commissioned corps bulletin · published as part of the commissioned corps personnel ... forward...

Vol. XII, No. 11 November 1998

Published as part of the Commissioned Corps Personnel Manual for Public Health Service Commis-sioned Corps officers. Forward news of Service-wide or special interest to Division of CommissionedPersonnel/HRS/PSC, Room 4A-15, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857-0001, Tel.: 301-594-3462.

Director, DCP/HRS/PSCCAPT R. Michael Davidson

Editor Mrs. Virginia Kapusnick

IN THIS ISSUE . . .

DCP Services TelephoneDirectory ........................................ 5-6

Dates for Orientation Courses ............ 8

Q&A on Uniforms ................................ 9

Commissioned CorpsBULLETIN

Commissioned CorpsBULLETIN

Division of Commissioned Personnel • Program Support Center, DHHS

Surgeon General's Column

For 35 years, Surgeon General’s Reportshave stood as authoritative statements onthe Nation’s health and have been suit-ably dubbed “the Nation’s voice for health.”Since the first report on smoking was is-sued in 1964, some 50 reports addressingmyriad public health topics have been writ-ten. The list of themes range from smok-ing, organ donation, breast-feeding, andflouride in the drinking water to violence,pornography, drunk driving, and HIV/AIDS, just to name a few. Smoking andother forms of tobacco use, by far, have beenthe most oft-addressed of all the topics.

Last year, Health and Human ServicesSecretary Donna E. Shalala commissioneda Surgeon General’s Report on OralHealth. She directed that the Office ofPublic Health and Science develop a re-port that would “define, describe, andevaluate the interaction between oralhealth and well-being (quality of life),through the life span, in the context ofchanges in society.” Intended to improvethe oral health in this Nation overall, thisreport represents the first time a SurgeonGeneral has dealt with this topic.

Among other things, the report will ad-dress the status of oral health in this coun-try, the relationship between oral healthand general health, methods to preventand manage oral diseases, and actions thatcan be taken to improve our Nation’s oralhealth. Sections will also be devoted toissues concerning disparities in oral healthamong different population groups. It willserve as a major resource for professionalsacross many disciplines, including den-tistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, andeducation, and it will be useful for thepublic and policymakers as well.

Federal Coordinating Committee

Preparation of the report is no smalltask. The National Institute of Dental Re-search, headed by Dr. Harold C. Slavkin,has been designated as the lead agency tocoordinate preparation of the report. I amproud that we have been able to enlist theaid of Dr. Caswell A. Evans, Jr., to serve asproject director and executive editor;RADM Dushanka V. Kleinman, as associ-ate executive editor; and RADM WilliamC. Maas, Chief Dental Officer, who will beactively involved in the project. Alsogreatly appreciated are the contributionsof the Federal Coordinating Committeemembers assigned to provide leadershipand guidance to the report’s development.Each committee member represents a criti-cal program that can influence thiscountry’s oral, dental, and craniofacialhealth. The committee members also willbe instrumental in managing the exten-sive review process and in supporting theanticipated public, private, and public-private partnerships needed to implementthe report’s findings. The report, which isnow in draft form, is scheduled to be re-leased in late 1999.

The Nation’s Oral Health Issues

Oral, dental, and craniofacial health arematters of great concern to public health,because despite the significant progressmade in this country in dental researchand care delivery, we are still confrontedwith sad statistics. Poor oral, dental, andcraniofacial health result not only fromfailing to brush and floss properly, but alsofrom not maintaining a proper diet, usingtobacco products, and not having access toadequate care. Tooth decay and periodon-

tal disease are the most preventable dis-eases in the United States, yet we stillspend $50 billion each year on dental serv-ices. About 30,000 Americans are diagnosedwith oral and pharyngeal cancers each year,resulting in 8,000 deaths from largely pre-ventable neoplasms. That’s more deathsthan from cervical cancer, malignant mela-noma, or Hodgkins disease.

The facts are even more dire when welook at the oral health of children. HealthyPeople 2000 reports that more than half ofsecond graders in this country still expe-rience cavities. As you know, I haveadopted as one of my evolving prioritiesthat every child should have an opportu-nity for a healthy start in life. If that is tohappen, we must find a way to make oralhealth a supreme priority and to assistthe 100-plus million people in this coun-try that do not have access to flouridatedwater. We know that the type of start achild experiences plays a major part in thatchild’s future, and we want every child tostart off healthy.

