COA Branch Activities - Commissioned Officers Association

C
O
VOL. 50, ISSUE 10 A
U.S. P
Salus Populi Suprema Lex Este Dear Friends of
the PHS Commissioned
Corps,
O
n Wednesday, 13
November, I
testified before
the Military
Compensation
and Retirement
Modernization
Jerry Farrell, Execu ve Director Commission
(MCRMC) on behalf of the Commissioned
Officers Association (COA). COA was
invited to testify before the Commission
because of the President’s instruction to the
Commission to examine differences between
the armed services and “the other uniformed
services.”
There are, of course, only two other
uniformed services, and the President’s
instruction might be interpreted as an invitation to segregate PHS and NOAA officers’
compensation and benefits from those five
other uniformed services. This would not
be the first time such an attempt has been
made.
O n November 18th, President Barack Obama nominated Vivek Hallegere Murthy, MD, MBA, for appointment as a Medical Director (Captain) in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and for further appointment as Surgeon General of the Public Health Service. If confirmed by the Senate, Dr. Murthy would replace Regina Benjamin who resigned in June. Since 2006, Dr. Murthy is a hospitalist, a ending physician and instructor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Massachuse s. Dr. Murthy received his bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Harvard College in 1997 and his MD and MBA degrees from Yale University in 2003. He completed medical residency in 2006. In 2011, Dr. Murthy was appointed to serve as a Member of the Advisory December 2013 Group on Preven on, Health Pro‐
mo on, and Integra ve and Public Health. Dr. Murthy has been the Co‐
Founder and Chairman of the Board of TrialNetworks, formerly known as Eper‐
nicus, an internet science social networking site, since 2007. Dr. Murthy, while a Harvard undergraduate student in 1995, co‐founded VISIONS World‐
wide, a non‐profit organiza on focused on HIV/AIDS educa on in India and the United States. In 2009, Dr. Murthy co‐founded Doctors for America, a fully funded project of the Center for American Progress. Dr. (Murthy, cont’d. on p. 6) FATHER OF VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH —
RADM James Steele, USPHS, (Ret.), 1913-2013
R ear Admiral James Steele, USPHS, (Ret.), the "Father of Veterinary Public Health" and the first Public Health Service Chief Veterinary Officer, passed away in Houston, TX on November 10, 2013. Admiral Steele was 100 years old. He joined COA in 1945 and was a Life Member. Admiral Steele was commissioned in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps as a sanitarian (there were no provisions for veterinarians in the Corps at the me) in 1943. Admiral Steele served the field of veterinary medicine and public health in the true sense of one medicine – one health. With Witnesses were asked to limit their opening
statements to two minutes. Here is what I
had to say to the commissioners.
“MISTER CHAIRMAN AND
DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS
OF THE COMMISSION. The
Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health
Service (COA) is grateful for
this opportunity to comment on
(See Executive Director, p. 25)
S
Vivek Hallegere Murthy Nominated
as Surgeon General
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Making the Case for the
Commissioned Corps
H
(Steele, cont’d. on p. 7) 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
$7500 scholarship to earn completely
on-line, accredited Master of Public
Health degree.
Ribbon
Authorized to be worn on the PHS
uniform by members in good standing when attending COA functions.
Legislative Update
Two U.S. Senators Act to Include PHS Retirees’ Kids
in NDAA Health Benefit
U .S. Senators Pa y Murray (D‐WA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D‐NY) have joined forces to fix discriminatory legisla‐
ve language that was approved by the U.S. House of Representa ves in May. That unfortunate language would specifi‐
cally exclude dependents of USPHS, USCG, and NOAA Corps re rees from a proposed TRICARE benefit that would be available to every other uniformed ser‐
vices re ree, and to all ac ve‐duty uniformed services personnel. The proposed fix is an amendment to the Senate’s version of the Na onal Defense Authoriza on Act (NDAA), which is being debated on the Senate floor as I write. The Murray‐Gillibrand amendment would create a new defense dependents developmental disabili es account. It would be funded by a $60 million offset from the from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and it would include depend‐
ents of all seven uniformed services. The benefit in ques on is a helpful but hideously expensive treatment called applied behavioral analysis, or ABA. At present, it is the only real treatment op‐
on for a range of condi ons known as au sm spectrum disorders. It is also useful in the treatment of other develop‐
mental disabili es. Does all this sound familiar? It should, because the House made the same inex‐
plicable mistake last year, only worse. In 2012, the House approved ABA coverage for dependents of ac ve‐duty and re red personnel in four of the seven federal uniformed services, but completely le out all ac ve‐duty and re red USPHS, USCG, and NOAA Corps personnel. We didn’t learn about this ugly development un l August, then had to drop everything to fight what appeared to be the first‐
ever example of “discrimina on by uniform” in TRICARE health benefits. Thanks to tremendous support from MOAA and NMFA, we “won” that ba le. House‐Senate conferees voted to ap‐
prove a less generous benefit (one‐year pilot program) for more beneficiaries (all ac ve‐duty and re red uniformed services personnel). But it was a short‐
lived victory, as Frontline readers know. For COA, the larger issue here is not coverage for au sm and other develop‐
mental disabili es. It is the fact that, for the second year in a row, a majority in the U.S. House has decided that it’s somehow OK to create a ered system of TRICARE health benefits, with PHS segre‐
gated out. As we said last year, that is unacceptable. The permanent fix proposed by Senators Gillibrand and Murray is a complicated work‐around that requires new money and a new line item in a hos le budget environment. Will it fly? Not clear. Ob‐
jec ons have been raised. They include these: the Murray‐Gillibrand proposal will actually cost more than $60 million. Applied behavioral analysis doesn’t really offer much for developmental disabili es other than au sm. A er a certain age, it is ineffec ve. Advocates have assembled materials to refute these asser ons, and I am happy to share them; just e‐mail me at [email protected]. Here is my take: I have to believe that when two heavy‐hi ers in the U.S. Sen‐
ate direct their key staffers to spend most of a year trying to figure this out, then they must truly believe the cause is worthwhile and a win is possible. They have checked the relevant boxes and picked up significant support along the way. Senator Murray’s office has assem‐
bled a team of a dozen associa on (Legisla ve Update, cont’d on p. 18) 2
Commissioned Officers Association
COA Chair’s Corner
Continuity and Balance
W hen I was in college, I spent three summers in rural Kentucky wading in pig waste, tending to a constructed wetlands treatment system. It was hot, s nky, thankless work, but it was the closest thing I could get to prac cal environmental engineering experience while I was home from college for the summer. The company I worked for bred gene cally advanced swine, selling their sows around the world for 20 mes normal market price. Their global headquarters brought an interes ng mix of execu ves from all around the world to my rural hometown. Anybody hired into their organiza on had to work for several weeks in the swine opera ons – handling, cleaning, feeding, breeding – very prac cal, hands‐on stuff – before they could start working in their actual job (sales, accoun ng, etc.). They had to understand the basis for the company on a tangible, even visceral level before star ng the more abstract aspects of their job. I think this is relates to another of the great strengths of the Corps – our balance of prac cal experience and strategic vision. Within every category and agency, you have to prove yourself in the prac cal hands‐on se ng before rising to higher levels of management, program direc on, or execu ve leadership. Corps leaders don’t start as managers on day one. They spend years in the clinical se ng, in the field, working in a se ng where the results are tangible, the customers visible. They understand the needs of the officers they lead because they have been there. I think we, as a Corps, do a great job developing the leadership skills and strategic vision of junior officers, through JOAG, PACs, local COA branches, and other opportuni es within our agen‐
cies. Furthermore, I think our senior officers and Corps leaders do an excellent job staying connected to the reali es of their junior staff and the communi es they serve, o en in many of these same venues. If you’ve been on a deployment, you’ve seen the senior officers working side‐by‐side with and just as hard as the junior officers. In both respects, I think the Corps outpaces many private and governmental en es in ins tu‐
