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Welcome to the website of the Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service. COA is dedicated to improving and protecting the public health of the United States by addressing unmet health needs and providing support for more than 7,000 members.

COA protects the interests of the Commissioned Corps officers of the U.S. Public Health Service, who are leaders in the realms of public and global health. Recent achievements in legislative advocacy include final congressional approval of Post-9/11 GI Bill transferability for PHS officers (December 16, 2010) and congressional passage of all COA-backed health care reform proposals (March 23, 2010). The association also provides educational opportunities such as the U.S. Public Health Service Professional Conference, held annually.

Greater New York COA 2011 Events

12/27/2011 - Have you ever wondered what a small COA Branch could accomplish in one year? Take a look at what one Branch with 63 members managed to achieve in 2011!

COA Seeks Nominations for Board of Directors

12/01/2011 - The following seats on the COA Board of Directors will be up for election this spring: Dental, Engineer, Environmental Health, Scientist, one Retired Officer, and one Field Officer. Incumbents in the Engineer, Environmental Health, Scientist, and Field Officer seats are completing their first three years and are eligible for re-election to a second term. Incumbents in the Dental and Retired Officer seats are completing their second three-year terms of office and are ineligible to stand for re-election. The Retired Officer and Inactive Reserve Officer members of the COA Board of Directors also serve as appointed Trustees of the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation.

Candidates may be nominated by others or self-nominate. All candidates for a Board position are required to submit the following information to the COA office by March 1, 2012 (sooner if possible). The nomination shall include the following and must be limited to one page (10 pt font, no attachments):

- Name/Rank/(Active Duty, Retired or Inactive Reserve) *
- Board Position for which nomination submitted (e.g. Dietitian, Field Rep., Retired)
- Daytime Phone
- E-mail Address
- Current PHS position (or Retired/Inactive Reserve) and location *
- Previous PHS positions *
- Related Professional Activities *
- PHS Awards/Honors Received *
- COA Offices Held or Membership on Board Committees (include dates)
- Position Statement (not to exceed 200 words) *
- Statement of understanding and willingness to abide by Board Participation Guidelines

Those items with an "*" next to them will be included in Frontline for consideration by the general membership. To the extent possible, the nominee should submit his/her nomination by email or on a computer disk to facilitate reproduction in Frontline.

Click here for the Board guidelines and the nomination form.

50 Year History of the Indian Health Service, "Caring & Curing" is Available for Purchasing!

12/02/2010 - The PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation's third book is available! Caring & Curing: A History of the Indian Health Service is written by James P. Rife, a senior historian with History Associates, and CAPT Alan J. Dellapenna, (Ret.), Jr., USPHS of the Indian Health Service. This thoroughly researched volume chronicles the history of Indian Heath Service (IHS) from its earliest beginnings, as part of the Department of the Interior, through multiple reorganizations including the 1955 transfer to the U.S. Public Health Service. Focusing upon the intense, often shifting political, tribal, and healthcare dynamics; Caring & Curing traces IHS's evolution over time. The book follows the agency through myriad trials and triumphs in its long-running fight to elevate Indian health to a level comparable to that of the rest of the nation. Brought to life through compelling personal stories, a crisp narrative, and archival imagery, the book not only looks at past successes and failures of Indian health care, but keeps an eye towards the future and the remaining work to be done by the agency in consultation and cooperation with American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Caring & Curing is hardcover, with 170 full color pages, and measuring 8 ½ x 11 inches. Place your single book orders for a retail price of $34.95. If you are interested in purchasing wholesale, 22 or more copies, you will always receive 15% off per book ($29.71). Please keep in mind, the shipping cost and a $2 handling charge will be added to all orders under 10 copies. For 10 or more copies, the handling price will go up to $25.
Click here to order.

"Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response: Principles & Practice" is Available for Purchasing!

12/02/2010 - The PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation's fourth book has been published, and is available! Written by U.S. Public Health Service officers with expertise in responding to public health emergencies nationally and internationally, the book provides a much-needed reference for all uniformed service and civilian emergency medical response personnel. It organizes a vast array of emergency public health organizational and practice information in a form that allows ready understanding of the principles and practice norms within the field, and their inter-relationships. As noted by the book's Senior Editor, former U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, the book will "...serve to enhance the knowledge and professionalism of those who are tasked with an emergency response mission." Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response is an essential resource in learning about the actions and approaches that are utilized in dealing with public health related disasters in this Nation and within the complex global community.

This book measures 8 3/4 x 5 7/8 inches with a soft multi-color cover, and is 344 pages.

This book is edited by, VADM Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, (Ret. USPHS), 17th Surgeon General of the United States; CAPT Robert G. Darling, MD, (Ret. USN); CAPT James E. Knoben, PharmD, MPH, (Ret. USPHS); and RADM Jerrold M. Michael, DrPH, ScD (Ret. USPHS).

Place your book orders for a retail price of $22 per book. Please keep in mind, the shipping cost will be $5 per book. Please fill out this form, and either fax or mail it to COF. If you are ordering 10 or more copies, please call COF at (301) 731-9080.

 
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