VOL. 51, ISSUE 1 Salus Populi Suprema Lex Este

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 n o f t h e U . S . P u b l i c H e a l t h S e r v i c e

O n January 11, 2014, the Commis-sioned Officers Association and

PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation joined with the Office of the Surgeon General at the Arlington National Cemetery gravesite of the 9th Surgeon General, Rear Admiral Luther Terry, to lay a wreath commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon Gen-eral’s report on Smoking and Health. More than 80 people attended the ceremony on a grey, cold, rainy morning. Acting Surgeon General Boris Lushniak and COA/COF Executive Director Jerry Farrell were joined by the 16th Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, along with several members of the Terry Family including Surgeon General Terry’s sons, Luther and Michael. Also in attendance were flag and general officers of other uniformed services as well as the Public Health Service Com-missioned Corps, and leaders of public health advocacy groups with a particular interest in smoking cessation. A special guest was Mrs. Margo Hamill, widow of

Captain Peter Hamill, USPHS. Captain Hamill was the medical director for the Smoking and Health Report. Mrs. Hamill, like her husband was, is a COA member.

COA Executive Director Farrell began the ceremony by welcoming the participants and introducing Surgeon General Satcher, who offered an invocation and brief remarks. Farrell then introduced the Acting Surgeon General, Rear Admi-ral Boris Lushniak who spoke and then

Wreath Laying Ceremony Commemorates 50th

Anniversary of Surgeon General Luther Terry’s

Report on Smoking and Health

Dear Friends of the PHS Commissioned Corps,

T he New Year is

off to a frigid beginning for most of the country. I hope our members and

donors are all managing to stay warm and healthy. 2013 ended with some interesting and unexpected developments. The move to reduce retired service mem-ber’s COLAs by one percent until age 62 caught us all by surprise and is not going over well with the uniformed services community. The issue has raised a great debate about the perceived need to “do something” to get uniformed service personnel costs “under control” versus the justice of singling out the one percent of the population who serve in uniform for even further sacrifice. Of equal con-cern is the apparent reversal of previous commitments that changes to uniformed service compensation and benefits would “grandfather” the current force and retir-ees. COA stands with The Military Coa-lition in calling for this reduction to be overturned. They may yet change their minds about this ill-considered action. There are already 15 bills introduced in the second session of the 113th Congress to repeal it.

Jerry Farrell, Executive Director

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

January/February 2014

Out With the Old;

In With the New

COA member Mrs. Margo Hamill, widow of CAPT Peter Hamill, medical director for the 1964 Smoking and Health Report, flanked by Surgeons General Satcher and Lushniak

RADM Boris Lushniak addresses the guests during the wreath-laying ceremony

(L-R) Surgeon General Terry’ sons, Luther and Michael, and Surgeons General Satcher and Lushniak salute during Taps following the laying of a wreath at the grave of 9th Surgeon General Luther Terry

(Ceremony, cont’d. on p. 20)

(Executive Director, cont’d. on p. 27)

Commissioned Officers Association 2

Legislative Update

COA and Coalition Politics: A Look Back at 2013

I f you have attended a COA annual membership meeting and listened to

COA Executive Director Jerry Farrell talk about legislative advocacy, then you have heard him say that coalition politics is the name of the game. You have heard him describe how COA partners with other non-profit health and uniformed services organizations to enhance our collective presence on Capitol Hill and gather strength to advance issues of mutual interest. This month’s column is a thank-you and a shout-out to two of the broad-based, issue-oriented coalitions that were especially supportive of COA policy positions last year. The Military Coalition As most of our members know, COA is a longt-ime organizational member of The Military Coalition (TMC). COA/COF Exec-utive Director Jerry Farrell serves on TMC’s Board of Directors. Jerry, Deputy Executive Director John McElligott, and I serve on four TMC committees (Health Care, Retirement, Personnel and Compensation, Guard and Reserve Affairs) and try to keep an eye on several others. TMC is co-chaired by Mike Hay-den, of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), and John Davis, of the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA). It includes 33 member organizations repre-senting over five and a half million individuals. Over the past year, TMC has actively championed important COA policy posi-tions, either as a full coalition or through its committee goal-setting process. TMC wrote to President Obama, urging him to nominate a career PHS officer to serve as the next U.S. Surgeon General and laying out a persuasive case for doing so. The

letter was signed by 28 military and veterans’ services organizations. TMC’s Health Care Committee led the effort. Through its committee goal-setting process, in which COA actively partici-pates, TMC member organizations have agreed to support other COA priorities, including: funding and implementation of the PHS Ready Reserve; funding and implementation of the U.S. Public Health Sciences Track; continued inclusion of PHS in the military compensation and retirement system; increased use of PHS mental health specialists and behavior scientists to treat returning service mem-bers with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder; parity with the armed services generally on pay and benefit issues, and equal access to all TRICARE benefits for active duty and retired PHS officers. This last item is a firm response to U.S. House efforts in 2012 and 2013 to deny expanded TRICARE coverage to autistic and other disabled children of PHS, USCG, and NOAA parents. Military Issues of Mutual Concern On many public policy issues, of course, no internal lobbying or committee debate is really necessary. We’re all there at the get-go. For example, all TMC member organizations oppose the Defense Department’s relentless efforts to raise TRICARE fees and to target retir-ees generally on pay and benefits. All oppose fiddling with the COLA in the way that the Bipartisan Budget Act recently did. All share major concerns about the intentions of Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC), because “modernization” and “reform” can too easily mean backtrack-ing on promised career incentives for uniformed services personnel.

COA Member Benefits

Capitol Hill Representation Efforts on Capitol Hill

continually support all Commis-sioned Corps officers - active-duty,

and retired.

Car Rental Discount - Avis & Budget

Members enjoy discount rates on Avis and Budget rentals.

Financial Services -

Pentagon Federal Credit Union PenFed is an on-line credit union providing full service to members

worldwide.

Frontline COA’s newsletter reports on month-

ly activities and items of interest about the Corps & COA.

Insurance Programs - AGIA

Participate in low-cost insurance programs that may continue

after leaving the PHS as long as your membership in COA remains

current.

Local Representation COA Branches generate new venues

for meeting fellow officers within your local area while providing a

forum for the discussion of concerns within the Commissioned Corps.

Publication -

Public Health Reports Free subscription to the Journal

Public Health Reports.

Scholarship Program COA offers thousands of dollars towards college scholarships for children and spouses of COA

members.

MPH@GW $7500 scholarship to earn completely on-line, accredited Master of Public

Health degree.

Ribbon Authorized to be worn on the PHS uniform by members in good stand-ing when attending COA functions.

(Legislative Update, cont’d. on p. 23)

E ach of us as PHS officers, regardless of category, would

benefit from some background in public health (myself included!). The study of public health is all about looking at the big picture and focusing on the behaviors, environmental factors, policies, and systems that affect the health of entire communities. Each cate-gory is critical to the overall goal of enhanced community health, but

each of us has a mandate as PHS officers not just to excel within our own field, but to understand issues in a broad way, encom-passing many different disciplines and perspectives. The factors involved in the health of a community may fall well out-side typical health-related fields (e.g. economics, cultural or social values, politics), yet may be critical to improving health or reducing disparities in health outcomes. We have to work both within and outside of our specialties and create partnerships with many different stakeholders to maximize the health outcomes of the populations we serve. Thousands of examples could be listed to illustrate this point, and they could be viewed as narrowly or as broadly as your imagination allows. For the sake of making this tangible, I’ll present some data about the state of access to safe drinking water in the rural United States – the factors that limit access, and possible remedies. Even within this narrow field, only a basic picture can be painted within the space afforded in this column. Access to safe drinking water – the raw data:

According to the World Bank, 6% of the U.S. rural popula-tion does not have access to a source of safe drinking water. This puts us at 78th place among all countries, in a tie with Vietnam and Albania. B-The same data shows less than 0.5% the U.S. urban pop-ulation lives without access to safe drinking water.

Indian Health Service data indicates 9-10% of the Native American population in the U.S. lives without access to safe drinking water. B-Access to safe drinking water correlates to lower rates of gastro enteric disease, pneumonia, and infant mortality. Lacking piped water in the home also has been shown to correlate to higher rates of respiratory and skin infections.

Factors contributing to the disparity between rural and urban America:

Many sources of economic activity in rural America have a tendency to pollute water sources (e.g. agriculture – nitrates, bacterial contamination; mining – acid, heavy metals; gas and oil extraction – hydrocarbons). These rural industries tend to be less well-regulated than those

in urban areas.

Geographic isolation – many homes in rural America are not close to a public water system. Their options include drilling a well (sometimes not possible or prohibitively ex-pensive), utilizing a nearby surface water source, or hauling water. Often these individual systems are untreated, sea-sonal, improperly maintained, and/or unsafe.

83% of all public water systems are classified as “small” or “very small,” meaning they serve between 25 to 3,000 con-nections. It is difficult to impossible for these systems to charge their customers enough to maintain the system properly.

The economic difficulties of small utility organizations are compounded in many ways:

They cannot afford to pay qualified water operators competitive wages, resulting in unqualified staff and/or high staff turnover.

They often cannot afford to provide adequate training to staff. When water operators can attend free training availa-ble through state or federal government, they often use that training to apply for better paying jobs in nearby urban or suburban jurisdictions.

Local elected officials are hesitant to raise water rates on local citizens. Poverty rates are higher in rural America (17.7% vs. 14.5% in urban areas), so significant cost increas-es may be difficult for the population to bear.

Water outages or violations of EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) often result from improper operation and maintenance of the system, which results from chronic shortfalls in funding.

Few systems can budget for replacement of aging treat-ment systems or pipes, so repair and replacement of infrastructure get neglected entirely or get delayed until funding can be cobbled together over many years.