onalizing a balance of prac cal experience and strategic vision. A er all, what good is strategic vision without a solid prac cal understanding of the needs of the popula on you are serving and the reality of providing that service? What good is being a master of prac cal skills without the strategic guidance to ensure those skills are used to the greatest possible benefit? Indeed, while the Corps strikes this balance very well, we could always improve. Here are a few things you can do to maintain and improve our con nuity and balance:  Engage in the legisla ve process. Know what you can do as an officer to engage your elected representa ves1, un‐
derstand the power you have as a ci zen, and educate them about who we are and what we are capable of.  Join a deployment team and take every opportunity to deploy. Whether it’s with an RDF, an APHT, or an MHT, deployments are where the rubber really meets the road. Par cularly if you feel your current posi on feels too far removed from tangible benefits and direct ser‐ vice, a deployment can bring back perspec ve.  Engage with your local COA branch at all levels. Your local branch should be a conduit for direct, boots‐on‐the‐ground ac on. If you seek leadership in the branch, it can also be a forum for honing your strategic visioning skills as you seek to put your branch on a long‐term path to relevance in the community.  As a leader, be forward‐thinking and realis c. No ma er how grand or small your vision, it will take me and effort to realize it. I have seen way too many people who have great expansive ideas but no ability or desire to do the hard work to realize those goals. Whether your vision has a one month or one century meframe for comple on, understand what has to happen, work hard to make it hap‐
pen, and be pa ent with the process. Meaningful change (Chair Corner, cont’d. on p. 24) 1
This can be boiled down fairly easily:  Do NOT use gov’t resources for legisla ve advocacy.  Do NOT make it appear you are speaking or wri ng on behalf of your agency, the Department or the Corps.  Do NOT wear your uniform while doing legisla ve advocacy.  DO iden fy yourself as a cons tuent.  DO iden fy yourself as a PHS officer. You can men on your rank and the work you do.  DO give background on what the PHS Commissioned Corps is – there’s a good chance the elected representa ve doesn’t know much or anything about us.  DO be specific – what ac on are you reques ng for what bill? December 2013 - Frontline
3
Commissioned Officers Foundation
Acknowledges Donations Received October 16, 2013 - December 15, 2013
FOUNDERS SOCIETY CAPT Charles L. Hoste er, (Ret.)* DC Metro Area COA Branch** PLATINUM RADM Newton E. Kendig RADM Richard J. Ber n, (Ret.) GOLD CAPT Margaret J. DiClemente* RADM Ward B. Hurlburt, (Ret.)* CAPT Bruce W. Furness* CAPT Evelyn L. Maxwell, (Ret.)* SILVER CAPT Theodore A. Westley, (Ret.)* CAPT Calvin D. Sanders, (Ret.)* RADM Jerrold M. Michael, (Ret.)* CDR Sandra G. Magera CAPT Gayle R. Dolecek, (Ret.) Mr. Michael D. Terry DC Metro Area COA Branch* BRONZE RADM Carol A. Romano, (Ret.)* RADM Robert L. Smith, (Ret.)* CDR Sara B. Newman* CAPT John T. Redd* CAPT William B. Cherry, (Ret.)* CAPT J. Gary Sirmons, (Ret.)* RADM George A. Reich, (Ret.)* RADM Walter A. Orenstein, (Ret.)* CAPT Fred E. Tosh, (Ret.)* CAPT Be y J. Shuler, (Ret.)* CAPT William B. Furgerson, Jr., (Ret.)* CAPT Leland L. Fairbanks, (Ret.)* CAPT Pamela L. Brye, (Ret.)* CAPT William A. Millar, II, (Ret.)* CAPT Gordon S. Siegel, (Ret.)* CAPT Florence M. Seidler, (Ret.)* Dr. Donald J. Lawler* CAPT Kenneth R. Envall, (Ret.)* CAPT Bertha E. Bryant, (Ret.)* CAPT Mar n I. Goldenberg, (Ret.)* CAPT John L. Hickey, (Ret.)* CAPT Lowell F. Miller, (Ret.)* CAPT Fred W. Love, (Ret.)* RADM Ronald G. Banks, (Ret.)* CAPT Glen D. Drew, (Ret.)* CAPT Walter F. Meyers, Jr., (Ret.)* CAPT Wanho Cheung, (Ret.)* CAPT George P. Hoskin, (Ret.)* CAPT Shirley R. Blakely* CAPT Carol A. Baxer* CAPT Walter L. Fava* CAPT John E. Jones* CAPT Holly A. Williams* LCDR Roger Hargrove* LCDR Eva D. McLanahan* CAPT Alice E. Duncan, (Ret.) CAPT Eugene J. Van Sco , (Ret.) CAPT Bruce M. Etchison, (Ret.) CAPT Mary R. Ingram CDR Kimthoa T. Nguyen LT Jun Woo Park FRIENDS LCDR Melvin T. Eddleston, (Ret.)* CAPT Margaret J. DiClemente* CDR Jean Pierre DeBarros* CAPT Wayne T. Craney, (Ret.)* CAPT Michael D. Flanagan, (Ret.)* CDR Maurna E. Complita, (Ret.)* CAPT Edgar F. Seagle, (Ret.)* CAPT Corwin D. Strong, (Ret.)* CAPT Charles P. White, (Ret.)* CAPT David L. West, (Ret.)* CAPT Arthur E. Cohen* CDR Robert P. Blereau* CAPT Donald S. Robinson* C CAPT Rita K. Chow, (Ret.)* CAPT Helen M. Hanlon, (Ret.)* CAPT Joseph R. Marches, (Ret.)* RADM Delbert S. Barth, (Ret.)* CAPT Robert E. Johnson, (Ret.)* CAPT Arthur J. Plumstead, (Ret.)* CAPT George J. Nemo, (Ret.)* CAPT Be e Lemperle* CDR James F. Calvert, Jr.* CAPT Dennis D. Davenport* LCDR Michael C. Leo* CDR Joseph W. Ma hews, (Ret.)* CAPT Carol L. Van Price* CDR Michelle A. Pelkey* CAPT Wilne a A. Swee ng* CDR Edith R. Lederman* Robert R. Schenck* CAPT John J. Henderson, (Ret.) CAPT Charlo e A. Spires CDR James L. Kenney, III LCDR Harlem J. Gunness LT Yee Vang *C. Evere Koop Living Legacy **Dependent Scholarship Program Fund Donations Can be Made
at Several Levels:
Leadership Society .... $10,000
President’s Society .... $5,000
Founder’s Society .... $2,500
Platinum .... $1,000
Gold .... $500
Silver .... $250
Bronze .... $100
Visit www.phscof.org/giving to
donate online today!
OF thanks the Atlanta Branch for their $2500 dona on to support the Dependent Scholarship program. Two scholars, James Brese e and Ryan Grismer, were honored with Atlanta COA Branch Scholarships. James will a end The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, and plans to commission in the Army. Ryan is studying pre‐medicine and considering a career in inter‐
ven onal radiology. Thank you, ACOA! 4
Commissioned Officers Association
Commissioned Officers Foundation
SAVE THE DATE
2014 USPHS Scientific and
Training Symposium
June 10-12, 2014 to be held in
Raleigh, NC
http://symposium.phscof.org/
December 2013 - Frontline
5
COF Hosts Capitol Hill Briefing
T he PHS Commissioned Officers Founda on hosted a public briefing about the PHS Commissioned Corps on Capitol Hill on 21 November. Hosted by Founda on president CAPT Gene Migliaccio, USPHS, (Ret.), the briefing followed the release earli‐
er this year of a report by the University of Maryland School of Public Health on the value of the PHS Commissioned Corps. The office of Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina provided space in the Capitol Visitor Center. We thank Senator Hagan C OA is dedicated to offering its members the very highest quality opportuni es to further their public health educa‐
on. Thanks to a partnership with the pres gious George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS), COA members are now eligible to receive a $7500 scholarship to earn their Master of Public Health (MPH) through GW’s innova ve online program, MPH@GW. MPH@GW delivers the same renowned MPH educa on availa‐
ble to SPHHS’s on‐campus students and is designed and taught by the same respected faculty. Learn more about this flexible online program from the faculty members themselves by visi ng h p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEoDIB8Q4yI . Earning your MPH from a top‐ranked school not only posi ons you for advancement in your public health career, it provides you with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in com‐
muni es locally, na onally, and globally. Gain the skills to do more, without pu ng your life on hold by earning your degree from MPH@GW. Learn more. and look forward to hos ng the 2014 USPHS Symposium in her home state. Ac ng Surgeon General Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak spoke first and provided the audience with a brief history of the Corps and its many contribu ons to public health. Admiral Lushniak was followed by Colonel Mike Hayden, USAF (Ret.), MOAA Government Rela ons Director and co‐chair of The Military Coali on. COL Hayden spoke to the Corps’ small slice of the overall DHHS budget and the value of the Corps as a public health force mul plier. Professor Muhiuddin Haider, principal inves gator for the University of Maryland study, reviewed his methodology, conclusions and recommenda ons. The final speaker was freelance journalist David Tobenkin who com‐
mented on his ar cle, “The Curious Case of the Commissioned Corps,” for narfe magazine in October. The Tobenkin piece a empted to compare Corps compensa on and benefits with those of civil servants. A general conclusion among all speakers was that the overall value of the PHS Commissioned Corps to the Na on’s public health security cannot be measured in terms of dollars and cents alone. Outcomes are what really ma er and the PHS Commissioned Corps has a long and proud legacy of providing cost effec ve, posi ve health outcomes for the United States. (Murthy, cont’d. from p. 1) Murthy serves as president of Doctor for America, an organiza‐
on advoca ng in support of the Affordable Care Act. Dr. Murthy was born in England, but his family immigrated to Miami, Florida, when he was three years old. If confirmed by the Senate, Dr. Murthy will be the 19th and at 36, the second youngest Surgeon General. Dr. John Maynard Woodworth, the first Supervising Surgeon, later surgeon General, was 34 when appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1871. Dr. Murthy’s nomina on has been referred to the Senate Health, Educa on, Labor, and Pensions Commi ee. As of this wri ng a commi ee hearing on the nomina on has not been scheduled. Are you currently receiving National COA’s monthly e-mails? If not, visit the
COA Members Only website (www.coausphs.org) to
update your information.
You may be missing valuable COA/COF communication!