Further, the issues surrounding oralhealth cut across all racial/ethnic groups,but significant disparities exist. Atpresent, African American children are

(Continued on page 2)

Commissioned Corps Bulletin Vol. XII, No. 11 November 1998

Surgeon General's Column

twice as likely as whites not to be treatedfor tooth decay. Early childhood caries dis-proportionately affects lower income andminority children and saps their energiesand attention. We must work to eliminatethe disparities in dental health equally ashard as we work to eliminate them in otherhealth categories.

Since Surgeon General Luther Terry is-sued the report on smoking and health, ithas been gratifying to witness America’sresponse to “the Nation’s voice for health.”I look forward with great anticipation tosharing the upcoming report on oral healthwith you. I am confident that this reportwill offer a loud and clear message thatwill result in better oral health for theNation and for all children.

ADM David SatcherAssistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon General RADM Kenneth P. Moritsugu

Assistant Secretary for Health and Sur-geon General David Satcher has namedRADM Kenneth P. Moritsugu to be DeputySurgeon General of the Public HealthService. RADM Moritsugu assumed hisnew duties effective October 1.

RADM Moritsugu is a career PHS of-ficer who most recently served as the Medi-cal Director and Assistant Bureau Direc-tor of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Inthat position, he was responsible for thehealth care of more than 120,000 Federalinmates and detainees in nearly 100 insti-tutions across the country.

RADM Moritsugu received his medicaldegree in 1971 and MPH degree in HealthAdministration and Planning in 1975. Hecompleted residencies in Internal Medi-cine and Preventive Medicine at theformer PHS Hospital in San Francisco. Heis Board Certified in General PreventiveMedicine.

During his 28 years of active service inthe Corps, RADM Moritsugu has served ina variety of assignments, including con-sultant in Health Planning and MedicalEducation in the San Francisco RegionalOffice of the Department of Health andHuman Services, Medical Officer on the

RADM Kenneth P. Moritsugu Appointed DeputySurgeon General

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Taney, Directorof the Division of Medicine of the Bureauof Health Professions, and Director of theNational Health Service Corps. Through-out his professional career, he has spokenand written extensively on a broad rangeof health issues pertaining to health pro-fessional education, health planning andmanaged care, health care delivery inunderserved areas, correctional healthcare, and organ and tissue donation andtransplantation. He has received numer-ous public, academic, and Departmentalawards and honors.

In announcing the appointment, Sur-geon General Satcher stated that, “RADMMoritsugu brings to the Office of the Sur-geon General extensive experience in andknowledge of the Public Health Serviceand the Commissioned Corps which willgreatly assist me in carrying out my re-sponsibilities as Surgeon General. I feelvery fortunate that Ken has agreed to servein this post, and I look forward to a veryproductive working relationship.”

(Continued from page 1)

Applications for assimilationinto the Regular Corps must bereceived in the Division of Com-missioned Personnel by the closeof business on Friday, February5, 1999, in order to be reviewedby the 1999 board. See page 2 ofthe October issue of the Commis-sioned Corps Bulletin for more in-formation.

Reminder

Promotion Year 1999

IMPORTANT DATES TOREMEMBER

PIR Corrections Postmarked no laterthan:

November 20, 1998

Career Counseling Completed:November 20, 1998

Documents for OPF Postmarked nolater than:

December 31, 1998

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

For Counseling: 301-594-3360

For PIR Questions: 301-594-3471

For verification of receipt of CV, etc.—CorpsLine 301-443-6843

November 1998 Vol. XII, No. 11 Commissioned Corps Bulletin

Celebrating the Colors

The U.S. Army’s Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps perform as part of the PHS Bicentennialprogram on September 22 in front of the Parklawn Building in Rockville, Maryland.

On September 22, Secretary of Healthand Human Services, Donna E. Shalala,hosted a very special event, Celebratingthe Colors, as part of a series of programsthat have been organized throughout theyear to honor the bicentennial of the U.S.Public Health Service (PHS).

