The Military Coalition Weighs in to Support PHS and NOAA Corps in Webb GI Bill

07/16/2008 - At the urging of COA, The Military Coalition, representing some 35 uniformed service and veteran's organizations and 5.5 million constituents, has written to every member of the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs seeking to have the PHS and NOAA Commissioned Corps included in the new (Webb) GI Bill. COA has also, in the strongest manner possible, urged the leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services to seek inclusion of the PHS Commissioned Corps in this law by engaging with the Senate Committee.

Click here to read the full text of TMC's letter... (pdf, 97 KB)

House and Senate Appropriations Committees Whack Corps Funding for FY 09

07/11/2008 - For the second year in a row, House and Senate appropriators have inexplicably reduced the Administration's request for Commissioned Corps funding. Last year the Corps got zero of $38M requested. This year it looks like the Corps will receive only $10M of $32M requested; barely enough to keep the Commissioned Corps on life support. The Senate Appropriations Committee marked the Corps' funding down without comment. On the House side, the Committee questioned the need for Health and Medical Response (HAMR) teams. The House Committee also demonstrated the usual confusion about the Commissioned Corps by asking for a report on how the Commissioned Corps intends to address the institution of a systematic quality assurance mechanism for the Division of Immigration Health Services; a question more appropriately addressed to the Department of Homeland Security rather than the Commissioned Corps. COA is seeking clarification of the concerns expressed by the committee and trying to ascertain their origin (author). We will make every effort to provide accurate information to the committees in the hope of having the requested funding restored. But this is another issue where the Corps' political leadership must engage if there is to be any hope of success. Secretary Leavitt has stated that the Corps' transformation and expansion are among his top priorities. It is long past time for the Secretary to get personally engaged with the Hill appropriators and convince them to put money where his mouth is. COA has most strongly urged the Assistant Secretary for Health and the Surgeon General to take the necessary action to get these funds restored - including getting the Secretary engaged.

COA Works to Have PHS Commissioned Corps Entitled to New (Webb) GI Bill - You Can Help

07/11/2008 - Whether it was an intentional omission or an erroneous oversight, the fact is that both the PHS and NOAA Commissioned Corps are not included in the entitlement afforded by the new (Webb) GI Bill signed into law by the President on 30 June. COA is pulling out all the stops to have the PHS (and NOAA) Commissioned Corps added to this historic and potentially generous entitlement. You can help.

Learn more about the Webb GI BIll and how to help. Click here... (pdf, 74 KB)

Public Health News | Legislative News | Event News | Member News | Other

Public Health

Impact of "Acting" Senior Officials Subject of Washington Post Article

05/29/2008 - The May 28th edition of the Washington Post carries an article (p. A11) by Dan Eggen and Christopher Lee addressing the deleterious effects of having high-level government positions filled by temporary officials as a president’s administration winds down. The Office of the Surgeon General is cited as one of the senior posts filled by “acting” officials for almost two full years. COA executive director Jerry Farrell is quoted in the article speaking on the importance of permanent leadership in these key positions. COA has pointed out to the Washington Post editors the interesting linkage between this May 28th piece focusing on the constraints imposed on temporary officials – regardless of their qualifications for the office held as is certainly the case with Surgeon General Galson – and their May 24th editorial (see below) calling on Surgeon General Galson to exert leadership in the current fight against childhood obesity. COA’s contention is that the importance of having “clear and focused” leadership for the Nation’s public health is a concern that extends well beyond the issue of childhood obesity. There is an urgent need for an independent Office of the Surgeon General, empowered and funded to lead the Nation’s entire public health infrastructure starting with a revitalized and expanded PHS Commissioned Corps over which the Surgeon General once again exercises direct line authority. Public health remains a most fundamental component of our national security as it supports economic security and military security as well as the very elemental fabric of our socio-political security. The ongoing war against disease and disaster demands that “clear and focused” leadership in the person of the Surgeon General.

Washington Post Editorial Urges Surgeon General To Take Leadership Role

05/27/2008 - The lead editorial in the May 24th edition of the Washington Post calls for Acting Surgeon General Steven Galson to take leadership of the Nation's fight to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic. The editorial follows a week-long series about childhood obesity and its long term effects on life expectation and a host of other critical socio-economic issues, including health care costs and reduced productivity. Echoing COA's call for more authority and an empowered Office of the Surgeon General, the Post editorial correctly states that "What is needed is a champion... Without clear and focused leadership -- the kind that turned smoking from chic to undesirable -- rising obesity among America's youth and the health problems that go with it will worsen." But it is not only childhood obesity that demands such "clear and focused" leadership - it is all of public health. The growing crisis in the public health workforce and the ever increasing demands on it require high visibility, vocal, empowered and fully funded leadership in the Office of the Surgeon General and a restructured and expanded PHS Commissioned Corps to support him. COA endorses the Post's call for action, and hopes it will extend to leadership for the full spectrum of public health.