6
Commissioned Officers Association
(Steele, cont’d. from p. 1) a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and master’s degree in Public Health, in 1947 his efforts led to the establishment of the USPHS Veterinary Category as a follow on to standing up the Veterinary Public Health Unit at the then “Communicable Disease Center,” now the Centers for Disease Control and Preven on. As a PHS Commissioned Corps officer he boldly introduced the principles of veterinary public health to the U.S. and countries all around the globe. His accomplishments include leading the early efforts to control the spread of rabies virus in the US; leading the historic joint WHO/FAO Commi ees on Zoonoses which drew needed a en on to the need for fund‐
ing and research on these important diseases across the globe; and leading the effort to control psi acosis in pet birds through low‐levels of tetracycline in bird feed, thereby protec ng people from a dangerous zoono c disease. His outstanding medical achievements have saved countless human and animal lives and have helped the world to realize higher standards of living through a be er understanding of the epidemiology of diseases shared by animals and man. As a U.S. Public Health Service officer, he was the first Chief Vet‐
erinary Officer and ul mately became the first Assistant Surgeon General for Veterinary Affairs in 1968. He has received numer‐
ous awards over his illustrious career to include the Surgeon General’s Medallion in 2006. Through the years, he has been a brilliant veterinary and public health leader aspiring to improve the quality of life for people and animals around the world. Ad‐
miral Steele re red from the Commissioned Corps in 1971. He went on to teach at the University of Texas School of Public Health where he con nued his groundbreaking work in the field of zoono c public health that earned him the tle of "Father of Veterinary Public Health." December 2013 - Frontline
7
Prevention through Active Community Engagement (PACE) at Thomson
Elementary School
By LCDR Leo Angelo Gumapas, USPHS LCDR Gumapas poses with Thompson Elementary students T hrough the PACE Program, on July 16, 2013, LCDR Gumapas worked with Asian American Leadership Empow‐
erment and Development for Youth and Families (AALEAD) to provide a presenta on on how to prevent childhood obesity at Thomson Elementary School to 15 middle school students. The presenta on was originally developed by LCDR Diann Nhu and LCDR Tina Nhu, and they provided the lesson at Cedar Grove Elementary in January 2012. The event was part of the AALEAD Elementary A er‐school Program, which is a program that fosters academic growth and life skills development through age‐appropriate enrichment opportuni es for low‐income and underserved Asian American youth. LCDR Gumapas provided a background on the United States Public Health Service (US PHS) and the Surgeon General’s Na‐
onal Preven on Strategy (NPS) focusing on two priori es: Healthy Ea ng and Ac ve Living. LCDR Gumapas introduced the issues causing childhood obesity, which are the result of not ea ng healthy and watching too much television. The stu‐
dents learned about the 4 basic food groups, basic exercises, and how to read a nutri on label. The students were quizzed on their knowledge while performing exercises a er each lesson. The students played a game where they ran in mo on while tossing a basketball. LCDR Gumapas would call out a food group and ask for the serving size. The student holding the ball would need to name an example of the food group and specify the serving size. The students not holding the ball s ll needed to maintain a sta onary a jog. Students were also shown 4 different exercises that increased flexibility, endurance, strength. The students were asked to perform each exercise and were quizzed on whether the exer‐
cise increased their flexibility, endurance, or strength. Lastly, the students were taught how to read a nutri on label. The students ended the lesson ea ng healthy snacks. With all the physical ac vity and excitement, the students ate their healthy snacks quietly. LCDR Gumapas teaching Thompson Elementary School students about healthy ea ng habits and ac ve living This volunteer ac vity was just one of my opportuni es developed through the Preven on through Ac ve Community Engagement (PACE) Program. For more informa on about being a volunteer, please see the following fact sheet: h p://dccoa.org/NPS‐PACE%20MCPS%20Volunteer%
20Partnership.pdf. PACE at the White House By LCDR Leo Angelo Gumapas and LT John Pesce, USPHS O n September 10, 2013, the White House recognized eight “Champions of Change” honoring public health profes‐
sionals who promoted wellness and preven on rather than mere treatment of sickness and disease. LCDR Leo Angelo Gumapas and LT John Pesce were invited to a end the event as “Champion of Change” nominees for their role in the crea on of the Preven on through Ac ve Community Engagement (PACE) program. The PACE program is designed to build collab‐
ora on between and among United States Public Health Service (PACE, cont’d. on p. 9) 8
Commissioned Officers Association
Commissioned Corps Officers and local community organiza ons. The goal of this program is to educate the values of making deci‐
sions that are outlined in the Na onal Preven on Strategy (NPS). The following are the eight champions that were recognized: Jane Janosky, PhD – directs the Austen Bioinnova on Ins tute in Akron, Ohio (ABIA), which aims to foster collabora on and shared responsibility among various sectors in the community to transform the health in North East Ohio. In the first 18 months the program has focused on diabetes and seen more than half of the par cipants lose weight and decrease body mass index. Erica Washington – successfully implemented the first state abased Na onal Healthcare Safety Network Data Use Agreement with the Centers for Disease Control Preven on, which will improve Louisiana’s ability to track and prevent healthcare‐
associated infec ons. Andrea Hays, MPH – directs the movement ini a ve and Upgrade campaign at the Wellborn Bap st Founda on in Evansville, IN. The goal of the movement ini a ve is to promote changes in the community that make healthy living easier for all. The Upgrade campaign encourages residents to achieve health improvements by making small lifestyle changes such as taking stairs or drinking water. Marion Kainer, MD, MPH – directs the Healthcare‐Associated Infec ons and An microbial Resistance Program at the Tennessee Department of Health. Her clinical acumen, epidemiologic skills, leadership and ac ons during Tennessee’s fungal infec on outbreak in 2012 due to contaminated steroids protected the public’s health and saved lives. Her team’s efforts led to swi ly iden fying this unusual infec on and the rapid development of a communica on and tracking system to monitor infec ons na onwide. Lives were saved not only by quickly determining the cause of the outbreak and hal ng the contaminated injec ons, but also by tracking down every affected pa ent and ge ng effec ve treatment to the sick without delay. Natalie Pawlenko – directs the Office of Local Public Health for the New Jersey Department of Health. Through her work, State and local public health professionals will have real‐ me ability to make data‐driven decisions to help prevent and respond to public health events. Ms. Pawlenko has spearheaded reform of the public health repor ng system in New Jersey. With more mely informa on, local health departments are be er prepared to address emerging health issues and prevent future issues. Myriam Escobar – delivers a program in the Tampa Bay area in Florida, called Yo me cuido® (I take care of myself). The program teaches and mo vates Hispanic women to take care of themselves through early detec on and by living a healthy lifestyle with an emphasis on breast cancer preven on. To date, Yo me cuido ® has reached over 2,000 women. Ira Combs, RN – serves as Community Liaison Nurse Coordinator at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, working with the Center for Reducing Health Dispari es. Mr. Combs’ work emphasizes inspiring young African‐Americans to become involved in public health. He created a youth organiza on, Youth Expressions of Health, which includes an annual Youth Summer Internship Program in partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center. It has helped more than 45 young people prepare for and start college with a focus on entering the field of healthcare. Elmer Huerta, MD – directs the Cancer Preventorium at Medstar Washington Hospital Center’s Washington Cancer Ins tute in Washington, DC. At his Preventorium, founded in 1994, he has seen over 32,000 people, mostly poor and uninsured La nos, for preven on and early detec on. Through mul ple media interven ons, Dr. Huerta, author of “La Salud Hecho Fácil,” is a trusted source of health informa on for Spanish‐speaking people in the U.S. and La n America. LCDR Gumapas and LT Pesce were congratulated at the event by RADM Lushniak, Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service, for our nomina on and the accomplishments of the PACE program. Under the guidance of CAPT Jason Woo, LCDR Leo Angelo Gumapas and LT John Pesce developed an administra ve infrastructure to support officers in performing community outreach and coordinated the crea on of NPS specific presenta ons that can be used to augment exis ng outreach efforts by officers across the United States. They have ac vely par cipated in mul ple presenta ons, (PACE, cont’d. from p. 8) (PACE, cont’d. on p. 24) December 2013 - Frontline
9
COA Branch Activities
ACOA Officers Go All Out Spartan
By LT Ma hew Lozier, LCDR Bryan Christensen and LCDR Loren Rodgers, USPHS (L‐R) LCDR Loren Rodgers, Marydale Oppert, CAPT Diana Bensyl, LCDR Bryan Christensen, LT Ma Lozier, and CDR Mike King O n March 9, 2013, five Atlanta Commissioned Officer Associa on (ACOA) members par cipated as a team in the Reebok Spartan Race (www.spartanrace.com) at the Geor‐
gia Interna onal Horse Park. Prior to the event, the team worked out together at a local CrossFit (www.crossfit.com) gym to build cohesion and esprit de corps. The team promot‐
ed ACOA and the Commissioned Corps by crea ng team shirts and wearing them proudly at the event. LCDR Loren Rodgers (Co‐Chair of the ACOA Events Planning Sub‐commi ee) ini ated the interest in the Reebok Spartan Race by pos ng it on the ACOA website, and recrui ng USPHS officers to par cipate. He registered our team, “Team Hard Corps,” and encouraged others to register. The event caught the eye of many, and Team Hard Corps began to coalesce. Notably, several of the officers who registered for the race work out regularly at the same CrossFit gym in Atlanta. In the months before race day, Team Hard Corps members organized five team workouts designed to mimic the race by incorpo‐
ra ng teamwork and exercises ranging from running, pull‐ups, push‐ups, sit‐ups, and box jumps to burpees and weightli ing. We even had the pleasure of working out with RADM Sco Giberson, who was in Atlanta to give the keynote address at the 6th Annual ACOA and Caduceus Dinner. A er the workouts, we sat together as a team and talked about the race. Together we decided that the ul mate goal of the race was not to compete against others, but to experience and finish the race as a team; suppor ng each other along the way with encouragement and a boost (literally), if needed. These workouts allowed us to get to know each other be er, and become friends with Officers we had never met before. Using the recently unveiled new ACOA logo, we made team t‐shirts to increase esprit de corps. With the t‐shirts in hand and several workouts under our belts, Team Hard Corps was ready for race day. The Reebok Spartan Sprint Race is a 4 mile, cross‐country course with obstacles and challenges every few hundred yards. At the first obstacle, we hurdled short barriers, slopped through mud, and were sprayed with ice cold water. We quick‐
ly realized that this course meant business. About an hour and 50 minutes later, a er lots of mud, freezing cold water, scaling 6‐, 7‐ and 8‐foot walls, climbing ropes, and many, many burpees, Team Hard Corps crossed the finish line together, covered from head to toe in mud, with big smiles on their faces. 2013 Atlanta-Area Commissioned Corps Promotion Ceremony
