Sept 2007_Frontline - Commissioned Officers Association

C O M M I S S I O N E D O F F I C E R S A S S O C I A T I O N
Frontline
COA
Vol. 44, Issue 7 September 2007
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
“Interesting Times”
an Understatement
Dear COA and COF Friends,
Jerry Farrell
Executive Director
When I wrote
last month that
these were “interesting
times”, I did
not realize just how
much more interesting
the summer
could, or would, get.
The stunning news
on August 7th that Dr. John O.
Agwunobi was resigning his post as
Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH)
and giving up his commission as the
Commissioned Corps’ senior flag
officer took me, for one, by surprise.
Just a week earlier, during the PHS
flag officer’s retreat, Dr. Agwunobi
had been restating his commitment
to the Corps and its transformation
in the remaining 500 or so days of
the Bush Administration
It is difficult to reconcile Dr.
Agwunobi’s impassioned and eloquent
declarations of dedication and
commitment to the Commissioned
Corps with his abrupt decision to
walk away after only 19 months on
the job. There is a sense of abandonment
and betrayal among the
officers with whom I speak.
Dr. Agwunobi’s resignation, effective
on September 4th, comes on
the heels of Rear Admiral Ken
Moritsugu’s decision to retire on or
about 1 October. Rear Admiral
(See Executive Director, page 18)
Agwunobi Resigns; Moritsugu to Retire
Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. John
O. Agwunobi announced his resignation
effective 4 September 2007. This surprise
revelation comes almost simultaneously
with the decision by RADM
Kenneth P. Moritsugu, Deputy and Acting
Surgeon General, to retire on or about 1
October 2007 after some 37 years of service
as a Commissioned Corps officer. Dr.
Agwunobi will have served for 19 months
when he resigns to take a senior position
with WalMart, the mega box store retailer.
Admiral Moritsugu has not announced his
post-retirement plans.
The departure of the Commissioned
Corps’ two senior officers within weeks of
each other is causing considerable turmoil
within the ranks. It should also be a cause
of concern for the infrastructure of the
Nation’s public health leadership. [See the
Executive Director’s comments opposite
on this page.]
As this Frontline goes to press, no decisions
have been announced on a replacement
for Admiral Moritsugu as Deputy
and/or Acting Surgeon General. Nor has
any announcement been forthcoming
about who will assume Dr. Agwunobi’s
duties in either an acting or permanent
capacity. Dr. James Holsinger’s nomination
as Surgeon General has yet to be voted
on by the Senate Health, Education, Labor
and Pensions Committee.
Admiral Moritsugu has served since
1998 as the Deputy Surgeon General,
including almost two full years as the
Acting Surgeon General. Prior to assuming
duties as Deputy SG, the admiral
served for nine years as the Chief Medical
Officer for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
He has also been appointed as the U.S. rep-
RADM Kenneth P. Moritsugu, USPHS
resentative to numerous national health
care agencies and provided expert consultation
to many international organizations
and governments over his career.
As educator, RADM Moritsugu is an
adjunct professor of public health at the
George Washington University School of
the Health Sciences, and adjunct associate
professor of preventive medicine at the
Uniformed Services University of the
Health Sciences.
A native of Hawaii, RADM Moritsugu
completed his undergraduate degree at the
University of Hawaii and his M.D. at the
George Washington University School of
Medicine. He was awarded an M.P.H. in
Health Administration and Planning from
the University of California, Berkeley. The
admiral is board certified in preventive
(See Resignation, page 14)
SEPTEMBER 2007 • COA FRONTLINE 1

BENEFITS OF YOUR
COA MEMBERSHIP
CAPITOL HILL REPRESENTATION
COA legislation on Capitol Hill
continually supports all Commissioned
Corps officers – active, inactive
reserve, and retired.
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.
ANNUAL MEETING
With a mixture of business and pleasure,
COA’s annual meeting invites colleagues
from around the country to gather to
discuss new scientific presentations
while stimulating open forums about
health-related issues.
INSURANCE PROGRAMS
COA enables members to
participate in several low-cost
insurance programs that may
continue after leaving the PHS as
long as your membership in COA
remains current.
FRONTLINE
COA’s newsletter reports on
monthly activities and items of
interest to COA members about
the Corps & COA.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
COA offers thousands of dollars
towards college scholarships
for children and spouses of
COA members.
RIBBON & MINIATURE MEDAL
The COA ribbon and miniature
medal are authorized to be worn
on the PHS uniform by members
in good standing.
HERTZ RENTAL DISCOUNT
Members enjoy discount rates on
Hertz rental throughout the
United States at Hertz locations
and participating licensees.
2 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
PHS Officers in War Zones Deserve Military’s
‘Combat Zone Tax Exclusion’
Bills in Congress Contain Language Requested by COA
Alegislative proposal before the U.S.
Congress would extend to PHS and
NOAA officers in war zones a huge federal
tax exemption that has long been available
to armed military personnel, but denied to
un-armed PHS and NOAA officers who
serve alongside them, also in harm’s way.
PHS officers have served in every combat
zone, including Iraq and Afghanistan,
and NOAA officers have served in hostile
waters alongside the U.S. Navy.
Companion bills S. 1166, introduced
by Sen. John Warner (R-VA), and H.R.
1974, introduced by Rep. Frank Wolf (R-
VA), stipulate that their proposed extension
of the combat zone tax exclusion must
include PHS and NOAA officers. The
term tax exclusion means income excluded
(exempted) from federal income taxation.
The IRS formula for calculating the
amount of the combat zone tax exclusion
set the 2006 tax-free maximum at
$6,724.50 per month.
The language including PHS and
NOAA was added in response to requests
from COA. It was not in the original versions
of these bills, which were introduced
last year and ultimately died in committee.
The 2006 bills were aimed primarily at
extending the military tax benefit to civilian
federal employees working in war
zones. In each bill, the actual text spoke
only of “armed forces” and “civilian
employees.”
COA went to the bills’ managers and
explained that PHS officers are neither
“armed” nor “civilian.” Both bills incorporated
by reference (but not in the text of
the bills themselves) a broad definition of
federal employee that included “uniformed
services” personnel. But COA feared even
that might not be sufficient to cover PHS
officers in Iraq and Afghanistan. As evidence,
COA shared with congressional
staff a DHHS letter dated May 14, 2006,
that firmly denied the combat zone tax
exclusion to Capt. Jeffry Brinkley, a PHS
CDR Tracy Gilchrist served in Iraq in
2006 and reported on his experiences for
Frontline. As a PHS officer, he cannot
claim the Combat Zone Tax Exclusion.
officer who served in Iraq in 2004.
Capt. Brinkley had appealed an earlier
denial from the Compensation Branch. As
the U.S. Health Attache in Iraq, his job
required him to be in downtown Baghdad
every day, traveling under armed guard and
wearing a flak jacket, and in Najaf during
active military operations. He received hazardous
duty pay and hostile fire/imminent
danger pay. But unlike other officers in
other services who performed similar
duties under similarly dangerous conditions,
Capt. Brinkley – he was surprised to
learn – was not eligible for the combat zone
tax exclusion.
In denying his appeal, the then-
Director of the Office of Commissioned
Corps Operations (OCCO), based on an
opinion from the DHHS Office of
(See Legislative Update, page 17)

FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
The Adventure Begins…
CDR Daphne B.
Moffett, USPHS
Afew days ago my
daughter, Raven,
and I were discussing
what I might write in
this column. A prolific
writer at 12 – she is
on page 38 of her first
novel – she has specific
ideas regarding
what constitutes a
good topic and has no trouble expounding
upon them. I offered up my ideas—leadership
(I have been sent to several trainings
on this topic recently, so could at least share
common themes), or public health ethics,
my time at “summer camp” (yes, that
would be Camp Bullis, which now has a
song) or a lively piece on hurricanes. She
sat quietly and then said “oh, that’s good
Mom.” I could tell by the pause and lack of
enthusiasm (which could stem from being
12) she was not impressed. She then
boarded the school bus and left me reexamining
my pedestrian topics.
As a Scientist Officer, writing is an
expectation that comes with the trade.
However, I generally write on specific public
health topics—DDT and its use in
malaria control, dose response and dose
effect in metals toxicology, falls prevention
among older adults—something with a
clearly defined focus and certainly topics
which require research, data, and citations
and do not typically afford me the opportunity
to wax philosophical. This column
represents a new opportunity and responsibility.
It is an opportunity for me to share
my thoughts and knowledge, but I also
have a responsibility to respect your time,
so I will attempt to keep my ramblings in
check.
Last month, Jerry Farrell wrote a record
length column entitled “‘Interesting Times’
indeed…” He highlighted a number of
changes currently affecting the Commissioned
Corps including:
• transformation
• the passing of RADM Knouss, whose
vision and leadership helped us stay the
course during transformation
• the recent announcement of the
impending departure of the ASH
• the imminent retirement of one of the
Commissioned Corps’ true legends and a
constant, steady leader, Acting Surgeon
General RADM Moritsugu
• the holding pattern for confirmation of a
new SG, and the list goes on.
Had only two of these events occurred
or been announced, one might say the situation
was difficult. Taken together, however,
these events seem ominous and many
have used the word “troubling.” Several of
the listed changes are driven by politics,
however, and the politics of the situation
will change. Early in my short career, I real-
ized that the “P” in public health also stood
for “political” and we do well to remember
that.
“Rarely in history has public health policy
had as its sole purpose the promotion of good
health or the prevention of disease. As often as
not, it has sought to secure other critical social
and political values, including moral renewal,
reduction of power, improved economic efficiency,
and strengthening of national defense.”
[Leichter, Howard M. (1991), Free to
be foolish. Politics and health promotion in
the United States and Great Britain.
Princeton, N.J. (Princeton University
RADM Suzanne Dahlman Named
2007 Brutsche Award Winner
Retired Rear Admiral Suzanne
Dahlman has been named the 2007
RADM Robert Brutsche Award recipient
by the COA Board of Directors.
Established in 1995, the Brutsche
Award is named in honor of retired Rear
Admiral Robert Brutsche who was an
inspirational leader for the PHS Commissioned
Corps and the Commissioned
Officers Association. The award
is presented to a COA member for
exceptional commitment to the COA
Board of Directors.
Admiral Dahlman is recognized for
her many years of dedicated support,
guidance, and generosity to COA and
its affiliated Foundation. Admiral
Dahlman has been a tireless worker and
strong advocate for the work of COA
and the Foundation throughout her
many years of active service and in
retirement. She is stepping down after
two consecutive three-year terms as an
elected retiree representative on the
COA Board of Directors and as a
Foundation Trustee. Admiral Dahlman
served as Chair of COA’s Retiree
(See Board Chair, page 4)
RADM Suzanne Dahlman,
USPHS (Ret.)
Committee and Vice President of the
Foundation. She is a major donor to
the Foundation.
A nurse, Admiral Dahlman served
for many years as the Director, Division
of Commissioned Corps Personnel
(DCP). She lives in Tacoma, Washington.
SEPTEMBER 2007 • COA FRONTLINE 3

(Board Chair, from page 3)
Press), 32]
And now the good news…… one of the
Corps’ strengths is our ability to continually
and admirably perform and not just perform,
but lead during times of adversity
and crisis. Sound hokey? Probably, but it
is true. The Corps is not made up of faceless
entities. We are experts in our fields;
we are compassionate providers of care; we
are tireless seekers of scientific truths; and
we are committed to public health. As I
factor in my professional judgment and
run my own weight-of-evidence analysis
that the previously mentioned challenges
(designated “stressors” in true WOE analyses)
could cause harmful organizational
impacts, I am reminded that the public
health service has been around for over 200
years! We have an incredibly rich history
and have weathered much tougher times.
One need only read the stories contained in
this issue of Frontline to see impact of our
service and evidence of our ability to
address the needs of public health.
We have seen many, many scourges
WELCOME NEW COA MEMBERS
LTJG Sara Azimi-Bolourian, Unaffiliated
LT Jonathan Y. Chiang, Chicago
LT Bruce F. Dell, Ft. Detrick
LT Samuel S. Dutton, Unaffiliated
LTJG Matthew J. Gunter, Phoenix
LT Katherine S. Kim, Ft. Detrick
LT Kimberly A. Kuklis, Aurora Borealis
LT Mizraim L. Mendoza, Phoenix
LTJG Christopher P. Mocca, Ft. Detrick
LTJG Joel A. Nelson, District of Columbia
LCDR Eric S. Pevzner, Atlanta
LT Andrew D. Plummer, South Jersey
Seashore
LCDR Lesley J. Preston, Hopi
LT Vincent S. Sansone, Unaffiliated
LT Sarah F. Schillie, Atlanta
LCDR Carolyn R. Stacy-Wilkin, Oklahoma
LT Emily L. Streeter-Grayton, Unaffiliated
LT Adrienne H. Tveit, Aurora Borealis
LT Pieter S. Van Horn, Blue Grass
LT Holly M. Van Lew, Phoenix
LCDR James L. Webb, Jr., Unaffiliated
LT Latrise M. Workman, District of
Columbia
4 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
(cholera, influenza, polio, smallpox, HIV,
smoking) and while we have conquered
some, there is still much work to be done
(addressing obesity, reducing unintentional
injuries and violence, controlling heart disease,
cancer and diabetes).
While it will be difficult to say good-bye
to those who are moving to new phases of
their lives, new leaders for the Corps will
step up, hopefully from within our ranks,
and take the helm. They will have difficult
jobs. For the rest of us, our jobs are to support
them (which includes engaging in discourse
and offering guidance), to serve
side-by-side with them, and to remember
why we chose our careers and to continue
to do the good public health work that we
do.
As I embrace my new role as Chairman
of the Board, I notice how large my predecessors’
shoes are. I am not new to the
work of COA. I have served on the COA
Board of Directors for 4 years, chairing and
serving on various subcommittees and serv-
Display your Core Values! This one-ofa-kind
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ing as Treasurer and Chair elect. However,
as I reflect on the service of the board members
and previous chairmen/women
(CAPT Mainzer, CAPT Meeks, CAPT
Ames, CAPT Coppola, CAPT Parks, and
those who came before), I recognize and
appreciate how their service, dedication,
and passion for the Corps has helped shape
and support COA’s mission and the Corps’
mission. It is the continued leadership of
these officers and those like them that will
keep the Corps and COA steady and
strong.
"Health care is vital to all of us some of the
time, but public health is vital to all of us all
of the time."
– C. Everett Koop,
U.S. Surgeon General 1981-1989
Thanks for all you do,
Daphne B. Moffett
CDR, USPHS
USPHS Core Value Coin
Please fill out the form (including
name, address, contact information,
and quantity you wish to order),
mail your payment to:
LCDR Thomas Pryor, PHN
Jicarilla Apache Health Care Facility
12000 Stone Lake Rd.
P.O. Box 187
Dulce, NM 87528
(505) 759-7286
FAX (505) 759-7289
Thomas.Pryor@IHS.GOV