MEMORIAL DAY IS ALSO FOR THE PHS COMMISSIONED CORPS

05/27/2008 - Memorial Day is an occasion for remembering all U.S. Servicemembers who died defending our Nation. This includes members of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps who gave their lives in the ongoing war against disease and disaster. Assistant Surgeon General Ralph Chester Williams' massive history of the U.S. Public Health Service from 1798 through 1950 contains an honor roll of 55 PHS Commissioned Corps officers who gave their lives in the service of their country from the Corps' founding in 1889 through his last recorded death in 1946. This record is clearly incomplete as COA has been unable to date to locate any information about Corps officers who may have perished while on active duty as a direct result of their work. RADM William's records the earliest deaths of officers from yellow fever. Six deaths are as a result of enemy action during World War II. COA is attempting to research identities of any PHS Commissioned Corps officer who may have died in the line of duty since 1946. Anyone having such information is encouraged to contact the Association. As the Nation pauses to honor the memory of those who gave their lives for their country, COA pauses to remember the PHS Commissioned Corps officers - lest we forget....

Click here to read the 55 names on the PHS Honor Roll from RADM Williams' book... (pdf, 1.5 MB)

Who Speaks for Public Health?

03/27/2008 - Two powerful briefings in the last few weeks addressed the growing crisis in the public health workforce. The number of public health workers in the U.S. alone has declined precipitously in the last three decades - by some 50,000 - while the population has continued to grow. The Association of Schools of Public Health projects a shortage of 250,000 public health workers by 2020. The combined presentations make a compelling case for urgent action to turn this situation around. One important aspect of the public health workforce and infrastructure not addressed in either briefing, however, was public health leadership. COA firmly believes that the only place from which public health leadership can or should be effectively exercsed is the Office of the Surgeon General and the PHS Commissioned Corps. Without a strong, stable, and independent Office of the Surgeon General leading public health efforts, backed up by an improved and expanded PHS Commissioned Corps, the struggle to resolve the crisis in the public health workforce will be much more difficult and risky. Action must be taken now to empower the Office of the Surgeon General and fully fund the planned transformation and expansion of the PHS Commissioned Corps.

Click here to read the full COA statement... (pdf, 311 KB)

GARCIA CONFIRMED AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY - MEDICAL DIRECTOR IN REGULAR CORPS

03/14/2008 - Late Thursday, March 13th, the full Senate confirmed Doctor Joxel Garcia as the Assistant Secretary for Health by a voice vote. Dr. Garcia, a former Deputy Director of the Pan American Health Organization and Health Commissioner of Connecticut was also confirmed to an appointment as a Medical Director (Captain, PayGrade O-6) in the Regular Commissioned Corps. As a Regular Corps officer, Dr. Garcia is now elegible for appointment to the rank of full Admiral (O-10) in the Commissioned Corps. The Assistant Secretary for Health is the Surgeon General's immediate superior in the Office of Public Health and Science.

COA SALUTES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE COMMISSIONED CORPS ON PUBLIC HEALTH THANK YOU DAY!

11/19/2007 - The 6,000 active duty officers of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, led by Surgeon General, Rear Admiral Steven Galson, USPHS, provide the leadership for the Nation's federal Public Health Service. PHS Commissioned Corps officers serve today in every conceivable aspect of public health. They are researchers and epidemiologists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regulators at the Food and Drug Administration, clinicians and administrators in the Indian Health Service, federal Bureau of Prisons and every other key health agency. PHS officers serve with the U.S. Coast Guard and with the Department of Defense, including officers stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq. PHS officers are stationed around the world, often working without fanfare or recognition, but providing an essential frontline of defense for the Nation's most fundamental component of national security - our public health. PHS officers are ambassadors of good will for the United States. They have provided emergency public health services from the destruction of the New York City World Trade Center in 2001, through the devastation of the South Asian earthquake and tsunami, hurricanes Katrina and Rita and every other public health crisis. The Commissioned Officers Association is proud to represent the interests of these true, often unrecognized American heroes. The commissioned officers of the U.S. Public Health Service are truly a national treasure for which all Americans ought to give thanks this holiday season.

