April 2009 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 NFrontlineCOAVol. 46, Issue 3 Salus Populi Suprema Lex Este April 2009FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORWe Need Every Officerto Join Our RanksDear Friends of thePHS Commissioned Corps,Jerry FarrellExecutive DirectorDo your fellowofficers need areason to join COA?Try these. Thanksprimarily to theefforts of COA, PHS(and NOAA) CommissionedCorpsofficers are now included in almostall the entitlements provided by thePost 9/11 GI Bill (The GI Bill finalregs were published 31 March).We are continuing to press for thestatutory changes needed to includetransferability. Thanks at least inpart to the advocacy of COA, thelongstanding limit of 2,800 RegularCorps officers has been increasedto 4,000. Thanks to the interventionof COA with the TRICAREManagement Activity, one memberwas saved from having to pay a$20,000 pharmacy bill.And that’s just the list for March,2009!This Association continues toadvocate for the PHS CommissionedCorps and its officers on a widevariety of issues from statutorylanguage regarding funding throughengagement with airlines to ensurethat PHS officers on orders can getbaggage checked without paying extra.(See Executive Director, page 21)Professor Howard Koh NominatedAssistant Secretary for Health in HHSPresident Barack Obama on March 25thnamed Dr. Howard Koh as hisnominee for Assistant Secretary for Healthin the Department of Health and HumanServices. Dr. Koh is the Harvey V. FinebergProfessor of the Practice of Public Health,Associate Dean for Public Health Practice,and Director of the Division of PublicHealth Practice at the Harvard School ofPublic Health.The Assistant Secretary for Health(ASH) serves as the primary advisor tothe HHS Secretary on all matters involvingthe nation’s public health. The ASH overseesthe Office of Public Health andScience, including the Office of theSurgeon General (OSG), and the PHSCommissioned Corps.At Harvard, Dr. Koh has served as thePrincipal Investigator of the NationalCancer Institute (NCI)-funded CommunityNetworks Program Mass-CONECT, a community-based initiativeto eliminate cancer disparities in underservedcommunities. He was also PrincipalInvestigator of MassCONECT 4 KIDS, acommunity-based program funded by theNational Center on Minority Health andHealth Disparities to reduce disparities insecondhand smoke exposure for children.Dr. Koh directed the Harvard School ofPublic Health Center for Public HealthPreparedness (HSPH-CPHP), whichpromotes education about bioterrorism,pandemic influenza, and other emerginghealth threats.From 1997 – 2003, Dr. Koh served asCommissioner of Public Health for theCommonwealth of Massachusetts. AsCommissioner, Dr. Koh led the MassachusettsDepartment of Public Health,which offers a wide range of services, andincludes four public health hospitals. Heled a staff of more than 3,000 professionals.He emphasized the power of preventionand strengthened the state’s commitmentto eliminating health disparities.Dr. Koh graduated from Yale College,and the Yale University School of Medicine.He completed his postgraduatetraining and chief residencies at BostonCity Hospital and MassachusettsGeneral Hospital. He hasearned board certificationin internal(See Koh,page 3)Dr. Howard KohExercise your ownership –VOTE for the COABoard of Directors.See page 5.

BENEFITS OF YOURCOA MEMBERSHIPCAPITOL HILL REPRESENTATIONCOA legislation on Capitol Hillcontinually supports all CommissionedCorps officers – active, inactivereserve, and retired.LOCAL REPRESENTATIONCOA branches generate newvenues for meeting fellow officers withinyour local area while providing a forum forthe discussion of concerns withinthe Commissioned Corps.ANNUAL MEETINGWith a mixture of business and pleasure,COA’s annual meeting invites colleaguesfrom around the country to gather todiscuss new scientific presentationswhile stimulating open forums abouthealth-related issues.INSURANCE PROGRAMSCOA enables members toparticipate in several low-costinsurance programs that maycontinue after leaving the PHS aslong as your membership in COAremains current.FRONTLINECOA’s newsletter reports onmonthly activities and items ofinterest to COA members aboutthe Corps & COA.SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMCOA offers thousands of dollarstowards college scholarshipsfor children and spouses ofCOA members.PUBLIC HEALTH PUBLICATIONDISCOUNTSCOA members receive a 10% discounton subscriptions to Public Health Reports,the journal of the Public Health Service;and discounts of up to 50% on selectedmaterials available from the Public HealthFoundation. Visit the COA website formore information.LEGISLATIVE UPDATENew in CongressBills Respond to PHS Workforce NeedsTwo legislative proposals, one introducedin the U.S. House of Representativeson March 12 and theother introduced in the Senate onApril 2, address some of the PHSworkforce issues on the COAlegislative wish list.U.S. Public HealthSciences TrackAs Frontline went topress, Sen. Jeff Bingaman(D-NM) introduced S. 790,a bill titled the Health Accessand Health ProfessionsSupply Act of 2009. His proposal hasbeen in development for many months,and COA was consulted extensivelyearly in the process.Sen. Bingaman’s legislative initiativeaddresses public health workforce shortagesprimarily by expanding educationalopportunities and incentives. Of particularinterest to COA is the proposed“U.S. Public Health Sciences Track”under the direction of the SurgeonGeneral. The plan calls for training 800health professions students at affiliatedinstitutions, placing particular emphasison “team-based service, public health,epidemiology, and emergency preparedness.”Ten slots would be reserved formedical students at the UniformedServices University of the HealthSciences. All students would receivetuition remission and stipends. Graduateswould be accepted into the PHSCommissioned Corps with two-yearservice commitments for each year ofschool covered.Sen. Bingaman’s proposal wouldalso create a permanent, 20-member National Health WorkforceCommission to overseethe ongoing Federal investmentin the education ofhealth professionals. COA hassuggested that the SurgeonGeneral should at least beappointed to this commission,if it comes to pass, and perhaps serve asits chairman.Option for PHS Nurse RetireesRep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa) hasintroduced HR 1460, called the Nurses’Higher Education and Loan RepaymentAct of 2009. It would address theshortage of nursing faculty by offeringsubstantial education grants to individualnurses willing to serve as nursingfaculty. A nurse pursuing a doctorate innursing would be eligible for as much as$80,000, while a nurse pursuing amaster’s degree in nursing would beeligible for up to $40,000. In return,grantees would be required to serve forat least four years as faculty in an accreditedschool of nursing.(See Legislative Update, page 23)AVIS & BUDGET RENTALDISCOUNTMembers enjoy discount rates onAvis and Budget rentals throughCOA’s website.RIBBONThe COA ribbon is authorized to be wornon the PHS uniform by membersin good standing.2 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

Why I Donate to COF – Foundation’s Foremost Donor Speaks OutBy Martha Barclay-Giel, Captain, USPHS, RetiredCircumstances have generously allowedme the opportunity to support themission of the Foundation through donationsover the last few years. I am pleasedto do so as one way to honor the work andmemory of my late husband, CaptainBohdan G. Giel, who served over 30 plusyears in the PHS Commissioned Corps;and also, it enables me to continue my ownwork as a PHS officer, even though retiredthese many years.I believe the Foundation has focused itsefforts on three core issues, 1) improvingthe public image and understanding of thevalue of the PHS Commissioned Corps; 2)preserving and promoting the rich heritageand considerable legacy of the PHSCommissioned Corps; and 3) investing inthe advanced education of our active dutyofficers in order to enhance their ability tobetter serve the health needs of our nationand the global community.Specifically, the Foundation has establishedthe RADM Jerrold M. MichaelFellowship program to stimulate the graduateeducation of Commissioned Corpsofficers.COF is actively working to tell the storyof the Commissioned Corps: The Foundationpublishes historical as well as professionalbooks documenting the work ofCommissioned Corps officers and enhancingtheir service identity, customs, andtraditions.WELCOME NEW COA MEMBERSLCDR Darin L. Allard, Rio GrandeLT Shawn Armes, Heart of AmericaLTJG Annette C. Atoigue, District of ColumbiaLTJG TaCheka M. Bailey, District of ColumbiaLT Debra A. Belgarde, AberdeenLCDR Sherry L. Burrer, New EnglandLTJG Shaun Chapman, Ft. DetrickLT Christopher C. Cordes, Continental DivideLCDR Minglei Cui, District of ColumbiaLT Bryna C. Grant, Ft. DetrickLCDR Jan Guy, SoCalLT Christopher M. Jones, District of ColumbiaThe Foundation also works closely withthe Commissioned Officers Associationsupporting their efforts to obtain legislativeactions that will strengthen and expand thePHS Commissioned Corps.Finally, 90% of the Foundation’sexpenses are in direct program support ofpublic health education for PHS CommissionedCorps officers.I feel an obligation to support those whofollow behind me and my late husband inthe Commissioned Corps and the PublicHealth community. These are tough times– for institutions like the Foundation – aswell as for individuals, and I am confidentmy donation to COF makes a difference. Ihope you will join me in supporting thework of the PHS Commissioned OfficersFoundation.Best Wishes,Martha Barclay-GielCaptain, USPHS, RetiredEditor’s Note: Captain Barclay-Giel, (92), aHealth Services Officer, is the Foundation’sforemost donor. She and her late husband,Captain Bohdan G. Giel, combined to servemore than 50 years as Commissioned Corpsofficers. We asked Captain Barclay-Giel toshare her reasons for her most generous supportfor the Foundation.LT Tonya R. King, ChicagoLT Lisa Lee, AtlantaLT Karen E. Livornese, District of ColumbiaLCDR Margaret Mahool, Ft. WorthLT Tracy Powell, UnaffiliatedLTJG Alicia Sherrell, District of ColumbiaLT Sarah Trinidad, District of ColumbiaENS Troy L. Vaughan, III, AtlantaLT Justin Vos, North CarolinaLT Marta A. Wojas, UnaffiliatedLCDR Andrew W. Young, Aurora BorealisCAPT Martha Barclay-Giel, (Ret.)(KOH, from page 1)medicine, hematology, medical oncology,and dermatology, as well as a Master ofPublic Health degree. He is an electedmember of the Institute of Medicine andChair of the Board of Scientific Counselorsfor the CDC's Coordinating Office forTerrorism Preparedness and EmergencyResponse. Dr. Koh has published over 200articles in the medical and public healthliterature. He has received numerousawards and honors including the DistinguishedService Award from the AmericanCancer Society. Former President BillClinton appointed Dr. Koh to the NationalCancer Advisory Board (2000-2002).In recognition of his contributions toearly detection and prevention ofmelanoma, the Boston Red Sox designatedDr. Koh as a "Medical All-Star" (2003).Dr. Koh and his wife, Dr. ClaudiaArrigg, are the parents of three children.APRIL 2009 • COA FRONTLINE 3