CHIEF PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS REPORT
The Medical Category of the Commissioned Corps
By CAPT David Rutstein, Chief Medical Officer, USPHS
CAPT David
Rutstein, USPHS,
Chief Medical
Officer
The Medical Category
is the first category
of the Nation’s premier
organization of health
professionals, the Commissioned
Corps of the
U.S. Public Health
Service (USPHS).
Since the establishment
of the Marine
Hospital Service in
1798 until the present
times, physicians have largely defined the
Corps. As the Corps has grown and welcomed
other health professionals, physicians
have continued to provide unmatched clinical,
epidemiological, administrative, policy,
research and regulatory expertise.
Grounded in science, and dedicated to
service, medical officers shepherd critical
research and regulatory projects through
complex bureaucracies, conduct disease surveillance
activities, accept and complete difficult
and sometimes dangerous assignments,
care for underserved and disenfranchised
populations, promote health and prevent
disease.
Their work in diverse assignments profoundly
improves and extends the lives of
people in America and around the world.
Beyond their agency and programmatic
responsibilities, and regardless of rank or
geographic location of assignment, and reinforced
by the high esteem afforded the medical
profession, physicians in the Commissioned
Corps are in the forefront of efforts to
NEW 100% Silk, 9” PHS Miniflag
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Elegant. Great for retirement and
promotion gifts, and to “fly” in
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the Corps. For more information:
susanne.caviness@fda.hhs.gov
www.dccoa.org
(240) 276-0648
$35.00 each (including postage---Mail checks made out to "DCCOA":
CAPT Susanne Caviness, 15115 Interlachen Drive, # 921
Silver Spring, MD 20906
[Sent fully assembled, wrapped in tissue paper, in a mailing tube]
The DCCOA is also your source for the PHS Coin,
$10.00 each, and lapel pins.
educate and inform the Nation regarding the
public health challenges it faces now, and
will face in the future.
They articulate public health content to
the public, and when called upon to do so,
they are able to use their collective public
health expertise to meet the urgent needs of
populations in distress.
The significance of physicians in the
Commissioned Corps, especially at this critical
period in the Corps’ history – a post
9/11 era during which the Corps has been
called upon to undergo a major transformation,
takes on even greater importance given
the public health challenges facing our
Nation. The rising burden of chronic noncommunicable
diseases strains national
health care resources, leaving ever greater
portions of our population more vulnerable
to disruptions in services. Meanwhile, the
world faces an increasing threat of infectious
diseases, which are not contained by geographic
or political boundaries (the threat of
pandemic influenza looms over the horizon).
Recent events around the globe have highlighted
the degree to which HIV/AIDS,
tuberculosis, malaria, poverty, catastrophic
natural disasters and political instability in
resource-poor countries continue to threaten
the health of humanity.
Regardless of the agency that medical
officers are assigned, they have chosen service
over material reward, and demonstrate a
genuine desire and capacity to serve humanity,
particularly those in greatest need. The
medical officers of the USPHS Commissioned
Corps are a collective cadre without
equal, anywhere.
Physicians in the Commissioned Corps
are assigned to all the agencies of the USPHS
as well as to agencies and programs outside
both the USPHS and the Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS).
The majority of medical officers are
assigned to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, where they are chiefly
engaged in diseases surveillance activities.
The Indian Health Service hosts the second
(See Medical Category, page 6)
SEPTEMBER 2007 • COA FRONTLINE 5

(Medical Category, from page 5)
largest number of medical officers who primarily
fill clinical billets delivering medical
care to the indigenous populations of our
country. The third highest cohort of medical
officers is found at the National
Institutes of Health, where Commissioned
Corps physicians conduct clinical and bench
research that benefit our country and the rest
of the world. Significant numbers of medical
officers are also assigned to the Food and
Drug Administration where they regulate
drugs, foods and devices, and to the Health
Resources and Services Administration
where they are engaged in the direct delivery
of care to underserved populations and the
management of safety-net programs. The
U.S. Coast Guard (in the Department of
Homeland Security) and the Bureau of
Prisons (in the Department of Justice) are
the non-HHS agencies with the most
Commissioned Corps medical officers.
Medical officers in these agencies primarily
fill clinical billets.
In recent years, the Corps has seen a
decline in the number of physicians entering
service. This is particularly alarming given
the public health challenges facing the
Nation. Our organizational response must
include the recruitment and retention of
6 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
globally-minded physicians who have or can
acquire the knowledge of public health issues
– issues facing our Nation and the planet it
shares with others. The fascination with curing
disease, the dedication to all patients,
and the willingness to endure personal hardship
for the noble calling of medicine must
be effectively extended to the domestic and
international practice of public health.
At the heart of our service is a commitment
to public health science – a commitment
that transcends any one agency or
office – and to the principles that stimulate
the advancement of the human condition,
including, service, morality, honor, integrity,
justice and respect for diversity.
Regardless of agency assignment, medical
officers occupy a considerable portion of the
leadership of the Commissioned Corps.
They inspire the vision, guide the growth,
stabilize the transitions, continually enunciate
the underlying principles, and maintain
the mission-focus and exemplify the standards
of the Corps.
But leadership is defined by more than a
commitment to either science or principles.
It is framed by actions. Medical officers
throughout the Corps accept challenges,
willingly tackle increasingly complex and
risky assignments, inspire confidence, promote
cohesion and successfully manage
competing priorities. Acknowledging and
drawing upon the skills and talents of others,
they drive collaboration to accomplish
the mission and produce results. Wisdom,
courage, perseverance, compassion and
humility – these are the traits that serve to
extend the range and power of a medical
officer’s influence in the Corps.
The Corps medical officers represent
and evince the science, ideals and principles
that lie at the heart of our great Nation.
They accomplish difficult tasks, in national
and international arenas, with innovation
and courage, and inspire others to do the
same. Collectively, they know how to use
their expertise to benefit individuals and
populations.
Whether delivering health care, interacting
with leadership of Federal, State, or local
governments, managing complex programs,
participating in training and deployments,
assisting with the formulation of Corps
policies, or partnering with professional
associations and academic institutions, the
medical officers within the Corps are
uniquely capable of carrying the mantel of
the Nation’s public health leadership.
They consistently and tirelessly promote,
protect and advance the health and safety of
our Nation and will continue to find great
honor in doing so.