Special Olympics International Seeks VP for Health Programs

10/23/2007 - The International Special Olympics organization is seeking a Vice President for Health Programs. Retired PHS Commissioned Corps officers who meet the qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Click here for the complete job announcement... (pdf, 123 KB)

Galson relieves Moritsugu as Acting Surgeon General

10/15/2007 - In ceremonies hosted by the Commissioned Officers Association and the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation on October 4th, 2007 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, retiring RADM Kenneth P. Moritsugu turned command authority for the PHS Commissioned Corps over to RADM Steven K. Galson. In front of an audience of some 450 attendees including Corps officers and representatives of major public health groups, Admiral Galson formally accepted responsibility and accountability for the Commissioned Corps from RADM Moritsugu who retires after 37 years in uniform. The ceremony marked only the second time in the 118 year history of the Commissioned Corps that such a formal and public transfer of command responsibility for the Corps took place. It is also believed to be the first time that one Acting Surgeon General has been replaced by another Acting Surgeon General. The President's nomination of Dr. James Holsinger of Kentucky to be the 18th Surgeon General does not appear headed for a confirmation vote in the Senate. The Change-of-Command Ceremony underscores the revitalized role of the Surgeon General as the leader of the Commissioned Corps and the uniformed Corps' appropriate and increasing visibility as leaders of the Nation's Public Health Service and system.

Acting Surgeon General Sends Message to the Corps

10/02/2007 - Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, Acting Surgeon General has released a letter to the officers of the PHS Commissioned Corps. Rear Admiral Galson will formally relieve Rear Admiral Ken Moritsugu in a PHS Commissioned Corps Change-of-Command Ceremony on Thursday evening, October 4th at 6:30PM in the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. For more information on the ceremony and to obtain tickets, see the link to the right under "Additional Headlines" on this page.

Click here for the text of Admiral Galson's letter... (pdf, 30 KB)

COA CONGRATULATES NEW PHS FLAG SELECTEES!

09/28/2007 - Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt has approved the recommendation of a Flag Officer Selection Board and appoints to following officers to flag rank in the PHS Commissioned Corps effective 1 October 2007. To Assistant Surgeon General/Rear Admiral (Upper Half) Paygrade O-8: Steven K Galson - Acting Surgeon General designee; William C. Vanderwagen - Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; To Assistant Surgeon General/Rear Admiral (Lower Half, Paygrade O-7: Clara H. Cobb, RHA Region IV; Robert L. Davidson, RHA Region II; Epifano Elizondo, RHA Region VI; Ronald C. Ferguson, IHS; James M. Galloway, RHA Region V; Ali S. Khan, CDC; Steven S. Solomon, CDC; David C. Rutstein, OFRD; COA is especially pleased and proud that all of these outstanding officers are COA members! We extend our congratulations to all these fine leaders of the Commissioned Corps and the Nation's public health.

GALSON NAMED ACTING SURGEON GENERAL

09/21/2007 - Late Friday afternoon, Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt announced that RADM Steve Galson will relieve RADM Ken Moritsugu as Acting Surgeon General on 1 October. A formal Change-of-Command Ceremony will be hosted by COA and COF on 4 October (see below). RADM Bob Williams was named as Acting Deputy Surgeon General. RADM Sam Shekar will take over as the Special Assistant for Transformation. Admiral Galson currently serves as the FDA CDER Director and is well-qualifed to assume the duties of Surgeon General. RADM Williams is the OSG Chief of Staff and was the leading candidate to take over as Deputy Surgeon General. He will provide continuty in the Office of the Surgeon General. RADM Shekar is the Director of the Office of Extramural Programs/Director of Clinical Research Grants Policy for the Office of Extramural Research at NIH. He has been intimately involved with the transformation process for many years. One position not filled in today's announcement was a replacement for RADM Williams as OSG Chief of Staff. COA applauds the Secretary's appointment of these highly respected and well-qualified career officers to lead the Corps. We extend our congratulations to RADMS Galson, Willams, and Shekar and look forward to working with them to protect, promote, and advance the Nation's public health through the leadership of the PHS Commissioned Corps.

CNN.com Feature USNS COMFORT Health Diplomacy Mission in Video

09/21/2007 - CNN.com is running a short video on the health diplomacy deployment of USNS COMFORT to Latin America. While the video does not mention the contributions of the PHS Commissioned Corps to this critical mission (a fact which has already been brought to CNN's attention by COA), the video is, nonetheless, an effective focus on the importance of COMFORT's deployment, and the key contributions that improved public health will have on global and national security. Global health security is increasingly recognized as essential component of our own national security and is a mission area in which the PHS Commissioned Corps is uniquely suited for an expanded leadership role.