Foundation Hosts Chinese DelegationThe PHS Commissioned Officers Foundationwas pleased to host a delegation of20 Chinese health professionals from Anhuiprovince in the People’s Republic of Chinaon the March 25th. Arranged as part ofthe Foundation’s cooperative agreementwith the Chinese Association of HealthEducation, this group of Anhui provincehealth officials was in the United States tolearn about community health centers andthe education and training of US healthprofessionals.The Foundation arranged a tour andbriefing about the Montgomery County,MD mobile health clinic – “MobileMed.”Also on the agenda were presentations at theUniversity of Maryland School of PublicHealth by Dean Robert Gold and schoolfaculty. RADM Carol Romano, USPHSchief of staff to the Surgeon General, andPHS Chief Nurse Officer, spoke with thegroup regarding the role of the federalgovernment in health professional educationand training and in public health practice.The Foundation is also pursuing aresearch project with the Chinese Associationof Health Education studying the roleof nurses as health educators in ruralcommunities. The University of MarylandSchool of Public Health is the Foundation’sacademic partner for this undertaking.During the sessions with the delegation onMarch 25th, the Foundation was representedby Trustees RADM’s Mary Pat Couigand Jerry Michael and COF ExecutiveDirector Jerry Farrell and CAPT Bruce(Left) RADM Carol Romano; (Right) Ms. Wu QiongyuChelikowsky, the project leader for theChina project.The Foundation’s growing relationshipwith the Chinese Assocation of HealthEducators parallels the DHHS outreach toChina health officials in an effort to promoteimproved global health and internationalrelations.4 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

2009 Election — COA Board of DirectorsThe PHS Officers who serve as COAdirectors have an important job.Throughout their terms, through activeparticipation on committees and in boardmeetings, they identify issues and problemsfor the Board’s consideration. Their manyhours of hard work help to accomplish thegoals and mission of the organization.Their work is uncompensated but greatlyappreciated.COA’s Board of Directors includesone member from each of these elevencategories: Dental, Dietitian, Engineer,Environmental Health, Health Services,Medical, Nurse, Pharmacist, Scientist,Therapist, and Veterinarian. The Board alsoincludes three retired officers, three fieldrepresentatives and one inactive reservist.Board terms are for three years, beginningon July 1. Vacancies currently exist in sixcategories: Dental, Engineer, EnvironmentalHealth, Field Representative,Retired Officer, and Scientist.COA bylaws stipulate that only activeduty, retired, inactive reserve, and lifemembers of COA are permitted to vote.Please review the candidates’ profiles andmake your selections on the ballot printedin this issue of Frontline. Or, you may usethe online ballot on our website atwww.coausphs.org. Return your completedpaper ballot by mail or fax (301-731-9084)to the COA offices (Attn: Teresa Hayden)by June 12, 2009.In many cases, contested vacancies are wonby a mere handful of votes. Your vote doescount – please use it! Vote today for the PHSofficers who will help guide your COA for thenext three years.DENTAL post – 9/11; Combined FederalCampaign/United Way “Outstanding■ CAPT Daniel HickeyCurrent PHS Position: Chief DentalOfficer, USP/SFF/SPC Hazelton.Previous PHS Positions: Chief DentalOfficer, FCI Morgantown; Chief DentalOfficer, FCI Loretto; Chief DentalOfficer, Whitefish Bay Medical – DentalCenter.Related Professional Activities: AmericanDental Association (ADA) Delegate(2004 – 2008); ADA Committee onLocal Arrangements (2005); ADA ClinicalEvaluator Panel (2005 – 2009);Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)President-elect (2007 – present); AGDSecretary/Treasurer (2003 – 07); AGDLegislative Chair (2001 – 07); AGDMastership awarded 2005; AGD Fellowshipawarded 2001; PAGD PEAKProgram (1997 – present); AGD LifelongLearning Service Recognition (2005 –present); AMSUS Mentor; USPHSMentor; DePAC Chair (2003); ProfessionalAdvisory Committee Chairs Chair(2003); Dental Category AppointmentBoard (2003 – present); HurricaneKatrina Dental Response Group (2005),including Group representative to ADAand AGD; OFRD Workgroup Chair(2001); Directed USPHS ForensicOdontology response to NYC/WTCKeyworker of the Year: (2001); Certificateof Graduation with Honors, FederalLaw Enforcement Training Center(1997); Filling-A-Need InternationalVolunteer Dental Organization (1999 –present).PHS Awards / Honors Received:Commendation Medal (1); AchievementMedal (2); PHS Citation (2); OutstandingUnit Citation (1); Unit Commendation(4); Field Medical ReadinessBadge (2004); National EmergencyPreparedness Award (2004); COA SeniorClinician of the Year (2003); SpecialAssignment Award (2002); HazardousDuty Award (1998); Bicentennial UnitCommendation (1998); President’sChallenge Gold Medal (3), Silver Medal(3), Bronze Medal (3).COA Offices Held:National: COA Board of Directors (2007– present); COA Treasurer (June 2008 –present); COA Executive Committee(June 2008 - present); Finance and PropertyCommittee Chair; CommitteeMember – Annual Meeting and Education,Insurance.Meeting: COA Dental Category RepresentativeLead (2005); COA DentalCategory Planning Committee (2005;2006; 2007; 2008).Position Statement: The CommissionedCorps of the U.S. Public Health Servicehas a long and proud tradition of consistentlyrising to face challenging times andcircumstances. Perhaps never more so hasthat been evident than in the last tenyears, as the PHS has been in the forefrontof emergency response and disasterpreparedness, global health crises, stabilizationof national health systems (Iraq,Afghanistan), and the current economicturmoil and its effect on our Nation’shealth policies and citizens. The CommissionedOfficers who daily meet thesechallenges have benefitted from thecommitted advocacy of the COA andhave taken advantage of the services andsupport COA provides. As a currentmember of the COA Board, I havewitnessed firsthand the voice COA lendsto the advocacy process on behalf of allofficers, and deem COA’s function essentialto the survival of the CommissionedCorps. As a Board member, my goalswould be to promote our indispensabilityas the foundation of the Nation’s publichealth infrastructure; to continue thedialogue and partnership with the otheruniformed services for the benefits,growth, relevance, and stability of ourService; to foster a deeper appreciationof the rich and significant abilities andaccomplishments of the PHS to theNation; and to assure the Transformationof the Corps is implemented tostrengthen the Corps and provide officers(See Election , page 6)APRIL 2009 • COA FRONTLINE 5

(Election, from page 5)the knowledge, guidance, and training tofulfill not only their critical missionswithin their OPDIV and Agencies butalso to meet future health challenges –national and global. I also believe it isparamount for Transformation to focuson recruitment, mentoring, and retentionof junior officers. I would thereforeeducate junior officers about the vital roleCOA plays in support of the CommissionedCorps, and work diligently toenergize officers to be active in theirAssociation. Having worked in the pastas a PAC Chair and having interactedwith fellow officers of all categories,I believe I possess the knowledge andabilities to work in a professional andobjective manner, and will diligentlystrive to promote the best interests ofboth the officers and the mission of theCommissioned Corps.ENGINEER■ CAPT Susan NeurathCurrent PHS Position: ATSDR PetitionCoordinator; Atlanta, GA (2007 topresent).Previous PHS Positions: ATSDR EnvironmentalHealth Scientist; Atlanta, GA(2000 – 2007).Related Professional Activities: EngineerProfessional Advisory Committee(EPAC) (2002 – 2008); EPAC Chair(2008); EPAC Career DevelopmentSubcommittee Chair (2005 – 2007).PHS Awards/Honors Received: PHSAchievement Medal (2007, 2003); PHSSpecial Assignment Award (2007); PHSCrisis Response Service Award (2006,2004, 2002); Crisis Response ServiceAward (2004, 2002); PHS OutstandingUnit Citation (2007, 2002); PHSRegular Corp Ribbon (2006).COA Offices Held: NonePosition Statement: I have been a COAmember for approximately eight years.I have a strong appreciation for COA’ssupport of USPHS Commissioned Officersand their dedicated efforts toadvance public health. If selected to serveas a member of the Board of Directors, itwould be my desire to promote COA’sefforts to improve and protect the publichealth of our nation and advocate for thePHS officers who carry out the fundamentalduties. I am specifically interestedin issues associated with the transformationof the Commissioned Corps andimproving our partnership with otherorganizations, including our sister services,to address public health issues associatedwith recovery from large-scalenatural and man-made disasters and theunmet health needs experienced daily bymany segments of our population.■ CAPT Anthony ZimmerCurrent PHS Position: EnvionmentalEngineer, Environmental ProtectionAgency (2005 – present).Previous PHS Positions: EnvironmentalHealth Engineer, Centers for DiseaseControl (1992 – 2005).Related Professional Activities: BioenvironmentalEngineer, U.S. Air Force(1986 – 1992).PHS Awards/Honors Received:Uniformed Service Awards (in orderof precedence): Commendation Medal(1998), Achievement Medal (2006 &2001), Citation (2004 and 2003),Outstanding Unit Commendation (2007& 2002), Unit Commendation (2008 &2002), Field Medical Readiness Badge(2007), Basic Officer Training Ribbon(2003), Crisis Response Service Award(2006 & 2002), Regular Corps Officer(1999).Professional Service Awards (in chronologicalorder): Federal Engineer of the Year(NSPE, 2008), EPA Engineer of the Year(2008), SAME (Society of AmericanMilitary Engineers) Hollis Medal (2005),Public Health Service Engineer of theYear (2003), CDC Engineer of the Year(2003).COA Offices Held: Cincinnati ChapterPresident Elect (2006), President(2007), National Scientific PlanningCommittee (2006-2007), Past President(2008), Community Action Chair(1992-1994). Recipient of the “2008National COA Branch of the Year”based upon efforts hosting the 2007USPHS Training Scientific and TrainingSymposium.Position Statement: I truly believe in theU.S. Public Health Service CommissionedCorps mission and the phenomenalsupport rendered by our local COAbranch as well as our national office. Myprofessional career has been marked bypragmatic and successful leadershipranging from Public Health research tomanaging complex programs. As amember of the COA Board of Directors,I hope to offer my unique professionalskills to the board as an individual whohas spent their career in the trenches.ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH■ CAPT Larry CsehCurrent PHS Position: Senior EnvironmentalHealth Officer/EmergencyResponse Coordinator, ATSDR/CDC,Division of Toxicology and EnvironmentalMedicine, Atlanta, GA.Previous PHS Positions: ATSDR,Program Evaluation Section Chief,Atlanta, GA; US Coast Guard, Safety &Environmental Health Officer, Norfolk,VA, and Governors Island, NY; NavajoArea Indian Health Service, Service UnitSanitarian, Winslow, AZ; Navajo AreaIndian Health Service, Field Sanitarian,Fort Defiance, AZ.Related Professional Activities: EHOPAC’s Readiness Subcommittee Memberand CO-Chair for Resource Workgroup;ATSDR/CDC Representative forAssociation of Schools of Public Health/CDC Food and Water Safety CollaborationGroup; Supplemental EmergencyResponse Coordinator, HHS Region IVRegional Health Administrator; Mentorto several junior officers.6 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