Shiprock Holds First Promotion Ceremony
By CDR Wayne Keene, USPHS
The IHS Navajo Area Shiprock Service
Unit held it's first-ever promotion ceremony
on August 8, 2007. CAPT George
Baacke (Ret), the SRSU acting CEO, was
unexpectedly thrust into the role of presiding
official when a flag officer was unable to
attend the ceremony at the last moment.
Quickly consulting the regulations and
expert opinion, we realized Dr. Baacke as a
retired officer could not officiate the ceremony
and wear his uniform with a ponytail.
The day of the ceremony, Dr. Baacke
arrived as CAPT Baacke in Service Dress
Blue, minus the ponytail. (His ponytail is
destined for "Locks of Love"; the organization
that makes wigs for cancer patients).
Unfortunately, CAPT Baacke's longunused
uniform shoes were literally disintegrating
by the minute. The heels had fallen
off, and long splits developed on both sides
of each shoe. The situation appeared desperate,
briefly. This was not a time for mirth
and howls of chortling laughter.
We were 35 miles from the nearest shoe
store and 3 hours from the nearest city. A
couple of quick phone calls to other officers
living on the hospital compound resulted in
a new pair of unworn uniform shoes delivered
in minutes. While the shoes were
much narrower than his usual size, several
officers offered commentary and emotional
support on this.
CAPT George Baacke (ret) sans ponytail
Bill Shakespeare wrote, “All’s Well That
Ends Well.” When CAPT Baacke entered
the hospital atrium, sans ponytail, the
proverbial dropped pin would have been
audible. Our well-attended ceremony, in
which we promoted 10 officers, (six to
06!!!!), was beautiful. Like two magical
CAPT Baacke and Dr. Moh's mother place boards on CAPT Kimberly Mohs
CDR Wayne Keene's quick tutorial on saluting
bookends, the ceremony featured two
prayers in Navajo, and all officers renewed
their oath of office near the end of the ceremony.
Afterwards a luncheon (funded by
the promoted officers and the local Four
Corners Branch COA) was enjoyed by all.
SEPTEMBER 2007 • COA FRONTLINE 7

Public Health Practice, an Exercise in Global Health Diplomacy
The Commissioned Corps is actively
engaged in two important missions of
health diplomacy this summer. One
detachment of PHS officers is embarked
in USNS COMFORT, a Navy hospital
ship, deployed to Latin America to provide
health services to populations there.
The second detachment is embarked in
USS PELILIU, a Navy amphibious assault
ship in the Pacific Ocean deployed to
Southeast Asian countries.
Here are some notes from officers on
these deployments along with photos of
their activities.
29 July 2007, El Salvador – PHS
Veterinary Operations: Set up ~ 300 yards
from Delfinas Rivas Escuela known as
Hacienda Santa Emilia. A stanchion had
been constructed of bamboo prior to
arrival. It turn out to be quite sturdy given
that we treated some cattle over 1500 lbs.
A visit was well received by a representative
from the Ministry of Agriculture as
well as the DV El Salvadoran General.
LCDR Gregory Langham, USPHS
Veterinarian provided veterinary services
to thirty nine (39) head of cattle, largely of
mixed breed but very well muscled, fifteen
(15) horses, forty three (43) dogs and
eight (8) cats. Numerous consultations
were requested on animal patients with
conditions such as a healed trauma of the
lens in a cow, multiple subcutaneous
benign lipomas in a dog and significant
tick infestations of the ears in numerous
horses. Totals 314 encounters.
The size of the crowds waiting to be
helped by the combined U.S. Navy, US
Public Health Service, and Project Hope
teams are staggering.
8 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
And similarly in the Pacific…
July 29, 2007. This is what it looked like
in Delfinas Rivas Escuela known as
Hacienda Santa Emilia here in El
Salvador. A school was converted into a
clinic for three days, from July 29-31,
2007.
Tabaco, Republic of the Philippines – more
than 1200 people lined up for medical
services provided by USS PELILIU
July 26, 2007. From left to right: LT
Charles Brucklier, USPHS Dental
Hygienist is applying a dental sealant to a
young El Salvadoran girl while SSGT
April Paulson Dental Assistant - United
States Air Force assists. The photo was
taken at Unidad de Salud Acajutla, El
Salvador. (Photo provided by LT Charles
Brucklier, USPHS)
Public Health is more than clinical
care…
Basic public health work in Tagas, RP
The detachments in COMFORT and
PELILIU are rotated monthly with the
exception of the two officers-in-charge
who are onboard for the entire four
month deployment. At least one Commissioned
Corps Inactive Reserve Officer,
CDR Jeff Lowell, a surgeon was deployed
for the COMFORT mission. This is a
perfect role for PHS Inactive Reserve
Officers, but their participation is confounded
by a lack of available funding to
pay their salaries while deployed. A problem
COA hopes someone in DHHS is
trying to fix.
(See Diplomacy, page 10)
Visit Us
On the Web
www.coausphs.org

U. S. Public Health Service Officers Become Shellbacks on the
USNS COMFORT [or, Going to Sea Ain’t All Work and No Play!]
By Captain Craig Shepherd, USPHS
Seventeen U.S. Public Health Service
(USPHS) officers (Physicians, Dentists,
Dental Hygienists, Nurses, Environmental
Health Officers and one Veterinarian)
joined our other sister Service members
from the U.S. Navy (USN), U.S. Air Force,
U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG),
Canadian Armed Forces and the non-government
organization, Project Hope, by
participating in the “line-crossing ceremony”
aboard the USNS COMFORT early
August 4, 2007.
A little history regarding the “line-crossing
ceremony”; the ceremony dates back to
at least the 19th century, if not earlier. The
ceremony is an initiation rite in the USN,
USCG, Royal Navy and other navies which
commemorate a sailor’s first crossing of the
equator. Originally, the tradition was created
as a test for seasoned sailors to ensure
their new shipmates were capable of handling
long rough times at sea. Sailors who
have crossed the equator are nicknamed
(Trusty) Shellbacks, often referred to as
Sons of Neptune; those who have not are
nicknamed (Slimy) Pollywogs.
On the day before the line-crossing ceremony,
those aboard the USNS COM-
FORT who agreed to voluntarily participate
in the ceremony attended a safety briefing
regarding the rules of conduct for the
Shellback ceremony.
Late in the afternoon of August 3, 2007,
Trusty Shellbacks, dressed in pirate attire,
came running through the passageways of
the USNS COMFORT handing out to all
Pollywogs a “Subpoena and Summons
Extraordinary, The Royal High Court of
the Raging Main.” The charge simply stated,
“Not understanding the secrets of the
deep.” This summons was signed by King
Neptunus Rex, Ruler of the Raging Main
and Autumn M. McDaniels, Royal
Prosecutor. Disobeying the summons
would be done so under “pain of Our Swift
and Terrible displeasure, Our Vigilance is
ever wakeful, Our Vengeance is Just and
Sure. You will be condemned to Davy Jones’
Locker.”
August 4, 2007. CAPT Arthur French, U.S. Public Health Service (detailed to the
USCG) served as King Neptunus Rex, Ruler of the Raging Main. He earned this right by
first crossing the equator in 1973.
At dawn the following morning, as we
crossed the equator, all of the sleeping and
slimy Pollywogs aboard the USNS COM-
FORT were abruptly awakened by Trusted
Shellbacks running up and down passageways,
again in pirate attire, making loud
noises from bull-horns, trumpets, whistles,
pie pans being banged against each other
along with loud angry voices screaming out,
“wake-up you filthy-slimy Pollywogs.”
“King Neptune and his court” (including
his first assistant Davy Jones and her
Highness Amphitrite and other various dignitaries,
were all represented by the highest
ranking seamen) officiated the ceremony,
where the Pollywogs underwent a number
of increasingly disgusting ordeals (wearing
clothing inside out and backwards, crawling
on hands and knees on nonskid-coated
decks, crawling through tunnels and chutes
of rotting garbage, being plastered with lard
and pelted with flour, eating out of a toilet
bowl, kissing the Royal Baby’s belly coated
with lard, locked into a stockade, etc...),
largely at the pleasure and entertainment of
the Shellbacks.
By each one of us accepting, most heartily
and with good grace, the pains and penalties
of the awful torture, we were formally
accepted by “The Royal High Court of the
Raging Main” as Trusted Shellbacks. Some
“Wogs,” including the Officer in Charge
CAPT Shepherd, were determined to be
not wholly cleansed and worthy by King
Neptunus Rex and were sent back to repeat
the cleansing. USPHS officers were among
approximately 80 Shellbacks and 543 other
Wogs who were ultimately cleansed and
found worthy of being a Trusted Shellback.
What took place that fateful early cool
windy winter morning of August 4, 2007,
(See Shellbacks, page 10)
SEPTEMBER 2007 • COA FRONTLINE 9