Most small water systems rely on federal or state grants and loans, which are becoming increasingly scarce in the current political environment. It is rare to find a small sys-tem that can pay for capital improvements without outside assistance.

These small systems are at a competitive disadvantage in applying for loans or grants to improve aging infrastructure, due to lack of access to (or resources to afford) engineering services, lack of financial resources to repay loans, and difficulty in navigating complex grant application processes.

Continued use of aging infrastructure can lead to cata-strophic failure of existing systems, which then must be replaced on an emergency basis at even higher cost.

Currently there are various forms of assistance available to

January/February 2014 - Frontline 3

COA Chair’s Corner

Create Your Own Coalition of the Willing

(Chair, cont’d. on p. 7)

J oin me in Raleigh, NC on June 10-12

for the 49th Annual USPHS Symposium. The theme for the 2014 USPHS Scientific & Training Sym-posium is "Public Health Today: Prevention, Innova-

tion, Progress." That encapsulates what officers do in today’s Public Health Ser-vice. They prevent disease and disability. They innovate to provide better services to more people at a lower cost. Most importantly, they are working to move the country from a sick care system to a health care system. I applaud the work of active duty and retired officers who stay involved. You are vital to improving the health status of our families, friends, and neighbors. The annual Symposium is a way to learn from each other, build relationships with

local and state partners, and hear directly from PHS leaders about their visions for the future. The 2014 Sympo-sium is no exception. We are seeing huge changes to the health system because of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. National and state budget cuts are forcing closer collaboration between governments and private partners. We need to be smarter with fewer resources. Also, by the time this goes to print, we may have a new Senate-confirmed Surgeon General leading the Commissioned Corps. Highlights for the Raleigh meeting will include:

Leadership seminar for junior and senior officers

Networking with senior officers in all categories

Presentations by RADM Boris Lushniak and RADM Scott Giberson

Comments from the Chief Profes sional Officers

Keynote talks by retired RADM Fitzhugh Mullan, Dr. Bill Lanier, and Dr. Art Kellerman

Continuing education credits for all 11 categories

Pre-conference courses including Basic Life Support, Nurse Skills Training, Branch Leadership Training and more. Don’t wait. Visit http://symposium. phscof.org/ and register today for the early bird rate. See you in Raleigh!

CAPT Gene Migliaccio, DrPH, USPHS (Ret.), PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation

COF President’s Corner

2013 Symposium/Recent Events/COF Scholarship Program/Jerrold M. Michael

Fellowship/History of USPHS/Emerging Leaders/Programs/Services/History

Why I Will Attend the 2014 Symposium in Raleigh

Commissioned Officers Association 4

Junior Officer/Civil Servant Scholarship for Symposium

A pply today for a scholarship which covers the full registration cost of the 2014 Symposium in Raleigh. The

scholarship does not cover registration for Pre-conference events, the Anchor and Caduceus Dinner, or any related costs such as travel, housing, etc. To qualify, an individual: -Must be a member of the Commissioned Officers Association -Must be of pay grade O3 or below (Ensign, LTJG, LT) or the civil service equivalent GS 10/11 or below; and -Must certify in writing that funding has been requested from his/her agency and been denied.

An officer/civil servant will be deemed ineligible for the scholar-ship if: -His/her agency indicates that it will pay for the registration; or -An officer personally pays by either credit card or check prior to notification of a decision on the scholarship award.

For more information, visit http://symposium.phscof.org/registration.

January/February 2014 - Frontline 5

W hich companies and organizations are related to your professional category? Which products do you buy that may appeal to fellow officers?

Share any ideas for potential sponsors and exhibitors for the 2014 Symposium in Raleigh. Revenue from sponsors and exhibitors is necessary to offset costs in producing the annual Symposium. Email John McElligott at jmcelligott@coausphs.org or call 301-731-9080.

Seeking Sponsors and Exhibitors

Call for Nominations

The Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Officers Foundation (COF) is seeking Nominations for the 2014 Carruth Wagner and Mabel May Wagner Awards

Deadline for submission of Nominations: March 21, 2014

Visit www.phscof.org for details.

SAVE THE DATE 2014 USPHS Scientific and

Training Symposium

June 10-12, 2014 to be held in

Raleigh, NC

http://symposium.phscof.org/

Commissioned Officers Association 6

Commissioned Officers Foundation

Acknowledges Donations Received December 16 - January 10, 2013 PLATINUM

CAPT Frank A. Dodge* RADM Richard S. Walling, (Ret.)*** RADM Dushanka and CAPT Joel E. Kleinman, (Ret.) RADM Julia R. Plotnick, (Ret.) RADM Sven E. Rodenbeck, (Ret.) CAPT Mark N. Strong RADM Gary J. Hartz, (Ret.)* CAPT Eugene A. Migliaccio GOLD

CAPT Thomas A. Ford, Jr., (Ret.) RADM Robert A. Whitney, Jr., (Ret.) CAPT Eric M. Wassermann SILVER

CAPT Timothy W. Ames, (Ret.)* LCDR Alexandra M. Oster* CAPT Bruce R. Chelikowsky, (Ret.) LCDR Samuel Rudnitsky CAPT Stephen J. Garza, (Ret.) CAPT Charles G. Helmick, III, (Ret.) CAPT William G. Lotz CAPT Armando S. Ledesma CAPT Ulana R. Bodnar CDR Vanessa F. Thomas BRONZE

CAPT Ira Berkower, (Ret.)*

RADM Mary Pat Couig, (Ret.)* CAPT Mark D. Anderson, (Ret.)* CAPT Robert N. Zimmerman, (Ret.)* CAPT James D. Felsen, (Ret.)* CAPT Donald E. Hill, (Ret.)* CAPT Melvin Lessing, (Ret.)* RADM Robert E. Mecklenburg, (Ret.)* CAPT John L. M. Robinson, (Ret.)* RADM Samuel S. Kessel, (Ret.)* CAPT Steven S. Wolf* CAPT Michael J. Kennedy, (Ret.)** CAPT Kristen L. Moe RADM Webster Young, (Ret.) CAPT David W. Alton, (Ret.) RADM James H. Eagen, (Ret.) CAPT David L. Duncan, (Ret.) CAPT James D. Felsen, (Ret.) RADM Robert J. Collins, Jr., (Ret.) CAPT Robert W. Faaland, (Ret.) CAPT Donna K. Chandler, (Ret.) CAPT Orville D. Brown, III CAPT Mehran S. Massoudi FRIENDS

CAPT John R. Livengood, (Ret.)* CAPT William L. Brinck, (Ret.)* CAPT James A. Ude, (Ret.)* CAPT Richard R. Potter, (Ret.)* Dr. Charles H. Hoke, Jr.*

CAPT Katherine L. Matrakas, (Ret.)* CAPT Kristine M. Bisgard* CAPT Renee Joskow LCDR Cynthia H. Fredette CAPT Richard R. Truitt CAPT John J. Henderson, (Ret.) CAPT Johnny B. Peebles, (Ret.) CAPT Loretta A. Coughlin, (Ret.) CAPT Frank E. Lundin, Jr., (Ret.) John A. Wilkens RADM Stephen B. Corbin, (Ret.) CAPT David L. Levin, (Ret.) LCDR Judy A. Williams, (Ret.) CAPT Charlotte A. Spires LCDR Harlem J. Gunness

*C. Everett Koop Living Legacy **Dependent Scholarship Program Fund ***In Memory of CAPT Paul D. Pedersen

Donations Can be Made

at Several Levels:

Leadership Society .... $10,000

President’s Society .... $5,000

Founder’s Society .... $2,500

Platinum .... $1,000

Gold .... $500

Silver .... $250

Bronze .... $100

Visit www.phscof.org/giving to

donate online today!

January/February 2014 - Frontline 7

COA Chair’s Corner (cont’d. from p. 3) small rural water utilities:

Every state is served by a Rural Water Association. These associations provide training opportunities for water operators and circuit riders who provide one-on-one assistance to water systems in addressing their day-to-day operational needs.

The Rural Community Assistance Partnership, a group of 6 regional non-profit organizations with federal funding, also provides training, technical assistance, and limited financial resources to rural water utilities.

Grant and loan funds for infrastructure improvements are available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural De-velopment, Housing and Urban Development Block Grants, State Drinking Water Revolving Funds, and other sources.

Additionally, Native American water systems have access to engineering and operational assistance and additional funding from the IHS Sanitation Facilities Construction program and Tribal set-aside funds from EPA.

Owners of individual systems may be able to obtain limited technical assistance from their county health department, but rarely is funding available.

All of these forms of assistance are resourced at levels far below the need that exists, and all are on a downward funding trend even though needs are increasing much faster than inflation. What can be done to improve access to safe drinking water in rural America? There is no right or wrong answer, a few options ranging from modest to extreme are considered below:

To address difficulties rural water systems face in planning, funding and implementing capital improvement projects, one option to consider involves embedding federal engineers in rural locations throughout the U.S. to provide these types of engineering services. These engineers could be placed in USDA Rural Development office locations, which are located throughout the country. These engineers would work cooperatively with small water systems and help them better compete for Rural Development (or other types of) funding. After initial startup, the cost of such a system would be minimal since many of the engineering positions could be funded from portions of the grants they helped their customers obtain. (And yes, of course I think PHS engineers would be an excellent fit in this capacity!)

To address the operational and financial issues that small rural water systems face, I would recommend a system similar to the Alaska Rural Utility Collaborative (ARUC) concept. ARUC provides a shared utility structure for 24 Alaskan Native villages. Fees are set based on actual expenses in each community, with ARUC providing a centralized system of technical support, billing, processing changes in service, and the like. A similar system of regional utility collaboratives in geographical pockets throughout the country would give those rural water systems the economies of scale they currently lack. Some functions could remain under local control (e.g. daily water operations), while others would be held at the regional collabora-tive level (e.g. billing, asset management). While some loss of independence might bother some communities, a transparent organization that yields real cost savings and improves service should be welcome.