By LCDR s Deborah Dee and Jamie Mu er , USPHS A group of newly promoted Officers accompanied by family, friends, and colleagues par cipated in the Atlanta‐area United States Public Health Service (USPHS) promo on ceremony, held at the Centers for Disease Control and Preven on (CDC) on July 29, 2013. Atlanta Commissioned Officers Associa on (ACOA) hosted the promo on ceremony with support from CDC’s Com‐
missioned Corps Ac vity (CCA). Twenty‐six Officers represen ng four Atlanta‐area agencies ‐ the Environmental Protec on Agen‐
cy (EPA), Food and Drug Administra on (FDA), the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), and CDC ‐ par cipated in this year’s ceremony. (Promo on, cont’d. on p. 11) 10
COA Branch Activities
(Promo on, cont’d. from p. 10) Many won‐
derful speak‐
ers joined this year’s event. A er the invoca‐
on which was led by CDC Senior Science Officer CAPT Newly promoted Officers with the Ac ng US Surgeon Ross Spears, General, RADM Boris Lushniak, RADM Stephen Redd Ac ng US and RADM Sven Rodenbeck Surgeon Gen‐
eral RADM Boris Lushniak, provided opening remarks and served as the presiding officer for the board‐changing ceremo‐
ny. RADM Sven Rodenbeck, Chief Engineer Officer for the USPHS, and a Deputy Branch Chief at the Agency for Toxic Sub‐
stances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). LCDR Jamie Mu er, ACOA President, served as the Master of Ceremonies and CAPT Doris Ravenell‐Brown, Director of the Commissioned Corps Ac vity within the CDC Human Capital and Resources Manage‐
ment Office, served as the Ceremony Adjutant. It was an honor to have many flag officers and Chief Professional Officers in a endance, including the newly appointed Chief Medical Officer, CAPT David Goldman. Rodenbeck is planning to re re in October, a er serving 34 years as a PHS Commissioned Officer. The President’s Award includes both a note of thanks to RADM Rodenbeck and the new ACOA logo. Unbeknownst to RADM Rodenbeck, RADM Robert Williams, USPHS‐ ret., former Deputy US Surgeon General, an Engineer Officer, and a tremendous supporter and life me member of ACOA, had kindly accepted an invita on from ACOA to offer reflec ons on and congratulatory remarks to RADM Rodenbeck. To add to the excitement, a er the par cipa ng Officers were promoted, RADM Lushniak called for RADM Stephen Redd to join him and RADM Clara Cobb on the stage. RADM Lushniak spoke about RADM Redd’s numerous accomplishments and his commitment to the PHS Commissioned Corps, and then re‐
vealed that he had arranged for a surprise changing of RADM Redd’s boards in honor of his recent promo on to Rear Admiral (Upper Half) since RADM Redd had been unable to par cipate in a promo on ceremony for flag officers held earlier this year. Many officers commented that this year’s event was among the best and most moving of the promo on ceremonies they’d a ended. The success of the event is due to the hard work and contribu ons of many people, such as our engaging and inspir‐
ing speakers, RADMs Lushniak, Rodenbeck, and Williams. In ad‐
di on, ACOA would like to extend hear elt thanks to the Honor Guard, the Surgeon General’s Own PHS Music Ensemble, and all On behalf of ACOA, LCDR Jamie Mu er presented the first‐ever of the Aides‐de‐Camp for their par cipa on in the ceremony. President’s Award to a very deserving member and long‐ Their contribu on made this a special event for the promoted standing supporter of ACOA, RADM Sven Rodenbeck. RADM (Promo on, cont’d on p. 21) 11
COA Branch Activities
Columbus Georgia COA Organized Blood Drive in Rural Georgia
By LT Gary Koller, USPHS Back (L‐R): LT Gary Koller, CCA Raul Perez, CCA Henry King, III, CDR Donald Schmidt, and ICE John Laing; Front (L‐R): CPT Regina Ben‐
ne , CCA Rebecca Salazar, Red Cross Amanda Hill, LCDR Monica Bennefield, CDR Sye Bennefield I t was a rainy day on August 13th in small town of Lumpkin, Georgia. However, this did not prevent 46 people from volunteering to donate blood for the American Red Cross of Albany, Georgia. Lumpkin, Georgia is a small, quiet town that sits over two hours south of Atlanta in Stewart County (popula on 2,700). This small, quiet town is home to the largest Immigra on and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deten on center in the na on, Stewart Deten on Center. The facility operates with the coop‐
era on of many private and government agencies to include ICE Enforcement and Removal, CCA Corpora on, and United Stated Public Health Service. With the majority of Columbus Georgia COA events done outside of Lumpkin, the local chapter decided to approach American Red Cross of Albany, Georgia about a blood drive at Stewart Deten on Center. This was enthusias cally embraced by the American Red Cross staff since their blood supply was at a cri cally low level. The Columbus Georgia COA recruited all possible donors from the various organiza ons that encompass Stewart Deten on Center. A er 46 people enter the American Red Cross Blood Mobile on August 13th, 35 units of blood were collected. This surpassed the an cipated goal of 20 units by the American Red Cross, and future blood drives are already being orga‐
nized. There are seven organiza ons that operate with different missions at Stewart Deten on Center, but it was great to see us come together to make a difference in rural Georgia. PHS Officers Step It Up to Promote Better Fitness
By CDR Bill Pierce, LCDR Evan Shukan, LCDR Ma Kirchoff , USPHS I n terms of leading ac‐
ve lifestyles, October 20th was a historic day for the Commis‐
sioned Corps. Two teams of “America’s Health Re‐
sponders,” over 100 Corps ATM runners gather at the post‐race Hooah tent officers, walked‐the‐walk, tes ng themselves in the 2013 Army Ten‐
Miler (ATM) and the 2013 Mid‐Atlan c Tough Mudder Chal‐
lenge. Exemplifying leadership by example, both teams embodied our core values by displaying camaraderie, unity, and esprit de corps at these interna onally visible events. The PHS officers promoted health and physical fitness by running (and conquering tough obstacles in some cases) with other uniformed service teams, first responders, and countless civil‐
12
ians ‐ proudly wearing USPHS gear and carrying USPHS flags. The PHS officers par cipa ng in the Washington, DC ATM ran through and around the monuments and parks of Washington, DC for ten glorious miles. This PHS team of nearly 100 officers was co‐coordinated by LCDR Evan Shukan and CAPT Shelley Hoogstraten‐Miller. The team included the ac ng Surgeon Gen‐
eral RADM Boris Lushniak, RADM Newton Kendig (BOP), and RADM Nicole Lurie (ASPR). PHS runners from the DC area and as far away as Alaska, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina and other places par cipated. A er the ATM race, PHS runners and volun‐
teers gathered in the post‐race ‘Hooah tent’ to reunite with family and friends and pose for pictures. This was truly a family event: CAPT Jim Simpson ran the race with his two sons LTJG Mike Simpson and Shawn Simpson—both running their first ATM this year. CAPT Wendy Fanaselle’s whole family got in on the ac on: husband Christopher, son Daniel and daughter Stacy. Many more family, friends and fellow officers showed up to cheer the runners on! Spirits ran high; runners talked about the (Ten‐Miler, cont’d. on p. 13) Commissioned Officers Association
COA Branch Activities
(Ten‐Miler, cont’d. from p. 12) These officers collec vely demonstrate a strong commitment to healthy lifestyles. Compe ng in these events challenges officers to partake in ac vi es that emphasize health and fitness. In‐
volvement (whether as a par cipant or volunteer) serves as examples for other uniformed service members and communi‐
es na onwide. PHS officers across the country are making ac ve living a credo by par cipa ng in running, biking, weight‐
li ing, and military‐style or mul ‐sport endurance events, from coast‐to‐coast and everywhere in between. They are living healthy lifestyles and se ng inspira onal examples for all! USPHS Corps officers challenge every one of you to do the same! Officers that joined in the ac on look forward to your par cipa on next year and to further exemplify what we do best – improve the public’s health! Ac ng Surgeon General RADM Boris Lushniak powers to the finish line race, and as runners and volunteers cheered alike talked about running again next year. RADMs Lushniak and Kendig issued a challenge for each and every officer running this year to bring a second officer to next year's race! Finally, not to be over‐
shadowed by past years’ PHS team placings, Team USPHS3 took 2nd place overall in the men’s master’s division! A er the race, RADM Lushniak stated “I am not only proud of the men’s winning team, but also of each and every officer and friend of PHS who took the challenge and a empted the ten miler. Special thanks to all the PHS supporters. We need to be a uni‐
formed service that, especially in the realm of health and fit‐
ness, leads by example.” Meanwhile in West Virginia, a team of officers led by RADM Sco Giberson, ac ng Deputy Surgeon General, proved their toughness at the Fall 2013 Mid‐Atlan c Tough Mudder challenge (pictured to right). The Tough Mud‐
der consists of a 12‐mile course li ered with obstacles at the Peacemaker Na onal Training Center. The mental and physi‐
cal resolve of each officer was tested as they crawled through muddy trenches, swam through icy waters, scaled slippery walls, and blasted through obstacles with an electric charge; all while helping teammates and other runners complete the course. Our officers proudly completed this race side‐by‐side with other uniformed service members, including soldiers from the US Army, an official sponsor of the event. The USPHS team ba led through the course together, smashed their pre‐
race goals, and posted a me over 30 minutes be er than the average Tough Mudder comple on me. RADM Giberson commented, “It doesn’t ma er if it is a walk around the neigh‐
borhood or a 12‐mile Tough Mudder, doing it together and focusing on the ‘mission’ of health and fitness was the more important accomplishment. Every officer in our Corps should be ready to do their part to help others lead a healthy lifestyle.” PHS spouse Christopher Fanaselle in ac on (L‐R) LCDR Ma Kirchoff, LCDR Kwadwo Awuah, RADM Sco Giberson and CDR Bill Pierce December 2013 - Frontline
13
COA Branch Activities
Ft. Detrick COA Supports the Wounded Warriors Project and Local Musicians
By CDR Evelyn Blaemire, USPHS T he Ft. Detrick Branch of the Commissioned Officers Associa‐
on (FDCOA) ral‐
lied to support the JoeyDCares Rock Orchestra’s benefit concert for the Wounded Warrior Project on June 22, 2013. JoeyDCares Rock Orchestra is a local nonprofit organiza on com
(L to R) LCDR Dawn Thomas, LT Eric Shell, CDR ‐prised of area Evelyn Blaemire, CDR Roberta Szydlo students in grades 6‐12 and adult volunteers who perform live concerts to raise funds and awareness for specific chari es. The FDCOA provided monetary sponsorship and hosted a USPHS informa onal table at the well‐a ended event held at Eldersburg High School in Eldersburg, MD. LT Eric Shell led the Branch in this great opportunity to support the Wounded Warriors Project, uphold a local philanthropic group, and educate area students and their families on the USPHS! A ending officers had the privilege of enjoying the live performances under the musical direc on of Joe Dundore, an accomplished musician and local public school music teacher. In addi on, Sal Gonzalez, Jr., a Marine who lost part of his le leg from injuries sustained while figh ng in Iraq, delivered a moving speech and guitar and vocal performance as part of the Wounded Warrior Project’s Warrior Speaks program. The event proved successful in raising $10,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project. The FDCOA is honored to have con‐
tributed to this fund‐raising accomplishment and to be given the opportunity to interface with the local community as USPHS officers . Greater New York Marches in New York City Veterans Day Parade
By LCDR Amy Constan ne and LT Stephen Mo ola , USPHS O n November 11, 2013, 43 PHS officers marched in the 94th Annual New York City Veteran’s Day Parade. The event was hosted by the Greater New York Branch of COA (NYCOA), and was a ended by PHS officers from all over the United States including Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, South Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, and New England. This year RADM Clara Cobb, Regional Health Administrator for Region 4, served as the VIP. She has been a lead‐
er in a series of public health emergen‐
cy preparedness, response and recov‐