(Shellbacks, from page 9)
will be long remembered and cherished by
all that metamorphosed from a Pollywog to
a Shellback on the flight deck of the USNS
COMFORT.
Someone at the COA Cincinnati conference
asked me soon after I learned I would
be the USPHS OIC aboard the USNS
COMFORT if I was a Shellback or a
Pollywog. Not quite sure what this was all
about I asked my trusted friend CAPT Jerry
Farrell (USN ret) and I’ll never forget his
laughter and smile – he must have laughed
for five minutes! I’m sure he had overseen
many such ceremonies in his long and distinguished
Naval career and was envisioning
what I would experience being a naïve
Pollywog. I asked him several times during
the COA conference what this Pollywog
and Shellback ceremony was all about and
again he would only give me that boyish
grin and just really laugh!!! The only advice
he would gave me was, “should you ever get
sea sick just don’t barf into the wind.”
Thanks Jerry! [Editor’s Note: Trusty
Shellbacks are not really allowed to comport
with Slimy ‘Wogs, thus my reluctance…gmf]
(Diplomacy, from page 8)
CDR Jeffrey
Lowell
performed
and/or assisted
on approximately
50
operations
while aboard
the USNS
COMFORT.
Such procedures,including;
inguinal
hernia
repairs, removal of tumors (breast, thyroid
and soft tissue), excising shrapnel from an
El Salvadoran soldier injured in Operation
Iraqi Freedom (OIF), club foot repair and
laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gall bladder
removal), etc.
10 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Left to right: CAPT Craig Shepherd, CAPT Cynthia Kunkel, CDR Kevin Prohaska all
awaiting to be hosed-down. In the background, you see many Pollywogs lined-up getting
ready to kiss the Royal Baby’s belly coated with lard.
Replenishment at sea as seen from USS Peliliu. Underway is the only way [ed comment]

SEPTEMBER 2007 • COA FRONTLINE 11

FOUNDATION NEWS
COF Establishes the RADM Jerrold Michael Fellowship
As a tribute to RADM Jerrold M. Michael
on his 80th Birthday, The PHS
Commissioned Officers Foundation for the
Advancement of Public Health has established
a Fellowship program to be named in
his honor. This program will provide financial
assistance to officers of the Commissioned
Corps pursuing advanced
degrees.
The Foundation felt this to be the most
appropriate manner to celebrate Admiral
Michael’s long and distinguished career as
an advocate for improved public health
education. His devotion to both the Public
Health Commissioned Corps and education
in the field of public health is legendary.
Following a 20-year career in the
United States Public Health Service, where
he retired as an Assistant Surgeon General
holding the rank of Rear Admiral, he served
as Dean of the School of Public Health at
the University of Hawaii from 1972 to
12 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
RADM Jerrold M. Michael,
USPHS (Ret.)
1992 and continued as Professor of Public
Health through July 1, 1995. He currently
serves as Emeritus Professor at the
University of Hawaii and as an Adjunct
Professor of Global Health at The George
Washington University School of Public
Health and Health Services in Washington,
DC.
The Foundation is accepting donations
to establish and sustain our efforts to support
the Corps and public health education
through the Jerrold M. Michael Fellowship
Program. A donation of any amount would
permit us to continue to aggressively pursue
excellence in the work to which Dr. Michael
has dedicated his life.
Details and criteria for awarding the fellowships
will be released through Frontline
soon.
For questions or further information
contact Brian McSheffrey, Director of
Development at 301-731-9080 or bmcsheffrey@coausphs.org

PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation
for the Advancement of Public Health Acknowledges...
Donations received July 2 – August 2, 2007
Platinum
CAPT Milton Z. Nichaman, (Ret.)
*For Jerrold M. Michael Fellowship Program
Gold
RADM Albert H. Stevenson, (Ret.)
Silver
CAPT Dawn L. Wyllie
Bronze
CDR Kristine M. Bisgard
CAPT Raymond L. Clark (Ret.)
CAPT Glen D. Drew (Ret.)
CAPT William R. Hall, (Ret.)
CAPT Gale L. Heavner
CAPT Mary R. Ingram
CAPT Wayne A. Jenkins, (Ret.)
CAPT James F. McTigue, (Ret.)
Type of Credit Card:
MasterCard
Visa
American Express
Discover
CAPT Janet L. Wildeboor
Friends
LCDR Jason D. Abel
CAPT Carolyn Blackwood, (Ret.)
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
Yes, I would like to help!
PHS COMMISSIONED O FFICERS F OUNDATION
FOR THE A DVANCEMENT OF P UBLIC H EALTH
Enclosed is my contribution
Please make checks payable to:
“PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation”
or provide credit card information below
Amount: $ ____________________
CAPT Arnold F. Kaufmann, (Ret.)
CAPT A. Naomi Kennedy, (Ret.)
CAPT Jack C. Robertson, (Ret.)
CAPT Alan N. Schechter, (Ret.)
CAPT Eric M. Wassermann
CAPT Robert N. Zimmerman, (Ret.)
MAIL TO: PHS Commissioned Officers
Foundation for the
Advancement of Public Health
8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 200
Landover, MD 20785
Card Number: ________________________________________________________________
Name on Card: ________________________________________________________________
Expiration Date: ________________________________________________________________
Signature: ________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________________________________________
Organization: ________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________________
City: __________________________ State: ______________ Zip: ______________
Phone: ____________________ Fax: __________________ Email: __________________
SEPTEMBER 2007 • COA FRONTLINE 13