Probably the ideal, though not the most likely, concept is direct federal subsidy of small rural water systems. The federal subsidy would be contingent on the utility meeting several key factors as identified in regular sanitary surveys, which already take place about every three years. If the utility collects based on reasonable rates (e.g. averaging between 1% and 2% of the median household income in the community annually), has been diligent to correct all major health and safety concerns, and still does not have the means to fully support its operation, the federal government could provide an annual subsidy to make up the difference. The government has an abiding interest in preserving the health of its citizens, and ensuring well-run water systems would be a low cost way to fulfill that goal.

Building on the point above, the federal government should substantially increase its commitment to water infrastructure improvements, vastly increasing funding to all the major federal agencies which assist communities with water system capital improvements. Funding would have to increase by five to 10 times to truly keep up with increasing needs across the country. By further encouraging regionalization of water infrastructure, the rate of increase of water infrastructure needs would slow down as economies of scare are realized.

In the case of owners of individual water systems, subsidies – in the form of direct subsidy or tax credits – should be given for bottled drinking water service for any homeowners who can document their individual water source is polluted. Minor revisions to existing grant programs could encourage extension of public water systems to homes with individual facilities within a reasonable distance.

Finally, increased regulation of all sectors of the economy that cause pollution could prevent water contamination issues before they start. Theoretically this exists now, but often the mechanisms to enforce regulations are weak and consequences minimal. A fair starting point would be the principle that the costs of pollution extend far beyond the costs of mere clean-up. As long as an industry can pollute with impunity, it will continue to do so. However, if it will not only have to pay to clean up its mess, but also have to pay its fair share of regulatory and monitoring efforts, to pay for all health consequences, to pay for

(Chair, cont’d on p. 25)

Commissioned Officers Association 8

COA Nominations

Call for Nominations

National COA is seeking nominations for the Board of

Directors. The full details are located on the COA Web-

site (www.coausphs.org) under “Latest Stories.” The

deadline to submit a nomination is March 14, 2014.

N ominations for the Branch of the Year Award will be accepted from any COA member in good standing. The most likely sources of nominations will be individuals most knowledgeable of Branch activities, e.g.

COA Board liaisons, branch officers and agency managers. All nominations must be transmitted electronical-ly to Teresa Hayden Foley, Director of Administration, by e-mail to thayden@coausphs.org. Each shall consist of a transmittal letter that summarizes the basis for the nomination and such additional material as is required to support the nomination. The supporting material should reflect activities and accomplishments that are considered deserving of special recognition, (e.g., notable community or facility-based projects, unusual efforts to inform and encourage Branch member participation, successful interactions with other branches, and effective advocacy for commissioned officer interests, etc.). Selection Determinants and Weighting The Awards Committee will consider all material provided with the nomination transmittal letter. The Committee will pay special attention to the size of the Branch relative to its accomplishments. The Committee will give additional weight to accomplishments of Branches that have been in existence five years or less. In considering the merits of the respective nominees, the Awards Committee will give about 50% weighting to a global assessment of Branch esprit, enthusiasm, and the relative impact of Branch activities/accomplishments as described in the nomination. Examples are: notable community or facility-based projects, successful interfaces with other Branches, effective local and/or national advocacy for commis-sioned officer interests. Note that the emphasis should be on activities that are completed or substantially underway, rather than planned future activities. Special consideration will be given to Branches that have improved dramatically over past years. In addition, the Awards Committee will give about 50% weighting cumulatively to the following factors:

The frequency of Branch meetings. This may include other than face-to-face meetings with adequate description.

The degree of participation and scope of topics presented at general meetings of the Branch.

The extent to which the Branch participates in the Meeting of the Assembly (e.g., presenting resolutions, participating on committees). * This information is available online at www.coausphs.org.

To ensure consideration, nominations must be received by April 18, 2014.

Branch of the Year Nominations Sought

January/February 2014 - Frontline 9

Secretary Visit Highlights COA – Asia Partnership with Human

Development Foundation

By CAPT Henry C. Baggett, CAPT Timothy Holtz, CAPT Michael Martin and CAPT Mitchell I. Wolfe, USPHS

A s part of HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ visit to Thailand in June 2013, Commissioned Officers of COA – Asia orga-

nized a visit to the Mercy Center, which provides shelter and services to abandoned, orphaned, and trafficked children in Bangkok. Currently, 250 children receive services, including 60 children with HIV. The Mercy Center, founded in 1973 by Father Joe Maier and Sister Maria Chantavoradom, is in a densely populated, poor, informal housing neighborhood in Bangkok called Khlong Toei. It is part of the Human Develop-ment Foundation (HDF), also founded in 1973 as a response to poverty in Bangkok. HDF has a staff of 306, and reaches over 60 poor communities in Bangkok, 25 Mokan (ethnic Sea Gypsy) villages in southern Thailand provinces, and one island in Ranong Province. HDF runs a total of 22 preschools for over 2,500 children– the one at the Mercy Center in Khlong Toei is the largest. The Mercy Center and HDF first came to the attention of COA – Asia through the Center’s connection with NIST International School, attended by children of several COA – Thailand mem-bers and other CDC staff in Thailand. As part of their AIDS Education and Outreach program, HDF aims to increase aware-ness and knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention and to demonstrate and teach compassion and understanding for those living with HIV/AIDS. As part of this effort, schools are invited to volunteer at the Mercy Center. The NIST Internation-al School in Bangkok has developed a relationship with Mercy Center, where students volunteer to attend the center to contribute in various ways, including partnering with individual children on specific projects.

One NIST project raised money for 45 Mercy Center children to go to the beach for a weekend. Most of the children had never been to the beach or on any vacation away from home. COA-Asia donated approximately $1000 to this event, where NIST students and faculty accompanied Mercy Center children on the excursion which was a great success. The COA – Asia contribution to Mercy Center came just before HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ visit to Thailand. When the Secretary learned of COA – Asia’s association with Mercy Center, she was eager to add a visit (on Saturday morning) to her already busy agenda. The children of the Mercy Center welcomed Secretary Sebelius with a beautiful banner and traditional Thai music featuring budding young musicians. The Mercy Center mission is “to work to help the children and communities of the many slums of Bangkok. Together with our neighbors in the slums we create simple-but-progressive solu-tions that touch the lives of thousands of the poor every day. We build and operate schools, improve family health and welfare, pro-tect street children’s rights, combat the AIDS cri-sis, respond to daily emer-gencies, and offer shelter to orphans, to street chil-dren, and to children and adults with AIDS – always together, hand in hand and heart to heart with the people we serve.” The mission of Mercy Center, to improve health and welfare, are consistent with CDC’s goals, creating a strong partnership. To learn more about the Mercy Center, visit: http://www.mercycentre.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1&lang=en

COA Branch Activities

CAPT Mitchell Wolfe, CAPT Michael Martin, CAPT Timothy Holtz, and CAPT Henry Baggett represented COA – Asia during a visit by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Ambassador Jimmy Kolker (HHS Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs, behind CAPT Holtz) - Human Development Foundation Mercy Center in Bangkok

CAPT Wolfe, CAPT Martin, CAPT Holtz, and CAPT Baggett pictured with Secretary Sebelius and

Mercy Center leadership

Commissioned Officers Association 10

COA Branch Activities

O n November 25, 2013, Atlanta Officers hon-

ored RADM Sven Rodenbeck and his retirement from the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service. The dedicated plan-ning committee hosted a traditional USPHS retirement ceremony complete with a Bell Officer, Sideboys, Ush-ers, the USPHS Music Ensemble and the Atlanta Area Honor Cadre. The Offi-

cial Party included Presiding Officer RADM Boris Lushniak,

Acting Surgeon General of the United States, Guest Speaker RADM Robert Williams, former Acting Deputy Surgeon Gen-eral of the United States, Master of Ceremonies CAPT Edward Dieser, fellow Engineer, and CAPT Hugh Mainzer, who gave the invocation and delivered the traditional Naval poem, “He Stood the Watch.” A large group of officers, friends, and family gathered to honor RADM Rodenbeck and his accomplishment, including Atlanta Flag Officers RADM Scott Deitchman, RADM Steven Redd, RADM Clara Cobb, and RADM William Bailey, and it’s no surprise why. RADM Rodenbeck served his country proudly for over 34 years. The Admiral began his distinguished career as an Engineer officer in the Indian Health Service (IHS) in Montana and also served in the National Institutes of Health in Maryland before joining the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) in Georgia. Since working with the ATSDR, RADM Rodenbeck made many notable contribu-tions to the improvement of the environmental health of the Nation. He co-authored the ATSDR Report to Congress on the Public Health Impact of Medical Waste, developed the ex-panded investigation methodologies for evaluating the public health implications of hazardous waste sites which is used nationwide. RADM Rodenbeck served in many leadership positions, including member and Chief Engineer of the USPHS/ National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) (1984-1990), member on the PHS Commissioned Corps Readiness Force (CCRF) Board (1994-1997), member and Subcommittee Chair on the Engi-neer Professional Advisory Committee (1999 - 2005), Chief of Staff to the PHS Chief Engineer (1999 - 2005), Team Leader for the ATSDR World Trade Center Response, technical advisor on of the Hurricane Katrina CDC/EPA Environmental Health Needs and Habitability Assessment Joint Taskforce and was

the ATSDR Lead for the Department of Navy (DON)/ATSDR Camp Lejeune Technical Workgroup, Commander of Applied Public Health Team 3, ATSDR Representative on the Surgeon General’s Policy Advisory Council, and PHS Engineer Chief Professional Officer. The retirement ceremony was a momentous day for RADM Rodenbeck and his loved ones. The ceremony followed pro-tocol and embraced sea service traditions, including the presentation of the flags by the Atlanta Area Honor Cadre and a performance by USPHS Music Ensemble. Gifts, awards, and tributes included a traditional Shadowbox showcasing honor awards earned by the Admiral in his career, a certificate of appreciation to Mrs. Pamela Jo Rodenbeck, and an award on behalf of the USPHS Engineer Category and tributes on behalf of the Applied Public Health Teams and the ATSDR Division of Community Health Investigations.