PHS Awards/Honors Received: PHSAchievement Medal (2), USCG AchievementMedal, PHS Citation, USCGCommandant’s Letter of CommendationRibbon, PHS Outstanding UnitCitation (4), PHS Unit Commendation(7), EPA Bronze Medal, PHS HazardousDuty Service Ribbon (2), PHS CrisisResponse Ribbon (4), PHS NationalEmergency Preparedness Award, PHSBicentennial Unit Commendation, PHSRegular Corp Ribbon, PHS CC TrainingRibbon, HHS Secretary’s Award forDistinguished Service, and PHS FieldMedical Readiness Badge.COA Offices Held:Local: 1997 President Tidewater Chapter;2002 Treasurer Atlanta Chapter;2003 and 2004 At Large MemberAtlanta Chapter.Meeting: Attended 2.Position Statement: I have been an activemember of the Commissioned OfficersAssociation since 1991, joining as ajunior officer while serving as a fieldsanitarian on the Navajo Indian Reservation.I have over 18 years of active dutyand over 22 years of experience as anenvironmental health professional. Duringmy career, I have experience servingnot only with Public Health Service butalso with the US Coast Guard, and Ibelieve this will enable me to bring aunique prospective to the board. As thePublic Health Service moves forwardwith transformation and a new administration,I see the Commissioned OfficersAssociation being essential in providingrecommendations and guidance toensure the continuing strength of thecorp. I have had the pleasure of mentoringnumerous junior officers as theybegin their hopefully long careers andbelieve they are our future and it is ourduty to aid them. My experience at thelocal level of Commissioned OfficersAssociation serving as President, treasurer,and member at large for twodifferent chapters has provided me withthe knowledge and understanding oflocal needs and concerns, and would behonored to represent the EnvironmentalHealth Officers at the national level.■ CAPT Wendy FanaselleCurrent PHS Position: Risk AssessmentProject Manager, Risk Assessment CoordinationTeam, Office of Food Defense,Communication and Emergency Response,Center for Food Safety andApplied Nutrition, Center for Food Safetyand Applied Nutrition.Previous PHS Positions: Retail FoodSpecialist, FDA, CFSAN; EnvironmentalHealth Specialist, INS, HRSA; StaffSanitarian, IHS.Related Professional Activities: PreventiveMedicine Director, RDF-1,Chairman of Interagency Risk AssessmentConsortium (IRAC) ProduceWorkgroup; Team leader and lead authorof FDA Norovirus Risk Profile Development;Lead author of Employee Health,No Bare Hand Contact, and HandHygiene, in 2005 FDA Food Code.PHS Awards/Honors Received: CommendationMedal: 1994; AchievementMedal: 1992; Citation: 2000; OutstandingUnit Commendation: 1997; 1998,2005, 2005, 2007, 2008; Unit Commendation,1998, 2002, 2008; CrisisResponse: 2006, 2008; Regular CorpRibbon: 1998; Commission CorpTraining Ribbon: 2008.COA Offices Held: NonePosition Statement: I joined the USPHSCommission Corp because I believe inthe mission of “protecting, promoting,and advancing the health and safety ofthe nation” and believe with all my heartthat the PHS is leading the way andmaking a true impact on the health statusof the people in the United States. Ibelieve that as national experts in EnvironmentalHealth disciplines, we arevaluable leaders to the nation whenrecovering from national disasters andwhen protection from national emergenciesis needed. The true value of our leadershipin disasters is our expertise in thefield of public health, which becomesinvaluable when national infrastructure,is disrupted, requiring creative solutionsto basic public health problems. As amember of the COA board of directors,I hope to help institutionalize the needfor PHS environmental health professionalsas national experts, public healthleaders, and valuable assets for nationalemergencies, disasters, and the developmentand promotion of public healthpolicy in this nation. We need to focus onimproving recruitment of new EnvironmentalHealth professionals through thedevelopment of new job opportunities inall HHS agencies, and better support forthe career development of newly hiredofficers.■ CAPT Edward PfisterCurrent PHS Position: DHHS EnvironmentalProgram Manager, Office forFacilities Management and Policy, AssistantSecretary for Administration andManagement, Office of the Secretary.Previous PHS Positions: EnvironmentalCompliance Officer, National Institutesof Health.Related Professional Activities: Representthe HHS with federal agency partnerson NEPA, EMS and Environmentalcommittees sponsored by the Office ofthe Federal Environmental Executive(OFEE) and the Office of Managementand Budget (OMB). Served over 15 yearsin leadership roles with the NationalDisaster Medical System and currentlyserve as Deputy Team Leader of the PHS2 Rapid Deployment Force.PHS Awards/Honors Received: CrisisResponse Service Award (PHS) issued by:PHS (15 Dec 2008); Outstanding UnitCitation (PHS) issued by: PHS (24 Jan2007); Commissioned Corps TrainingRibbon issued by: PHS (15 Dec 2006);Crisis Response Service Award (PHS)issued by: PHS (23 Jan 2006); CrisisResponse Service Award (PHS) issued by:PHS (02 Nov 2004); Outstanding UnitCitation (PHS) issued by: PHS (06 Sep2002); Unit Commendation (PHS)issued by: PHS (20 Jul 2002); OutstandingUnit Citation (PHS) issued by:PHS (10 May 2002); Crisis Response(See Election , page 8)APRIL 2009 • COA FRONTLINE 7

(Election, from page 7)Service Award (PHS) issued by: PHS (15Feb 2002); Crisis Response ServiceAward (PHS) issued by: PHS (11 May2000); Bicentennial Unit Commendation(PHS) issued by: PHS (01 Jan1998); Field Medical Readiness Badge(PHS) issued by: PHS (08 Oct 1997);Crisis Response Service Award (PHS)issued by: PHS (02 May 1996); Citation(PHS) issued by: PHS (26 Apr 1996);National Emergency Preparedness Award(PHS) issued by: PHS (07 Dec 1995);Regular Corps Ribbon (PHS) issued by:PHS (22 Jul 1994); Crisis ResponseService Award (PHS) issued by: PHS (22Nov 1993); Achievement Medal (PHS)issued by: PHS (24 Jan 1992).COA Offices Held: NonePosition Statement: Time to give back! Ihave been privileged to serve 20 years asa PHS officers and almost the sameamount of time as COA member. Myactual COA participation has been minorparticipation with the Ft Detrick Branchprimarily with the Military StandardsCadre of Commissioned Officershttp://comilstd.org/.Now, I feel it is time to step up to theplate and get involved. If elected to theBOD I pledge to become actively involvedin the many activities includingstrategies for growing the organizations,working for fiscal discipline, developingthe legislative agenda and rolling up mysleeves in the strategic planning process.My one hidden agenda item is to promoteenvironmental stewardship amongour officers and in our association’s activitiesincluding the annual training symposium.There are many actions we aspublic health officers can take to set anexample for others in reducing our‘personnel’ environmental footprint.Simple activities such as double sidedprinting, using soy based inks, usingreusable beverage containers, and turningoff computers, electrical devices andunplugging ‘things.’I feel that now it is an interesting timeto be a Commissioned Officer, the servicehas given a lot to me and as amember of the COA Board of Directors;I am now ready to give back. Thanks foryou consideration!FIELD■ CAPT Jose BelardoCurrent PHS Position: Deputy RegionalHealth Administrator, OS/OPHS/RegionVII, Kansas City, MO.Previous PHS Positions: Area SeniorSocial Work Specialty Consultant, HealthResources and Services Administration,Maternal and Child Health Bureau,Rockville, MD; Senior Public HealthAnalyst, Health Resources and ServicesAdministration, Maternal and ChildHealth Bureau, Rockville, MD.Related Professional Activities: Officerin-Charge:USPHS and All Public HealthActivities: USS Kearsarge, ContinuingPromise 2008 Mission; Officer-inCharge:FEMA Trailer Formaldehyde ResponseMission 2008; SG-PAC: OS Representative;Acting HS Chief Professional Officerduring incumbents absence; Region VIIIRCT; HS-PAC: Member; HS-PAC:Chair, Transformation Committee;HS-PAC: Chair; HS-PAC: Mentoring,Policy, and Recruitment and RetentionSubcommittees; PHS 1 Rapid DeploymentForce Team Member; PAC ChairCommittee participant that developedproposed revisions to shared promotionbenchmarks for PY 2007; Selected as ateam member to finalize Core Values forthe Commissioned Corps of the USPHS;Assisted with the development of the firstCommissioned Corps Satisfaction Survey;HRSA Emergency Response Center(TOPOFF Exercise); SERT Training;Associate Recruiter; Policy ImpactAssessment Workgroup; PHS DomesticViolence Committee (Draft proposedregulations, policies, and proceduresregarding domestic violence); PHS EEOCommittee (Draft proposed regulations,policies, and procedures regarding equalopportunity); BCOAG Vice-Chair;BCOAG Secretary; Social Work ProfessionalAdvisory Group Secretary; PromotionBoard Recorder.PHS Awards/Honors Received: MeritoriousService Medal; Surgeon General’sExemplary Service Medal; CommendationMedal; PHS Citation; Achievement Medal;Outstanding Unit Citations; Unit Commendations;Unit Citations; HazardousDuty Medal; Foreign National Award;Special Assignment Award; PHS CrisisResponse.COA Offices Held: NonePosition Statement: For fourteen years, Ihave done my best to abide to the oath Itook upon entering Commissioned Corpsof the U.S. Public Health Service that I willwell and faithfully discharge the duties ofthe office on which I am about to enter. Itake seriously this oath and have workedhard to serve my service with passion andsense of commitment to which I believeassisted with the ongoing accomplishmentof the overall mission of the USPHS. Overthe past few years, the USPHS has trulyadvanced its role through the transformationprocess, and I see our role expandingas a greater force in the field of public healthpreparedness and response. I envision thatthe Commissioned Officers Associationwill continue as a key figure in this evolvingtransformation, and I believe that throughmy unique experiences, sound guidancefrom mentors, and commitment to theUSPHS provides me with an opportunityto provide input and service to the officersof the USPHS as a Commissioned OfficersAssociation Board Member. I am honoredto submit my name for this distinguishedposition and look forward for a chance togreater serve our Commissioned Corps.■ CAPT Latricia RobertsonCurrent PHS Position: Region IX NurseConsultant, HRSA/OPR/San FranciscoRegional Division, San Francisco, CA(1/14/05 – present).Previous PHS Positions: Region VINurse Consultant, HRSA/OPR/DallasRegional Division, Dallas, TX (6/1/00 –1/13/05); National Nurse ClinicalSpecialty Consultant, HRSA/MCHB,Rockville, MD (4/1/91 – 5/31/00);MCH Branch Chief/Region IX MCHNurse Consultant/Regional MCH8 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