ery efforts; including the 2004 G‐8 Summit; infamous 2004 Florida hurricanes, and the 2005 unprecedented Hurricane Katrina. RADM Cobb was also the honored recipient of the Na onal 2007 Nurse Responder Award for her role in mul ple hurricane response ac vi es. In addi on to a ending the Veteran’s Day breakfast at Gracie Mansion and the Parade Opening Ceremony at Madison Square Park, RADM Cobb proudly marched alongside the PHS officers. (Veteran’s Day, cont’d. on p. 15) 14
Commissioned Officers Association
COA Branch Activities
Immunization Program Kicked Off at
Tuba City
By LCDR Tamy Leung, USPHS O n Sept 16th, Tuba City Regional Health Care Corp (TCRHCC) kicked off its annual flu immuniza on program. During this me, many of the Grand Canyon COA members volunteered to mass immunize the hospital em‐
ployees and the LCDR Leung provides flu shots for Greyhills High local community. School employees Over the course of two weeks, the coordinator of Employee Health, along with several Commission Corps Officers provided the flu vaccina on to over 1000 TCRHCC employees, volunteers, contractors and federal staff. COA members also assisted in the school vaccina on in October. This year, the public health nurses were understaffed at TCRHCC. CDR Tim Newland, LCDR Shannon Newland and LCDR Tamy Leung volunteered for half a day to immunize students, school staff and local Navajo community members against the influenza virus. So far, the school mass immuniza on program provided coverage for 1500 people. Oct 1st marked the first day of the Walk‐in Flu Clinic staffed by Tuba City pharmacists. Throughout the weeks, COA pharmacists rotate through the clinic providing flu shots for adults, averaging 60 pa ents a day. They also screened pa ents for other required vaccines that they may need, such as Zoster, Tdap, HPV, Pneu‐
mococcal, etc. The pa ent then headed to the immunizing phar‐
macist of the day for the vaccine. American Indians have a four me higher mortality rate from the flu than other Americans according to one study done by the CDC. Last year alone over 26,000 deaths across the country
were related directly from influenza. TCRHCC is one of the larg‐
est referral centers in the Western Navajo region. Its service reaches 75K lives in the area for the Navajo, Hopi and Pauite Indians. Each year, it is a privilege that COA members are able to serve these vulnerable popula on and to con nuously promote disease preven on. (Veteran’s Day, cont’d. from p. 15) The theme of this year's parade was "Tribute to Women in Service" and the featured service branch was the U.S. Army. Fi ngly, the Grand Marshall for the parade was the first female 4‐star officer in the Armed Forces, Ann E. Dun‐
woody, U.S. Army, (Ret.). This is the third year that the PHS Commissioned Corps as well as the Commissioned Officers Associa on were repre‐
sented in the NYC Veterans Day Parade. Under the ca‐
dence of Commander Andrew Chen, the officers marched up Manha an’s Fi h Avenue and onto the red carpet sprawled out by the reviewing stand in front of the New York Public Library and were then announced and dis‐
played on na onal television while they were cheered by patrio c spectators! The Veteran’s Day Parade Subcommi ee members within the Greater NYCOA Visibility & Marke ng Commi ee worked hard in prepara on for Greater New York’s par ci‐
pa on in this Veteran’s Day Parade. Invita ons were sent out to all Chief Professional Officers (CPOs), Flag officers, Commissioned Corps Liaisons, as well as COA Branch Presi‐
dents na onwide. This same commi ee developed and designed the USPHS/COA Banner and Unit flag as well as coordinated RADM Cobb’s i nerary. Volunteers from our Photojournalism Subcommi ee and other par cipants who marched with us provided many photos of our day’s journey across 5th Avenue while march‐
ing proudly in the parade. Many thanks to every single volunteer and par cipant who helped to make the 94th Annual New York City Veteran’s Day Parade a really great day and lovely memory for all. December 2013 - Frontline
15
COA Branch Activities
North Carolina Branch - Day of Celebrations: American Tobacco Trail Grand
Opening Celebration; Inaugural NCCOA A&C Banquet
By CDR Paula Bridges, USPHS Surgeon General's Honor Cadre pos ng colors at the Anchor and Caduceus Banquet T he day began with the a endance of twelve officers at the highly publicized Opening Ceremony of the American Tobac‐
co Trail on Saturday, October 12, in Durham, North Carolina. According to the event program, “The American Tobacco Trail is part of the much longer trail system that runs along the length of the east coast from Florida to Maine.” The 22‐mile por on of the trail that stretches through three coun es in North Carolina is used to walk, jog and bike, and is a vital part of North Carolina’s effort to promote health and wellness. Although the ribbon‐cu ng ceremony planned for a bridge that is part of the trail did not occur, the spirits of the a endees were undaunted. USPHS officers set up a booth and educated the public about the perils of tobacco smoke. They disseminated brochures containing smoking cessa on ps, and provided website and support group informa on for further assistance. Healing with CAARE, a local community center that works closely with NCCOA, was among the groups listed. Public officials at the event included the Hon. William Bell, mayor of Durham, Hon. Floyd McKissick, Jr., North Carolina Sen‐
ator, and Mr. Beau Mills, District Director, on behalf of the Hon. David Price, U.S. Congressman. Officers had an opportunity to converse with officials, partake of a variety of food, 16
and learn about other community organiza ons that were par cipa ng in the event. It was a perfect opportunity to promote the mission of the Corps, while increasing visibility. The day concluded with a fabulous gala that filled the State Ballroom at the Marrio Center City in Raleigh, North Caroli‐
na. NCCOA’s Inaugural Anchor and Caduceus Banquet was a spectacular event. Music was provided by the USPHS Music Ensemble, featuring the orchestra and choir. Dinner was served in grand style, consis ng of delicious entrees and desserts. The keynote speaker for the evening was the Ac ng Director of DCCPR, OSG, CAPT Paul Jung. He spoke about our past, present and future, in keeping with the theme of the celebra‐
on. He emphasized that although we were in the throes of a government shutdown, we demonstrated the calm resolve and resiliency characteris c of Commissioned Corps officers. He also spoke about our longstanding ability to rise to the occasion in the midst of adversity to con nue our mission of advancing public health. Other honored guests included RADM Kenneth Moritsugu, USPHS, (Ret.) former Ac ng US Surgeon General, RADM Wil‐
liam Stokes, USPHS, (Ret.), former Director of the Na onal Toxicology Program’s Interagency Center for the Evalua on of Alterna ve Toxicological Methods, NIEHS, CAPT Jerry Farrell, USN (Ret.), Execu ve Director of Commissioned Officers Asso‐
cia on/Founda on, CAPT George Durgin, PHS BOP liaison, and Warden Art Beeler (Ret.), former Warden of FCC Butner. CAPT Carlton Pyant served as the Master of Ceremonies. Awards were presented to officers following the keynote address. CDR Paula Bridges was awarded NCCOA Senior Officer of the Year, and LCDR Nikisha Brown was awarded NCCOA Junior Officer of the Year. At the conclusion of the formal program, officers and their guests danced the night away to the sounds of contemporary music provided by LCDR John Wa s, the DJ for the evening. Officers look forward to returning to the luxurious Marrio Center City, Raleigh, North Carolina, June 10‐12, for the 2014 COF/COA Scien fic Training and Symposium. Commissioned Officers Association
COA Branch Activities
Phoenix Branch Officers Join AZ
Paint-A-Thon
SoCal Branch — AIDS Walk & Run
San Diego 2013
By LCDR Flordeliza J. Villareal and LT Luis Iturriaga, USPHS By CDR Karen Kilman, USPHS T wenty members of the Phoenix Indian Medical Center (PIMC) and their families joined Rebuilding Together Val‐
ley of the Sun for the 10th Annual Rock and Roll Paint‐A‐Thon. The Rebuilding Together Organiza on gathers paint supplies and exterior paint but relies on volunteer groups to organize teams to paint the exterior houses for low income families or Veterans who have applied and qualify for this service. This year our PIMC team was one of 150 teams that par cipated in the event held on October 26, 2013. The team members had a great deal of fun and gained personal sa sfac on while being able to aid in beau fica on of the community with help for those less fortunate. Bo om row (L‐R) LT Kazu Okumura, LCDR Sandra Duncan, LCDR Kim Bellama, LCDR Vilma Linsteadt, LCDR Flordeliza Villareal, LCDR Cath‐
erine Helmste er. Top row (LR) LT Kelly Abraham, CDR Aileen Renolayan, LCDR Herman Auhl, LT Gustavo Miranda, LCDR Paul Nordstrom, LT Kris na Snyder, LT Luis Iturriaga, CDR Edith Lederman, CDR John Urban A Phoenix COA Paint‐A‐Thon TEAM (Photo courtesy of LT Thelma Lucero) Stay in touch with COA through our Facebook
Page (h p://www.facebook.com/coausphs) nother fun and exci ng day as SoCal COA members united together on September 29, 2013 in an effort to support San Diego’s largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser – AIDS Walk & Run San Diego 2013. This event is held annually in beau ful Balboa Park and is one of the community’s most heartrending and inspira‐
onal events. It is known that there is no cure for AIDS; howev‐
er, it is proven fact that the best weapon to fight this debili‐
ta ng disease is through educa on, tes ng, and treatment. Currently, there are approximately 16,000 men, women, and children figh ng HIV/AIDS in San Diego County alone. As part of the medical team members, the SoCal COA group comprising of 15 Commissioned Corps Officers has volunteered in providing medical emergency support to this inspiring fund‐
raising event par cipated by over 8,000 individuals, teams, social clubs, local businesses, schools and universi es, and faith organiza ons. This event’s highlights are the 10k Run, 5k Walk and First Heat of the Street Challenge Obstacle Course. Our mission as U.S. Public Health Service Corps was deeply expressed through our involvement in line with this event’s mission to increase community awareness about HIV tes ng and treatment resources, as well as, educa on program lead by The San Diego LGBT Community Center. AIDS Walk & Run San Diego is the leading edge to raise crucial funds for the direct service healthcare providers in the community who are at the frontline of HIV/AIDS epidemic. December 2013 - Frontline
17
COA Branch Activities
Western Arizona Branch Participates in Breast Cancer Walk
By LT Jeannie Hong, USPHS The dona ons raised are used to offer low cost mammograms to local ci zens. This year, the Western Arizona COA was recog‐
nized as a Signature Sponsor for their generous dona on. Supporters and survivors walked two miles from the aqua c center through the English Village and up the Bridgewater Channel back to the Aqua c Center to the commu‐
(L‐R) LT Diyo Rai, LCDR Melinda Astran, LCDR Sarah‐Jean Snyder, LT Jeannie Hong, LCDR Tin Nguyen O n Saturday, October 5, 2012, Commissioned Officers from the Western Arizona Branch par cipated in Lake Havasu City, Arizona’s 15th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk (BCAW). BCAW efforts generate dona ons upwards of twenty thousand dollars for the Cancer Associa on of Havasu. (Legisla ve Update, cont’d. from p. 2) nity health fair. Officers have been par cipa ng in Lake Havasu City’s BCAW for mul ple years now and are readily recognized for being in uniform and promo ng public health and screenings. advocates and senate staffers to work together to win the hearts and minds and votes of doubters in the U.S. Senate. To support the effort, let me know right away. Time is very short. —Judith Rensberger 18
Commissioned Officers Association
Getting to Know Push-Ups
By CDR Tina Lankford, USPHS—CDC’s WorkLife Wellness Office P ush‐ups are probably the most dreaded exercise if they exist in our regular regimen. Typically, we find ourselves each year encountering this exercise as we prepare ourselves (over a few short days) to do a “sufficient enough” number to pass the APFT test. Push‐ups benefit almost all major muscles in the body including your core. And, because of their intensity, work‐outs can be completed in half the me! An avenue for progression (keep one of these year‐round as your favorite) and note the links to images provide more informa on.