A Traditional Retirement Ceremony to Honor a Distinguished Admiral

and His USPHS Career

By LCDR Danielle Mills, USPHS

RADM Sven E. Rodenbeck, (Ret.), USPHS

January/February 2014 - Frontline 11

COA Branch Activities

Lions, Tigers and Gorillas, OOH My! Atlanta Dental Professionals Treat

Animals at Zoo Atlanta

W hat could possibly be more challenging than providing healthcare to inmates in a federal penitentiary? How about willingly having your hands inside an adult, male lion’s mouth? Throughout the year, three ACOA Officers have had the unique

opportunity to serve a different type of vulnerable community - the dental needs of the animals at Zoo Atlanta. Zoo Atlanta houses over 1500 animals representing more than 220 species. The Zoo is home to the Nation's largest zoological collections of gorillas and orangutans and is one of four zoos in the U.S. currently housing giant pandas. Zoo Atlanta is an active participant in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan. The Species Survival Plans helps to ensure the health, genetic diversity, and demographic sustainability of future animal generations. Zoo Atlanta also participates in several international conservation initiatives, among them the Asian Turtle Crisis and Global Amphibian Decline. When the Atlanta Zoo calls, Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) Health Services Division Officers, Chief Dental Officer CAPT Alan Peterson, LT Rochelle Ford, and LT Victoria Moma, answer. Conveniently, because the zoo is only ten minutes away from the FBOP, they are able to extend their dental services on a volunteer basis to the zoo during lunchtime. Before the Officers arrival to the Zoo, a blow gun or dart is used to take the animal down and the veterinarian sedates the animal. For protection before, during, and after treatment, a Zoo employee with a high powered rifle is present in case the animal awakes from sedation. The animal is monitored visually by the anesthesiologist while the veterinarian technicians take the animal’s pulse, blood pressure, respirations and body temperature.

By LT Victoria Moma and LT Rochelle Ford, USPHS

Once the Officers arrive at the zoo, the animal is anesthetized and prepared for treatment. The 458-pound male lion in the picture above received a dental exam by CAPT Peterson to determine his dental needs. At the completion of the exam, LT Ford and LT Moma provided a cleaning for the lion to prepare the teeth to receive restorative treatment by CAPT Peterson. At the conclusion of the procedure, the lion was placed in an isolated cell until he fully recovered. In addition to lions, tigers, and low land silver gorillas, these Officers have also provided dental services for other animals, includ-

ing: pandas, leopards, orangutans, mandrills, monkeys, otters, possums, and red pandas. As a parting gift, they also provide the

zoo staff with toothbrushes and toothpaste for the animals’ use. On a fun note, we also get to teach the staff proper brushing

techniques, and they, in turn, teach the gorillas how to brush their teeth! The zoo employees are appreciative of us volunteering

our dental services and it is a rewarding experience for us to provide dental care to the varied animals at the zoo.

Commissioned Officers Association 12

COA Branch Activities

L CDR Rivera and LT Ruvalcaba co-lead a group of four USPHS officers under the PACE Program, on October 20, 2013, to Taking Steps toward a Better Health; PACE-Acting

Living with the 12th Annual US Freedom Walk in D.C. This is a Global noncompetitive sporting event to encourage physical fitness and friendship. Participants traveled from all over the world for this walking event. The officers disseminated Information among participants on the Surgeon General’s Na-tional Prevention Strategy (NPS) focusing on the priority of Active Living. A spread sheet was developed to provide information about the benefits of walking, key guidelines for safe physical activity for different age groups and everyday physical activity tips. Officers instructed participants to join in this walking event; they received with the invi-tation the information handout and a walking tracking sheet. Participants were encour-aged to wear a pedometer and report the steps after finishing the walk. 24 participants completed the 16.5 Km and 4 the 32 Km walk, completing a combined total of 319.2

32 Km & 16.5 Km Freedom Walk in D.C.: Prevention through Active Community

Engagement (PACE)

By LCDR Luz E Rivera and LT Rogelio Ruvalcaba, USPHS

Career Day: Prevention through Active Community Engagement (PACE)

By LCDRs Luz E Rivera, Margaret Whittaker and LT Sadhna , USPHS

L CDR Rivera and LT Khatri co-lead a group of six USPHS officers under the PACE Program on November 18, 2013, at

the Gaithersburg High School for the annual Academy Career Day. The goal of this annual program is orient students to the various careers available upon graduation. Gaithersburg High School’s education format provides students with a curriculum that allows students to explore different career options as part of the Academy education Program. Themed or tracked academic planning starts during the sopho-more year and continues through the senior year. LCDR Luz Rivera and LT Rogelio Ruvalcaba created a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to expose and educate the student to Unites States Public Health Services Commissioned Corps and career avenues within the Corps. This presentation provided information about the different qualifying degrees for commis-sioning as a USPHS officer (Baccalaureate, Master or Doctoral). Officers from different career fields explained how their personal and first-hand experience directed them to the path they took toward obtaining their degree after high school graduation. The officers’ presentations taught students about: required admission test requirements for undergraduate and graduate program admissions, selection of the correct school for chosen career paths, required credits and internships, obtainment and maintenance of licenses, continuing education credits and finally the requirements to be commissioned in a specific professional background. All the presenters shared with the students their journey of how they became USPHS officers. Students were presented with the

facts about United States Public Health Service Commis-sion Corps. In order to in-volve the students and en-courage them to learn the similarities and differences in the different branches of ser-vice, the students were asked to guess which branch of ser-vice the officers in the room belonged to. Officers were present in Khaki, Service Dress Blues and Modified Dress Blues, demonstrating three possible ways the officers would appear in public. They were informed that the USPHS is one of the uniformed services of the Nation. The officers also informed the students that the USPHS is overseen by the Surgeon General. Officers explained to the students that daily service included working within 15 Federal agencies such as Indian Health Service (IHS); Food and Drug Administration (FDA); National Institute of Health (NIH); Bureau of Prison (BOP)and; in different roles such as physicians, dentists, behavioral health specialists, pharmacists, nurses and scientists etc. Students were very interested in learning that the Commissioned Corps is not an armed service; however, the officers have the opportunity to assist in public health respons-es to man-made and natural disasters by deploying with human service missions. Some of the officers shared their experiences of deployment, which included performing different roles in (PACE, cont’d on p. 13)

(Freedom Walk, cont’d. on p. 22)

LCDRs Rivera & Whittaker and LTs Leshin & Khatri, USPHS

January/February 2014 - Frontline

both patient and indirect patient care during Super Storm Sandy Relief in November, 2012 and ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) critical need of multidisciplinary clinical health profes-sionals in December, 2012. In addition to professional knowledge, officers also presented on healthy personal behaviors that the students could perform to enhance beneficial future planning. One major initiative is the Surgeon General’s National Prevention Strategy. The pur-pose of this project is to improve health and well-being in all Americans. Officers discussed the importance of mental and physical health, as well as what activities can be performed to promote health. In particular, the Surgeon General’s Walking Initiative was introduced to the students as an example of a healthy and relatively easy health practice that can greatly improve emotional and physical well-being, as well as improve quality of life now and in the future. Officers greatly stressed the role that the National Prevention Strategy can have in alle-viating current and future health problems and preventing future health disparities that can detract and/or limit personal achievement of future educational and professional goals. Officers reminded the students that healthy lifestyles are important and that as students and youths, they can have a part in promotion of safe areas for exercise, fitness and emotional well-being.

One teacher and seventy students from the ninth through twelfth grade from the an Academy that nurtures the academic and career interests of students learned about the United States Public Health Commissioned Corps services as a career option. They also learned about the mission and goals of the service and the National Prevention Strategies as the America plan for health and wellness. Officers encouraged students to choose careers from approved accredited institution, consider internship and programs in the Federal Government and think about the USPHS opportunities in the different professional fields. The officers that contributed to this National Prevention Strategies event were: CDR Jill Long (MD), LCDR Ruiqing Pamboukian (Scientist), LCDR Luz Rivera (Scientist), LCDR Margaret Whittaker (HSO), LT Sadhna Khatri (Pharmacist), LT Jonathan Leshin (Scientist), LT John Pesce (Scientist) and LT Rogelio Ruvalcaba (Dietitian) . This volunteer activity is one of the various effort and opportu-nities developed through the Prevention through Active Community Engagement (PACE) Program. For more information about being a volunteer, please see the following fact sheet: http://dccoa.org/NPS-PACE%20MCPS%20Volunteer%20Partnership.pdf.

13

USPHS Cares Team Participates in AIDS Walk, Washington, DC!