Program Consultant, San Francisco, CA(6/1/88 – 3/31/91; Primary Care NurseConsultant/Primary Care ProgramConsultant, Region VI, Dallas, TX(7/1/87 – 5/31/88); State MCH NurseConsultant Resident/Fellow, OhioDepartment of Health, Region V,Columbus, OH (7/1/86 – 6/31/87);Director, Community Health Nursing,Yakima Indian Health Center, IndianHealth Service, Toppenish, WA (6/1/846/30/86).Related Professional Activities: SeniorExcellence in Government Fellow; FirstSecretary-Treasurer of FedNA-AmericanNurses Association(ANA); active memberof ANA and California Nurses’ Association;active member of AmericanPublic Health Association, and; LifetimeCOA Member, currently, participatingin San Francisco Branch. Member ofAMSUS, MOAA, ROA, and SigmaTheta Tau.PHS Awards/Honors Received: J.D.Lane Clinical Society Award; MeritoriousService Medal; National MinnigerodeAward for Nursing Excellence;Outstanding Service Medal; CommendationMedal (2); Achievement Medal;Bicentennial Unit Commendation (3);Outstanding Unit Citation (3); NationalEmergency Preparedness Award (2);Special Assignment Service Ribbon;PHS Citation; COA Member Ribbon,and; Lucille Woodville Memorial COAAward.COA Offices Held:National: COA Board of Directors as aField Representative, 7/1/04 – 6/30/07;COA Board Treasurer, 7/1/06 –6/30/07.Position Statement: Throughout my 24year PHS career, I have been fullycommitted to the PHS mission andserving the Nation as a USPHS CommissionedCorps Officer. To date, I haveserved at seven duty stations withregional, state, and national assignmentsand locations. I was quite privileged tohave had the opportunity to serve on theCOA Board of Directors for one termalready, but feel that I would like tofurther contribute to the work of theCOA Board and membership. I amparticularly interested in working onCOA membership, Officer recruitmentand retention and Officer mentorship.Thus, I am requesting your support foranother opportunity to serve you onthe COA Board of Directors as a FieldRepresentative.RETIRED■ CAPT RobertDeChristoforo, (Ret.)Current PHS Position: Chief Pharmacist,NIH Clinical Center Pharmacy.Previous PHS Positions: San Francisco,Baltimore, and Boston PHS Hospitals(Division of Hospitals and Clinics).Related Professional Activities: Active incommunity work to ensure the safehandling and disposal of hazardousdrugs.PHS Awards/Honors Received: ClinicalCenter Director’s Award: “For strategicplanning and implementation of a PharmacyInformation System to improvepatient safety and medication management.”(2008); USPHS OutstandingUnit Citation, For work on the NIOSHHazardous Drug Working Group (2006);National Occupational Research Agenda(NORA) Partnering Award: “For WorkerHealth and Safety for Collaborative Partnershipand Products of the NIOSHHazardous Drug Working Group.”(2006); Clinical Center Director’s Award:“For Superb Leadership of the PharmacyDepartment during a Time of Transition.”(2005); USPHS Outstanding UnitCitation (2004); USPHS Unit Commendation(2003); USPHS AchievementMedal (2003); USPHS CommendationMedal (1999); USPHS Unit Commendation(1999); USPHS OutstandingService Medal (1998); USPHS CareerAchievement Award in Pharmacy (1994);USPHS Commendation Medal (1990);USPHS Citation (1987); Unit Commendation,Disaster Medical Assistance Team(DMAT), USPHS (1984); HazardousDuty Ribbon, USPHS (1982).COA Offices Held:National: Board of Directors, COA(2006 – 2009); Board of Trustees, COF(2006 – 2009).Local: Board Member (Pharmacy Category),DC Branch (1996 – 2000); Past-President, DC Branch (1987 – 1988);President, DC Branch (1986 – 1987);Vice President, DC Branch (1985 –1986).Position Statement: I support the COAas a strong advocate for its officermembers as well as the promotion ofPublic Health worldwide. It must beresponsive to its members concerns.COA must be above the politics of anyadministration, but be sensitive of thebest way to promote critical issuesthat affect active duty as well as retiredofficers.SCIENTIST■ CDR Sara NewmanCurrent PHS Position: Public RiskManagement Program Director,National Park Service, Department ofInterior.Previous PHS Positions: Special ProjectsAdvisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary,Office of Public Health EmergencyMedical Countermeasures, ASPR,HHS: 2005 – 2006; Senior Epidemiologist,Division of Immigration HeathServices: 2002 – 2005; Jr. Costep,Epidemiologist, Bureau of Prisons:2001.Related Professional Activities: Ex-Oficio and voting member of ScientistPAC (Served as Chair FY 2008);Subcommittee Chair for Recreationaland Sports Injuries, American PublicHealth Association Command staff(Deputy Liaison and Public InformationOfficer) of Rapid Deployment ForceTeam- PHS 2.(See Election, page 10)APRIL 2009 • COA FRONTLINE 9

✁(Election, from page 9)PHS Awards/Honors Received: FieldMedical Readiness Badge, OutstandingService Medal, Commendation Medal, 2Achievement Medals, Outstanding UnitCitation, 7 Unit Commendations, CrisisResponse Service Award, Special AssignmentAward, Regular Corps Ribbon,Commissioned Corps Training Ribbon.COA Offices Held:Local: DC COA Board Member-At-Large- Scientist elected 2008 – present.Position Statement: Please consider mynomination to serve on the COA Boardof Directors. I believe my role as Scientistrepresentative on the DC COA Boardpositions me well to provide continuedand consistent input on behalf of ourcategory.Early in my PHS career, I was activein JOAG and the Scientist PAC. Beforemy appointment as a voting SciPACmember in 2002, I assisted on subcommitteesand chaired Category Day. In2006, I was elected to Vice-Chair of theSciPAC, and was PAC Chair from 2007-2008. It has been a tremendous honor toserve as a leader in our SciPAC, workingwith our CPO and PAC, representingour category, working to identify andaddress the needs and concerns of ourmembers and providing support andguidance on a wide range of issues criticalto our officers.I believe the experience I have gainedin the Corps will provide great value tothe COA Board. I would be honored toserve as a board member on one of themost critical entities working on behalfof our officers to bring issues mostimportant to us to the attention of decisionmakers both in and outside theCorps.TO VOTE ONLINE – www.coausphs.orgOFFICIAL COA BOARD OF DIRECTORS VOTING BALLOT(vote for one candidate per category)DEADLINE June 12, 2009DENTALCAPT Daniel HickeyENGINEERCAPT Susan NeurathCAPT Anthony ZimmerENVIRONMENTAL HEALTHCAPT Larry CsehCAPT Wendy FanaselleFIELDCAPT Jose BelardoCAPT Latricia RobertsonCAPT Edward PfisterRETIREDCAPT Robert DeChristoforo, (Ret.)SCIENTISTCDR Sara NewmanName_________________________________________________________________________ Member #_____________8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Landover, MD 20785 • Fax: (301) 731-908410 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