The program featured a magnificentperformance by the U.S. Army’s Old GuardFife and Drum Corps. Dressed in their full1700s regalia, the Old Guard performedintricate close order drills and specialmusic to the delight of the large audiencethat assembled in front of the ParklawnBuilding in Rockville, Maryland.

RADM Arthur Lawrence served as mas-ter of ceremonies of the event which wasattended by Congresswoman Constance A.Morella of Maryland; CongressmanSherrod Brown of Ohio; LTG Ronald R.Blanck, Surgeon General of the Army;RADM William L. Stubblefield, Director,Office of National Oceanic and Atmo-spheric Administration Corps Operations;former Surgeon General Antonia C.Novello; former Acting Surgeon GeneralAudrey F. Manley; as well as a large num-ber of other dignitaries from throughoutthe Federal government and the privatesector.

Secretary Shalala recounted some of thehighlights in the history of PHS and laudedthe ongoing efforts of all its officers andemployees. She then used the occasion topresent ADM David Satcher with his offi-cial flag as the 16th Surgeon General ofPHS. ADM Satcher spoke about his pridein serving the Nation as Surgeon Generaland reiterated his dedication to improv-ing the health of all Americans.

Front row (left to right) RADM Audrey F. Manley (Ret.), former Acting Surgeon General; Ms.Mary Beth Donahue, Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary; LTG Ronald Blanck, SurgeonGeneral of the Army; The Honorable Constance A. Morella, Congresswoman from Maryland;Dr. Donna E. Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human Services; ADM David Satcher, AssistantSecretary for Health and Surgeon General; The Honorable Sherrod Brown, Congressman fromOhio; RADM William L. Stubblefield, Director, Office of National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration Corps Operations.



Members of the PHS Sword Honor Guard raise the PHS flag in front of the Parklawn Buildingas part of the Bicentennial event, Celebrating the Colors.

Public Health Service (PHS) Commis-sioned Corps uniforms and insignias maybe purchase from:

Lighthouse Uniform Company1532 15th Avenue WestSeattle, WA 98119Phone: 1-800-426-5225

National Naval Medical CommandBethesda Naval ExchangeBuilding 57Bethesda, MD 20814Phone: 301-295-1489 or

1-800-368-4088

Naval Air Station AtlantaUniform ShopDobbins MCSS, Bldg. 81Halsey AvenueMarietta, GA 30060Phone: 770-428-4711

Uniform Support Center1545 Crossways Blvd., Suite 200Chesapeake, VA 23320Phone: 1-800-368-4088

1-800-368-4089 (in Alaska)

Note: The Black Army V-Neck Sweatermust be purchased from an Army uniformshop.

Procurement of PHS Commissioned Corps Officers Uniforms and Accessories

PHS replacement ribbon bars, medals,name tags, and miscellaneous PHS itemsmay be purchased from:

PHS Officers Device Supply CenterGillis W. Long Hansen’s Disease Center5445 Point Clair RoadCarville, LA 70721-9607Phone: 504-642-4752

PHS name tags may be procured from:

Artcraft Badge and Sign Company3512 John Carroll DriveOlney, MD 20832Phone: 301-924-4787 or

1-800-739-0709

National Naval Medical CommandBethesda Navy ExchangePersonalized Service ManagerBuilding 57Bethesda, MD 20814Phone: 301-295-1489 or

1-800-368-4088

Ultra Thin Ribbons and MedalsP.O. Box 7161Moore, OK 73153Phone: 405-794-7892 or

1-800-758-7265

Medals and insignia of membership or-ganizations whose ribbons, medals, andinsignia are authorized for wear by PHSofficers are listed below:

Association of Military Surgeons (AMSUS)Membership Department9320 Old Georgetown RoadBethesda, MD 20814Phone: 301-897-8800 or

1-800-761-9320

Commissioned Officers Association (COA)8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 560Landover, MD 20785Phone: 301-731-9080

Reserve Officers Association (ROA)1 Constitution Avenue, NEWashington, DC 20002Phone: 202-479-2200 or

1-800-809-9448

Note: If an officer ceases to be a memberof AMSUS, COA, or ROA, the officer is nolonger entitled to wear the ribbon or medalof that organization on his/her uniform.

With the able assistance of the PHSSword Honor Guard, the PHS f lag wasraised in front of the Parklawn Buildingwhere, as directed by the Secretary, itwill f ly each day, alongside the UnitedStates flag and the Departmental f lag.

At the close of the ceremony, SecretaryShalala accepted on behalf of the Office ofthe Secretary, a PHS sword presented bythe District of Columbia Branch of theCommissioned Officers Association. Fol-lowing the ceremony, Secretary Shalalaand ADM Satcher hosted a reception forthe invited guests in the Office of the Sur-geon General.

Celebrating the Colors(Continued from page 3)


DIVISION OF COMMISSIONED PERSONNEL (DCP)

TELEPHONE DIRECTORYTelephone numbers listed are area code 301, unless otherwise specified

DCP’s Toll-Free Phone Number – 1-877-INFO DCP (or 1-877-463-6327)DCP's Commercial Number – 301-594-0401

November 1998

****************************************************

SUBJECT PHONE CONTACTADVERSE ACTIONS/AWOL REPORTING 594-2729 Adverse Actions Officer, ODAPPLES 594-3396 APPLES Project Officer, ODBAPPLICATION PROCESSING 594-3544 Military Personnel Technician, TAS/PSBASSIMILATION 594-3108 Assimilation Coordinator, PSBAWARDS 594-3108 Awards Coordinator, PSBBILLETS 594-3466 Billet Coordinator, PSBCAREER DEVELOPMENT/COUNSELING 594-3360 Category Staffing Officer, ODBCHAMPUS/TRICARE 594-6330 Patient Care Coordinator, MAB

1-800-368-2777 Patient Care Coordinator, MABCOER 594-3466 COER Coordinator, PSBCOMMISSIONED CORPS BULLETIN 594-3462 Bulletin Editor, ODCORPSLINE 443-6843 (To access from the toll-free number, listen to prompts and

press 3 and then 6)COSTEP

–Junior 594-3484 JRCOSTEP Coordinator, ODB1-800-279-1605 JRCOSTEP Recruitment, ODB

–Senior 594-2919 Training Coordinator, ODBCURRICULUM VITAE (CV) STATUS/DATE 443-6843 CorpsLineDEATH/SURVIVOR BENEFITS 594-2963 Survivor Assistance Officer, CBDEERS (ID CARDS) 594-3384 DEERS/RAPIDS Program Manager, PSBDENTAL-FAMILY MEMBERS DENTAL PLAN

–Claims Questions 594-3384 DEERS Technician, PSB–Enrollment Forms 594-2963 Payroll Technician, CB–General Information 594-5062 Dental Consultant, MAB

DETAILS/SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS 594-3396 Detail Project Officer, ODBDISCIPLINE/MISCONDUCT 594-2729 Adverse Actions Officer, ODELECTRONIC BULLETIN BOARDS

–General (ODB) 594-2398 <=14400 baud, 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity–Medical Affairs Branch 594-1994 8-N-1, 300-28800

1-800-850-9037 High Speed Data Compression & Locked DTEEMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION

–Mortgages Written Request Payroll Technician, CB–Employment History/Credentials Written Request Privacy Act/FOIA Coordinator, PSB

GRIEVANCES 594-2729 Adverse Actions Officer, ODINACTIVE AND READY RESERVE 594-3360 Ready Reserve Coordinator, ODBLEAVE QUESTIONS

–Administrative Leave 594-2727 Leave Advisor, OD–Annual Leave 594-2727 Leave Advisor, OD–Maternity Leave 594-3297 Medical Affairs Branch–Sick Leave 594-3297 Medical Affairs Branch–Station Leave 594-2727 Leave Advisor, OD

LICENSURE 594-3398 Licensure Project Officer, ODBLIMITED TOURS

–Licensure 594-3398 Licensure Project Officer, ODB–Medical 594-3297 Medical Affairs Branch–Program 594-3479 Transactions and Applications Section, PSB

MEDICAL–Authorization for Civilian Care 1-800-368-2777 Patient Care Coordinator, MAB–Medical Qualifications 594-3297 Medical Affairs Branch–Fitness for Duty/Medical Mgmt Questions 594-3297 Medical Affairs Branch–Disability Retirement 594-3297 Medical Affairs Branch



DIVISION OF COMMISSIONED PERSONNEL (DCP)

TELEPHONE DIRECTORY(Continued)

Telephone numbers listed are area code 301, unless otherwise specifiedDCP’s Toll-Free Phone Number – 1-877-INFO DCP (or 1-877-463-6327)

DCP's Commercial Number – 301-594-0401November 1998

****************************************************

SUBJECT PHONE CONTACTOFFICIAL PERSONNEL FOLDER

–Copies of documents 594-3064 Privacy Act/FOIA Coordinator, PSB–Document Submission 594-3466 File Room, PSB–Review 594-3360 Category Staffing Officer, ODB

PAY AND ALLOWANCES–Active Duty 594-2963 Payroll Technician, CB–Retirees/Annuitants 594-2963 Payroll Technician, CB–Special Pay 594-2963 Payroll Technician, CB

PERSONNEL ORDERS AND ACTIONS 594-3544 Military Personnel Technician, TAS/PSBPOLICY/CCPM 594-2727 Legal Advisor, ODPROMOTIONS

–General Inquiries 594-3108 Promotion Coordinator, PSB–PIR Inquiries 594-3471 PIR Coordinator, PSB

RETIREMENT 594-3472 Retirement Coordinator, CBRECRUITMENT

–General Duty/JRCOSTEP 594-3360 Category Staffing Officer, ODB1-800-279-1605

–SRCOSTEP 594-2919 Training Coordinator, ODBSEPARATIONS (Processing) 594-3544 Military Personnel Technician, TAS/PSBSERVICEMEMBERS’ GROUP LIFE INSURANCE 594-2963 Payroll Technician, CBSHIPMENT OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS 594-3059 MAP Member, ODBSOLDIERS & SAILORS CIVIL RELIEF ACT 594-2727 Legal Advisor, ODSTATEMENT OF SERVICE

–Active Duty Written Request Military Personnel Technician, TAS/PSB–Not Active Duty Written Request Privacy Act/FOIA Coordinator, PSB

SUITABILITY DETERMINATIONS 594-3000 Suitability Adjudicator, ODSURVIVOR ASSISTANCE 594-2963 Survivor Assistance Officer, CBTRAINING & EXPERIENCE DATES 594-3544 Military Personnel Technician, TAS/PSBTRAINING (Long-Term) 594-3352 Training Coordinator, ODBTRAVEL AND PER DIEM 594-3059 MAP Member, ODBUNIFORMS 594-3108 Uniform Specialist, PSBVACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT & TRACKING SYSTEM (VAATS) – Entry of Vacancies 594-3360 VAATS Coordinator, ODBVETERANS’ BENEFITS

–Guaranteed Home Loan Program 594-3384 Home Loan Coordinator, PSB–Education Benefits Programs 594-3384 VEAP Coordinator, PSB

Abbreviations for Division of Commissioned Personnel OfficesMAB – Medical Affairs Branch 594-6330 (Room 4C-06)CB – Compensation Branch 594-2963 (Room4-50)OD – Office of the Director 594-3000 (Room4A-15)ODB – Officer Development Branch 594-3360 (Room 4A-18)PSB – Personnel Services Branch 594-3108 (Room4-36)TAS – Transactions and Applications Section 594-3544 (Room4-20)MAP – Military Advisory Panel 594-3059

Address: Division of Commissioned Personnel/HRS/PSCATTN: (insert appropriate Branch)5600 Fishers Lane, Room (insert appropriate Room Number)Rockville, MD 20857-0001


Simple, Easy-to-Use Voice MailSystem

By utilizing DCP’s toll-free phone num-ber you will be able to access the entirestaff of DCP. When you use the toll-freenumber, your call will be answered withthe following simple, easy-to-use voicemail system:

“Thank you for calling the Division ofCommissioned Personnel. If you are dial-ing from a rotary phone, please stay on theline and your call will be answered at theend of this message.

If you are dialing on a touch tone phoneand know your party’s phone numberplease dial 1 now. (there will be a pause)Please dial the last five digits of yourparty’s phone number now.

If you do not know the phone number ofyour party, but wish to use the dial by namefeature, please dial 2 now. (there will be apause)

Please begin spelling your party’s lastname now. For common names, you may beinstructed to enter additional letters in-cluding some of your party’s first name.

DCP’s Toll-Free Phone Number – 1-877-INFO DCP (or 1-877-463-6327)

If you wish to speak with a specificBranch within our Division instead of anindividual, please press 3 now. (there willbe a pause)

To reach the Compensation Branch,please dial 1 now . . . .

To reach the Officer Development Branch,please dial 2 now . . . .

To reach the Personnel Services Branch,please dial 3 now . . . .

To reach the Transactions and ApplicationSection, please dial 4 now . . . .

To reach the Medical Affairs Branch,please dial 5 now . . . .

To reach CorpsLine, please dial 6 now . . . .

If you are unsure of who you need tospeak with or you wish to speak with some-one in the Office of the Director, pleasepress zero now or stay on the line.”

Staff Members’ Primary DigitalNumbers (PDNs)

DCP’s toll-free number voice mail sys-tem will direct you to specific staff mem-bers, but you may prefer to call a specificDCP staff member directly yourself.

Listed in the September issue of the Com-missioned Corps Bulletin (pages 2 through5) was a brief description of the serviceseach DCP branch provides along with in-formation on how to directly access thePDNs of specific staff members who willbe able to address your needs. (Note: TheSeptember issue of the CommissionedCorps Bulletin can be accessed at the DCPweb site – http://dcp.psc.dhhs.gov)

Electronic Mail

DCP staff members can also be con-tacted by electronic mail. E-mail ad-dresses consist of the staff member’s firstinitial and last name @psc.gov – Exam-ple: [email protected]

Customer Service Feedback

DCP’s goal is to improve the phoneservice that we provide to you, our cus-tomers. We want to get you to the cor-rect DCP staff member the first time,without frustrating transfers. If you havea favorable or unfavorable commentabout our phone system, we want to hearfrom you. Write to us at our e-mail ad-dress – [email protected]

The Federal Bureau of Prisons is invit-ing applications from interested PublicHealth Service Commissioned Corps phy-sicians for the position of Medical Direc-tor of the Bureau and Assistant BureauDirector for the Health Services Division.

This position is located in the Wash-ington, DC, headquarters of the FederalBureau of Prisons, and involves respon-sibilities for the administration of a com-prehensive health care delivery programincorporating medical and psychiatriccare, food and nutrition services, andsafety, occupational, and environmentalhealth.

The incumbent is responsible for plan-ning, directing, administering, and eval-uating services for more than 120,000Federal detainees and prisoners in nearly100 institutions nationwide. For the

Solicitation for Applications: Medical Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons (O-7/O-8)

medical component alone, the budgetauthority in fiscal year 1998 was approx-imately $389 million, with nearly 3,400full-time staff, and numerous contractworkers.

The incumbent serves as the medicalauthority for the Bureau, and simulta-neously as one of the seven AssistantBureau Directors. The incumbent reportsdirectly to the Director of the FederalBureau of Prisons, an agency of theDepartment of Justice.

Applicants must be commissioned offic-ers of the Public Health Service, possessan MD or DO degree, and hold currentBoard Certification as well as full andunrestricted licensure in a State. As thetarget grade for this position is O-7/O-8,applicants must be eligible for promotionto that rank. (See INSTRUCTION 7, “Flag

Officer Selection and Assignment,” Sub-chapter CC23.4 of the Commissioned CorpsPersonnel Manual.)

Applicants for initial appointment to theBureau of Prisons are subject to a urinaly-sis test, pre-employment interview, exten-sive reference checking, and thorough back-ground investigation.

The position is available immediately.

To apply, send a letter of interest andcurrent curriculum vitae by November 13to:

Federal Bureau of PrisonsMedical Director Search Committee320 First Street, NW, Suite 1054Washington, DC 20534

For further information, phone 202-307-3055.


The Public Health Service (PHS) Com-missioned Corps “Active-Duty OrientationCourse” is a 2-day class that is highly val-ued by new officers who find the informa-tion presented very beneficial. Officersreceive information about the mission, tra-ditions, and functions of the commissionedcorps. They even have guided practice withtheir salute. Topics such as career devel-opment, health care, and standards of con-duct expected of officers are also ad-dressed.

Most of these modules are available onPowerPoint for use in Rockville and foreasy and inexpensive transporting to otherlocations. However, ideally, the network-ing and meeting of officers face-to-faceadds an invaluable benefit to the course.Every officer is encouraged to attend anorientation, particularly if he or she hasless than 2 years of active-duty service.Information gained in the orientationcourse is essential for a thorough under-standing of the commissioned corps,thereby providing the opportunity andmechanism for officers to plan for success-ful careers in the Corps. Also, while newofficers are in the Parklawn Building inRockville, Maryland, attending an orien-tation, they are able to make appointmentswith Division of Commissioned Personnelstaff members who can respond to theirindividual needs.

The “Supervisory and AdministrativePersonnel Course” is a 1-day orientationclass available for supervisors and admin-istrative staff who work with commis-sioned corps officers. This course offersmany of the same modules as used in the“Active-Duty Orientation Course,” but arefocused toward the supervisory/adminis-trative audience. Additionally, there aremodules on personnel actions.

The “Junior Commissioned Officer Stu-dent Training and Extern Program(JRCOSTEP) Orientation Course” is forJRCOSTEP officers and provides an over-view of the commissioned corps.

The orientation courses are offered bythe Training and Career DevelopmentDivision of the Program Support Center.If you wish to register for a course, regis-tration forms are available fromCorpsLine’s Faxback at 301-443-6843. Youcan request a blank registration form for

the course you are interested in by indi-cating the appropriate Faxback documentnumber. Complete the form and submit itto the address at the bottom of the form.

There is no charge for the orientationcourse, however, the travel and per diemexpenses are the responsibility of the at-tendee or the Operating Division/Pro-gram.

Active-Duty Orientation Course:

All courses are scheduled for Rockville,Maryland.

FaxbackDocument

Dates Number

February 23-24, 1999 6541

April 27-28, 1999 6541

June 1-2, 1999 6541

August 24-25, 1999 6541

Supervisory and AdministrativePersonnel Course:


FaxbackDocument

Dates Number

February 25, 1999 6540

April 29, 1999 6540

June 3, 1999 6540

August 26, 1999 6540

JRCOSTEP Orientation Course:


FaxbackDocument

Dates NumberMay 28, 1999 6542

June 25, 1999 6542

If you need further information, con-tact:

Ms. Sheila WolfTraining and Career Development DivisionProgram Support Center5600 Fishers Lane, Room 16A-55Rockville, MD 20857-0001Phone: 301-443-6790Fax: 301-443-4264

Dates for PHS Commissioned CorpsOrientation Courses

The Division of CommissionedPersonnel’s official Internet web site(http://dcp.psc.dhhs.gov) contains theCommissioned Corps Personnel Manual(CCPM), most CCPM Pamphlets, a num-ber of Public Health Service forms, theCommissioned Corps Bulletin, and otherinformation officers might find useful.

If you wish to receive announcementsfrom DCP, including updates to this website, please sign up for our mail list bysending an e-mail message [email protected] with the mes-sage: Subscribe DCP “your full name”.Where “your full name” is in the example,replace it with your first and last namewithout the quotation marks.

As a reminder, the PHS CommissionedCorps web site (http://www.dhhs.gov/phs/corps) provides information about theCorps to anyone interested in its history,personnel system, appointment criteria,and employment opportunities for stu-dents and health professionals. Links tothe professional category web sites are alsocontained there.

Division ofCommissionedPersonnel’sOfficial Web Site

The application deadline for the 1999Summer Junior Commissioned OfficerStudent Training and Extern Program(JRCOSTEP) is December 31, 1998.

The application deadline for the 1999-2000 Senior Commissioned Officer Stu-dent Training and Extern Program(SRCOSTEP) is also December 31,1998.