(PACE, cont’d from p. 12)

By LCDR Latonia M. Ford, USPHS

COA Branch Activities

O n Saturday, October 26, 2013 the District of Columbia Metropolitan Commissioned Officers Association Branch (DC

COA) participated in the 26th Annual AIDS Walk Washington as the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Cares Team. The AIDS Walk Washington benefits the Whitman Walker Clinic, a non-profit community based health organization which provides comprehensive and accessible healthcare to DC area individuals infected with or affected by HIV/AIDs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, more

than one million Americans are living with HIV and nearly thirty-three percent of them do not know they are HIV positive. In Washington DC, three percent of adults are known to be living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This percentage is estimated to be one in every twenty adults is infected with HIV. The AIDS Walk plays a vital role in raising funds to fight the HIV epidemic. The USPHS Cares Planning Committee consisted of LCDR April Poole (Chairperson), CDR Vicky Borders-Hemphill, CDR Jenny Doan, CDR Aline Moukhtara, CDR Jill Hammond, LCDR Latonia Ford, LCDR Robin Godwin, LCDR Loan Nguyen, and LT Tatyana Worthy. Thirty participants including PHS officers, family members, and friends represented the USPHS Cares Team during the 5k walk/run starting at Freedom Plaza located at Pennsylvania Avenue and 13th Street NW Washington, DC. This year’s event included a celebration of music and dance, speakers and exercises. The team showed PHS pride by wearing the white PHS t-shirt and parad-ing the USPHS Team Banner. The USPHS Team members raised $1403 for the Whitman Walker Clinic. The top fundraiser from the team was Beth Cole, the mother of LT Kristen Cole; she raised $170 for this important public health cause. A special thanks to the participants and volunteers of the USPHS Cares Team. For more information on Whitman-Walker Health - AIDS Walk, please visit http://www.aidswalkwashington.org/

Commissioned Officers Association 14

COA Branch Activities

GG reater NYCOA Branch sponsored a health fair at St. Simon reater NYCOA Branch sponsored a health fair at St. Simon Stock School in the Bronx, NY. In keeping with our mission of Stock School in the Bronx, NY. In keeping with our mission of

educating the public on important health topics, the Officers pre-educating the public on important health topics, the Officers pre-sented information on health topics relevant to the local communi-sented information on health topics relevant to the local communi-ty such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, healthier diets, dietary ty such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, healthier diets, dietary supplements and HIV/AIDS since the fair was held on December 1supplements and HIV/AIDS since the fair was held on December 1 stst, , World AIDS Day. Along with this the Officers also offered free World AIDS Day. Along with this the Officers also offered free blood pressure screenings. The Greater NYCOA Branch also had a blood pressure screenings. The Greater NYCOA Branch also had a local health care navigator from NY State, as NY is one of the states local health care navigator from NY State, as NY is one of the states with its own marketplace, helping the community sign up for health with its own marketplace, helping the community sign up for health insurance via the health insurance marketplace. The community insurance via the health insurance marketplace. The community was comprised of many lowwas comprised of many low--income families who lacked the income families who lacked the knowledge of how the Affordable Care Act would affect them and knowledge of how the Affordable Care Act would affect them and this was a great opportunity to help them get informed. this was a great opportunity to help them get informed.

Greater New York COA Branch Hosts Health Fair in the Bronx

By LT Yvonne M. Santiago, USPHS

Heart of America COA Branch Works to End Hunger at Harvesters'

Community Food Network

By CDR Kevin Tracy, USPHS

H arvesters' Community Food Network is a centralized food collection and distribution facility that provides food and

household products to agencies serving people in need. In FY 2012, Harvesters distributed more than 41 million pounds of food and household products in a 26-county service area in northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas. To assist Harvesters in fulfilling its mission of "feeding hungry people today and working to end hunger tomorrow," Heart of America COA members CDR Lisa Gilliam, CDR Kevin Tracy, LCDR Melva Palmer, LCDR Matt Pettit, LCDR Kimberly Woodhull, LCDR Carl Huffman, LCDR Amy Flynn, LCDR Cory Kokko, LT Francis Vu, LT Quinn Bott and twelve family members volunteered at the food distribution warehouse.

On December 7, 2013, the team of 22 people worked a com-bined 40 hours to sort, box, weigh and label an estimated 6,000 pounds of food for distribution to hundreds of nonprofit agen-cies. Our service to the community was summed up by one young family member who stated, "Mom, my heart feels happy that we helped so many people today."

(L—R) LCDR Palmer, LT Vu, LCDR Pettit, LCDR Woodhull, LCDR Huff-man, CDR Tracy, CDR Gilliam, LCDR Kokko, LT Bott, and LCDR Flynn, USPHS

LCDR Palmer and LT Bott, USPHS

LCDR Huffman, LT Vu and LCDR Pettit, USPHS

January/February 2014 - Frontline 15

Little Colorado River Branch COA Officers Participate in Winslow

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

T hanksgiving is the time of year when Americans pay

special attention to all of the blessings that they have received throughout the year and take some time to say thank you to the people who have enriched their lives. However, for many American families, Thanksgiving is a time when they are faced with the challenge of not having enough to meet their basic need

for food, clothing and shelter.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and a desire to assist those families in need during the holiday season, Little Colorado COA Officers and their families, assisted with organizing a Community Thanksgiving Dinner for the Winslow Arizona Community and volunteered to prepare and serve meals at the Thanksgiving Day event. The Thanksgiving dinner was a collaboration between a local Winslow couple who desire to help those in need and two local Baptist churches, and was held at the First Baptist church in Winslow Arizona on Thanksgiving Day, 2013. LT Nicole Law-rence assisted with organizing the event by recruiting volunteers to serve at the event, soliciting food contributions and promoting the event throughout the community. On the event day, LT Lawrence and her family and CAPT Joan McFarland assisted with preparing and serving the meal and taking pictures of the event.

As a result of the efforts of over 30 individuals and households

who donated food and over 20 volunteers who served on the

event day, over 300 Winslow residents received a Thanksgiving

dinner.

COA Branch Activities

By LT Nicole s. Lawrence, USPHS

Giving Back During PA Week

By LT Julie Taylor, USPHS

O n October 9th, 2013, the physician assistants at the Federal Medical Center in Ayer, Massachusetts, were honored to serve

their local community by offering free health screening to fellow em-ployees. There were 97 individuals screened out of a total staff of ap-proximately 500. Screening included checking blood pressure, blood glucose, visual acuity, and body mass index (BMI). The screenings were offered in two shifts, one from 6-8am and the other from 2-4pm, to al-low all three shifts of employees to participate. Co-workers were appre-ciative and gave positive feedback regarding this opportunity to take charge of their preventative health.

(L-R) CAPT McFarland and LT Lawrence

LT Lawrence assisting with meal preparation

LT Lawrence & Family serving

the meal

CDR Daniel Goldstein, LCDR Michaela Montecalvo, LT Julie Taylor, Robert Cooke, Daniel Quist, Brendon Ryan/Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences , (Not pictured) Jaster Francis/Franklin-Pierce University

Commissioned Officers Association 16

USPHS – Front and Center at the Bank of America 500 NASCAR

Sprint Cup Series

O n October 12, 2013, five members of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Honor Cadre presented the

Colors to over 5.5million viewers on the nationally televised Bank of America 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. USPHS’s participa-tion in this event was a defining moment in the history of the Corps, as the honor has customarily been bestowed on one of the Armed Forces Honor Guards. We have presented the Colors at many events across the country; however, this was the first

time it was televised across our wonderful nation for all eyes to see. We were dressed crisply in our Ceremonial Service Dress Blues with pristine white gloves. We stood shoulder-to-shoulder, eyes front, flags proudly displayed, swords tucked close to our bodies pointing toward the sky, and minds focused on the significance of this occasion. After the Colors were presented, we walked in unison across the track, proudly bear-ing the flags of the United States of America, State of North Carolina, and our very own USPHS.

After our task was complete, a representative from the production company complimented us on a job well done and stated, “We will see you in May”, when the next big race takes place. It was a truly humbling experience to realize that our beloved Service’s name was displayed on the bottom of televi-sion screens across America. According to statistics released by the media, the ratings for this particular race “surpassed the previous four races that had been run in the Chase thus far and exceeded last year’s viewership” as well. It was such a highly anticipated event that Fort Bragg US Army Military Installation provided transportation for over 400 Soldiers and their families to the race. Participating USPHS officers were able to bring their respective families to share in the festivities as well.

COA Branch Activities

By LCDR Indira Harris, USPHS

(NASCAR, cont’d. on p. 17)

January/February 2014 - Frontline 17

COA Helps WVCOA Officers Restore TRICARE Prime Remote Healthcare

Options in North Central West Virginia

COA Branch Activities

By LT Cara N. Halldin, USPHS

M embers of the West Virginia Commissioned Officers Association are stationed throughout the state.

However North Central WV is home to a large concentration of officers who are assigned to the National Institute for Occupa-tional Safety and Health (NIOSH; part of CDC) and two BOP facilities. For a greater part of the last ten years officers in this region did not have access to the area’s largest network of physicians and healthcare professionals, West Virginia Univer-sity (WVU) Hospitals. Since WVU providers did not accept TRICARE Prime Remote (TPR), many officers had to drive over an hour away and often into another state to receive specialty care, when WVU, the state’s #1 hospital, was right in their backyard. In 2011, COA Executive Director CAPT Jerry Farrell (Ret.) visited USP Hazelton and met with WVCOA officers from BOP and NIOSH. During the meeting officers voiced their concerns over the lack of adequate healthcare options in the region.

CAPT Farrell promptly connected WVCOA officers with Ms. Judy Rensberger, COA’s Government Relations Director. WVCOA’s CDR Jennifer Hornsby-Myers worked tirelessly with Ms. Rensberger to document the difficulties officers (and their family members) in the region were having with TPR and es-tablish why WVU did not accept TPR. CAPT Margaret Kitt, NIOSH Deputy Director, worked with WVU Hospital leadership to identify Mr. Bill MacLean, Vice President for WVUHS Insur-ance Services, as the appropriate point of contact to address the issue. A relationship was fostered between Health Net Federal Services, the TRICARE contractor for the North Region, and WV United Health Systems (WVUHS) to restore officers’ access to WVU health care. On one occasion, Ms. Rensberger traveled to Morgantown, WV to meet with CAPT Kitt, CDR Hornsby-Myers, and LT Cara Halldin, WVCOA President, and Mr. MacLean. This meeting helped officers to understand the historical relationship between WVU and TRICARE as well as provided WVUHS infor-mation about the presence and importance of PHS officers in the region. With COA’s help, an excellent working rapport was established between WVCOA and Mr. MacLean and in July 2013, WVUHS and Health Net signed and implemented a TPR agreement. This agreement has opened up a large network of WVU physicians and healthcare providers to officers and their families who live in North Central West Virginia. In Septem-ber, CAPT Kitt, CDR Hornsby-Myers, and LT Halldin presented Mr. Bill MacLean and Mr. J. Thomas Jones, CEO of WVUHS, with a plaque and a USPHS challenge coin as a token of appre-ciation for helping to reestablish access to WVU health care for active duty uniformed service members in the region. A special thanks goes out to Ms. Rensberger and CAPT Farrell for their attention to this issue and the passionate assistance they provided to our Branch. WVCOA officers (and dependents) are very grateful for COA’s support!

WVCOA present appreciation plaques and challenge coins to West Virginia United Health Systems leadership. (L to R) CDR Hornsby-Myers, Mr. J. Thomas Jones, CAPT Kitt, Mr. Bill MacLean, LT Halldin (Photo courtesy of LT Halldin)

It is with great pleasure to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and commitment of all those officers who served during this event as members of the cadre or in a support role: CDR Dean Trombley – DCCPR CDR Stanley Bennett – BOP (FMC Butner) LCDR Scott Klimp – DOD (Fort Bragg) LCDR Indira Harris – DOD (Fort Bragg) LT Brandon Wyche – BOP (FMC Butner) LTJG Elizabeth Fleischer – DOD (Defense Health Agency) – and Leader of USPHS Honor Guard Cadre (NC)

(NASCAR, cont’d. from p. 16)

Commissioned Officers Association 18

Achieving 100% COA Membership Signup at the OBC Open House

By LCDR Qiao Y. Bobo , USPHS

C OA relies on dues

from its mem-bers to sup-port all of the activities it undertakes on behalf of active duty and retired officers of the USPHS. Alt-hough all officers bene-fit from the work of COA,

a large percentage of active duty officers are not members of the organization. COA offers a complimentary membership to new calls to active duty who sign up for membership at the Officer Basic Course (OBC). The complimentary membership begins when their membership application is processed, and ends at the end of June of the current COA fiscal year (e.g., June 30, 2014 for new officers that signed up at the November OBC). The goal is to get 100 percent of new officers attending each OBC to sign up for a complimentary membership in the

hopes that they will become paying, active members at the end of their complimentary membership period. Each month COA members from across the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area volunteer to attend the OBC open house to encourage new officers to become COA members and to provide guid-ance in becoming acclimated to the USPHS. On November 7, 2013, seven officers volunteering on behalf of COA staffed a table at the OBC open house. The response was tremendous. The COA table was surrounded by new officers attending the OBC and many questions were asked about the organization. COA volunteers responded to questions or walked around the room checking to see if the OBC students had filled out the COA membership registration form. Volun-teers also received the membership application forms from the students and handed out COA ribbons. The COA table was the hottest table in the room. After the students stopped by the COA table and signed up, they were directed to their PAC table and the JOAG table. There were 44 new officers in attendance at the OBC open house that day, and we were proud to achieve a 100 percent sign up rate.

Officers volunteer at the November, 2013 OBC Open House (L-R) CAPT James Simpson, LTJG Michael Simpson, LCDR Qiao Y. Bobo, LCDR Michelle Dittrich, LCDR Judy Park and CDR Cynthia Rubio

(OBC, cont’d. on p. 19)

January/February 2014 - Frontline 19

L CDR Malik Imam is one of many OBC volunteers and is also a leader of use of

webinar technology. Graduation ceremonies of the USPHS Officer Basic Course (OBC) are broadcasted live using the following URL. https://collaboration.fda.gov/usphs Through this web technology, family and friends who are not able to attend in person are still able to participate in this important event. Previously recorded OBC graduation ceremonies are available through the COA website www.coausphs.org under the tab for Events. If you would like to learn more about webinar technology by volunteering Friday mornings at either the OBC Pinning or Graduation ceremonies, please contact LCDR Malik Imam via email, malik.imam@fda.hhs.gov .

COA Supports the USPHS

Officer Basic Course (OBC)

This same scene plays out at the OBC each month as a result of the dedication of COA volunteers. CAPT James Simpson is a regular COA volunteer at the OBC open houses, often leading the volunteer team. He also works tirelessly to track down officers that have not submitted the membership application form when he volunteers to assist during the APFT and graduation ceremo-ny. Due to the extraordinary efforts of CAPT Simpson and other volunteers, nearly all new officers attending OBC since February 2013 have signed up for a complimentary membership. We salute our newest COA colleagues and hope that they will soon volunteer to introduce future OBC graduates to the organization. Many thanks to all the officers who volunteer to staff the COA booth at the OBC open houses, and to the National COA Membership Committee, chaired by CDR Blakeley Fitzpatrick, the D.C. COA Membership Committee, chaired by LCDR Raichell Brown, and the COA Fort Detrick Branch President CAPT Claire Karlson for their assistance in identifying volunteers to staff the booth each month. Thank you also to the National COA Membership Coordinator, Malissa Spalding and Donna Sparrow, Program Assistant, for providing necessary materials for the COA table at the OBC open houses and processing all of the new membership applications.

((OBC, cont’d. from p. 18)

COA Member Elected to APhA

Foundation Board

C OA member CDR Kelly Valente has been elected to the Board of Directors

of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation. CDR Valen-

te will be officially installed during the APhA2014 Annual Meeting in Orlando,

March 28-31, 2014. CDR Kelly Valente, Pharm.D., RPh, USPHS, began her ca-

reer in 1996 at the University of Rhode Island (URI), where she was accepted to

the Junior Commissioned Officers Student Training and Externship Program

(COSTEP) and did three tours of duty with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in vari-

ous locations. In 1999, she was accepted for Senior COSTEP and was stationed

at the Federal Women’s Prison in Danbury, CT. In 2006, she transferred to the

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Region IX, in San Francisco,

CA, where she served as the Division of Survey and Certification’s pharmacy

consultant and a consultant in Emergency Services. In 2013, she became the

Regional Pharmacist for CMS Region I, in Boston, MA. Her service to APhA

began in 1996, where she was actively involved in her local chapter of APhA-

ASP as treasurer and was the 1998-99 Operation Immunization Chair in a non-

pharmacist immunizing state. The chapter won the regional award that year. In

2002, she became involved in the APhA House of Delegates and was a delegate

for 5 years. In 2006, she was a member of the New Business Committee and in

2009 she was the Federal Chair of the Federal Delegation and a member of the

policy committee. She was honored as APhA-ASP’s graduating senior of the

year in 2000 and has received numerous awards from USPHS for outstanding

pharmacy practice and recruiting involvement.

Commissioned Officers Association 20

introduced Michael Terry who also made brief remarks on his father’s legacy. Surgeons General Satcher and Lushniak, along with Surgeon General Terry’s two sons, Luther, Jr., and

Michael, then placed a wreath on RADM Terry’s grave marker followed by the playing of Taps. At the conclu-sion of the graveside cere-mony, one guest remarked

that the dedication and fortitude of those present on such an unpleasant day reminded of the dedication and fortitude nec-essary to sustain the fight against tobacco use. The fight is far from over. Following the graveside ceremony, invited guests enjoyed a luncheon at the Fort Meyer Officer Club hosted by the Commissioned Officers Association and Foundation.

January 11th marked the exact date of the release of the Terry report on Smoking and Health 50 years ago. It is interesting to note that this first Surgeon General’s report was produced as a “top secret” document and

purposely released on a Saturday in anticipation of an adverse reaction by the tobacco industry and the potential effect the report might have on the stock market. Production of the report was a courageous undertaking by Surgeon Terry and all who helped prepare the document. Surgeon General Terry's report has had the largest impact on health of any such report. The report's release on January 11, 1964 led to a massive shift in public perception of smoking and tobacco. Since then, numerous reports were written about the harmful effects of

smoking, secondhand smoke, smokeless tobacco, and more. The prevalence of smoking has dropped dramatically over the past 50 years. A recent study published in JAMA concluded that eight million American lives have been saved over the last 50 years; but the Terry report has had world-wide reach and we may safely deduce that many millions more lives have been and continue to be saved as a result of Admiral Terry’s heroic work. In January of this year, China has announced the banning of smoking in all public places – a major step forward in a coun-try where tobacco use is rampant. The Terry report continues to resonate and make a positive difference in public health across the world today. Luther Terry's legacy is closely tied with the uniformed service he led and the Commissioned Officers Association. Rear Admi-ral Terry was the elected president of COA when, in 1961, he was appointed Surgeon General by President John F. Kennedy. In addition to sparking the movement which gave us cigarette warnings and smoking bans in public spaces, Surgeon General Terry's report demonstrated the continued excellence in the Public Health Service. The 125-year-old USPHS Commissioned Corps has grown into an incredibly diverse service with officers whose expertise ranges from infectious disease epidemiology to the engineering of health facilities in the most remote areas of the country. The mission of the USPHS Commissioned Corps is to "protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of our Nation." Officers in the Commissioned Corps need only look to Luther Terry for the example of a public health visionary who exempli-fied the service's values of leadership, service, integrity, and excellence.

COA directors and staff after the wreath-laying cere-mony, (L-R) CAPTs Jim Simpson and Rita Shapiro, CDR Sara Newman, CAPT Nita Sood, John McElligott, and Jerry Farrell

Surgeon General Terry’s Family

(Ceremony, cont’d. from p. 1)

Are you currently receiving National COA’s monthly e-mails? If not, visit the

COA Members Only website (www.coausphs.org) to

update your information.

You may be missing valuable COA/COF communication!

January/February 2014 - Frontline 21

F oundation President Captain Gene Migliaccio, (Ret.), USPHS and COA/COF Executive Director Jerry Farrell were awarded the Surgeon General’s Medallion by Acting Surgeon General RADM Boris Lushniak on behalf of 18th Surgeon General Regina

Benjamin in a December ceremony. Captain Migliaccio was recognized for his work as COF president and as Director of the Federal Occupational Health Service. Farrell was recognized for his work in promoting the PHS Commissioned Corps as COA/COF Executive Director. This is Farrell’s second Surgeon General’s Medallion. His first was presented by 17th Surgeon General Richard Carmona in 2006.

Migliaccio and Farrell Awarded Surgeon General’s Medallion

CAPT Migliaccio’s daughter, LCDR Kate Migliaccio accepts the SG Medallion from RADM Lushniak on behalf of her father

Jerry Farrell accepts the SG Medallion from RADM Lushniak

N igerian President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to appoint a surgeon general of the Nigerian federation, an action

strongly supported by the Nigerian Medical Association. The Nigerian surgeon general will take charge of the country’s public health. Former Nigerian State Minister of Defence for Health Affairs and now president of the Nigerian Health Initiative for African Safety and Stability (HIFASS), Dr. Roland Oritsejafor, a frequent partici-pant in the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation annual sym-posium, has been a leading proponent for a Nigerian surgeon general. Dr. Oritsejafor spent much of his time during the last several PHS symposia speaking with the US Surgeon General and other senior PHS Commissioned Corps officers about the role and responsibilities of the office. Interest in appointing a surgeon general has also surfaced in

other countries such as Japan, Australia, and Canada. There is

obvious international interest in the potential to improve public

health offered by a strong surgeon general.

Nigeria to Appoint a Surgeon General

National COA thanks you for devoting your time and efforts involved in submissions for COA Frontline publications. Please note that for all submissions for Frontline publication, the required Guidelines are available at www.coausphs.org, Members Only , Quicklink/ Frontline. For Local Branches requesting inclusion of an advertise-ment in Frontline, please be sure to provide the advertisement in PDF format, in adherence with the 15th day of the month deadline.

Attention COA Members &

Local Branches

Commissioned Officers Association 22

I n the wake of the surprise move by Congress and the Administration in December to reduce uniformed service retired pension COLAs by one percent until age 62, the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) also passed in December, delays the

due date of the report of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC) until February of 2015. The commission’s report was scheduled to be delivered in May, 2014. This move pushes the commission’s final report over the horizon of this year’s legislative calendar. The Military Coalition and many, if not all, other uniformed service and veteran’s service organizations are strongly opposed to the one percent COLA reduction. The reduction applies to current members of the services and is seen as a breach of faith from earlier commitments by the administration and Congress that any changes to compensation and benefits would not affect the current force or current retirees. This commitment has been repeated on several occasions by the MCRM commissioners. The COLA reduction undermines the work of the commission. The delay in the commission’s final report further exacerbates those concerns. COA Executive Director Jerry Farrell testified before the MCRMC on 13 November 2013. The commissioners subsequently met

with senior officials in the Office of the Surgeon General.

miles and approximately 642,340 steps (6 participants did not have pedometers). The officers that contributed to this National Prevention Strategies event were: CDR Jenny Doan (Nursing), CDR Stacey Evans (HSO), LCDR Rivera (Scientist) and LT Rogelio Ruvalcaba (Dietitian). This volunteer activity is one of the various effort and opportunities developed through the Prevention through Active Community Engagement (PACE) Program. For more information about being a volunteer, please see the following fact sheet: http://dccoa.org/NPS-PACE%20MCPS%20Volunteer%20Partnership.pdf.

Military Compensation Commission Report Deadline Delayed

(Freedom Walk, cont’d. from p. 12)

Q: “Can I use airport USO lounges?”

Q: “Is my PHS pay subject to state income tax?”

Q: “Why can’t COA get my rank correct?”

COA staff gets asked lots of questions about a variety of subjects by our members and even by PHS officers who are not

members. To help facilitate communications with our members, we’ve updated the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

“Quicklink” on the left side of the COA website homepage (www.coausphs.org). We’ve gone from five FAQs to 30. If

you’ve got an urgent burning question for COA staff, odds are it’s been asked before. We urge you to visit the FAQ site

before you call or email.

Frequently Asked Questions

January/February 2014 - Frontline 23

A retired member has offered some advice for COA members considering retirement. We’ll reprint it here without edits.

“So here are the central issues that our membership needs to know about ---and doesn't because of what I consider terrible retire-ment advice for a certain special part of our retiree population --those who are retiring with no intention of ever working again. This might happen for a variety of reasons --but much of it will have something to do with ill health --or potential health. And here is the "straight skinny" from someone who has lived all of this. Generally if you fit into this category, you will want to take all of your leave, running it out your last day on active duty. This accom-plishes a wonderful thing --since you will be paid for all of your leave. It will also extend your active duty period to your last day on active duty --making your pension bigger. There is NO down side to this. The next most important group given poor advice by the rational retirement seminars are those who are retiring with a potentially terminal condition. Once again these folks should follow advice for the same reasons, but the important thing that they should consider: Signing up for the VA's Prudentially managed Insurance. The traditional seminar degraded this approach as if you would be crazy to consider it --but re- consider the following. After your regular SGLI expires, you can use the seemingly expensive option as a fail-safe until your health picture clarifies itself --or doesn't. In any case you will be setup to receive a mighty tradeoff for you and your family should your health worsen. Participating in all your premium is an excellent death benefit since if you were to die your family would receive $400K --again, not a bad deal.” Retiree Pay Remember retirees – your pay switched to the US Coast Guard on 1 January. If your first paycheck of 2014 was not deposited correctly, visit the CCMIS website for guidance.

Retiree Corner

The Nursing Community The Nursing Community is an active coalition of 50 national nursing organizations, representing nearly one million registered nurses – public health nurses, clinical nurse specialists, advanced practice nurses, and nursing educators. The Nursing Community grew out of an informal coalition of groups advocating for federal support of nursing workforce programs in Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act. It is capably staffed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). COA is active in the Nursing Community because our membership offers an opportunity to advocate of behalf of the 1,550 nurses in the PHS Commissioned Corps, and to enhance the visibility of the PHS Chief Nurse Officer within organized nursing generally. For the past ten years, organizations within the Nursing Community have helped COA deal with a vexing legislative issue that simply won’t go away. It is the recurring legislative proposal to create an Office of the National Nurse for Public Health. There is no money attached to the bill, not even a small amount for a modest public awareness campaign. In COA’s view, it is insubstantial and meaningless; it would do nothing more than hijack the name and title of the PHS Chief Nurse Officer. But the proposal’s grassroots supporters are passionate and sincere, and therein lies the problem. The Nursing Community created a work group to focus on this issue; it includes retired CNO Mary Pat Couig. The group has met face-to-face with key Congressional staffers to discuss the proposal and its limitations. The Nursing Community has also supported the funding and establishment of the U.S. Public Health Sciences Track. Nursing Community staff joined COA in a meeting with senate appropriations staff to make the case for money to support this congressionally-authorized but never-funded program to grow the PHS Commissioned Corps. To all member organizations in both coalitions, COA is immensely grateful. We look forward to continue working closely with all of them in 2014 and beyond. Happy New Year! —Judy Rensberger

(Legislative Update, cont’d. from p. 2)

Commissioned Officers Association 24

C aptain Thomas F. Flynn, Ret., 84, a COA Life Member, died peacefully August 29, 2013 at the Memory Center in Virginia Beach surrounded by his family.

A native of Kenmore, NY, he is the son of the late Maurice E. Flynn and Elinor Hotz Flynn. He is survived by his beloved wife, Diane Claxton Flynn, a son Andrew G. Flynn and wife Nikki, a daughter Ellyn M. Place and husband Robert, a son Robert P. Flynn and wife Janet, and a daughter Rosemary E. Smith and husband Jason, 11 grandchildren, Austin Flynn, Clara Scollise and husband Frank, Meridythe Benjamin and husband Zachary, Brandin Sandoval, Christopher Sandoval, Brett Flynn, Erin Graham and husband Paul, Julia Smith, Rachel Flynn, Davis Smith, and Ryan Flynn, and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Rita Walsh and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved first wife, Mary D. Flynn of 49 years, brothers Maurice E. Flynn, Reverend Robert M Flynn, S.J., Leo A. Flynn, David V. Flynn, John C. Flynn and sisters Patricia Tyrell and Janet Campana.

Dr. Flynn was a graduate of Georgetown University School of Medicine and practiced as a surgeon in the US Public Health Service for 20 years. Following his retirement as a Captain from the USPHS in 1976, he spent 13 years working at the DePaul Hospital’s Emergency Department and eight years with the Virginia State Department of Health at the Newport News Peninsula Health Center. Dr. Flynn’s family would like to offer a special thank you to the entire staff at The Memory Center and the All- Heart Hospice Care Team.

In Memoriam

CAPT THOMAS F. FLYNN, (RET.) USPHS

January/February 2014 - Frontline 25

I t’s not easy to start a habit; the rule of thumb is that you must repeat something for 21 days before it becomes a habit.

Think of one additional activity that you may do and sustain for 21 days. Here’s a short list: At work: - Take the stairs while entering and exiting the building or at least when visiting other floors. - Try standing up and walking around the building (inside or outside) every hour, at lunch, or between meetings. - Stand up during conference calls.

At home: - Before you dress, set up a short routine to “earn” every show er (squats, jumping jacks, sit-ups, etc). - Walk around the block or to the end of the street before

checking your mail. - Place dumbbells by your TV to use during commercials of your favorite programming or do push-ups, sit-ups, stretches, or go up and down nearby stairs. The idea is not necessarily to increase your activity over the next 21 days, but to perform some small, simple activity that you can repeat (that you are not already doing). Use stickers on a calendar, draw yourself a smiley face, or enter it into the President’s online challenge (it does accept short bouts) what-ever works for you. In the end, this will be one way that you will have become more active!

Check out the following resource for quick workouts and a 15-minute exercise routine you can fit into any of the above: http://www.pbs.org/americaswalking/health/quickfit.html

Staying on Track with Fitness

By CDR Tina J. Lankford, USPHS

all the community’s economic losses resulting from the pollution – only then will the industry be paying its fair share. I imagine it would think twice about violating environmental health regulations in the face of reality-based consequences.

There are many other solutions out there – if you have one you’d like to share with me or you’d like to debate my ideas, I’d welcome it! Contact me at jonathankrash@gmail.com.

No single problem or solution outlined above can be solved only with engineering, or only with environmental health, or only with policy. Meaningful change requires many different perspectives and sectors working together. It requires persistence, coalition-building, and flexibility. Also, keep in mind this little nugget from President Harry S. Truman – “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” So, maybe safe drinking water for rural America isn’t your issue. Whatever the public health issue that interests you, the process is the same. Now, is a degree in public health necessary to bring this broader perspective to your work? No. Would it help? Absolutely! For whatever public health issue you want to consider, I imagine there will be as many answers to that question as there are people considering it. How incremental or ground-breaking should the solution be? How can you build a consensus and start action? What factors, which may not be obvious at first glance, need to considered? You have to think outside the silo of your discipline and build a coalition of partners from many different perspectives to make change happen. References:

“The Future of Rural Health,” a National Rural Health Association Policy Brief, February 2013.

“Meeting the Access Goal to Date: Implementation of Strategies for Increasing Access to Safe Drinking Water and Basic Sani-tation to American Indian and Alaska Native Homes,” prepared by the Infrastructure Task Force on Access, December 2010.

“The Relationship between In-Home Water Service and the Risk of Respiratory Tract, Skin, and Gastrointestinal Tract Infec-tions among Rural Alaska Natives,” a joint effort of the IHS and CDC, published in the American Journal of Public Health, No-vember 2008.

Sanitation Tracking and Reporting System, online database, Indian Health Service.

”Still Living without the Basics in the 21st Century: Analyzing the Availability of Water and Sanitation Services in the United States,” by the Rural Community Assistance Partnership.

“U.S. Infrastructure Finance Needs for Water and Wastewater,” by Mark Pearson, Community Resource Group (Southern RCAP).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service website (http://www.ers.usda.gov/).

The World Bank website (http://data.worldbank.org/).

COA Chair’s Corner (cont’d. from p. 7)

Commissioned Officers Association 26

LT Peter J. Arroyo, Jr.,Unaffiliated LT Jorge Avalos, SoCal LT Robbi A. Baker, Unaffiliated LT Michelle Begay, Unaffiliated LT Michael Brady, Aberdeen LT Anna K. Brown, Unaffiliated LTJG April J. Brucklier, Unaffiliated LT Brandon J. Bruner, Unaffiliated LT James G. Buel, Bemidji LT Jonathan M. Burgos, Unaffiliated LTJG Thelma A. Cancam, Unaffiliated LT Timothy A. Cardenaz, Unaffiliated LT Angelica Chica, District of Columbia LCDR Philip R. Clark, Unaffiliated LT James C. Coburn, Unaffiliated LT Marc J. Desjarlais, Unaffiliated LCDR Miriam C. Dinatale, Unaffiliated LCDR James D. Dixon, Atlanta LT Michelle Dynes, Atlanta LT Melanie L. Edwards, Unaffiliated LT Christopher M. Frazer, Bemidji LT Adele C. Garrison, Northeast Oklahoma LCDR Jessica Graham, Black Hills LT Erin M. Griffiths, Unaffiliated LT Teresa R. Grund, Bemidji LT James G. Guel, Unaffiliated LT Adam F. Haddad, Unaffiliated LTJG Mary E. Hays, Unaffiliated LCDR Catherine L. Helmstetter, Unaffiliated LTJG Michelle L. Holshue, Unaffiliated LT Cindy C. Hong, Unaffiliated LTJG Kaci A. Hughes, Unaffiliated LCDR David A. Jackson , Unaffiliated LT Ogechi C. Jubrila, Rio Grande LT Anna U. Kit, White Mountain LT Mandy C. Kwong, Unaffiliated LT Kristin A. LaBar, Atlanta LTJG James W. Lilly, White Mountain

Welcome New COA Members

LCDR Daniel W. Marcus, Central Florida LTJG Travelle D. Mason, Unaffiliated LCDR Dane L. McClurg, Unaffiliated LT Katelyn C. Miller, Unaffiliated LT Samantha M. Morgan, Unaffiliated LT Monica E. Murie, Northwest Oklahoma LT Brittany J. Murphy, Unaffiliated LCDR Noele P. Nelson, Unaffiliated LCDR Sharon J. Notah, Rio Grande LT Freddy Nunez, Unaffiliated LCDR Ikwo Oboho, Atlanta LTJG Ben Olmedo, Unaffiliated LTJG Ali A. Patino, Jr., Greater NY LT Vanessa D. Patterson, Central Florida LCDR Brandy L. Peaker , Unaffiliated LT Rumany Penn, Unaffiliated LT Adriana F. Restrepo, Unaffiliated LT Diane M. Richardson , Unaffiliated LCDR Judy C. Romero, Unaffiliated LT Brittany M. Santini, Unaffiliated LT Timothy A. Shelhamer, Sierra LTJG Miranda Q. Shropshire, Oklahoma LT John P. Skender, Unaffiliated LTJG Ryan M. Smith, Unaffiliated LT Tonya Smith , Unaffiliated LCDR Michael P. Sweeney, New England LTJG Carrie Thrasher, Unaffiliated LT Gayle Tuckett, Unaffiliated LT Megan C. Weeks, Oklahoma LT Jason H. Wood, Unaffiliated LT Micah S. Woodard, Portland LCDR Lei Xu, Unaffiliated LCDR Kristin M. Yeoman, Inland Empire LTJG Shukriya Zarif, Unaffiliated LCDR Linda Zaske, Phoenix LT Shawna A. Zierke, Unaffiliated

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January/February 2014 - Frontline 27

From the Executive Director, from p. 1

Somewhat related is the provision tucked in the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act passed in December that delays the report of the Military Compensation and Retirement Moderniza-tion Commission (MCRMC) for nine months into 2015. We all thought it was the MCRMC’s job to recommend changes to pay and benefits, but it now appears Congress and the president decided not to wait on the retired COLA question. Delaying the MCRMC’s report into 2015 removes their recommendations from the 2014 election cycle. Politics rule. The other December surprise was for me to be awarded the Surgeon General’s Medallion by Acting Surgeon General Boris Lushniak on behalf of the 18th Surgeon General Regina Benja-min. The Medallion presented to me really reflects upon the achievements of the COA and COF Boards and our small, but hardworking and dedicated staff. Everything we do is a team effort. 50th Anniversary of First Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking COA and COF were pleased to partner with the Office of the Surgeon General to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the first Surgeon General’s report on Smoking and Health in January. See the lead article in this edition of Frontline. The 50th

Anniversary Surgeon General’s report on Smoking and Health

was released in a White House ceremony on January 17th and I

was honored to attend representing the Commissioned Officers

Association and Foundation. The 50th Anniversary report de-

tails progress made on combating the effects of tobacco use

over the last fifty years and the challenges that remain.

Murthy Nomination The Senate has yet to act on the nomination of Dr. Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General. Dr. Murthy’s nomination, submit-ted by the president in November, was actually returned to the White House on January 3, 2014 in accordance with Senate rules requiring all nominations not acted upon when the senate recessed in December to be resubmitted. The White House renominated Dr. Murthy on January 7th. COA has been in con-tact with Dr. Murthy, extending our congratulations and interest in meeting with him to discuss the PHS Commissioned Corps and the role of COA and COF in supporting the Corps and the Office of the Surgeon General.

Corps Celebrates 125th Anniversary by Going Tobacco Free The PHS Commissioned Corps celebrated its 125th Anniversary on January 4th. As we look back over the last century and a quar-ter, Corps officers can take great pride in the many public health achievements. Surgeon General Luther Terry’s seminal Report on Smoking and Health along with all the other Surgeon Gen-eral’s reports since 1964 underscore the importance of the role of the Surgeon General and by extension, the Commissioned Corps in safeguarding national and global public health. As a fitting way of celebrating these two important milestones, the Corps went smoke-free in uniform on January 1st. That’s what I call walking the walk. COA joins with OSG in challenging the other six uniformed services to follow suit. Symposium Registration to Open Soon Online registration for the 2014 PHS Scientific and Training Symposium will begin soon. Register early to get the best rate! Hotel rooms are going fast! As has been the case for the past few years, we do not anticipate that any government funding will be available to support attendance at the symposium. Officers should plan on paying their own way to the Raleigh Symposium. The sacrifice will be worth the cost as in the past. Increase your professional knowledge; obtain valuable CE credits; meet Corps senior leaders; and network with your fellow officers and other public health professionals. You won’t know what you’re miss-ing if you don’t go and you’ll regret it. I’ll see you there! Call for Nominations for COA Board of Directors COA is your association. We need to recruit interested, capable and engaged officers as members of the Board of Directors. Several seats on the Board will be up for election this year. Please see the nomination information in this issue and on COA’s website, www.coausphs.org. Self-nominations are perfectly acceptable! Yours Aye!

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© 2014 Commissioned Officers Association

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