APRIL 2009 • COA FRONTLINE 11

12 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

PHS Medical Technologist ReceivesCOLA Laboratory Excellence RecognitionWritten By COLA Accreditation Awards CommitteeSubmitted By LT Cara Nichols and LCDR Julie Morris,Medical Technologist Professional Advisory Group (MT PAG) Communication SubcommitteeLCDR Jeffrey A. Christopher, COAmember, and Chair of the MT PAGProfessional Development Subcommittee,is living his dream of working and living inAlaska at a career he really enjoys. Jeff andhis family live in Sitka, AK, where he servesas the Community Health Services (CHS)Laboratory Manager for Southeast AlaskaRegional Health Consortium (SEARHC),a non-profit tribal health consortium of 18Native communities which serves thehealth interests of the Tlingít, Haida,Tsimshian, and other Native people ofSoutheast Alaska. As a member of America’sUniformed Service of Public Health, Jeffoversees all lab operations and training forthe consortium’s rural clinics, whichincludes two moderate complexity laboratoriesand eight other remote sitesperforming waived and PPMP (providerperformedmicroscopic procedures) testingthat are spread throughout SoutheastAlaska.Jeff first became interested in the laboratoryprofession while taking a Cell Physiologyclass at Rockhurst University inKansas City, MO, where he earned his B.S.in Medical Technology in 1994. One nightduring his Medical Technology internship,Jeff gave a fellow student a ride home, whotold him about a job interview she had withthe Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation,in Bethel, AK. Bethel, known as a“bush” community, is approximately 500air miles southwest of Anchorage. “Whenmy classmate mentioned there was anotherjob opening for a Medical Technologist atthe same facility, I decided to apply, becauseI had always wanted to see Alaska,” said Jeff.A couple weeks later Jeff accepted a positionwith the Yukon Kuskokwim HealthCorporation (YKHC).Soon after graduation Jeff and his wife,Cheryl, a social worker, were living inBethel where Jeff worked as a generalist andserved as the Continuing Education Coordinatorfor the YKHC laboratory.LCDR Jeffrey A. ChristopherWhile bush Alaska living presented its shareof hardships — for example, the need tohave all their water delivered to their home— the couple took to the bush Alaskalifestyle, later moving north to Kotzebuewhich is 35 miles above the Arctic Circle.While in Kotzebue, Jeff again served as aMedical Technologist generalist and alsoimplemented a Laboratory InformationSystem (LIS) for the Maniilaq HealthCenter Laboratory. They returned to Bethelin 1998, where Jeff once again worked atYKHC, also assuming responsibility forlaboratory information services as well as allaspects of the chemistry department.In May, 2000, Jeff accepted a position asa generalist at SEARHC’s Mt. EdgecumbeHospital in Sitka, AK. For the next threeyears he worked as a generalist, until hevolunteered to start up two moderatecomplexity laboratories in Klawock andHaines as part of a pilot project, sponsoredby the Centers for Medicare & MedicaidServices (CMS), called Frontier ExtendedStay Clinics (FESC). The FESC program isdesigned to address the needs of seriouslyor critically ill or injured patients who, dueto adverse weather conditions or otherreasons, cannot be transferred quickly toacute care referral centers; or patients whoneed monitoring and observation for alimited period of time.With FESC, observation services,similar to those at acute care hospitals, areprovided at a local extended stay clinic untilthe patient is either transferred or can bereleased. The clinics, staffed by doctors andnurses, are open 24/7. Today, each lab isstaffed with one FTE and 7-8 nurses whoare cross trained to perform laboratorytesting. Although no testing personnel havea formal laboratory background, they allparticipate in a thorough training andcompetency program to help ensure thequality of laboratory services. Despite thelogistical challenges – both labs are over 150miles away from Sitka, and are only accessibleby small aircraft or ferry – Jeff stays intouch with his employees via email, phoneand with bi-monthly visits.“Prior to the creation of these moderatecomplexity labs, all samples needed to besent to the reference lab in Seattle,”explained Jeff. “Keeping the lab close to thepatient has helped to improve patient care,and also substantially reduced the numberof patient transports off-island,” he added.Even though Jeff currently does not havemuch regular patient contact, he feels heis making a real impact on the qualityof health care being provided in thecommunities.“My focus, along with that of my team,is to continually improve the quality oflaboratory services,” said Jeff, who wasnominated for the PHS CommissionedCorps Achievement Medal for improvingthe quality of SEARHC laboratory services,and whose labs recently received the COLALaboratory Excellence Award.APRIL 2009 • COA FRONTLINE 13

LCDR Michael W. Schmoyer is CDC’s February 2009 Employee of the MonthFebruary 2009’s CDC Employee of theMonth, LCDR Michael W. Schmoyer,USPHS, is no stranger to hard work andself-discipline. While working full-time atCDC, he managed to complete his PhDprogram in record time. LCDR Schmoyerstated, “Fortunately, both my supervisorand Division Director both admonishedme to "keep my eye on the prize;" it onlytook me eight and a half years to completemy program. For those who say it can'tbe done…it can, but prepare to be verydisciplined!”The hard work and dedication to dutyserve LCDR Schmoyer well in his currentposition as Overseas Business Specialist(OBS) in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Within amonth of his arrival, the CoordinatingCountry Office (CCO) director resigned,and LCDR Schmoyer took on the addedresponsibility of serving as the actingdirector for the CDC CCO. He is responsiblefor directing, coordinating, andproviding oversight and accountability forall of CDC’s global health programs in theEurasian continent, including the supervisionof locally employed staff in theKazakhstan Office, and staff in the CDCsatellite office located in Uzbekistan. He iseffectively wearing two hats while servingas both the CCO director and the OBS.Immediately after his arrival, LCDRSchmoyer was presented with a series ofmemos having serious questions regardingCDC’s fiscal and programmatic work withthe US. Agency for International Development(USAID). He quickly becamefamiliar with the program, reaching out tonumerous people both internal andexternal to CDC, including ambassadorsand the deputy chief of missions, to ascertainthe scope and magnitude of theaccusations.With his skillful diplomacy and factfinding, he was able to avert serious consequencesrelated to the issues presented. Inaddition, the ripple effect of fundingreduction impacted all programs in theregion. LCDR Schmoyer worked carefullywith CDC to bolster financialsupport to the region for global diseasedetection and HIV/AIDS to stabilize theprogramming and avoid a reduction-inLCDR Michael Schmoyer, prior todeployment to Kazakhstanforce for local staff.Under LCDR Schmoyer’s leadership andmanagement, the CDC CCO is flourishing.A plan of action has been developedfor implementing regional activities, andrelationships with partners in the regionshave been established and strengthened. Hehas worked closely with our partners inUSAID, the Department of Defense(DOD), and the Ministries of Health in thefive countries in the Central Asia Region.As a result of his leadership, Central Asiahas recently been identified as a recipient forPEPFAR funding beginning in FY09.LCDR Schmoyer is leading theCDC/Central Asia Regional Office in thisendeavor. He is working closely withCDC/Global AIDS Program staff inAtlanta to ensure all areas of technicalsupport can be provided to the region.LCDR Schmoyer is proud of the peoplehe works with, he states, “My favorite thingabout my job is undoubtedly the people Iget to work with. While I've been veryfortunate to work with a lot of great peoplein my life, especially at CDC, never have Ifelt such complete admiration and humilityaround my colleagues. I am surrounded bystaff from the region who are at the top oftheir game…the most respected minds intheir field…and the most devoted toadvancing public health in their respectivecountries. The aspect that I enjoy most istheir passion not only for what they arecurrently doing, but for what they knowthey can still accomplish. I feel honored tolead some of the best representatives ofCDC's overseas activities.”LCDR Schmoyer’s favorite experience atCDC came earlier in his career, when heenrolled in the International Experience &Technical Assistance (IETA) Program. Hestates, “Prior to entering the program, I hadnever worked overseas before, and this gaveme the opportunity to train with peerswho, like myself, were getting ready to stepinto a new adventure that was unlike anywe had ever experienced. I feel extremelygrateful that my supervisor at the time notonly supported my training and threemonth'internship' in Kazakhstan (where Ieventually became an employee), but alsoencouraged me to pursue the program tohelp me grow as a professional.”“Growing up, I've always been familiarwith the military, whether it related to myrelatives being in the armed forces, being inan ROTC program in college, or admiringthose who wanted to serve their country inuniform. So, when I started working atCDC, I was comfortable (albeit surprised)with all of the ‘Navy officers’ popping intomeetings and walking the hallways. WhenI found out that those ‘Navy officers’ wereactually United States Public Health Service(USPHS) officers, I was excited that therewas an opportunity that could: allow me tobe a first responder, give me the opportunityto serve my country in a uniformedservice that has a proud heritage of over 200years, and provide experiences that wouldenable me to enhance those personal qualitiesthat personify an officer. Transitioningfrom civil service to USPHS was one of thewisest things I have ever done; I stronglyencourage those who are thinking aboutsuch a change to explore the opportunitywith vigor.”LCDR Schmoyer is recognized for hisexceptional dedication, commitment, andextraordinary ability to overcome unusualand difficult circumstances, and for takingon additional responsibilities over andabove what is required of him. He hasdemonstrated outstanding performance ata level well above his current rank.14 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

PHS Commissioned Officers Foundationfor the Advancement of Public Health Acknowledges...Donations received February 16 - March 15th, 2009PlatinumRADM Suzanne Dahlman, (Ret.)CAPT Martin I. Goldenberg, (Ret.)GoldAnonymousCAPT Dade W. Moeller, (Ret.)SilverRADM Richard J. Bertin, (Ret.)CAPT Margaret L. BolteCAPT Lowell F. Miller, (Ret.)CAPT Bert W. Mitchell, (Ret.)CAPT Sven E. RodenbeckCDR Kellie L. WesterbuhrCAPT Jack Womack, (Ret.)BronzeCAPT Carol A. BaxerCAPT James E. Bleadingheiser, (Ret.)CAPT Dorothy R. Bloomfield, (Ret.)CAPT Kirby I. Campbell, (Ret.)RADM Donald R. Chadwick, (Ret.)CAPT Ronald F. Coene, (Ret.)CAPT Margaret T. De Lawter, (Ret.)CAPT Alice E. Duncan, (Ret.)CAPT William D. Hawley, (Ret.)CAPT Robert P. Hayward, (Ret.)CAPT Carl W. HuntleyCAPT Paul E. Johnson (IRC)CAPT Geoffrey A. KeelerCAPT Herbert F. Klein, (Ret.)CAPT George P. Kubica, (Ret.)CAPT Audrey M. Lindgren, (Ret.)CDR Robert C. Lloyd, Jr.CAPT William G. LotzLCDR Elizabeth W. Maher, (Ret.)CAPT Beatrice Marino, (Ret.)Donations Can be Madeat Several levels:Leadership Society . . . .$10,000President’s Society . . . .$5,000Founder’s Society . . . . .$2,500Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,000Gold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500Silver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$250Bronze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100CAPT Gilda M. Martoglio, (Ret.)CAPT Kevin D. MeeksCAPT Carl E. Miller, (Ret.)CDR Kristen L. Moe(See Donors, page 16)Yes, I would like to help!PHS COMMISSIONED O FFICERS F OUNDATIONFOR THE A DVANCEMENT OF P UBLIC H EALTHEnclosed is my contributionPlease make checks payable to:“PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation”or provide credit card information belowMAIL TO: PHS Commissioned OfficersFoundation for theAdvancement of Public Health8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 200Landover, MD 20785Type of Credit Card:Amount:$ ____________________MasterCardVisaAmerican ExpressDiscoverCard Number: ________________________________________________________________Name on Card: ________________________________________________________________Expiration Date: ________________________________________________________________Signature: ________________________________________________________________Name: ________________________________________________________________Organization: ________________________________________________________________Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________________City: __________________________ State: ______________ Zip: ______________Phone: ____________________ Fax: __________________ Email:__________________APRIL 2009 • COA FRONTLINE 15