Wall Push‐up‐ This posi on is a great start to become familiar with how various hand placements target specific muscles. To get into the posi on, extend your arms di‐
rectly from the chest, shoulder‐width apart. Place your palms flat against the wall and move your feet back 2‐3 feet. Lean into wall bending elbows and keeping back straight as you bring your nose close to the wall, hold shortly and push back (straightening elbows) to star ng posi on. Do not lock elbows. Maintain resistance and do as many repe ons needed un l fa gue. http://internalforcefitness.com/push-ups-howto-do-them-properly/
Incline Push‐up‐This posi on adds a li le more of your body weight to the previous exercise. Find an outdoor bench, concrete wall, or use your desk or a weight bench. Conduct the push‐up as described above and do as many repe ons as possible un l fa‐
gue. http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Triceps/
BWCloseGripInclinePushupBar.html
Knee Push‐Up‐You can start prac cing push‐ups at this level as well. If you experience back, knee, or joint pain in this posi on, use one of the preceding techniques. It’s ideal to start in this posi on before you do the tradi‐
onal push‐up form. The knee posi on allows you to develop proper form and build strength in the core and arms while protec ng the lower back before advancing to the full push‐up. http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Triceps/
BWCloseGripPushupKnees.html
Tradi onal Push‐up‐ You can start this posi on on the ground with hands just outside the chest to ensure proper placement. Feet and hands may also be placed wider to distribute weight and make the exercise a li le easier if needed, if lower back pain or lose form then stop and con nue reps in the knee push‐up posi on to build strength. http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/
PectoralSternal/BWPushup.html
(Push‐ups, cont’d. on p. 20) December 2013 - Frontline
19
State of Maryland Now Provides
License Plates with the PHS Seal
By CAPT James M. Simpson, USPHS T he DC COA Branch Board of Directors sponsored a project to up‐
date the specialty license plates available to owners of registered motor vehicles in the State of Maryland. The Branch first established these plates during the PHS Centennial celebra on in 1998. The original accom‐
LCDR Tina Walther and LTJG plishment is credited to Michael Simpson, USPHS CAPT Cheryl Seaman and CAPT William Hess. In early 2013, LTJG Michael Simpson proposed to the DC COA leadership a project to achieve parity with the other uniform services and create a four color graphic version of the ex‐
is ng license plate. Now over 40 vehicles proudly promote the PHS. Hopefully many more re red and 1,500 plus ac ve duty officers with their duty sta on in the State of Maryland will now take advantage of this opportunity. The scope of the project involved dra ing the funding proposal, numerous communica ons with staff of the Motor Vehicle Administra on, direc ng a graphic ar st and being the contact person for a minimum of 25 applica on forms. If you currently have a registered vehicle in the State of Maryland and want to obtain a set of these wonderful plates with the PHS seal, please send an email to LTJG Michael Simpson @ [email protected]. (Push‐ups, cont’d. from p. 19) Tips:
Perform planks at any point in progression to build strength Use a 2 count down, pause 1, and 2 count up cadence Inhale as you go down Exhale as you come up Keep your neck neutral (head faces down to the hands) Keep your abdomen muscles ght to keep mid‐sec on In alignment Use a basketball for chest to tap for half push‐ups Use a baseball for chest to tap for full push‐ups References
Guide to prepare for the APFT: 20
Promotion Ceremony for USPHS
Commissioned Officer at Yosemite
National Park
By CDR Ma hew Weinburke, USPHS N ot just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. Yosemite Na onal Park is best known for its waterfalls, where you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and six USPHS officers who are sta oned nestled in this na onal park located in California. The six officers work in three different sec ons of this 750,000 acre park. They like to get together as much as possible, and on September 29, 2013, they got together for the very special occa‐
sion. LCDR Tim Ye , Nurse Category, who works in the Yosemite Medical Clinic in Yosemite Valley, was given a promo on ceremony by his fellow officers, family and na onal park staff. The small but proud con ngent gathered in a conference room to acknowledge LCDR Ye ’s accomplishment and enjoy some camaraderie. LCDR Brian Burt even led a singing of the USPHS March. Following the promo on ceremony, everyone enjoyed good food in one of the most beau ful se ngs in the United States. Pictured in the center is LCDR Tim Ye , Nurse, with CDR Ma hew Weinburke, HSO, on his right and LCDR Brian Burt, HSO and LCDR Jennifer Legge , Nurse, on his le . Not pictured are CDR David Engelstad, Engineer, and LCDR Ralph Groves, Medical Officer, who are also USPHS commissioned officers assigned to Yosemite Na onal Park. Photo courtesy of LCDR Tim Ye h p://www.atlantacoa.com/documents/
OfficersGuideToAPFT.pdf One hundred push‐ups program: h p://hundredpushups.com/test.html For details on several exercises: h p://exrx.net/ Muscle‐strengthening videos from CDC: h p://www.cdc.gov/physicalac vity/everyone/videos/
index.html#MuscleHome Commissioned Corps Fitness Test Guide: h p://dcp.psc.gov/PDF_docs/
MC_on_Readiness_Standards_FY2004.pdf Commissioned Officers Association
(Promo on, cont’d from p. 11) officers as well as their family and friends. ACOA would like to acknowledge Event Co‐Chairs LCDR Deborah Dee and LCDR Loren Rodgers, and all of the officers who volunteered their me to make this event such a huge success. Last, but certainly not least, ACOA would like to recognize the hard work and achievements of all of the promoted Officers – congratula ons! (L to R): Mrs. Rodenbeck, RADM Rodenbeck, LCDR Mu er, and RADM Robert Williams , (Ret.), USPHS RADM Boris Lushniak and RADM Clara Cobb changing the shoulder boards for RADM Stephen Redd RADM Lushniak and LTJG Jona Ogden share the tradi onal cake‐cu ng du es LCDRs Jamie Mu er and Loren Rodgers Mainzer Completes FEMA’s Inaugural National Emergency Management
Executive Academy Course
C aptain Hugh Mainzer, USPHS, a Veterinary Officer assigned to CDC as Deputy Associate Director for Environmental Health Emergencies in Atlanta, GA graduated in September from FEMA’s Na onal Emergen‐
cy Management Execu ve Academy at the Emergency Management Ins tute in Emmitsburg, MD. CAPT Main‐
zer completed all of the Academy training courses that provide a comprehensive and cu ng‐edge curriculum that supports the advancement of the emergency management profession at strategic policy and execu ve leadership levels. Mainzer completed the four courses in the Execu ve Academy that includes Emergency Management—A Leadership Challenge; Integra ng Science into Emergency Management Policies and Decisions; Emergency Management in the 21st Century; and Exercising Emergency Management Execu ve Policy and Decision‐making. To graduate, Mainzer fulfilled a total of 136 hours of training. The Na onal Emergency Management Execu ve Academy is designed for current and future emergency management execu ves in state, local, tribal, territorial and Federal government agencies; non‐profit voluntary organiza ons; and the private sector. The Execu ve Academy ins lls current and future emergency management leaders with a deeper understanding of contemporary and emerging emergency management issues, debates, and public policy. It provides insights, theories, tools and resources that enable decision‐makers to think and act more strategically and to build capacity to protect against, prepare for, respond to, recover from and mi gate all types of disasters. The Academy provides the opportunity to work collabora vely, share smart prac ces, and par cipate in exercises with other senior leaders facing similar challenges. GO GREEN by “Opting-Out” of your hard copy of the Frontline mailing online
at the COA Members Only website - www.coausphs.org. COA Members receive monthly
e-mail alerts of when Frontline is available online for reading!