Grim to Step Down as Indian Health Service Director

09/07/2007 - COA, the Commissioned Corps, and the Indian Health Service were stunned ealier this week when the White House withdrew the nomination of Rear Admiral Charles Grim, USPHS for reappointment to a second term as Director, Indian Health Service. In a statement released to all IHS employees, RADM Grim stated that the nomination was withdrawn at his request due to personal reasons. Admiral Grim has served as IHS Director at the Rockville, MD agency headquarters since 2003 while his family remained in Oklahoma. Nominated earlier this year for a second four-year term, he was expected to easily win Senate confirmation. The Nation's foremost expert in Native American and Alaska Native health issues, Admiral Grim is widely respected for his expertise, candor, and leadership on both sides of the aisle in Congress. No news yet on a successor to Admiral Grim as IHS Director. He is exected to remain in office for several more weeks before returning to Oklahoma. Admiral Grim was widely considered to be a strong candidate for any of the vacant, or soon to be vacant leadership positions in public health, includng Assistant Secretary for Health, Acting Surgeon General and Deputy Surgeon General. He will be sorely missed as the IHS Director.

PHS Commisioned Officer Deployed in USNS COMFORT Featured in Navy Video

09/07/2007 - CDR Nita Sood, the elected Pharmacy representative on the COA Board of Directors, is featured in a Navy public affairs video about the humanitarian deployment of the hospital ship USNS COMFORT.

You Can Help Minnesota Flood Victims

08/29/2007 - Many small communities in Southeast Minnesota recently suffered severe flooding. Among the homes and businesses destroyed, hundreds of people were displaced. The Commissioned Corps did not deploy with direct assistance, but officers can still help with the recovery. Anyone wishing to assist may do so by donating money or other items such as cleaning supplies, school supplies, and clothing. If you would like to donate, please use the following contact information: " Southeast Minnesota Chapter of American Red Cross: (507) 287-2200 or (507) 452-4258 " Salvation Army in Rochester, MN: (507) 288-3663 " The United Way has set up a relief fund for flood victims in Minnesota. It was initiated with $20,000 from the United Way of Olmsted County. Checks, made out to the United Way Flood Relief Fund, can be mailed to the United Way, 903 W. Center St., Rochester, MN 55902. Donations also can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank or Associated Bank office. " A clothing campaign has been started for Rushford, MN residents who have been flooded out. Please send clean clothes in good condition to Village Foods, 108 Coffee St. E., Lanesboro. " The Winona, MN "Ready, Set, School" program is accepting school supplies for flood victims and is seeking donations. Cash donations can be made at Winona National Bank and Altura State Bank offices or by sending checks to Ready, Set, School, P.O. Box 499, Winona, MN 55987. " All 115 parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Winona, MN will take up a second collection within the next two weeks to help parishioners affected by the floods. The diocese has made an initial $5,000 contribution to the fund. Send donations to Diocese of Winona, P.O. Box 588, Winona, MN 55987.

Commissioned Corps Featured in Navy Press Video on Comfort Mission

08/20/2007 - PHS Captain Craig Shepherd, Officer-in-Charge of the PHS detachment embarked in USNS COMFORT, is interviewed about the PHS Commissioned Corps role in the COMFORT mission.

ADM AGWUNOBI RESIGNS; LEADERSHIP VACUUM LOOMS

08/07/2007 - After only 18 months in office, the PHS Commissioned Corps' senior officer and Assistant Secretary for Health, Admiral John O. Agwunobi announced his resignation from the Department and the Commissioned Corps today, 7 August 2007. The stunning and unexpected news comes on the heels of RADM Kenneth Moritsugu's intention to retire from duty as Deputy and Acting Surgeon General on or about 1 October 2007. With prospects unclear for a Senate confirmation vote on the nomination of Dr. James W. Holsinger as Surgeon General, the Commissioned Corps faces a leadership void of immense proportions. The situation is further complicated by the untimely death of RADM Bob Knouss four weeks ago and the imminent retirement of RADM Richard Wyatt. Admiral Knouss was the ASH's Special Assistant for Transformation at the time of his death and Admiral Wyatt was the designated successor to the Deputy Surgeon General. The post of Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Health has been vacant for many months. Admiral Moritsugu has served as Acting Surgeon General since the departure of Dr. Richard Carmona more than one year ago. The nearly simultaneous departure of the Corps' two top officers without any apparent plan to provide for their replacement (in the case of RADM Moritsugu - as Deputy Surgeon General) calls into question the commitment of the Department's senior leadership to the Corps and its ongoing transformation. The Corps is left not only without a helmsman, but also without a compass. ADM Agwunobi is leaving to take a senior position with Wal Mart.