The COF Dependent Scholarship Program Needs Your Support!!It is that time of the year again that theCommissioned Officers Foundation isasking for your support of this valuableprogram. Last year the Atlanta Branch,Bemidji Branch, Fort Duchesne Branch,Rio Grande Branch, and OklahomaBranch, as well as the OBC Class 004, andthe Ronald Lessing Memorial camethrough with COF scholarship donations.This year, the Little Colorado River Branchhas already donated towards the 2009 COFScholarship Fund.Here are the details of donating in theform of a COF Scholarship:• The minimum donation for ascholarship is $250.• Branch's that donate can name the scholarshipas they choose. Most branchessimply name the scholarship after theirparticular branch to gain the muchdeserved recognition.• Branches that donate may choose onerepresentative from their branch to serveon the Scholarship Awards Committee.• Individuals that would like to donate arehighly encouraged as well. Again, theymay name the scholarship as they wish.• Individuals that donate may serve on theScholarship Awards Committee.This is an opportunity for Branches,PAC/PAGs to participate in this worthwhileprogram. This can also be a meaningful giftfor a retirement ceremony or a remembrancein lieu of flowers for a departedofficer/loved one. If you would like todonate or discuss this option any further,please contact Brian McSheffrey at 301-731-9080 or bmcsheffrey@coausphs. org.2009 COF Scholarship ProgramThe PHS Commissioned Officers Foundationfor the Advancement of PublicHealth (COF) is sponsoring the COFScholarship Program to assist dependentchildren or dependent spouses of activeduty, retired, or deceased officers of theUSPHS Commissioned Corps, who aremembers of COA.COF is firmly committed to encouragingthe pursuit of higher education andis pleased to provide this opportunity forfinancial assistance in the form of scholarshipsfor those eligible persons.Scholarship AmountsThe scholarship awards range from$250 to $2000 depending on the applicant’squalifications.Applicants to the PHS CommissionedOfficers Foundation Scholarship Programmust fulfill the followingrequirements:1. Dependent children or dependentspouses of active duty, retired, ordeceased officers of the USPHS CommissionedCorps, who are members, ingood standing, of COA as of the applicantdeadline date of June 1, 2009.2. High School seniors/graduates who planto enroll or students already enrolled ina full-time undergraduate or graduatecourse of study at an accredited twoor four-year college, university, orvocational-technical school.3. Recipients must enroll in a course ofstudy no later than Fall 2009.Scholarship recipients will be evaluatedon the following standards; (in no particularorder):• The basis of the applicant’s academicrecord.• The applicant’s school counselor’srecommendation.• The illustration of leadership andparticipation in school and communityactivities.• Applicant’s completed essay.COF Scholarship payments are made inone installment. Check payments aremailed to the recipient’s home address.The application is available on the COFweb site (www.phscof.org), by writing tothe COF, 8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 200,Landover, MD 20785, or e-mail to BrianMcSheffrey at bmcsheffrey@coausphs.org.(Donors, from page 15)RADM Roscoe M. Moore, Jr., (Ret.)CAPT Winsor V. Morrison, (Ret.)CAPT Helen L. Myers, (Ret.)CAPT Warren V. Powell, (Ret.)RADM George A. Reich, (Ret.)RADM Richard A. RubendallCAPT Thomas C. Sell, (Ret.)CAPT Gordon S. Siegel, (Ret.)CAPT Alice M. Stang, (Ret.)CAPT John R. Sundell, (Ret.)CAPT Thomas J. WalshFriendsCAPT John B. Allis, (Ret.)CAPT Charles P. Batchtel (IRC)CAPT Richard J. Bouchard, (Ret.)CAPT Delwin K. Buckhold, (Ret.)CAPT Robert W. Carrick, (Ret.)CAPT F. Lawrence Clare, (Ret.)CAPT Orlando L. Clark, (Ret.)CAPT Robert M. Clark, (Ret.)RADM James F. Dickson, III, (Ret.)CAPT Lawrence M. Friedman, (Ret.)CAPT Lorenzo G. Guzman, (Ret.)CAPT Rice C. Leach, (Ret.)LCDR Bonita D. Malit, (Ret.)CDR Raymond A. Marden, (Ret.)CAPT William A. Millar, II, (Ret.)CAPT James E. Mills, (Ret.)CDR Freddie D. Mitchell, (Ret.)CAPT George Moore, (Ret.)CAPT Ernestine MurrayCAPT John B. Robbins, (Ret.)CAPT Henry A. Saroff, (Ret.)CAPT Richard J. Sherins, (Ret.)CAPT Susan Simmons-Alling, (Ret.)CAPT M. Thomas Wagner, Jr., (Ret.)LCDR Elaine C. Wolff16 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

IN MEMORIAMRADM Albert H. Stevenson, USPHS, (Ret.)Rear Admiral AlbertH. Stevenson,USPHS, (Ret.), 94, ofTowson, MD, and aCOA life member,passed away onDecember 28, 2008.RADM Stevenson,born in Brooklyn, NY in 1914, served hisengineering profession with distinction inlocal, state and Federal settings; in AlaskaNative and American Indian communities;as well as in international assignments. Inaddition to his public sector work, he hasworked in private sector engineering and asan engineering consultant. His formal andcontinuing volunteer professional effortsspan 70 years.He received a B.S. degree in civil engineeringfrom Union College in 1936 and amaster’s degree in sanitary engineering fromHarvard University, under the renownedProfessor Gordon Fair, in 1937.After two years as a district engineer withthe New York State Department of Healthhe joined the Malcolm Pirnie EngineeringFirm in 1939 working primarily on publicwater supplies.He began his career as a CommissionedOfficer in the Public Health Service in1941; the same year he married AlexandraKorsmeyer in Scarsdale, NY.His early work in the PHS involved environmentalhealth control measures nearArmy camps and analysis of emergencywater supply and sewerage projects to assistwar impacted communities. In 1947 he wastransferred to Cincinnati to help in thedevelopment of what would become theRobert A. Taft Sanitary Engineering Centerwhere he served as Deputy Officer inCharge. His work covered broad managementof the Research Center, includingstaffing of professional researchers, initiationof a national air sampling network, coordinationof advanced sanitary engineering andradiological health training, and direction ofthe first substantive U. S. study of bathingwater quality and health.In 1954, he was promoted to the rank ofCaptain and transferred to the headquartersof the Federal Civil Defense Administrationin Battle Creek, MI as the agency’s chiefsanitary engineer. There he was also involvedin the Yucca Flats study to determine theeffects on utilities from detonation of atomicweapons.In 1956, he began his assignment to theIndian Health Service in what would be theperiod of dramatic growth of engineeringand environmental health programs for theAmerican Indian and Alaska Native. Amongother significant accomplishments in hisservice during a 10 year period, was his workin facilitating the passage of and subsequentimplementation of Public Law 86-121, theIndian Water Supply and Sanitation FacilitiesAct of 1959. The resulting “self-help”program was largely responsible for therapid reduction of the infantile death rateand enteric disease burden among thebeneficiaries.He was promoted to Assistant SurgeonGeneral with the rank of Rear Admiral in1966 to serve as the fourth Chief Engineerof the PHS, a post he held until 1971. Aschief engineer, he carried out a variety ofleadership tasks including global assignmentsin Vietnam, India, Mexico, France,and Japan. Additionally in 1969 he becamethe Associate Administrator of TheConsumer Protection and EnvironmentalHealth Service. He retired in 1971 after 30years of service as a PHS CommissionedOfficer.Upon his retirement from the PHS, herejoined Malcolm Pirnie Engineers as VicePresident for International Operationswhich had him involved in major environmentalengineering projects in Egypt, Iran,Jordan and Kuwait. He retired once morein 1984 to work as an independentconsulting engineer.During his career, RADM Stevensonserved as President of the CommissionedOfficers Association, President of the AmericanAcademy of Environmental Engineers,and on a variety of Governmental Global(See Stevenson, page 18)CAPT Harold C. (Hank) Woodworth, USPHS, (Ret.)Captain HaroldC. (Hank)Woodworth,USPHS, (Ret.),88, of Decatur,GA, and a COAlife member,passed away onFebruary 23, 2009.CAPT Woodworth received hisdegrees from Dartmouth (BS), Harvard(MD), and Yale (PhD), and was aHoward Hughes Research Fellow. Hepursued an active and diverse career inmedicine; including four years as acountry doctor in Vermont, two periodsas a physician in the U.S. Navy, fourteenyears as a researcher in immunology atYale and at the CDC in Atlanta, GA,and twelve years as a regional healthofficer in Florence, AL.CAPT Woodworth was an activenaturalist who loved to ski and garden,was fascinated by wildlife of any kind,and could make anything grow.CAPT Woodworth enjoyed a lifelonglove affair with Evelyn Mahon thatbegan with a headstrong, whirlwind,wartime courtship and continuedthrough 63 years of marriage untilEvelyn's death in 2007; they were aformidable team that only death couldstop.CAPT Woodworth is survived by hisson Richard Woodworth in Florence,grandson Andrew Woodworth and wifeAnjeanette, grandsons Michael andBenjamin Woodworth, his brotherRoger Woodworth in Florence, his sisterMartha Kunze in Paoli, PA, and themany adoring members of his largeextended family. A memorial service washeld on February 28, 2009, at EdgemontUMC in Florence, AL.APRIL 2009 • COA FRONTLINE 17