December 2013 - Frontline
21
In Memoriam
RADM JOHN W. CASHMAN, (RET.), USPHS
R ear Admiral John W. Cash‐
man, USPHS, age 90, a COA Life Member, passed away Octo‐
ber 18, 2013 in Tacoma, WA. RADM Cashman's medical career spanned 46 years. His service in the Washington D.C. area includ‐
ed assignments in the Montgom‐
ery County Health Department, the Peace Corps where he served as Deputy Medical Director and as Assistant Surgeon General of the United States. RADM Cashman served in leadership roles in the federal government's efforts to make people aware of the hazards of smoking, crea ng nursing home care and mine health safety regula ons, and establishing Medicare. RADM Cashman was an ac ve member of the Church of the Nazarene since 1935. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, in 2008. He is survived by son John Jr., (Cyndy), of Nor‐
man OK, and son Tom (Rosemary), of Fox Island, WA; and by two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. CAPT EVERETT L. MACLEMAN, (RET.), USPHS
C aptain Evere Louis MacLeman, 91, a COA Life Member, passed away on September 18, 2009, in Guilford, Connec cut. His loving wife of 65 years, Doris Williams MacLeman, survived him by 2 years. He was a Captain in the Pub‐
lic Health Service and a WWII Navy veteran. Born March 15, 1918 in New Haven, he a ended Hillhouse High School and Hopkins Grammar School. He graduated from Yale in 1942 with a Civil Engineering degree. That same year he enlisted with the Navy, and was assigned as Deck Officer with the rank of 1st Lt. aboard the LST 547 in the Pacific War. His ship saw fleet service in both the Atlan c and the Pacific. In 1947 he received a masters from Yale in Civil Engi‐
neering, con nuing with graduate studies at Harvard, before returning to the university as an associate professor where he taught 15 different courses over 12 years. He remained ac ve with the Navy Reserves, transferring his commission to the PHS in 1957. In 1959 he returned to ac ve duty with the PHS. He then had numerous assignments with the PHS, the Dept. of Health Educa on and Welfare, and the Environmental Protec‐
on Agency as Chief Program Director for Studies and Projects throughout the US; primarily related to water supply quality and water pollu on control. He was published in various pro‐
fessional journals including NEWWA and AWWA. In 1976, he re red as a Regional Program Director with the EPA in charge of NY, NJ, PA, DE, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; one of the projects he worked on was in the development of EPA guide‐
lines for the review of federally funded water supply projects. Later, he became a peer reviewer for their research grant ap‐
plica ons. He was ac ve with the town of Guilford serving on the Water Pollu on Control Authority from 1966 un l 2005, and as chairman from 1971 un l 1994. In 1980, he developed the town's Sewer Avoidance Program. He took great pleasure giving his me and exper se to friends and neighbors, also designing a number of their sep c systems. Long enjoying Yale's Payne Whitney Gym, his swimming team broke records and went undefeated winning the NCAA championship in 1942. A recipient of the Robert Kiphuth Award, various contri‐
bu ons to swimming at Yale included serving as a ming offici‐
ate from 1947‐2005, the prepara on of a pictorial history of each swim team, and offering detailed engineering plans for a new Kiphuth Pool. Evere is survived by his 2 sons, a daughter and a much loved granddaughter. CAPT LEROY MARTIN, (RET.), USPHS
C aptain Leroy Mar n, USPHS, (Ret.), a COA Life Member, passed away peacefully at Addeo Hospice on October 20,, 2013, surrounded by his loving family a er a courageous ba le with cancer. CAPT Mar n was born in Manha an, New York on June 16, 1933. A mere few years later, Roy met his wife Joan in 22
second grade at Saint Kevin’s School in Flushing, Queens. He graduated from Manha an College with a Civil Engineering Degree and worked with the USPHS from 1957 thru 1987. Throughout their 58 years of marriage, Roy and Joan raised four magnificent children who then provided seven even more magnificent grandchildren. Roy prided himself on being a fitness instructor at both the YMCA and Vizcaya, as well as being the Coordinator of the Tennis League for many years. Upon re rement, he devoted much of his me to the High Commissioned Officers Association
(Mar n, cont’d. on p. 23) In Memoriam
(Mar n, cont’d. from p. 22) Rock Civic Associa on and the Greenbelt Conservancy. Although an unpublished poet, Roy touched the lives of many with his words. He also enjoyed golfing, skiing, travel‐
ing, and cheering on the Yankees. CAPT KEITH G. WINKLER, (RET.), USPHS
C aptain Keith Gardner Winkler, a COA Life Member, passed away at his home in Payson, Utah, from causes incident to age and illness on October 15, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Carol LaVon Grass Winkler; sib‐
lings: Lloyd (Jo) Winkler, Marian (Grant, dec.) Monson, and Jae (Luana) Winkler; and children: Benjamin K. (Beth) Winkler, Mar San zo, Andrew M. Winkler, Ma hew G. Winkler, Betsy (Nate) Johansen, Naomi (Kevin) Yocum, and Iralee (Marden) Pace. He has 26 living grandchildren and 18 great‐grandchildren. Captain Winkler was born May 22, 1927 in Bluebell, UT, and raised in the Uinta Basin and Spring Canyon. He a ended schools in Roosevelt, Ioka, and Spring Canyon, where he was Student Council President at Spring Canyon Junior High School. He then graduated from Carbon High School in Price, UT, and a er gradua on, he enlisted in the US Navy, where he served un l the demobiliza on following WWII. A er a ending the University of Utah for two years, Keith was called to serve a mission to the Eastern States Mission. During his mission, he par cipated in the Hill Cumorah Pageant, both as an actor, and as part of the stage and set construc on crew. He drew lifelong pleasure from his role as the voice of King Limhi. He was the broadcaster of a weekly radio show, and sang as member of the Utah Centennial Chorus that per‐
formed throughout the mission area. These experiences fore‐
shadowed his par cipa on in amateur thespian and choral produc ons throughout his life. Captain Winkler subsequently resumed his undergraduate studies at the University of Utah, before going to the Universi‐
ty of Minnesota dental school. Before gradua ng Keith mar‐
ried his sweetheart, Carol LaVon Grass, in the Salt Lake Tem‐
ple, March 23, 1955. Upon receiving his degree as a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), he also received a commission as an officer in the United States Public Health Service. He served a career of great dis nc on in the USPHS. CAPT Winkler was selected as one of only six den sts na onwide for appointment to the Radiological Health Program, and he gained a global reputa on for both exper se and veracity as a researcher. He authored papers published in the American Dental Associa on Journal and in the Journal of Radiological Health, and was asked to present papers at ADA conven ons. He was o en specifically requested by the ADA as the only one they could trust to get them the truth. His tes mony in hear‐
ings before congressional commi ees also resulted in his pa‐
pers being read into the Congressional Record. His work was noted world‐wide, and he was recognized by foreign research‐
ers as the world’s foremost authority on the dental uses of ra‐
dioac ve Y rium. He re red as a Captain (O‐6) a er a twenty‐year career. A er re ring, CAPT Winkler took up fine woodwork and lathe turning, and developed a level of ar stry that is s ll on display in public buildings in Orem and Provo. He turned all the up‐
rights for the circular staircase in the Bunnell Building on the Utah Valley University campus, and his work on the historic Knight Building in downtown Provo is acknowledged by a plaque there. He also used his woodworking talents to create scenery and award‐winning props for the Orem Summer Thea‐
ter, including a func oning carousel for a produc on of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. Captain Winkler loved ac ng in amateur thespian produc ons, generally with as many family members as a given produc on could provide roles for. He also sang in church and community choirs throughout his life, including a performance at Wolf Trap, VA (the Na onal Park for the Performing Arts), and with the Mendelssohn Chorus in Provo, UT. A faithful and ac ve member of The Church of Jesus Christ of La er‐day Saints, Keith served in many callings, including: Stake Dance Director, New York Stake; Branch President, San Juan, PR, Branch; Bishopric Counselor, Bal more, MD, 2nd Ward; one of the Presidents of the Washington, D.C., Stake Quorum of Seventy; Stake Priesthood Organist, Silver Spring, MD Stake; Co
‐Director, Edgemont, UT, Family History Center; Data Extrac on Director, Edgemont, UT, Stake; callings as Ward Librarian, Ward/Branch Clerk, Stake Missionary, and as a teacher in vari‐
ous organiza ons. With his wife, Carol, he served a Family His‐
tory Mission in Las Vegas, NV. In addi on to church callings, Keith also served as the President of the Parent Teacher Associa on. December 2013 - Frontline
23
COA Chair’s Corner, (cont’d. from p. 3)
almost never comes easily. I generally abhor clichés but if the shoe fits… I imagine most of you reading this probably remember Casey Kasem’s sign‐off at the end of every week’s America’s Top 40 broadcast, “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.” Cheesy as all get‐out, but the underlying sen ment hits the nail on the head. Know the popula on you serve. Really know them, as much as you can on a personal basis, not just as numbers or sta s cs. Un‐
derstand the trends, prac ces, underlying factors, and social condi ons that will affect their health, not just tomorrow or next year, but into the next 25 or 100 years. Create a long‐term vision grounded in that knowledge and understanding. Collaborate with the community in refining this vision. Break it down into diges ble tasks. Assemble a team. Work hard. Don’t get frustrat‐
ed. Make course correc ons as circumstances dictate. Work harder. Hold on to your sense of humor. Keep working. But never give up on the vision. Our value as the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is not just in the labor of our hands or in the power of our ideas. It is in the harmony we create between both. Working hard, pursuing a vision. DHHS Implements Whistleblower
Protections for PHS Officers
C OA has learned that DHHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has approved the implemen ng regula‐
ons to provide PHS Commissioned Corps officers whistleblower protec ons modeled on those provided to armed service members by Title 10 of the U.S. Code. Whistleblower protec on for PHS officers was required by Public Law 112‐144 in 2012. The law amended the Public Health Service Act (Title 42 U.S. Code) by adding language to conform such protec ons afforded to PHS officers with those provided under Title 10 to armed service members. The requirements and the implemen ng regula ons provide that any PHS officer who claims whistleblower status must do so through the DHHS Inspector Gen‐
eral’s office. This will ensure consistent applica on and enforcement across the Corps rather than have each individual op/staffdiv or agency inspector general deal with Corps whistleblower issues. (PACE, cont’d. from p. 9) and established a repor ng mechanism within the PACE program to provide quan fiable metrics to determine the impact of the Commissioned Corp is having on implemen ng the NPS on the na on. To date, the PACE program has established partnerships with Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) and Asian Ameri‐
can Leadership and Empowerment and Development (AALEAD) to pair Commissioned Corps officers’ exper se to provide interac ons to elementary to high school students on health related topics. Since PACE has been implemented in January 4, 2013, there have been 12 PACE events conduct‐
ed in the Washington DC Metro Area that involved 15 Com‐
missioned Corps Officers contribu ng over 70 contact hours of service educa ng nearly 1,200 elementary, middle, and high school students about a specific strategy outline in the NPS. Currently there are 50 Officers that have shown interest and are in line to par cipate in the PACE program, and there branches of the PACE program forming in Atlanta, GA, Phoenix, AZ, Frederick, MD, Tennessee, San Francisco, and Oklahoma. For more informa on on becoming a volunteer, please see the following fact sheet: h p://dccoa.org/NPS‐PACE%
20MCPS%20Volunteer%20Partnership.pdf
COA/COF Seeking a new Executive Director
T he COA/COF enterprise is accep ng applica ons for the posi on of execu ve director through the end of December. Interest‐
ed persons are invited to access the vacancy announcement and posi on descrip on on the COA website at www.coausphs.org. 24
Commissioned Officers Association
From the Executive Director, from page 1
pay and benefits for members
of the uniformed services.