Legislative

Nursing Groups Propose Elevating PHS Chief Nurse

05/02/2008 - A dozen nursing organizations and two former PHS Chief Nurse Officers have written to HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt asking him to upgrade the position of the PHS Chief Nurse Officer from Rear Admiral (Lower Half)(0-7) to Rear Admiral (Upper Half)(0-8). The Secretary, who can do this without congressional approval, was urged to act now by promoting the current PHS Chief Nurse Officer.

Click Here for the Letter (pdf, 1.2 MB)

COA Submits Senate Appropriations Committee Testimony

04/15/2008 - The Commissioned Officers Association has submitted written testimony to the Senate Committee on Appropriations regarding funding for the PHS Commissioned Corps. COA's testimony calls for an increase of funding in the FY 09 budget from the $30 million proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services to $50 million.

Click here for the text of COA's testimony... (pdf, 115 KB)

COA Submits Congressional Testimony

04/11/2008 - The Commissioned Officers Association has submitted written testimony to the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations regarding funding for the PHS Commissioned Corps. COA's testimony calls for an increase of funding in the FY 09 budget from the $30 million proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services to $50 million.

Click here to read COA's testimony... (pdf, 55 KB)

Ohio Tax Code Does Not Recognize PHS Retirees as 'Military'

03/26/2008 - PHS retirees want to know if they are included in Ohio's definition of military, which the language of HB 372 did not make clear.

Learn more... (pdf, 72 KB)

President Vetos NDAA

01/03/2008 - President Bush has vetoed the FY 08 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), significant to PHS Commissioned Corps officers in that the annual NDAA contains authorizing language for the annual pay raise for all the uniformed services. The FY 08 NDAA authorizes a 3.5% pay increase for all service members; .5% above the amount mandated by existing law which tags the annual minimum pay increase to an index. This means that service members can expect to see a 3% pay raise in their next paycheck, but may have to wait for the dispute between the executive and legislative branches to be resolved before seeing the additional 1/2 percent. The issue over which the President vetoed the bill has nothing at all to do with service members' compensation. Rather, the President is concerned about a provision in the legislation approved by Congress that might make Iraq government funds liable to be tied up in lawsuits filed in this country - an action he feels would undermine US efforts to promote Iraqi stability. There is a dispute within the dispute about whether or not the President has used a "pocket" veto or formally signed a veto message to the Congress. This would determine the action required by the Congress. If a "pocket" veto, then Congress must approve another NDAA. If a normal "signed" veto, then Congress has the option to attempt an override of the President's veto with a two-thirds vote. Either way, the overwhelming sense is that the full 3.5% raise will be intact in the final version of the FY 08 NDAA that becomes law and that additional .5% will be retroactive to a 1 January effective date.

Trust for America's Health Supports the Surgeon General Independence Act

11/07/2007 - The Trust for America's Health (TFAH) has joined the Commissioned Officers Association and other public health organizations in support of H.R. 3447, the Surgeon General Independence Act. TFAH is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority. Former Connecticut Governor and three term U.S Senator Lowell Weicker, Jr. is President of the TFAH Board of Directors. In a letter to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman and bill sponsor Henry Waxman (D-CA)and co-sposnor Representative Lois Capps (D-CA), TFAH Executive Director Jeffrey Levi wrote that "It is important that the Surgeon General be in a position to articulate what the science tells us, free of political, ideological or other constraints....This bill would clarify that anything produced by the Surgeon General be guided by the best available public health science, require the Surgeon General to submit a budget directly to the Administration and to Congress...." COA welcomes TFAH to the growing list of prominent organizations calling for a strengthened Office of the Surgeon General, and by extension, a strenghtened PHS Commissioned Corps.

Click here to read the full text of the TFAH letter... (pdf, 118 KB)

Event

2008 DC-COA Summer Awards Luncheon Buffet

06/02/2008 - The DC COA Branch and its Service Committee would like to invite you to the Summer Awards Luncheon Buffet that will be held at the Washington Navy Yard Officers Club Wednesday, 9 July 2008, 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM.

Should you have any questions do not hesitate to contact CDR Charlotte Spires (2007 DC COA President at 240-276-8112 or Charlotte.Spires@fda.hhs.gov) or LT Tarsha Wilson (Service Committee Chair at 240-276-1748 or Tarsha.Wilson@samhsa.hhs.gov).

For more information, click here for the flyer. (pdf, 93 KB)

Acting Surgeon General, RADM Steven K. Galson featured on the Upcoming Meet the Author! Web Cast

04/16/2008 - The next "Meet the Author!" web cast, titled "Childhood Obesity: Prevention and Prevalence," will take place on Wednesday, April 23 at 3pm (ET). Sponsored by Public Health Reports, the web cast will feature the Acting Surgeon General, RADM Steven K. Galson and Ms. Helen Margellos-Anast of Sinai Urban Health Institute. RADM Galson will begin the webcast with a short talk on the upcoming Surgeon General's Perspectives column set to debut in the May/June 2008 issue of Public Health Reports. The topic of his new column will be "Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention."

ATTENTION RETIRED PHS OFFICERS!!

04/11/2008 - On behalf of Acting Surgeon General Rear Admiral Steven Galson, COA is pleased to extend the Surgeon General's invitation to a briefing exclusively for retired officers of the PHS Commissioned Corps. The presentation will include an update on the Corps' ongoing transformation and plans for expansion. The Surgeon General will also speak about how retired officers can still be active in and help the Commissioned Corps meet its full potential. The Surgeon General's briefing for retired officers will be during the annual PHS Scientific and Training Symposium (formerly the "COA Meeting") on Thursday morning, June 12th, 2008 at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona. The presentation will begin at 7:15AM and the Commissioned Officers Association is pleased to host breakfast for all retired officers who attend. There is no cost for retired officers to attend this breakfast meeting with the Surgeon General, but we do need you to reserve a seat by calling 866-366-9593 (toll free)or sending an email to cgrill@coausphs.org. Retired officers wishing to attend any other sessions of the annual conference may do so by registering at the link below. COA hopes to see as many retired officers as possible in Tucson on June 12th. The Commissioned Corps needs the continued help and support of its retired officer community.

DC-COA Hosts Golf Match to Benefit PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation

03/14/2008 - The Washington, DC Metro Branch of the Commissioned Officers Association is hosting its First Annual Golf Tournament to benefit the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation. The Tournament will be held on Friday, May 9th at the Univerity of Maryland Golf Course. The Tournament is open to all and the number of players is limited.

Sign up today!! Click here for the Golf Tournament registration form... (pdf, 131 KB)

Reserve your space now for the 2008 Anchor & Caduceus Dinner

11/20/2007 - The PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation for the Advancement of Public Health and the D.C. Metro Branch of the Commissioned Officers Association is sponsoring the 2008 Anchor & Caduceus Dinner. This event will be held on Friday, February 1, 2008, at 7pm (doors open at 6pm). Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will give the Dr. C. Everett Koop Honorary Lecture.

2008 US PHS SYMPOSIUM CALL FOR PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS

11/14/2007 - The Scientific Program Committee for the 2008 U.S. Public Health Service Scientific & Training Symposium has announced a Call for Presentation Abstracts for the symposium, which will be held June 9-12 at the Tucson (AZ) Convention Center. The symposium, which is organized by the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation, attracts more than 1,000 federal, tribal, state and local public health officials each year.

Click here for more details and submission instructions... (pdf, 112 KB)

Commissioned Corps Change of Command/Acting Surgeon General Moritsugu Retirement

09/21/2007 - The Commissioned Officers Association and our affiliated Foundation are proud to host the PHS Commissioned Corps Change-of-Command Ceremony at which Rear Admiral Kenneth P. Moritusgu, USPHS will be relieved as Acting Surgeon General and retire after 37 years of service in the PHS Commissioned Corps. The ceremony, followed by a reception honoring RADM Mortisugu, will be held on Thursday, October 4th beginning promptly at 6:30PM in the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. The hotel is located at 2660 Woodley Road, NW and is convenient to the Metrorail Red Line Woodley Park - Zoo/Adams Morgan station. Advance reservations are required as seating is limited. Reservations may be made online by clicking on the link below.

Retirement Ceremony for RADM Kenneth P. Moritsugu

08/31/2007 - The Public Health Service Commissioned Officers Foundation and the Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS invites you to the Commissioned Corps Change of Command and retirement ceremony for RADM Kenneth P. Moritsugu, USPHS, Acting Surgeon General, following 37 years of service to Country & Corps. Reception immediately following 6:30 p.m., Thursday Evening, October 4, 2007 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008.

Reserve your space now for the Retirement Ceremony for RADM Kenneth P. Moritsugu

Member

Commissioned Corps Updates Transformation Accomplishments - Corps Expansion Plans Scaled Back

06/03/2008 - In an undated letter to the Commissioned Officers of the U.S. Public Health Service posted on the Commissioned Corps Management Information System website, but not yet on the Commissioned Corps Transformation website, Acting Surgeon General RADM Steven Galson and Special Assistant to the ASH for Transformation RADM Sam Shekar provide an update on where the Corps' transformation stands and where it is headed. Highlights of what appears to be setting a trend for semi-annual reports on the transformation include a scaled back plan for expanding the Corps. While the original target announced in 2006 by Secretary Leavitt of ten percent growth (about 600 officers)remains intact, the timeframe for achieving that target is delayed from 2008 to 2012. A much more modest "interim FY 08" target of having 6,150 officers on active duty is now in place. The report notes that with 6,077 officers on active duty as of May 2008, the Corps is at its highest monthly level in four years. Improvements in the processing of applications for commissioning into the Corps are credited with a one-third increase in the number of calls-to-duty in a one year period. Additional details and future plans are provided on recruitment and retention, and support systems enhancements. RADM Shekar will brief all interested officers on the transformation at a preliminary session of the 42nd Annual USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium on Monday morning, 9 June at 9AM in the Tucson, Arizona Convention Center.

May 30, 2008 for APHA Congressional Fellowship

05/16/2008 - Are you a recent USPHS retiree with an interest in public affairs? Would you welcome the chance to spend a year on Capitol Hill? Do you wonder how federal laws really get made (or not)? Would you like a close-up view of a new Administration?

If you answered yes to the above, then you may wish to compete for a fellowship offered by the American Public Health Association (APHA). You need to move quickly; the deadline is Friday, May 30.

The fellowship is "designed to offer a unique public policy learning experience," according to APHA. It will begin in January, 2009, and conclude in December. APHA says it is looking for candidates who have strong public health credentials and who would like to spend a year in a Congressional office, working on legislative issues pertaining to public health.

COA Mourns Passing of VADM William Stewart, 10th Surgeon General

04/28/2008 - Vice Admiral William H. Stewart, USPHS (Ret.), 10th U.S. Surgeon General and COA Life Member passed away in New Orleans on April 23, 2008. He was 86 years old and served as Surgeon General from 1965 to 1969.

Click here for Surgeon General Stewart's obituary... (pdf, 81 KB)

Vote for the COA Board of Directors

04/11/2008 - It's time to cast your ballot for COA's Board of Directors. There are six vacancies on the board for three year terms of office beginning on July 1st, 2008. The seats to be filled are Dietitian, Nurse, Physician, Health Services Officer, Field representative and Retired Officer representative. Biographies of the nominees are in the April Frontline available by clicking on the link to the right under "Additional Headlines." COA members may vote by filling out the ballot in Frontline and faxing it to COA at 301-731-9084 or by voting electronically using the link below. COA members are strongly urged to exercise your ownership and cast your ballot today.

CAPT Anthony Zimmer Named 2008 Federal Engineer of the Year

03/12/2008 - At the National Society of Professional Engineer's (NSPE) awards lunch held on February 21 in Washington, D.C., CAPT Tony Zimmer was selected as the NSPE Federal Engineer of the Year for 2008 from a field of 33 candidates nominated by the Federal agencies. CAPT Zimmer, who was also the EPA Engineer of the Year, is assigned to EPA in Cincinnati and was formerly with NIOSH in Cincinnati. CAPT Zimmer was selected for his experience, training, credentials and accomplishments, both professional and in community service. He is the Past President of the COA Cincinnati Branch and was very active in planning the COF Training Symposium in Cincinnati last summer. Other PHS officers and HHS Civil Service engineers recognized by the NSPE at the awards lunch included CAPT Richard Wermers (IHS), CAPT Gladys Rodriguez (FDA), CAPT Paul Robinson (NPS), Dr. Joel Myklebust (FDA), and Dr. Bon Ki Ku (CDC). Congratulations to all!

ROMANO NAMED OSG CHIEF OF STAFF

02/08/2008 - Rear Admiral Carol Romano, PHS Chief Nurse Officer, has been named Acting Chief of Staff in the Office of the Surgeon General. Rear Admiral Steven Galson, Surgeon General, made the announcement at the Anchor and Caduceus Dinner in Washington, DC on February 1st. Admiral Romano replaces Rear Admiral Bob Williams who was elevated to Acting Deputy Surgeon General last October. RADM Romano comes to OSG from NIH where she most recently served as Senior Advisor for Clinical Research Informatics.

HOLIDAY GREETINGS FROM COA'S BOARD CHAIR

12/21/2007 - Dear COA members and friends, The holidays offer a time for reflection as we move forward into the New Year. We want to thank you for your continued support of our mission to improve and protect the public health of the United States by advocating for the Commissioned Corps and our officers who are located throughout the world serving the public health needs of all people. With your continuing support, we look forward to making great strides in 2008 to support and promote sound Corps policies, champion excellence in public health education and training, and to speak out on important Corps officer issues. On behalf of the COA Board of Directors, I join Jerry Farrell and staff at COA and COF in wishing you and yours a healthy, happy, and peaceful holiday season. Best wishes, Daphne Moffett Chairman of the Board of Directors COA

Executive Director Meets with DHHS DEPSEC

12/12/2007 - COA and Foundation Executive Director Jerry Farrell met with DHHS Deputy Secretary, The Honorable Tevi Troy on Tuesday, 27 November. The meeting was an opportunity for Farrell to introduce the Association and Foundation to DEPSEC Troy who was sworn in on 15 November. Also participating in the meeting were Dr. Anand Parekh, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, and Mr. Jim O'Neill, Associate Deputy Secretary. Topics addressed by Farrell included the distinction between COA and the Foundation. He began by noting that some 80 percent of active duty Corps officers are COA members. He emphasized the Association's mission of advocacy for the Commissioned Corps as uniformed leaders of the Nation's Public Health Service. COA's role in providing support for Commissioned Corps compensation and benefits as well as the responsibilities inherent in officership were discussed. Farrell noted the Association's strong support for Secretary Leavitt's plan to transform and expand the Commissioned Corps. In COA's view, essential aspects of a transformed Corps will include more centralized control exercised by a strengthened Office of the Surgeon General. A billet based force management system is the most fundamental component of a transformed Corps, and will help to address the natural tension resulting from officers' increasing responsibilities in emergency preparedness and crisis response and their continuing obligations to the operating divisions and agencies in which they are employed. COA is anxious and eager to assist in moving transformation forward and Farrell offered the Association's assistance as an auxiliary communications vehicle with officers in our 70 branches across the country and around the world. Turning to the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation, Farrell explained its mission in public health education, information and advocacy while again emphasizing the leadership role of the Commissioned Corps. He outlined the Foundation's several programs, particularly the annual Scientific and Training Symposium and its importance to the institution of the Commissioned Corps. Doctor Troy commented on his and the Secretary's firm commitment to the Corps' transformation. He noted the progress made thus far and the frustrations of all involved due the resource constraints resulting from issues beyond the Department's control. He expressed the leadership's confidence in RADM Steve Galson as Acting Surgeon General and RADM Sam Shekar as the Special Assistant for Transformation. He looks forward, he said, to further progress soon in moving the transformation forward.

Surgeon General Provides Update on Commissioned Corps Transformation

12/11/2007 - Surgeon General RADM Steve Galson and ASH Special Assistant for Transformation, RADM Sam Shekar released a letter to the Commissioned Corps dated December 6, 2007 in which they provide an update on Corps Transformation progress in the past year and a look at what the future holds. COA is pleased to see the leadership's commitment to increased communication about the details of the Transformation process. The admiral's inclusion of a force management system in its plans for 2008 are also applauded. Implementation of a billet-based force management system remains the most essential and fundamental building block for a transformed Commissioned Corps.

Click here to read the Galson/Shekar letter... (pdf, 297 KB)

University of South Florida Recognizes PHS Officers on Veterans Day

11/14/2007 - The University of South Florida highlighted the service of PHS Comissioned Corps Captain Tom Mason and all PHS Commissioned Corps officers as Veterans whose service is commemorated each November 11th. Captain Mason is on faculty at the USF School of Public Health.

BASPAG SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

10/23/2007 - The Basic and Applied Science Professional Advisory Group is seeking officers interested in joining the group.

Click here for the BASPAG self nomination form... (pdf, 141 KB)

Other

COA Mourns Passing of Former Surgeon General, Julius B. Richmond

07/30/2008 - Dr. Julius B. Richmond, USPHS, (Ret.), 91, and COA Life Member died July 27 of cancer. Dr Richmond served as President Carter’s Assistant Secretary for Health and as U.S. Surgeon General from 1977 to 1981 and promoted anti-smoking, preventive health-care and public health policy campaigns. In 1979, Dr. Richmond released a 1,200-page Surgeon General’s Report on the multiple harmful effects of smoking, which included lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and other illnesses. He also issued the first surgeon general’s report on health promotion and disease prevention, urging Americans to cut their consumption of alcohol, salt, sugar and fats, get moderate exercise, obey speeding laws, use seat belts and see a doctor regularly.

To read the full obituary, please click here. (pdf, 73 KB)

2008 Retired Officers Breakfast

05/28/2008 - To avoid any confusion on the date and location of the 2008 Retired Officers Breakfast. It will be held Thursday, June 12th, in the Cholla Room of the Hotel Arizona. The Hotel Arizona is immediately adjacent to the Tucson Convention Center.

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