Excellence, Humility, and Progressive Leadershipin Correctional Healthcare!Submitted by CAPT Carlton Pyant and CDR Judy PyantAt the Federal Correctional ComplexCenter (FCC) in Butner, NC, ourmedical team is surrounded by those whoprovide the highest standards of healthcare.We continue to have excellent leadershipand support from the Executive Staff andthe Clinical Director to include Sara Revell,Complex Warden, Raul Campos, AssociateWarden-Medical, Denise Simmons, ExecutiveAssistant, and CDR Carlos Duchesne,M.D., Acting Clinical Director.We are particularly honored to haveoutstanding physician assistants (PA’s). Themere mention of their names alone evokesrespect and instills a sense of comfort thatall is well in our medical community. Ofthe 18 PA’s at FCC Butner, 13 are commissionedofficers within the United StatesPublic Health Service. Those USPHS officersand their civilian colleagues areseasoned healthcare professionals whoroutinely transform their scientific skillsinto a well crafted work of art. In concertwith medical doctors, nurses and others,FCC Butner PA’s provide medical coverageto approximately 4553 federal inmates atfive institutions within the complex. Moststriking and remarkable about their role isthey have the responsibility of caring for themost severely ill and medically compromisedinmates within the Federal Bureau ofPrisons. Yet they embrace the challenges ofhealthcare in corrections with a calm andquiet confidence that befittingly symbolizestheir collective strength.Like most medical settings, FCC Butner(Stevenson, from page 17)and Domestic Councils and Commissionsincluding the US - Japan Water ControlPanel. His many honors include the awardof the PHS Meritorious Service Medal andhis induction into the Blackfeet Tribe as anHonorary Chief. He has also been electedas a member of the prestigious ExplorersClub and has been listed in Who’s Who inAmerica.FCC Butner Physician Assistants Leadthe Wayhas experienced its share of staff turnover.The Butner area is surrounded by hospitalsat the University of North Carolina atChapel Hill and Duke University, as well asa host of other medical facilities affiliatedwith smaller colleges. However appealingthose opportunities may be for some, PA’swithin USPHS and their colleagues at FCCButner have not yielded to temptation toabandon the under served prison population.In fact, since the Federal MedicalCenter began accepting patients in 2000,the number of PA’s at the Butner complexhas steadily increased and their presence hasresulted in tremendous rewards and benefits.Staff at FCC Butner, marvel at the precisionand relative ease at which the PA’sprovide primary care, sick call, and chroniccare, especially to the terminally ill.RADM Stevenson is survived by hischildren, Albert F. Stevenson of HiltonHead, SC, Merril Stevenson Christopher ofLondon, UK and Alexandra O'KarmaStuart of New York City; grandchildren,Jennifer and William Stevenson and Chloeand Olivia Christopher. A service was heldon January 5, 2009 in the chapel of TheChurch of the Redeemer, followed byburial in the Columbarium.We recognize that the expansion of existingmedical programs at our complex coupledwith the development of new specialty areassuch as, oncology and dialysis would havenever been possible without the dedicationof our PA’s. Thus, it is with reverence andprofound gratitude that we pay homage tothose officers and their colleagues as weentrust them with the lives of others. Theirexcellence, humility and progressive leadershipis a model for correctional healthcareothers can aspire to emulate.USPHS Clock RaffleThe HS ITPAG is raffling a custommade, wooden, USPHS wall clock. Theproceeds will be going to purchase the IT –Of the Year Award. Prices are $3.00/1ticket and $5.00/2 tickets. The drawingwill be either before the 2009 Scientific andTraining Symposium or at the event,depending upon the staffing at the HSOBooth.Raffle tickets can be purchased bymailing a check made payable to COF to:LCDR Glenn Janzen, MIS Room 132, 522Minnesota Avenue, Bemidji, MN 56601.Include a phone number and e-mailaddress for ticket confirmation. Send questionsto, glenn.janzen@ihs.gov.18 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

Life Insurance SimplifiedPeople buy life insurance for a varietyof reasons. For those without spousesor families, life insurance provides moneyto pay final debts, to pay for funeralarrangements or even to provide moneyfor a favorite charity or cause. For thosewith families, additional reasons includepaying a mortgage, as well as providingfor children’s education and transitionthrough a time of loss.There are two basic typesof life insurance: permanentlife insurance and term lifeinsurance.Permanent life insurance is in forcefor the lifetime of the person who isinsured, that is, the person has the insuranceuntil they die. Permanent life insurancebuilds cash value that may be usedby the insured – usually in the form of aloan against the amount of value thepolicy has at the time of the loan. Youcan borrow more after you’ve paidpremiums for ten years than you can afterpaying only one year. The death benefit,or face amount, remains the same for thelife of the policy. For some policies, theperson who is insured pays for 20 years,and the policy is paid up – the insuranceremains in force without additionalpayments.Permanent insurance costs significantlymore than does term insurance forthe same amount of coverage, although ifpurchased when the individual is young,the premiums are lower than if purchasedlater.Term life insurance is issued for aspecified length of time – usually five orten years (ages 40 to 45 or 40 to 50, etc.).At the end of the term, the policy expiresand the person is required to qualify forand buy another policy for the next termif they wish to continue coverage. Allbenefit is lost at the end of the term.Term life insurance does not buildcash value. The only benefit from termlife insurance is the death benefit.However, term life allows a person whowants a large amount of life insurance tobuy it more easily than if they purchasedthe same amount of permanent lifeinsurance.Term life insurance allows a personto change insurance coverage as their lifesituation changes. For example, ahealthy, single 25-year-old without childrenor a mortgage would likely needminimal insurance, while the sameperson at 35, married with children anda mortgage, would probably want morecoverage – to help with the mortgage,child rearing and education as well asmoney to help carry his or her spousethrough the transition. As this coupleages – the children are grown and ontheir own, the mortgage is paid off andtheir retirement plan is in place - theywould need less insurance because theirneeds are less.Only a licensed insuranceprofessional can providerecommendations on types ofinsurance and amounts ofcoverage.Term life insurance would seem toprovide the ideal solution. And it does –if the person who is covered stays healthy.(See Life Insurance, page 20)APRIL 2009 • COA FRONTLINE 19

Basic and Applied Sciences Officer of the Year AwardThe Basic and Applied Sciences ProfessionalAdvisory Group (BASPAG) issoliciting nominations for the first “Basicand Applied Sciences Officer of the YearAward.” This award was developed toacknowledge a United States Public HealthService (USPHS) officer that is a memberof the Health Services Category, with aconcentration in scientific disciplines suchas the biological sciences, epidemiology,health sciences, mathematical sciences, andphysical sciences. The nominee shouldhave made a significant contribution to theadvancement of the Nation's health,demonstrated leadership in their work andthe USPHS, and show involvement inhealth-related professional or communityorganizations or activities. The personselected for this distinguished award will beannounced at the annual USPHS Scientificand Training Symposium to be held inAtlanta, GA.Complete nomination information andforms are available on the BASPAG websiteand must be submitted no later thanWednesday, April 29, 2009. Incompleteaward nominations will not be considered.Nominations may come from a supervisor,professional colleague, or anyone who,through a professional working relationship,can attest to the impact of thenominee's contributions to the advancementof public health. Self-nominationswill not be accepted.Nominations must include:1. Nomination cover sheet/form (can befound on the BASPAG website).2. Narrative, not to exceed two pages (fontsize 10 or 12), that describes:A. The nominee's contributions to theadvancement of the nation's health.Nominations should address theimpact of the work and the role ofthe nominee,B. The leadership of the nominee in thework being cited as both anemployee and an Officer (e.g.,providing vision or direction; developingan innovative approach; initiatingsignificant activities; pursuingongoing professional development;mentoring; etc.) andC. Involvement of the nominee inhealth-related professional orcommunity organizations oractivities.3. Current curriculum vitae (CV) and CVsummary sheet (per HSO guidelines).Please e-mail nominations to LCDRDestry M. Sillivan at Destry.Sillivan@fda.hhs.gov, or LT Damon Smith atDamon.Smith@hhs.govIf you are unable to submit nominationmaterial electronically, you must submitfive copies of each item. Please mail theseitems to:(Life Insurance, from page 19)If illness occurs or medical conditionsdevelop, the insurance company maydecline to cover the applicant for the nextterm. The company is under no obligationto issue the new insurance even ifthey covered the same individual previously.And, because the insurancecompanies have worked out their riskvery carefully, the cost of term insurancegoes up with a person’s age. While ahealthy 35-year-old might buy $100,000of term life coverage for $7 a month, thesame coverage might cost a 70-year-old$135 a month or more – if the insurancecompany issues the policy to the70-year-old.Term life insurance may be purchasedas either an individual or a group policy.With a group policy, like COA’s, the riskto the insurance company is spread overthe group. Because of this, the rates arecheaper and coverage may be moreliberal. That is, you may get a policy withthe group while you might not qualify asan individual. On the other hand, if youdrop out of the group, for example, if youchoose to leave COA, you can bedropped from the policy. While you maystill have insurance, your rates will likelygo up.Everyone should review their currentcoverage and plan for the future as bestas possible. While life insurance isn’tDestry Sillivan, M.S.LCDR, USPHSSenior Regulatory Review OfficerUS Food and Drug AdministrationCenter for Biologics Evaluation andResearch/Office of Biologics Qualityand Compliance/Division of Manufacturing and ProductQuality, HFM-676Mailing Address:CBER/OCBQ/DMPQ/MRBII/HFM-676Attn: LCDR Destry Sillivan5516 Nicholson Lane, Room A-230Kensington, MD 20895something most people like to thinkabout, it does allow us to take care of ourloved ones, spare them at least the financialburden of loss and give us some peaceof mind.COA uses Association Group InsuranceAdministrators, or AGIA, to administerCOA insurance programs. AGIAhas a proven record of success andcustomer satisfaction. As a part of COA’sdue diligence, a committee of your peers,with COA staff support, reviews eachoffering and AGIA’s performance toensure that the plans offered are the verybest value for COA members.COA’s insurance programs provide asmall but important revenue stream forthe Association that helps to helps tokeep our annual membership dues as lowas possible. COA members can helpthemselves and the Association by participatingin the Association’s insuranceprograms if you are in the market forinsurance coverage. We also offer longterm disability and long term care insuranceas well as other programs. See thelink on COA’s homepage on the internet(www.coausphs.org) for more informationand applications for all COA insuranceprograms. If you have any questionsabout the programs, please contactTom Weaver by telephone at the COAoffice (866-366-9593) or via e-mail attweaver@coausphs.org.20 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