COA represents the interests of
one of the two smallest of the
seven uniformed services and
we are concerned by the President’s instruction to the commission to “explore differences
between the armed services
and the other uniformed
services.”
Our over-arching interest is to
ensure that compensation and
benefits remain uniform across
all seven of the uniformed
services.
That such a statement would
be included in the instructions
to the commission is alarming.
It evidences a common lack of
knowledge about and appreciation for the role of the PHS
Commissioned Corps in national security. We suggest
that the commission focus rather on the similarities between
the PHS Commissioned Corps
and the other uniformed
services.
Public health is the most fundamental component of national security. This basic principle was recognized as early as
1798, when President John Adams signed an “Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen” that sought to protect the
fledging national economy by
protecting the health of our
maritime workforce. From this
act grew the US Public Health
Service Commissioned Corps, a
uniformed service since 1889.
Throughout the history of warfare, there have been far more
recorded deaths due to infectious disease and famine, than
to combat. The PHS Commissioned Corps has been called
upon by the military to defend
against disease in every war the
Nation has fought since the
Civil War. The Corps was militarized in 1945 and remained so
until the end of the Korean
Conflict.
PHS officers most closely resemble the medical, nurse,
dental, and medical service
corps components of the armed
services and PHS officers deploy alongside their armed service peers. In the last decade,
872 PHS officers, out of an average Corps size of 6200, have
deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Many more PHS officers
are stationed around the globe.
RADM James Steele, USPHS, (Ret.)
PHS officers also deploy domestically and internationally
in response to health emergencies – 440 missions in the last
decade with a total of almost
15,000 deployed – obviously
some more than once.
On October 27th, I had the great pleasure
and honor to serve as guest speaker at a DC
COA dining out in Gaithersburg, MD. The
event was a spectacular success and raised
nearly $3,000 for the PHS Commissioned
Officers Foundation – a significant potion
from “fines” collected throughout the evening! Acting Surgeon General RADM Boris
Lushniak served as President of the Mess,
and Captain George Durgin did a commendable job as “Mr. Vice.” The evening
was pleasant interlude of fun and fellowship
during an otherwise busy and hectic period!
In the 2010 National Security
Strategy, President Obama
wrote, “The United States has a
moral and strategic interest in
promoting global health.” In
response to that emphasis on
“soft diplomacy,” the Army,
Navy and Air Force have each
established their own public
health commands. But the
premiere public health force
multiplier remains the PHS
Commissioned Corps. The
armed services regularly turn to
the PHS Commissioned Corps
for expertise in public health
missions.
In an era of cost cutting and
efficiencies, the PHS Commissioned Corps should be a role
model. PHS officers serve in
virtually every department and
agency of the US Government,
and almost half of the 6800
PHS officers are assigned to
billets above their pay grade. It
would be an expensive proposition indeed for the government
to disassociate PHS compensation and benefits from the other
uniformed services.
Thank you.
We also submitted a statement for the record that can found on the COA website at
http://www.coausphs.org/docs/news/COA%
20MCRMC%20Testimony%20-%
20Statement%20for%20record.pdf.
COA mourns the loss of one of the Association’s earliest members and the Father of
Veterinary Public Health, RADM James
Steele, who passed away in Houston, TX
on 10 November at the age of 100. Admiral Steele was a Life Member of COA, having joined in 1945, before the Association
was formally incorporated.
DC COA Dining Out
Set Your Minds at Ease
The news media of late have been full of
reports of fraud in the non-profit sector. It
seems that several organizations, large and
small, have had trouble managing and
maintaining control of their funds. I want
to assure COA’s members and Foundation
donors that no such accusations have been
levied against either COA or COF. Staff
has in place a process and procedures for
receiving, accounting, and disbursing funds
that meet or exceed industry standards. I
review our financial records at least monthly, and the boards review the records quarterly. Both the Association and Foundation
undergo a rigorous audit conducted by an
independent auditing firm each year with
the results reported to the Boards and available for review by all.
2014 PHS Scientific and Training
Symposium
The 49th annual PHS Scientific and Training Symposium is shaping up to be a
blockbuster! One hotel is already sold out!
Don’t delay in making your lodging reservations! Call for abstracts closes soon too.
Don’t hesitate! As was the case for the
2013 Symposium, we do not anticipate any
significant government funding will be
available to support travel or registration
costs. Officers who have paid their own
(Execu ve Director, cont’d. on p. 26) December 2013 - Frontline
25
From the Executive Director, from page 25
way in past years always report that it was an investment well
worth the cost. Bring the family! Make it a vacation week in
lovely North Carolina! See you there!
Can it really be December Already?
I had to double-check the month when I began to compose this
column. Where has 2013 gone? As we approach the end of a
tumultuous year I join you all in seeking the solace of the holidays. The staff and I extend our best wishes for whatever holiday
or holyday you celebrate as the winter solstice nears. And we all
hope for a happy, peaceful, prosperous, and healthy New Year!
Semper Sanis!
Teresa Hayden Foley Celebrates 15th
Anniversary with COA!
C OA’s longest serving em‐
ployee is our Administra‐
ve Director, Teresa Hayden Foley, who completed her 15th year with COA last month. Teresa manages all the office func ons including oversight of human resources and finances. Teresa also provides oversight for all database opera ons and member services. Teresa en‐
sures the smooth efficiency of everything we do at both the Associa on and Founda on. She is a key leader of our team and we congratulate her on 15 years of service to COA, COF and the PHS Commissioned Corps! 26
Welcome New COA Members
LT Christopher L. Anderson, Unaffiliated
CAPT Robert K. Baus, (Ret.), Unaffiliated
LCDR Cassidy L. Brown, South Texas
LT Renee Cannon, Unaffiliated
LTJG Robert A. Chavarin, Unaffiliated
LTJG Brandy L. Cloud, New England
CDR Daniel M. Coviello, Atlanta
LT Shane C. Deckert, District of Columbia
LT Alexander J. Freiman, Unaffiliated
LT Elizabeth D. Geest, Unaffiliated
LT Andrea G. Gonzalez, Unaffiliated
LT James D. Gooch, Atlanta
LCDR Gene Gunn, Central Florida
LCDR Neil Gupta, Atlanta
CAPT Richard Hornung, (Ret.), Cincinnati
LT Chandra E. Jolley, District of Columbia
LT Duvinka Jordan, Western New York
LTJG Lura D. Kelly, Unaffiliated
LCDR Michael H. Kinzer, Unaffiliated
LCDR William A. Lanier, Rocky Mountain
LT Ji Hyun Larose, District of Columbia
LTJG Violet Maleche-Odhiambo, Unaffiliated
LT Michelle A. Matthey, Oklahoma
LT Jonathan Meiman, Unaffiliated
LT Marvin R. Mitchell, Jr., Unaffiliated
LT Vu H. Nguyen, Unaffiliated
LTJG Isabel Nieto, Unaffiliated
LCDR Suzette W. Peng, District of Columbia
LT LeAnn Poole, Baltimore
CDR Alina Salvatore, Montgomery County
LT Kari M. Schlessinger, Unaffiliated
LT Chelsea N. Sealey, Unaffiliated
LT Natasha Senat, Unaffiliated
LCDR Su-Lin Sun, District of Columbia
LT Erica R. Thomasson, Unaffiliated
LT Robert E. Van Meir, Unaffiliated
LTJG Jasmine H. Wanders, Unaffiliated
LT Krystal D. West, Unaffiliated
LT Justin D. Wilcox, Unaffiliated
LT Rahel D. Woyessa, Unaffiliated
CDR Tanya M. Wroblewski, Unaffiliated
Commissioned Officers Association
COA Member CDR Arjun Srinivasan Declares “The End of Antibiotics”
E arlier this year CDC published An bio c resistance threats in the United States, 2013, a first‐ever report of the burden and threats posed by the an bio c‐resistant germs having the most impact on human health. In a special report to CNN on November 20th, CDC Director Dr. Tom Friedan noted the report “es mates that each year in the United States, at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria resistant to an bio cs, and at least 23,000 people die as a result.” Dr. Freidan went on to write that “It’s a big problem, and one that’s ge ng worse. But we published this report because it’s not too late – there’s a lot we can do to slow down, and even reverse, an bio c re‐
sistance.” In related interviews on PBS, CDC Associate Director and COA member, CDR Arjun Sriniva‐
san, one of the report’s authors declared that the age of an bio cs has come to an end. “For a long me, there have been newspaper stories and covers of magazines that talked about ‘The end of an bio cs, ques on mark?"' said CDR Srinivasan. 'Well, now I would say you can change the tle to "The end of an bio cs, period.”' The CDC report claims that both humans and livestock have been overmedicated to such a degree that bacteria are now resistant to an bio cs. “We're in the post‐an bio c era,” says CDR Srinivasan. “There are pa ents for whom we have no therapy, and we are literally in a posi on of having a pa ent in a bed who has an infec on, something that five years ago even we could have treated, but now we can’t.” The CDC report iden fies four core ac ons to address the problem: preven on, tracking, improving use, and development of new drugs and diagnos cs. Preven on is accomplished through immuniza ons, infec on control, safe food prepara on and proper hygiene. CDC tracks, collects and analyzes data on an bio c‐resistant infec ons. All medical personnel can improve use by using an bio cs only when needed, and to use an bio cs for only as long as they are needed. Development of new an bio cs is a years‐long effort and requires incen vizing companies to do the research – a challenge in an age of budget sequestra on. All of these ac ons are classic public health strategies and underscore the important role of the PHS Commissioned Corps in na onal health security – as so ably demonstrated by CDR Srinivasan. December 2013 - Frontline
27
The COA Frontline (ISSN 10937161) is published monthly except
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