Executive Director Visits AGIA Insurance Customer Service Center
COA Executive Director Jerry Farrell
toured the Association’s insurance
administrator’s customer service center in
Phoenix, AZ on August 16th, and was
briefed on the call center operations.
AGIA, COA’s insurance administrator staffs
a 150 person call center in Phoenix which
serves all AGIA clients. A privately-held
company, AGIA performs underwriting,
premium collection, and policy administration
and management. In addition to
COA, AGIA’s clients include the National
USPHS Flags Available Again!
3’ X 5’ nylon flag* with
USPHS seal sewn onto
both sides and metal
grommets make this flag
appropriate for proud
indoor/outdoor display
and special presentation.
Fly it proudly at your home, on your office wall or on the road!
Cost: $55.00 plus $5.00 shipping** (in US and territories).
* Please note that this item is for personal use and not intended to replace official USPHS flags as noted
in Subchapter CC29.9 of the Commissioned Corps Manual.
Desktop Flag Set Also Now Available!
14 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Rifle Association, American Legion, the
Marine Corps Association, and other similar
groups.
The call center which operates much like
an operations command center, handles
approximately 550,000 calls annually, of
which about 500 - 600 are from COA
members. The center has high service standards
and complies and constantly analyzes
reams of data to ensure the standards are
met or exceeded. Average time to answer a
call, length of call, and completion of call
4” x 6” U.S. and PHS synthetic silk flags
mounted on a black plastic base and staff
with golden tip
Excellent, unique gift for fellow officers,
family members and PHS civilians alike!
Cost: Price reduced! Now just $17 plus
$5.00 shipping** (in U.S. and territories)
**Note: In most cases multiple USPHS flags and/or desktop sets can be mailed together
and the total shipping charge will remain $5.00 if sent to one address.
So get together with friends to place your order and save!
For questions or to place an order, contact LT Carlos Bell at
izz3@cdc.gov, Atlanta Commissioned Officers Association
(customer issue satisfactorily resolved) are
among the many data points monitored.
The average time to answer a COA caller
in 2006 was 13 seconds, just below their
goal of 14 seconds max. “Answer” means
to connect the caller with a customer service
agent, not the automated computer
voice asking you to “Push 1 for....” The
average answer time in 2007 is 23 seconds
as of the end of June, due to higher volume
of calls than usual thus far this year. We
hope that’s attributable to more members
signing up for COA insurance products.
“I was impressed with the professionalism
of the personnel in the call center and
extraordinary quality assurance measures in
place to guarantee customer satisfaction”
Farrell said. AGIA has invested heavily in
technology to streamline their operations
and COA members can look forward to
online enrollment for guaranteed issue
products in the near future.
For more information on COA insurance
products, visit the COA website at
www.coausphs.org and click on “Insurance”
under “Quick Links” on the left side
of the home page.
The AGIA call center operates Monday
through Friday from 8AM to 7PM Eastern
time. If members still have difficulty getting
their questions answered by the call
center, they can contact the COA office for
assistance.
(Resignation, from page 1)
medicine and is a certified correctional
health professional. He also holds fellowships
in the American College of Preventive
Medicine, the Royal Society of Health, and
the Royal Society of Medicine.
The Commissioned Officers Association
and PHS Commissioned Officers
Foundation are honored to have been asked
to sponsor Admiral Moritsugu’s Commissioned
Corps Change-of-Command, retirement,
and aloha reception on October 4th.
Further details and registration information
will be available on the COA and COF
websites.

Happy 17th Birthday to the Uniform Service Center!
Submitted by the D.C. Metropolitan Area Branch, COA
Did you know that the D.C. Metropolitan
Area Branch of the COA is in the used
uniform business? This activity is now 17
years old and has an interesting history.
In 1987, CAPT Amy Barkin learned of
officers who had unused uniform parts and
apparel, either due to promotion, retirement,
or ‘change in size.’ In discussion with
colleagues, she raised the idea of creating a
store where officers could donate or purchase
used, albeit high quality USPHS
Commissioned Corps uniforms and apparel
at a fraction of the original cost. Many fellow
officers dissuaded her from pursuing the
idea saying that it would not work.
However, she accepted the challenge and
committed to opening the store. In 1988,
CAPT Barkin spoke to representatives from
the D.C. COA Branch about her concept
for a Uniform Service Center (USC). The
idea was well received and as a result, CAPT
Barkin was asked to chair the Service
Committee of the D.C. COA Branch. She
put together a committee of six officers and
established the USC. Working with the
committee, she researched and identified the
steps necessary to open the USC. Her idea
was to have this activity staffed and maintained
by officers for all officers. In addition,
she wanted the proceeds generated from this
Left to right: LCDR Joy Anne Murphy (Ret.), CAPT Jane McCarthy (Ret.), CAPT Amy
Barkin, CAPT Constance Burtoff (Ret.), CDR Allen Jarrell, and CDR Anne Coppola (Ret.)
activity to be donated to health-related
organizations.
Initially, the USC was housed in CAPT
Barkin’s office, pending the acquisition of
appropriate space. This enabled the activity
to establish its merit, credibility and usefulness
to the officers. In 1990, the USC
achieved the designation status of “Recreation
and Welfare Employee Association.”
This designation enabled the USC to utilize
HHS building services, including space and
equipment. Committee members developed
a marketing strategy, operating procedures, a
pricing schedule, and identified volunteers
to staff the USC, which was opened on
Wednesdays from noon to 1 P.M. In July
1990, the Food and Drug Administration
identified space in a building on Twinbrook
Parkway and the USC had its first ‘official’
home. Former Deputy Surgeon General,
RADM O. Marie Henry presided at the ribbon
cutting ceremony for the opening of the
USC. The USC thrived with a large number
of officers donating and purchasing uniforms.
A few years later the USC moved to
larger quarters in the Park Building, on
Parklawn Drive. It is presently housed in
Room 4B-20 in the Parklawn Building,
5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD.
In just the past twelve months, the USC
has generated over $4,100.00 which has
both helped the local D.C. COA chapter
and undoubtedly helped fellow officers save
money in acquiring uniforms. The USC
(See Birthday, page 16)
SEPTEMBER 2007 • COA FRONTLINE 15

(Birthday, from page 15)
offers substantial savings over the traditional
outlets for uniforms. The revenue from
the sales is donated to health-care related
charitable organizations. In the past, organizations
such as the Children’s Inn at the
National Institutes of Health, the
Whitman-Walker Clinic in Washington,
D.C., and the Children’s Hospital have
been recipients of the proceeds from the
COA Announces
10% Insurance
Premium Rebate
T he COA Board of Directors is
pleased to announce a ten percent
rebate of insurance premiums for
COA Term Life and Hospital
Indemnity policy holders for 2006.
This is the third year in a row that
COA has awarded a premium rebate
and is double the rebate amount in
2004 and 2005. The total amount to
be refunded to COA members who
hold these policies is more than
$27,000.
“This insurance premium rebate is
one way for COA to express its appreciation
to our loyal members who
invest in COA sponsored insurance
products” said COA’s Executive
Director, Jerry Farrell. Farrell noted
that COA members have a wide variety
of choices when it comes to selecting
term life insurance and the competition
is tough for an association with
only 7,000 members. “We work closely
with our third party insurance
administrator, AGIA, to ensure we
offer quality products” Farrell said,
“and we are pleased that our performance
in the term life area has been so
good over the last three years. We
hope that the size of this premium
rebate will encourage other COA
members to give our policy offerings a
second look.”
Premium rebates should be mailed
out to policy holders within the next
few weeks.
16 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
USC.
Chairs of the USC have included:
CAPT Amy Barkin, from 1988-1991;
CAPT Jane McCarthy (Ret) from 1991-
1992; CDR Ann Coppola and CAPT
Constance Burtoff (Ret) from 1992-1993;
CAPT Constance Burtoff (Ret) from 1993-
1995; and CDR Lou Ann Rector from
1995 to present.
The USC is truly a PHS-wide effort.
Retired officers from across the country
contribute uniforms and active duty officers,
including new officers from outside
the DC Metro area attending the Basic
Officer Training Course/Officer Basic
Training, visit the USC. All officers are
encouraged to stop by and see what the
USC has to offer. The hours of operation
are from noon to 1300 every Wednesday.
After 17 years of service, the USC continues
to admirably serve both the officers
of the Commissioned Corps and community
alike. We look forward to many more
years of service to the USPHS Commissioned
Corps Officers! For more information
about the store, please contact CDR
RADM O. Marie Henry (Ret.) and CAPT
Amy Barkin high five outside the uniform
store.
Lou Ann Rector at 301- 443-3880 or
e-mail her at lrector@hrsa.gov. You may also
go to the webpage at www.dcp.psc.gov/
Uniformshop.asp.
Shiprock Officers Climb Handies Peak
On July 29 six Corps officers from Shiprock Service Unit, Navajo Area IHS, climbed
the 14,000 ft Handies Peak in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado.
Does anyone know how many points that counts in the President's Challenge?
Pictured are (L to R) CDR Steve Dykstra, CDR Brian Hroch, LCDR John Linhart,
CDR Wayne Keene, and LCDR Gretchen Cowman (kneeling). Not pictured is LT
Pauline Lee."

(Legislative Update, from page 2)
General Counsel, argued that Capt.
Brinkley “was not a member of the Armed
Forces, as required and defined by statute,
nor was he detailed to the Armed Forces
during this period.” Federal pay statutes
must be “unequivocally worded,” the letter
suggested.
COA took the case for unequivocal
wording to congressional staff, who readily
agreed to insert clarifying language as soon
as the bills emerged from the Senate
Finance and House Ways and Means
Committees. Unfortunately, the bills never
emerged from their respective committees.
But congressional sponsors kept their word
to COA and fixed the bills when they reintroduced
them this year.
Now COA has another chance, and
with the exact bill language it wants. But
death by committee can occur in 2007 or
2008 as easily as it did in 2006.
Last year, COA obtained the active support
of the Military Coalition, which
appealed to the chairman of the House
Ways and Means Committee on PHS officers’
behalf. COA wrote to all members of
the committees of jurisdiction. In addition,
COA Executive Director Jerry Farrell
wrote twice to then-Assistant Secretary for
Health, John Agwunobi, requesting
DHHS support for the proposed legislative
fix (he received no response). In the House,
Rep. Frank Wolf’s legislative staff organized
meetings, reached out to potential
supporters, and attracted the attention of
The Washington Post. But it wasn’t enough.
This year, COA will need to do all of
that and more.
COA is asking PHS officers who have
served in Iraq and Afghanistan, or in any
other combat zone, to share their stories.
COA is trying to keep this issue alive. It is
tremendously helpful to be able to share
compelling facts with congressional staffers
and to have officers who are willing to talk
to reporters.
In Frontline and on its website, COA
will be listing the 21 senators who serve on
the Senate Finance Committee and the 41
representatives who sit on the House Ways
and Means Committee. COA will be asking
all PHS officers who are constituents of
these 62 federal lawmakers to write to
them and ask them to support these bills in
committee and to vote for them on the
floor.
According to Sen. Warner, special combat
zone tax benefits for military personnel
date back to 1913. Today, nearly 95 years
later, it is way past time to include, in all
Senate Finance Committee
Max Baucus, MT, Chairman
Democrats Republicans
John D. Rockefeller IV, WV Charles Grassley, IA
Kent Conrad, ND Orrin G. Hatch, UT
Jeff Bingaman, NM Trent Lott, MS
John F. Kerry, MA Olympia J. Snowe, ME
Blanche L. Lincoln, AR Jon Kyl, AZ
Ron Wyden, OR Gordon Smith, OR
Charles E. Schumer, NY Jim Bunning, KY
Debbie Stabenow, MI Mike Crapo, ID
Maria Cantwell, WA Pat Roberts, KS
Ken Salazar, CO John Ensign, NV
House Ways and Means Committee
Charles B. Rangel, NY, Chairman
those benefits, the PHS and NOAA officers
who also serve their country in areas of
armed conflict around the world.
Democrats Republicans
Fortney Pete Stark, CA Jim McCrery, LA
Sander M. Levin, MI Wally Herger, CA
Jim McDermott, WA Dave Camp, MI
John Lewis, GA Jim Ramstad, MN
Richard E. Neal, MA Sam Johnson, TX
Michael R. McNulty, NY Phil English, PA
John S. Tanner, TN Jerry Weller, IL
Xavier Becerra, CA Kenny C. Hulshof, MO
Lloyd Doggett, TX Ron Lewis, KY
Earl Pomeroy, ND Kevin Brady, TX
Stephanie Tubbs Jones, OH Thomas M. Reynolds, NY
Mike Thompson, CA Paul Ryan, WI
John B. Larson, CT Eric Cantor, VA
Rahm Emanuel, IL John Linder, GA
Earl Blumenauer, OR Devin Nunes, CA
Ron Kind, WI Pat Tiberi, OH
Bill Pascrell Jr. , NJ
Shelley Berkley, NV
Joseph Crowley, NY
Chris Van Hollen, MD
Kendrick B. Meek, FL
Allyson Y. Schwartz, PA
Artur Davis, AL
Jon Porter, NV
—Judy Rensberger
SEPTEMBER 2007 • COA FRONTLINE 17

(Executive Director, from page 1)
Richard Wyatt, the designated successor
to the Deputy Surgeon General and the
Corps’ third ranking officer retired on 31
August. And as reported in last month’s
Frontline, Rear Admiral Bob Knouss, the
Corps’ transformation “czar” passed
away in July.
All of these occurrences taken
together point to a looming leadership
vacuum; not only for the PHS
Commissioned Corps, but also for the
leadership of the Nation’s public health
18 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
infrastructure. The Senate Health,
Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP)
Committee appears in no great rush to
vote on the confirmation of Dr. James
Holsinger as the Surgeon General. Nor is
there any certainty that Dr. Holsinger’s
nomination will be endorsed by the
Committee or the full Senate.
Finding a New ASH
The problem is further compounded in
that there is no clear path to succession
for either the ASH or the Deputy Surgeon
General. The post of Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Health (P-DASH)
has been vacant since Dr. Cristina Beato
left last year; and word is that the position
of Deputy Assistant Secretary of
Health (Operations), formerly occupied by
Rear Admiral Art Lawrence, will be disestablished
altogether.
In order to be named as an acting
assistant secretary, an individual must
already be serving in the Department of
Health and Human Services. The bench
of qualified and available individuals does
not appear to be all that deep. At this
writing speculation includes RADM Craig
Vanderwagen, Assistant Secretary for
Preparedness and Response (ASPR), and
RADM Chuck Grim, Director, Indian Health
Service (IHS).
In naming a permanent replacement
for Dr. Agwunobi, subject to Senate confirmation,
the Administration will have to
find someone willing to undergo what
could be a bruising confirmation process
that results in a term of office of only
slightly more than one year at best. Any
Corps officer who might be a candidate
for such a nomination would have to consider
the prospects for their personal
future after January 20, 2009. It is
entirely unclear, for example, whether
RADM Vanderwagen will be able to continue
as ASPR at the end of President
Bush’s term in office.
And a New Deputy
Surgeon General
We believe the intent had been for the
new Surgeon General to choose his
Deputy, but with the unclear prospects for
Dr. Holsinger’s confirmation and RADM
Moritsugu’s determination to retire a Plan
B may have to be found. Might we have
an Acting Deputy Surgeon General who is
also the Acting Surgeon General?
Lessons Learned
The lessons to be learned from this
situation are pretty clear to me. First, the
more than one-year effort to find and confirm
a new Surgeon General underscores
all the reasons why the Surgeon General
ought to be chosen from within the career
ranks of the Regular Corps – just like the