Veterinary Professional Advisory Committee(VetPAC) CoinOrder FormMake checks or money orders payable to Wanda Wilson.Cost is $10.00 per coin, includes shipping and handling.Number of Coins: ________ x $10.00 = Cost: __________Method of Payment: ■ Check ■ Money OrderPlease fully complete your return mailing address for coin delivery (Please print legibly):Name: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _City/State/Zip Code: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Send your mail order to:LCDR Wanda Wilson1830 Potomac Avenue SEWashington, DC 20003Questions?Contact LCDR Wanda WilsonEmail: wanda.wilson@fsis.usda.gov(Executive Director, from p. 1)Everything COA is able to accomplishbenefits each individual officer in theCorps but the cost of those achievementsis not shared equally by officerswho refuse to join COA – or worse – whodiscontinue their membership expressingdissatisfaction. Fortunately, the latteroccurs rarely, but even one instance ofan officer withdrawing from COA causesme grave concern.We are including two brief commentsreceived from members in this month’s“In My View” section of Frontline.Normally, we do not publish anonymousletters, but I am making an exceptionthis one time – in part because the twoopinions expressed balance each otherin that they are at opposite ends of thespectrum and both happened to comein the mail on the same day.We are always pleased to receivesupportive and grateful correspondencefrom satisfied members, and I happyto report that we get far more suchcomments than the other. I want to takea moment here to address the commentthat COA has “lost its focus.” I couldnot disagree more vigorously. In theeight years I have been with COA, I don’tthink the Association’s vision or purposehave ever been in sharper focus.This Association exists to advocatefor the Commissioned Corps and itsofficers and their role in protecting andpromoting public health. There is nosuch role – or at best the role of theCorps will be significantly diminished –without a strong Surgeon General. Thebest, most effective way to professionalize,depoliticize, and strengthen theOffice of the Surgeon General is toselect the SG from within the careerranks of the uniformed Corps – justlike the other professional, apoliticaluniformed services do. COA does notexist to be an apologist for the appointmentof a Surgeon General who is not acareer officer, or a career public healthpractitioner. At the same time, COA iscommitted to working with the SurgeonGeneral no matter what their backgroundor experience.(See Executive Director, page 22)APRIL 2009 • COA FRONTLINE 21

(Executive Director, from p. 21)The Corps is a uniformed service forsound reasons. And the future of theCommissioned Corps as an institution isinextricably bound to the mission or taskarea of public health emergencypreparedness and crisis response. Thisis a mission best undertaken by auniformed service, organized, trainedand operated as are the other uniformedservices – the common bond here isnational security; and public health securityis the most fundamental componentof our national security. The nation’seconomic, military, and political securityall rest on the foundation of publichealth.Like it or not, this is the direction inwhich the Corps is headed. You haveunique attributes and qualificationsfound no where else; but it is the Corps’identity as and embrace of the values ofa uniformed service that set you apart,make you special, and an essentialcomponent of our national securityinfrastructure.And yes, some of the values theCorps does and must continue toembrace can be called “military” values.But there is nothing wrong with notionsof “Duty, Honor, Country”, “ServiceBefore Self”, or “Honor, Courage,Commitment” in shaping a value system.And while many Corps officers cringe atthe idea of coming under a system likethe Uniform Code of Military Justice(UCMJ), I happen to believe that the PHSCommissioned Corps would be muchbetter off if it adopted the UCMJ orsomething similar to it. Anything wouldbe preferable to the Adverse Actionsprocedures currently in place.Quite frankly, I am appalled at the waythe Corps treats its officers when itcomes to matters of discipline andadministrative actions. Corps officershave little recourse when accused, fairlyor unfairly, of wrongdoing – far less thanafforded under the UCMJ or evenprovided to civil servants. I don’t thinkthe PHS officers serving with DoD or theCoast Guard are chaffing under the yokeof the UCMJ.But I digress. The point is that theCommissioned Corps has a clearIN MY VIEWHate Me; Love Me;Just Please Spell MyName Right!Please keep in mind, both of these anonymouscomments were received by COAon the very same day!“For the last several years, I have beenvery concerned regarding the directionof the Commissioned Corps, the“transformation,” and the militarizingof the Nation’s public health offices. Idid not join the military and it saddensme to see the direction the Corps hasheaded. I remained a member tosupport the advocacy that COA doesfor our benefits. However, JerryFarrell’s recent comments regardingDr. Gupta as SG were disgraceful andan embarrassment and I cannotcontinue to support an organizationthat has so clearly lost its focus.”_____________________“I am in love with the ExecutiveDirector, Jerry Farrell. He doesn’t beataround the bush. Keeps it real. A trueadvocate for the USPHS.This Association exists toadvocate for the CommissionedCorps and its officers and theirrole in protecting andpromoting public health.There is no such role –or at best the role of the Corpswill be significantly diminished– without a strongSurgeon General.purpose and role in the 21st Century, butas with any institution, change will benecessary to be successful. From mystudy of the Corps’ history, its greatestasset over time has been flexibility andthe capability to adapt to new environments.In the rapidly changing pace ofthe 21st Century, any institution notmoving forward is losing ground.Standing pat is not an option; status quois the path to obsolescence.The leadership of the Corps and theleadership of COA certainly understandthe imperative to move the Corpsforward. But effecting real change in avast bureaucracy is no small task. Ittakes time, energy, and an unyieldingcommitment to do the right thing regardlessthe obstacles. COA is committed todoing the right thing and we need everyPHS officer to join us. Working togetherwe can make a difference; reread thefirst paragraph.June SymposiumSet to Kick OffI hope by now you have made yourreservations and registered for the Junesymposium in Atlanta. We have beengetting lots of inquiries about a DHHSimposed cap on attendance, but as far asCOA has been able to determine, nothinghas been decided yet although OSG hasrequested at least 600 officers fromDHHS be funded to attend. [Late change– 600 limit approved] Remember, thislimit does not apply to officers assignedoutside DHHS like BOP, DOD, DHS, etc.COA is petitioning OSG and the Office ofthe Assistant Secretary for Health tohave officers and civil servants assignedto CDC in Atlanta exempt from any limiton attendance at the Symposium. [Notapproved]There is lots more information on theSymposium – agenda, uniforms, etc –posted on the website which can beaccessed through the COA or COFwebsites.I look forward to seeing you all therein Atlanta during the first week in June.Yours Aye!22 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

BRANCH NEWSAurora Borealis Branch Officer of the YearAward to LCDR Jane McLaughlin-MiddlekauffBy LCDR Jane BleuelDuring the January meeting of the AuroraBorealis branch in Anchorage, AK,branch president LCDR Martin Foremanhonored LCDR Jane McLaughlin-Middlekauff as the 2008 Officer of theBranch. LCDR McLaughlin-Middlekauffreceived a certificate and crystal trophy tocommemorate this honor.The Aurora Borealis branch was inthe local and national spotlight in 2007-2008 due to extraordinary press coverageprovided by LCDR McLaughlin-Middlekauff. She published five articles inthe local Campus Connector and the COAFrontline newsletters, highlighting Branchpublic health and community service activities.This publicity enlightened coworkers,our patient population and others in thegreater USPHS to the extensive involvementof COA members in the Anchoragearea.Additionally, LCDR McLaughlin-Middlekauff secured the branch as a teamplayer with Special Olympics Alaska. She ispersonally involved and has recruited scoresof volunteer officers to support numerousSpecial Olympics sporting events. Thissolid community partnership developedwith Special Olympics by LCDRLeft to Right - LCDR Martin Foreman andLCDR Jane McLaughlin-MiddlekauffMcLaughlin-Middlekauff will continue foryears to come.Under the guidance of past-presidentsLCDR Nancy Tone and LT Kara King, theAurora Borealis branch developed theOfficer of the Branch award in 2007 torecognize a local officer who has gone aboveand beyond in service to the local COA andthe greater community. Through thisaward, the branch and the executivecommittee acknowledge and show appreciationfor the contributions of time andenergy by an exemplary officer whoembodies the USPHS core values of leadership,service, integrity, and excellence.(Legislative Update, from page 2)Why does COA like this bill? Itwould do for PHS nurse retirees whatthe “Troops to Teachers” initiatives ofthe last several years have tried to do forretired military nurses—offer incentivesfor retired nurses to undertakesecond careers in academic settingswhere they are sorely needed.Nursing ShortageAccording to the American Associationof Colleges of Nursing(AACN), nursing schools turn awaytens of thousands of qualified applicantseach year. The main reason is ashortage of qualified nursing faculty.Without sufficient nurse faculty,potential nurses cannot be educated,and the shortage cannot be addressed.The Health Resources and ServicesAdministration (HRSA) estimates acurrent shortage of 200,000 registerednurses nationwide, and projectsthe shortage will grow to over onemillion by 2020 – more than a thirdless than needed to meet demand.According to the Association of Stateand Territorial Health Officials(ASTHO), public health nursing iswhere the worsening shortages arelikely to be most severe.—Judy RensbergerThe First RADM Jerrold M. Michael Engineer Award PresentedOn February 19, 2009, many engineerswere recognized (previously announced)at the Engineer Awards Breakfast. A specialmoment was presenting CDR Nelson Mix,P.E. with the first RADM Jerrold M.Michael Engineer Award. The purpose ofthis award is to recognize a US PublicHealth Service Engineer or Architect whohas demonstrated outstanding leadershipand dedication to the education, trainingand/or mentoring of present and futurePHS engineers. We were fortunate to haveRADM (ret.) Michael there to participatein recognizing CDR Mix.Left to Right:RADM Rick Barror,Chief Engineer,CDR Mix,and RADM (ret.)Jerry MichaelAPRIL 2009 • COA FRONTLINE 23

The COA Frontline (ISSN 10937161) is published monthlyexcept a combined issue January/February and July/Augustby the Commissioned Officers Association of the UnitedStates Public Health Service, 8201 Corporate Drive, Suite200, Landover, MD 20785, (301) 731-9080; Toll-free (866)366-9593; FAX: (301) 731-9084; Periodicals Postage Paidat Hyattsville, MD and additional mailing offices.COA FRONTLINE8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 200Landover, MD 20785POSTMASTER: Send address changes to COA Frontline c/oCommissioned Officers Association, 8201 Corporate Drive,Suite 200, Landover, MD 20785.A report of timely information concerning activities ofthe Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service.Distributed exclusively to Association members.Executive DirectorJerry Farrellgfarrell@coausphs.orgDirector of AdministrationTeresa Haydenthayden@coausphs.orgGovernment RelationsDirectorJudith Rensbergerjrensberger@coausphs.orgDevelopment DirectorBrian McSheffreybmcsheffrey@coausphs.orgMembership CoordinatorMalissa Spaldingmspalding@coausphs.orgFoundation Project Coordinator& Database Mgr.Julia Veederjveeder@coausphs.orgAdministrative AssistantChristina Grillcgrill@coausphs.orgConference PlannersLeading Edge SolutionsTim O’Neil/Diana Hallman866-544-9677Group Insurance – AGIA800-818-9785Visit us at www.coausphs.org© 2009 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION