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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.

The USPHS Music Ensemble Presents a Free Concert at the National WWII Memorial!

04/17/2012 - Following the 2012 COF Scientific & Training Symposium, you are invited to come see a free public performance in Washington, DC featuring the USPHS Wind and Choral groups and the USPHS Honor cadre!

2012 Board of Directors Election is Open!

04/02/2012 - The PHS Officers who serve as COA Directors have an important job. Throughout their terms, through active participation on committees and in board meetings, they identify issues and problems for the Board's consideration. Their many hours of hard work help to accomplish the goals and mission of the organization. Their work is uncompensated but greatly appreciated.

COA's Board of Directors includes one member from each of these eleven categories: Dental, Dietitian, Engineer, Environmental Health, Health Services, Medical, Nurse, Pharmacist, Scientist, Therapist, and Veterinarian. The Board also includes three Retired officers, three Field Officers and one Inactive Reservist. Board terms are for three years, beginning on July 1. Vacancies currently exist in six categories: Dental, Engineer, Environmental Health, one Field Officer, one Retired Officer, and Scientist.

COA bylaws stipulate that only active duty, retired, inactive reserve, and life members of COA are permitted to vote. Visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012COABoardElection to view the online ballot and the nominee profiles.

The deadline to vote is June 1, 2012.

In many cases, contested vacancies are won by a mere handful of votes. Your vote does count - please use it! Vote today for the PHS officers who will help guide your COA for the next three years.

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. If prompted when ordering, please use "phscof" as the username and "order" as the password (without the " " marks). 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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