide support and a con‐
nuous flow of informa on to family members through the sup‐
port of FSN Volunteers. FSN was borne out of an increased de‐
sire to serve the families of our colleagues who were being de‐
ployed to Liberia in support of the Monrovia Medical Unit (MMU) Mission. We recognized the unique rela onship be‐
tween mission and family and how the families deserved our greatest respect and support while their loved one was focused on mission, duty, and displaying our unique USPHS values to the world. The December FSN staff consists of LCDR Indira Harris, Lead Coordinator; LT Mekeshia Bates, Resource/Training Lead; and LCDR Luz Rivera, Administra ve Support Lead. We are all behavioral health officers from different Mental Health Teams (MHTs) on a 30‐day domes c deployment to the Secretary’s Opera ons Center (SOC). In addi on, the FSN includes volunteer officers (and some civilians) from different duty sta ons that are matched to the families of deployed officers. The FSN also has a Coordinator/Consultant (Former FSN Lead Coordinator), LT Tracy Tilghman, who has con nued to relessly support this mission in the shadows. The FSN operates a 24‐hour hotline, sends weekly email blasts and electronic communica on to families, and provides web‐based resources. We also serve as an emergency conduit for families to reach the deployed officer in the event of an emergent family issue. Since its incep on, the FSN has re‐
sponded to over 181 email inquiries from families and friends pertaining to our deployed officers. The FSN staff also manage and facilitate the dissemina on of prac cal tools for adjustment to temporary separa on and enhancing the resiliency and well‐being of the en re family system through the implementa on of the virtual town hall Speaker Series. This unique Series is coordinated by CAPT Jeffrey Coady, Behavioral Health Opera ons Group (BHOG) Coordinator. Some of the topics that have been presented are: Ebola 101, Family Resilience, Crea ng Family Care Plans, Suppor ng Children during deployment, Returning Home: Post
‐ deployment, and what officers and families can expect at 30/60/90‐days post‐Reintegra on. The FSN volunteers also receive training on the basics of how to support, communicate, and effec vely interact with families of deployed officers. CAPT Coady and the FSN Staff have also collaborated to integrate the Reintegra on Specialists into the USPHS’s post‐deployment support plan. FSN Volunteers provide 30‐day post‐deployment follow‐up with families, while Reintegra on Specialists (RS) are Service Access Team (SAT) Officers who are individually assigned to each MMU Officer and work closely with them over a 21‐day period a er officers return from de‐
ployment. RS’s provide direct and ac ve monitoring, resource support and advocacy, and peer support for the demobilized officer. FSN volunteers and reintegra on specialists maintain communica on as needed throughout the reintegra on process. We are thankful and proud to serve our colleagues, USPHS officers and their families. It is the FSN’s mission to be an inte‐
gral partner in the support of families and officers throughout the deployment cycle. This is a mission we not only accept, but will ensure its success for those who have “borne the ba le.” (MMU, cont’d. from p. 25) “I want to con nue to help stop the outbreak because it is crip‐
pling our public health system. I have strong convic ons that Ebola will be eradicated,” Alvin said. He said he thought the s gma a ached to Ebola was the biggest challenge going for‐
ward. “but I will work hard to break down that s gma by help‐
ing others,” he added. this opportunity to help others, his response said so much by saying so li le, “Your root, is your root.” Alvin’s path leading back to his roots have already begun since his last visit to the MMU. The Liberia Ministry of Health recent‐
ly hired Alvin as a Case Inves gator and on December 29, 2014, Alvin returned to the MMU as a staff member bringing life to When Alvin was asked why he wanted to return to his the words, “Today I am healed, tomorrow I return to heal an‐
hometown community a er being in Monrovia and seeing all other.” 26
Officer Profile: LCDR Erik Reaves – One of many CDC Ebola Responders
I n West Africa, Ebola is everywhere. It is at church, where pa‐
rishioners hear ser‐
mons about communi‐
cable diseases. It is on the radio and televi‐
sion, where perform‐
ers sing songs about the deadly virus. It is visible outside Ebola treatment units where pa ents are some‐
mes turned away because of a lack of beds. And, it tugs at LCDR Erik Reaves with Dr. Adolphus Yeiah, responder’s hearts. the Margibi County Health Director in CDC Epidemic Intelli‐
Liberia. gence Service (EIS) officer LCDR Erik Reaves is one of many doctors who have de‐
ployed to West Africa. He was prepared for the poor infrastruc‐
ture, underdeveloped medical systems and even bucket show‐
ers. But the unrelen ng grip Ebola has on everyday life is what took him by surprise. “I was not prepared for the impact it had on me emo onally,” he says. “The extent to which the Ebola outbreak was woven into society – I had never seen that before.” LCDR Reaves says many of his Liberian colleagues had family members or friends who had died or were sick, and at mes they would break down and cry. “They’re just trying to do what they can to keep pushing forward and help the response, but it was taking an emo onal toll on them,” he says. LCDR Reaves and his team were able to help the Liberians establish the infrastructure they so desperately needed to fight the spreading Ebola virus. He worked with local health officers to iden fy their technical capabili es, and evaluated their ability to respond to and monitor cases. He helped them prepare for a transi on from wri en records to tablets and smartphones, a program funded by the CDC Founda on, which should lead to melier repor ng of cases. It’s a start, but there is much more to do. “We’re not at a point where we’re interrup ng the transmission of the Ebola virus in Liberia yet. We have to have all these things in place to get to that point, but we haven’t go en there yet,” LCDR Reaves said. He should know. He spent most of his 10 year career as a U.S. Navy medical officer responding to crises. He helped vic ms of earthquakes and floods, and was on the ground in Indonesia a er the 2004 tsunami killed hundreds of thousands and le behind a sea of devasta on. That experience taught him there’s much more that needs to happen before West Africa can recover from this outbreak. He says Dr. Frieden’s visits to West Africa, and President Obama’s pledge for addi onal funding and support has brought the situa‐
on much‐needed visibility. But Erik feels everyone has the opportunity to help. “Whether it’s deploying, working in the CDC Emergency Opera‐
ons Center, dona ng money to chari es that are providing care, or helping out your colleague who has deployed by making their family a meal or caring for their children, everyone can respond in some way.” LCDR Reaves is a member of the Physician Category and is the current secretary for the Atlanta Branch of the Commissioned Officers Associa on. Want to highlight the unique work you or another officer is doing? COA wants to hear from you! Send an essay to the COA Communica ons and Public Rela ons Commi ee c/o CAPT Chris Buchanan ([email protected]) or CDR Heather Bair‐Brake ([email protected]) and we will present your submission to the Frontline Editor. January/February 2015 - Frontline
27
USPHS Athletics
D eputy Surgeon General RADM Boris Lushniak has challenged the Corps to have at least 100 riders at the 2015 Des Moines Iowa Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. This ride, known as RAGBRAI, will take place 19‐25 July, covering 462 miles across the state from Sioux City to Davenport. The deadline is 15 March, and you can sign‐up for the ride at h p://ragbrai.com. The team name is “USPHS Bike Team Group# 45057.” For addi onal details contact CAPT Shelley Hoogstraten at [email protected]. 28
Your New Year’s Resolution: Register to Vote and Request Your
Absentee Ballot
By CDR Jeff Tarrant, USPHS “Nobody will ever deprive the American people the right to vote except the American people themselves, and the only way they could do this is by not vo ng.” ‐Franklin D. Roosevelt V o ng is one of our most fundamental rights as U.S. ci zens, and as a member of the Uniformed Services, you and your family members are eligible to vote absentee in your vo ng jurisdic on. As a USPHS officer, it is likely you will vote via absentee ballot. The Uniformed and Overseas Ci zens Absentee Vo ng Act states that any service member, or eligible family member, living outside his or her vo ng jurisdic on is eligible to vote absentee. This means that you can cast your ballot from wherever you are sta oned. It’s easy, and the Department of Defense’s Federal Vo ng Assistance Program (FVAP) web‐
site has everything you need to get started. Even if you just voted in the 2014 midterm elec ons, it’s important you register to vote and request your absentee ballot again this year. In fact, the FVAP recommends you do it every year to make sure your informa on is updated and your absen‐
tee ballot applica on remains ac ve. Go to www.FVAP.gov to fill out the Federal Post Card Applica on (FPCA), which allows you to apply to register to vote, request an absentee ballot and/or update your contact informa on with your local elec on office. The FPCA is the primary method of communica on between you and your elec on official. The informa on provided on this form is all the local elec on office has to determine if you meet the State voter registra on requirements, which elec‐
on materials to send you, and where and how to send you a ballot. Get Started. Send in your Registra on and Ballot Request Today.
Using the Federal Post Card Applica on available at www.FVAP.gov will maximize your eligibility to vote in each upcoming federal elec on. In many instances, you may receive ballots for all upcoming elec ons. To ensure you meet your state’s requirements, follow the below‐listed steps: ‐Go to www.FVAP.gov and select your home state from the drop‐down menu. Scroll down to the “Register to Vote, Request a Ballot or Update My Voter Info” sec on. Choose one of the op ons to complete your FPCA. Print and sign the form. ‐Fold and seal your FPCA. If using the online FPCA, the PDF package includes a template for a postage‐paid envelope. ‐Address and mail the FPCA to your local elec on official. Contact informa on can be found on the FVAP website. Be sure to include your return address, and affix postage if using a foreign postal service. Ballots are sent out by the states 45 days prior to an elec on. Once you receive your official ballot, follow the enclosed instruc ons provided by your local elec on official. Sign up for your state’s vo ng alerts at www.FVAP.gov to receive the most current and up‐to‐date elec on informa on, including elec on dates, important deadlines and changes to state laws that affect how you vote absentee. If you need assistance or have any ques ons, please contact the FVAP’s call center at 1.800.438.8683 (9am – 5pm EST) or via e‐mail at [email protected]. January/February 2015 - Frontline
29
USPHS Officers, Civil Service Nurses, and Nursing Colleagues of the North
Carolina Nurses Association Continue to Make a Difference
By CDR Lisa Pa erson, USPHS
(1st row) CDR Valesia Daniels, Xiomara Perez‐Mendoza, CAPT Ivy Manning, (2nd Row) LCDR Jus ne Nixon, CDR Ramona Cli on, CAPT Maude Lyons, Natasha Ashe, CDR Paula Bridges O n November 11, 2014, an annual invita on to par cipate in a community service ac vity went out to all members of the North Carolina Nurses Associa on (NCNA). United States Public Health Services (US PHS) nurses and civil service nurses from the Bureau of Prison (BOP), Federal Correc onal Complex Butner and other colleagues of the NCNA answered the call. This invita on is one that nurses look forward to each year. Nurses are given the opportunity to work with youth at The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, (MHCO) Inc. The day is filled with food and arts and cra s, such as making pine cone bird feeders, ginger bread houses, sewing and making blankets, as well as listening to music and interac ng with families and staff members. This annual NCNA community service ac vity is a great opportunity for nurses in various disciplines to come together as a community resource to assist MHCO with its mission. The MHCO mission is to assist families in need by providing a home‐like se ng with community based programs and services for children and to enhance stable suppor ve and nurturing living environment in order for children to reunite with their families or achieve independence. The MHCO mission is filled through support of charitable giving, faith, concern and the ability to adapt to the changing needs of society and to its children and families. For more infor‐
ma on about The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford go to www.mhc‐oxford.org. The NCNA is the professional organiza on for all registered nurses in North Carolina. North Carolina is the first state in the na on to legalize the registra on of nurses and to implement the Nurse Prac ce Act. The NCNA has been an outstanding voice for nurses since its incep on in 1902. This annual event echoed this by allowing nurses from the FCC Butner and the Triangle area to par cipate in community service ac vity that will have an impact in the lives of families and the community. C OA member CAPT Kimberly Elenberg shows off the trophy she was given at the annual awards dinner of AMSUS, the associa on of federal health professionals. CAPT Elenberg received the award for "Military & Civilian Nurs‐
ing Leadership Excellence." Standing with CAPT Elenberg is VADM (Dr.) Mike Cowan, USN (ret.) AMSUS Execu ve Director. 30
IN MEMORIAM
CAPTAIN DAVID B. CALLAHAN, USPHS
C aptain David Callahan of Tucker, Georgia, passed away at age 50 on January 6, 2015. He was a member of COA and joined in 2002. Captain Callahan worked at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA. He was highly‐regarded by his colleagues and fellow USPHS officers for his work ethic and many accomplishments. CDR MICHAEL O. KENEALLY, USPHS
C ommander Michael O’Dell Keneally, 73, of Mesa, AZ, passed away December 23, 2014. He was an officer in the U.S. Public Health Service. CDR Keneally was born in San Francisco. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, daughter, Michelle, sons Jon and Bry‐
an, sister Pat, brother Hank and grandchildren, Shannon, Katelyn, Rhiannon, Patrie, and Fiona. CAPT MATTHEW J. TAROSKY, USPHS
C aptain Ma hew J. Tarosky, 48, of New Hope, PA, formerly of North Bethesda, Maryland, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2015, at his home. Born in New Kensington, PA, CAPT Tarosky was raised in Vandergri , PA, and a ended Kiski Area schools. He played saxophone in the Kiski Area Marching Band, sym‐
phonic and jazz band, receiving numerous awards. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from Duquesne University; his doctor of pharmacy, ambulatory care and internal medicine from the University of Arkansas and his execu ve Juris Doctorate in health law from Concord University School of Law in California. In 2012, CAPT Tarosky re red from the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service as a Captain a er 22 plus years of service. He was an expert in public health ma ers, specializing in regulatory affairs and compliance, disaster preparedness, response and ambulatory care. Under the sponsorship of the U.S. Public Health Service, CAPT Tarosky worked with the Food and Drug Administra on, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness. As Chief Pharmacist on the U.S. Public Health Service Disaster Medical Assistance Team, he served a crucial role in the government’s response to the 911 terrorist a acks and on medical response teams responding to over 20 na onal disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. Captain Tarosky oversaw the introduc on of many new and innova ve medical treatments and drugs and devel‐
oped many of the government’s protocols for responding to such crisis resul ng from the September 11 terrorist a acks, the anthrax assaults, Hurricane Katrina and Super‐
storm Sandy natural disasters. The impact of his profes‐
sional dedica on and exper se has had a worldwide impact and will be felt for genera ons. He treasured spending me with his family and friends and spending holidays and special occasions with those he loved. His beloved wife, Judy, was undeniably the center and focus of his life. He will be missed by his family. January/February 2015 - Frontline
31
USPHS Athletics Puts the Pedal to the Road in 2014 Seagull Century Ride
By LCDR Kenneth Phillips, USPHS O n a beau ful Saturday morning in late September, a USPHS cycling team of 17 Officers and friends—led by the ac ng Surgeon General Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak—joined more than 6,000 other riders for the Seagull Century Bike Event in Salisbury, MD. Whether riding the full century (100 miles) or metric century (65 miles), their mission was the same: to be an ac ve example of healthy living. At the start line, the team’s bright yellow and blue cycling jerseys, designed by CDR Thomas Christl, stood out by spor ng a large anchor and caduceus on the back and an American flag on the sleeve. The team a ract‐
ed the a en on of WMDT 47 reporter Jobina Fortson, who in‐
terviewed the team for the nightly news. “The United States Public Health Service decided they could no longer sit back and ‘talk the talk’ in Washington, D.C., they had to ‘walk the walk,’ or should we say…ride?” she reported. Rear Admiral Lushniak seized the opportunity to challenge televi‐
sion viewers, sta ng, “You don’t have to ride a century on a bicycle to really get fit, what we’re really advoca ng is put on your walking shoes thirty minutes a day, five days a week of walking will make our na on a healthy and fit na on once again.” The event was part of the USPHS Athle cs program, whose mission is to rebrand the Corps as a leader in health promo on through fitness. As the Surgeon General’s Fitness team, officers are encouraged not only to par cipate in athle c events, but also to join or lead an athle c team of officers and civilians and wear clothing iden fying the PHS. By doing this, teams are able to increase visibility of the Corps. The event, which was organized by LCDR Kelly Ngan, a racted 11 Officers and 6 civilians, who all par cipated in either the metric and full century rides. The two teams stayed together throughout the 4 ½ and 8 hour‐long rides, respec ve‐
ly, at a brisk pace of 16‐17 mph. They broke off only three mes at official rest stops to stretch and enjoy food, drink, and local music. The teams made many new friends and shared the contagious PHS Spirit along the way. Despite the brisk Eastern Shore headwinds, no stragglers were le behind and the whole group rode together across the finish line. It was a victory for PHS and public health, and the start of a great new annual fitness tradi on for many of the officers. We hope that next year you will consider joining us for the awesome cama‐
raderie we created and to help make the PHS Athle c program even more visible to our local community! SPOTTED IN TRAFFIC
CAPT Sara B. Newman, COA Board Chair 32
Welcome
New COA Members
$7500 Scholarships for GW Degrees
T hanks to a partnership with the George Washington Milken Ins tute School of Public Health, COA members are eligible to receive a $7,500 scholarship to a end one of GW’s renowned online master's egree programs: MPH@GW — A Master of Public Health that develops leaders who impact the health of communi es worldwide. Learn more. MHA@GW — An Execu ve Master of Health Administra on for professionals with three or more years of experience in the health care or health services industry who are seeking leadership roles in their organiza on. Request more informa on. Both of these online programs blend top‐level curricula, face‐to‐face interac ons and real‐world experi‐
ences to help you advance your career without pu ng it on hold. CDR Daniel Chertow LCDR Carl Coats LCDR Karla Ebert CDR Joanna Ferraro LT Andrea Gormley LCDR Jose Hagan LCDR Fiona Havers LCDR Deborah Jackson LCDR Amelia Kasper LCDR Gayathri Kumar LCDR JuWon Lee LT Sarah Lee LT Jennifer Nelson LCDR Abiola Olagundoye‐Alawode LT Ma Oldacre LCDR Zachary Pool LT Alina Schmidt CDR Gerald Taylor COA DONATIONS
CAPT Janet M. Dumont LCDR David J. Meehan Personnel Change in Title at COA/
COF Headquarters
I n recogni on of the scope of work that she accomplishes, Teresa Foley has been given a tle which be er reflects her du es. As of 1 December 2014, Teresa, who has been with COA/COF for sixteen years, will be known as the “Chief Financial Officer.” Savings from Digital Frontline
A s a result of going digital with Frontline, we are pro‐
jec ng an annual saving of $25,000‐$30,000 over ten issues when compared with having a totally‐print publica on. In a budget the size of COA’s, this is signifi‐
cant. Jim Currie Execu ve Director January/February 2015 - Frontline
33
34
Executive Director, cont’d. from p. 1
We know how to work with Republicans as well as Democrats, and we have already begun our outreach efforts to the
new majority in the Senate. We already had some terrific ties
with House Republicans, and we count on building those relationships in the months ahead. If there is one thing I have
learned in my years of working with the Congress, it is that
relationships are the key. The ability to send an email to a
staffer and have the staffer respond , or to pick up the phone
and get a staffer on the line, are the keys to success for any
legislative agenda, including our own. Members of Congress
are not, despite what I heard someone on the Hill say one
time, “Constitutional impediments to enacting the desires of
the staff,” but staffers are terribly important in the legislative
process. Members, especially in the Senate, are spread among
several committees, and they generally develop their expertise
in one or two areas at most. If one of those areas is not public
health, then we have to do what we can to educate them—
through their staffs. Judy and John and I will be working in
tandem to build on existing relationships and to develop new
ones with staff and members.
much we gained from our relationship with RADM Lushniak
during his tenure as “acting,” and we look forward to developing the same relationship with VADM Murthy. One of the surprises that he might have found upon taking office was that the
Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) has no funding of its
own. We believe this to be absurd, and we have been working
behind the scenes for several months to restore the funding
which this office once enjoyed. It is no secret that the incredibly-modest funding for OSG was cut from the Health and Human Services budget several years ago and has not been included in the department’s annual budget request since then. Our
priority is, at a minimum, to have training funds restored to
OSG, perhaps through Appropriations Committee language,
despite their omission from the HHS request. The reality in this
town is that money talks, and without a budget, no Surgeon
General can do very much to promote public health and the US
Public Health Service. We will be doing what we can to undo
this omission.
An Exciting Opportunity
We are attempting to be creative in reaching out to members
of the Congress, and part of that creativity is an attempt to
bring ourselves (meaning Public Health, the Commissioned
Corps and COA) to their attention. To that end, the COA
Board of Directors has approved a new award to be given
each year to two members of the Congress, one Senator and
one House member. This award will be called the “Public
Health Leadership Award,” and it will be given in COA’s
name. We might not give two awards each year, depending
upon the efforts of members of Congress to promote public
health. These awards should generate favorable press coverage for public health and for COA, and they will certainly
help raise our profile on Capitol Hill.
We have had two Acting Assistant Secretaries for Health since
Dr. Howard Koh returned to his home state of Massachusetts in
August 2014. The first of these was Dr. Wanda Jones, a career
HHS employee who had been serving as Principal Deputy in
the office. Dr. Jones served from early August until late October, at which point she was replaced by Dr. Karen DeSalvo,
who serves concurrently in her former position as National
Coordinator for Health Information Technology. I met Dr.
DeSalvo in New Orleans in November at the American Public
Health Association conference, and she immediately struck me
as someone who “gets it” with regard to the Corps. We are
most hopeful that she as Assistant Secretary for Health, acting
or not, will be a key supporter of the Commissioned Corps and
its many missions. COA Deputy John McElligot and I are looking forward to meeting with Dr. DeSalvo.
A New Surgeon General
COA Board Vacancies
As is reported elsewhere in this issue of Frontline, Dr. Vivek
Murthy was confirmed on 15 December 2014 and was
sworn in as Surgeon General three days later. He brings
impressive credentials to the position, and COA Deputy Executive Director John McElligott and I have already had a
fine initial meeting with him. VADM Murthy succeeds
VADM Regina Benjamin as a Senate-confirmed Surgeon
General, and RADM Boris Lushniak, who was acting Surgeon General for 18 months, reverts to his former position
of Deputy Surgeon General. I cannot say enough about how
The COA Board will have several vacancies at the end of this
fiscal year, and we will be looking for able replacements.
Please watch for announcements of the categories that will
have a vacancy, and if you are in that category, consider running for a Board seat. The work is rewarding, and the rewards
are great. Many members of COA serve time and again on the
Board, as they have discovered that it is a terrific way to give
back to the Commissioned Corps.
A New Assistant Secretary for Health
Follow COA on Facebook
and Twi er @coausphs
35
The COA Frontline (ISSN 10937161) is published monthly except
a combined issue January/February and July/August by the
Commissioned Officers Association of the United States Public
Health Service, 8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Landover, MD
20785, (301) 731-9080; Fax: (301) 731-9084; Periodicals Postage
Paid at Hyattsville, MD and additional mailing offices.
COA Frontline
8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 200
Landover, MD 20785
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to COA Frontline c/o
Commissioned Officers Association, 8201 Corporate Drive,
Suite 200, Landover, MD 20785.
A report of timely information concerning activities of the
Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service.
Distributed exclusively to Association Members.
Executive Director
Jim Currie
[email protected]
Program Assistant
Donna Sparrow
[email protected]
Deputy Executive Director
John McElligott
[email protected]
Administrative Assistant
Erica Robinson
[email protected]
Chief Financial Officer
Teresa Hayden Foley
[email protected]
Conference Planners
Leading Edge Solutions
Tim O’Neil/Diana Hallman
(866) 544-9677
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Judith Rensberger
[email protected]
Group Insurance - AGIA
(888) 633-6459
Membership Coordinator/
Frontline Editor
Malissa Spalding
[email protected]
© 2015 Commissioned Officers Association
visit us: www.coausphs.org
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January/February - Sign In - Commissioned Officers Association

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