US Public Health Service Building a Healthy Defense

DepartmentCommander George Durgin,

USPHSDeputy Director

Resilience & Prevention Directorate

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Objectives

• Defense Department/Health and Human Services Memorandum of Understanding

• DoD Assignments• Benefits to DoD• Future in DoD

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DOD/HHS MOUs• Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for

Health Affairs (OASD-HA; Dec 1993)• Assist DoD in carrying out responsibilities for

effective delivery of health care for DoD beneficiaries by providing technical support and coordination in the development of policies and health programs.

• No end date.• Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury

(April 2008)• USPHS officers detailed to the Army, Navy or Air

Force … in support of psychological health mission and/or mission in treating traumatic brain injury.

• Remain in effect for 10 years

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Psych Health & TBI MOU

• Full-time equivalent ceilings may be determined by Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

• Assignments are indefinite unless set in orders.• Officers can be returned to the Corps:• Only for…documented unsuitability, misconduct

and/or disciplinary programs or unresolved performance issues.

• DoD will fully investigate the matter and develop and forward a complete record of documentation sufficient to permit HHS to take appropriate action.

• DoD will submit a written request for return of an officer… not less than 150 days before DoD desires to return an officer to HHS.

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USPHS Billets

• 83 billets• Army Surgeon General – 1• Navy Bureau of Medicine – 1• Joint Task Force Capital Medical (JTF-CAPMED) – 6• Army Corps of Engineers – 1• Armed Forces Surveillance Center – 6• USAF Academy – 1• Uniformed Services University - 1• Tricare Management Activity (TMA) - 43• Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health

and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) - 18• Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences• Army Center for Health Promotion & Surveillance

Europe – 3• National Guard Bureau - 1

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USPHS Psych Health & TBI Billets

• 178 billets (101 USA, 26 USN, 30 USAF, 19 JTF-CAPMED, 2 - DOD)• 1 – Neurologist• 33 – Nurses• 7 – Physician Assistants• 10 – Psychiatrist• 46 – Psychologist• 69 – Social Workers• 3 – Occupational Therapists• 4 - Physical Therapists• 3 – Speech Therapists• 2 – Other (Liaison & Program Manager)

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Benefits to DoD

• Unique expertise• Quick selection process• Quick report dates• Long-term fills• Mobility at assignment• Fresh ideas• Prior service experience

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Leadership

• TMA deputy director executive officer• TMA pharmaceutical operations• DOD/VA Integrated Mental Health

Strategy – OSG COS • Office directors• Clinical directors• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

subject matter expert

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Future in DoD

• New MOU• Army Medical Command MOU• Expanded locations• Increased responsibilities• Flag billets• More USPHS officers

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Questions

Contacts:CDR Berry F. WilliamsDOD/TMA Commissioned Corps Liaison Officer (Psych Health & TBI MOU)5111 Leesburg Pike (Skyline #5, Suite 810 A) Falls Church, VA 22041 Office Phone: (703) 681-6481; Office Fax: (703) 681-6487Email: berry.williams@tma.osd.mil

CDR Sophia RussellDOD/TMA Commissioned Corps Liaison Officer (TMA MOU)5111 Leesburg Pike, Skyline #5, Suite 810 A Falls Church, VA 22041Office: (703) 681-6483; Fax: (703) 681-6487Email: sophia.russell@tma.osd.mil

CDR George DurginDefense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury1335 East West Hwy #9-306, Silver Spring, MDOffice: (301) 295-8362George.Durgin@tma.osd.mil