uniformed leaders of the other services
are nominated and confirmed. Can we
imagine having an acting Army Chief of
Staff for a year or more?
Next, it points up the urgent need for
conceptualization and implementation of
a force management system. Such a system
would include development of career
paths within the Corps leading to everincreasing
positions of leadership and
responsibility – ultimately including
advancement to flag rank and even
deputy and surgeon general.
And finally, the current, unfortunate situation
makes the case that strictly political
appointees such as the ASH are best
kept out of uniform – most especially if it
entails acceptance of a direct appointment
to four-star rank. The Secretary of
the Navy does not serve in uniform; why
should the Assistant Secretary for Health
who effectively occupies the same position
with respect to the PHS
Commissioned Corps?
Turn Challenge into Opportunity
On the positive side, this sweeping
leadership transition is an opportunity to
reenergize the transformation process,
restructure the administration and management
of the Commissioned Corps, and
appoint new leadership with renewed
vigor and vision for what the Corps can
become. COA has written Secretary
Leavitt to express our concerns. A copy
of that letter appears elsewhere in this
issue of Frontline.
The Commissioned Corps has many
outstanding officers more than capable of
assuming duty as Deputy and even Acting
Surgeon General. Moving the Corps out
from under the redundant bureaucracy of
OPHS; streamlining OCCFM, OCCO, and
OCCSS into one coherent division all
reporting to OSG; and finding the right
senior leaders to move the Corps forward
will hopefully all be seriously addressed
by Secretary Leavitt.
Yours Aye!
BACK
FRONT
The Military services
have a long tradition of
their own unit coin.
Always have it in your
pocket (or purse) to display
when “challenged.”
These make great gifts
of appreciation to uniformed
services and
public health personnel.
They are almost 1 1/2"
in diameter. Carry your
coin, show pride in
your Corps.
– $10 each, or $12 when
purchased in a set with a
PHS Seal Lapel Pin or PHS
Flag Lapel Pin
This is an elegant piece,
hand embroidered with
silk and bullion threads,
3" in diameter. The colors
are based on our
original PHS Seal. You
would be proud to wear
this on the left pocket of
a blazer when in civilian
attire.
– $15 each, or $17 when
purchased in a set with
either the PHS Seal Lapel
Pin or PHS Flag Lapel Pin
INCREASE
ESPRIT DE CORPS &
GROUP IDENTITY!
SEAL
Send a check made to “DC COA” and mail to:
CAPT Susanne Caviness
15115 Interlachen Drive, #921
Silver Spring MD 20906
FLAG
The PHS Quarantine
Flag and the PHS Seal
lapel pins are dime size.
The Flag pin is a miniature
version of the PHS
Flag. It has the PHS Seal
in blue on a yellow background.
The Seal pin
duplicates the PHS Seal,
with gold colored letters
on a blue enamel background.
This coordinates
with the Blazer Patch.
– Flag - $5 each, or $2
when purchased with a PHS
Military Coin or
PHS Blazer Patch
– Seal - $5 each when purchased
separately
Be sure to include your mailing address. There is no charge for postage!
Order forms are available at: www.dccoa.org
or contact CAPT Caviness 240-276-0475 x115 | susanne.caviness@fda.hhs.gov
SEPTEMBER 2007 • COA FRONTLINE 19

Surgeon General’s
5K Run/Walk
Some 300 runners and walkers
participated in the Surgeon General’s
5K Run/Walk held as part of the
annual US PHS Scientific and
Training Symposium in Cincinnati,
OH in June. We’d like to correct an
error in the announced best overall
time for females at the end of the race
in Cincinnati. LCDR Danice Eaton,
a nurse at CDC in Atlanta was the
first female across the line with a time
of 22:31. Congratulations Danice!
The overall winner in the men’s division
was David Bea, from Taft, Ohio
with a time of 17:01. Complete race
results are available online at
www.runningtime.net.
Congratulations to all who participated!
Run and walk for the health
of it!!
DID YOU KNOW?
That 40 years ago this month, the
September 1967 issue of the COA
Bulletin (now Frontline) commented
on the “imminent” reorganization of
HEW, the Department of Heath,
Education and Welfare, forerunner of
DHHS. Another front page article
from the six page Bulletin reported on
COA’s testimony to the House Armed
Services Committee on a proposed
“continuation pay” amendment to the
Uniformed Services Pay Bill. The
amendment provided bonus pay for
certain categories of military physicians.
COA made a strong case to
include PHS Commissioned Corps
physicians in the amendment language.
20 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Get your Sleeve-Rank Mugs…NOW!!!
LIMITED EDITION –ORDER YOURS NOW
These are the same attractive mugs that you may have seen at the 2006 COA
Conference in Denver. Available in ranks from Lieutenant (O-3) through
Captain (O-6). (Limited O-5 and O-6 mugs available)
These beautiful mugs make GREAT promotion and retirement gifts,
gifts for friends and/or colleagues, or a nice treat for yourself.
Cost:
LT mug: $5 plus shipping*
LCDR through CAPT mugs: $10 plus shipping*
For questions or to place an order, contact LT Dan Webster of the Rocky
Mountain COA Branch at: rmcoamugs@yahoo.com
*$10 shipping for first mug and $2.50 shipping for each additional mug in same order (Continental US).

SEPTEMBER 2007 • COA FRONTLINE 21

22 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

$18.95
TO ORDER CALL THE UNVIVERSITY OF ALASKA PRESS
TOLL FREE AT 1-888-252-6657
OR ORDER ONLINE AT WWW.UAF.EDU/UAPRESS.
By Robert Fortuine, M.D.
Captain, USPHS (Retired)
PUBLISHED BY THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS FOUNDATION, LANDOVER, MD.
DISTRIBUTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA PRESS.
USPHS Environmental Health Officer Category Coin
(Front) (Back)
EHO coins are available for $10 each, includes shipping and handling
To place an order please contact:
CDR Robert B. Knowles
Phone: 404.498.0426 or Email: rknowles@cdc.gov
SEPTEMBER 2007 • COA FRONTLINE 23

The COA Frontline (ISSN 10937161) is published monthly
except during July/August and November/December by the
Commissioned Officers Association of the United States
Public Health Service, 8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 200,
Landover, MD 20785, (301) 731-9080; Toll-free (866) 366-
9593; FAX: (301) 731-9084; Periodicals Postage Paid at
Hyattsville, MD and additional mailing offices.
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
Jerry Farrell
gfarrell@coausphs.org
Director of
Administration
Teresa Oliver
toliver@coausphs.org
Government Relations
Director
Judith Rensberger
jrensberger@coausphs.org
Development Director
Brian McSheffrey
bmcsheffrey@coausphs.org
Membership Coordinator
Malissa Spalding
mspalding@coausphs.org
Program Assistant
Nancy Sheehan
nsheehan@coausphs.org
Conference Planners
Leading Edge Solutions
Tim O’Neil/Diana Hallman
866-544-9677
Group Insurance – AGIA
800-818-9785
© 2007 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
COA FRONTLINE
8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 200
Landover, MD 20785
Visit us at www.coausphs.org
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