For applications, please phone:

JRCOSTEP: 1-800-279-1605

SRCOSTEP: 301-594-2919

For further information, please phone:

JRCOSTEP: 301-594-3484

SRCOSTEP: 301-594-3352

JRCOSTEP and SRCOSTEP Deadlines


The historical marker in front of TheKnappton Cove Quarantine Center (1899-1938) reads as follows: The buildings on thissite were used to quarantine immigrantscarrying disease, such as the bubonic plague,yellow fever, cholera, smallpox and typhus. Awharf once stood on the pilings in theColumbia River. The wharf was used to dockships and unload passengers for inspection.

Public Health Service (PHS) Commis-sioned Corps officers, friends, and familymembers from the Evergreen Branch of theCommissioned Officers Associationmarked the PHS bicentennial by visitingthe newly opened museum at the PHSColumbia River Quarantine Station at

Evergreen Visits “the Pest House” for Bicentennial Celebration

Knappton Cove, Washington. This WestCoast “Ellis Island” operated from 1899 to1938 and was staffed by PHS officers andcivilians. Although the wharf where steam-ers tied up to off-load immigrants is gone,the hospital building (referred to as “thepest house”) has been designated a heri-tage center and enrolled on the NationalRegister of Historic Places through theefforts of Ms. Nancy Bell Anderson andthe Columbia River Maritime Museum.

Before the PHS contingent visited thequarantine station, members of the U.S.Coast Guard (CG) Group Station inAstoria, Oregon, conducted a tour of theirclinical facilities and provided an orienta-tion to the sea rescue capabilities of AirStation Astoria and the National MotorLifeboat Rescue Center at Cape Disap-pointment, Washington.

Afterward, the PHS group moved to theColumbia River Maritime Museum for atour and luncheon. RADM SuzanneDahlman (Ret.) presented an overview ofthe role of women at the Columbia RiverQuarantine Station, and CAPT Richard

Lyons, Regional Health Administrator,presented a plaque and a copy of the bookPlagues and Politics to the Director of themuseum for the work done on the quaran-tine station’s history as well as the preser-vation of history on the U.S. LighthouseService (later incorporated into the CG).Museum docents were quick to point outthat they had faithfully included (stuffed)rats in the model exhibit of a ship’s hold,recognizing the mechanisms for the spreadof infectious disease by boat in our Nation’smaritime history.

Attendees felt a great deal of pride inseeing the PHS flag displayed in the hos-pital building at the quarantine station,and a bright yellow sign along the Colum-bia River Road announcing the PHS Co-lumbia River Quarantine Station. Allwere appreciative of the efforts of the CG,Columbia River Maritime Museum, andthe Bell Family at Knappton Cove in ex-panding the understanding of PHS his-tory on the Pacif ic Coast and in makingthis bicentennial observance a very spe-cial day.

Q. Are Public Health Service (PHS) offi-cers authorized to wear brown shoeswith the khaki uniforms?

A. Yes. Effective September 25, 1998, theSurgeon General authorized thatbrown shoes can be worn with theSummer Khaki and Working Khakiuniforms. The brown shoes authorizedto be worn with the PHS khakiuniforms are Aviator Brown in color.Officers must wear khaki colored sockswhile wearing brown shoes and khakislacks. Handbags carried by femaleofficers wearing brown shoes must beAviator Brown in color. All khaki and

brown items mentioned above must bepurchased at Navy authorizeduniform shops.

Q. Are PHS officers authorized to wearthe PHS Field Medical ReadinessBadge (FMRB) with Formal Dress andDinner Dress uniforms?

A. Yes. Effective September 25, 1998, theSurgeon General authorized thatPHS officers can wear the FMRB onFormal Dress and Dinner Dress uni-forms. This badge is worn centeredabove the miniature medals with 1/4inch to 3/8 inch space between the topmedal row and the bottom of the badge.

Q. Can backpacks/carryall bags be carriedby officers on their shoulders?

A. No. Regulations state that all bags (i.e.,briefcases, gym bags, backpacks, lunchbags, suitcases, garment bags, carryall

bags, etc. (excluding women’s hand-bags/purses)) shall be hand carriedwith the following exceptions: (1) back-packs/gym bags may be worn whenriding a bicycle or motorcycle, but shallbe hand carried upon dismounting; (2)women’s handbags shall be carried overthe left shoulder or forearm, placingthe top of the handbag at waist level.Bags should be carried in the left handto facilitate saluting.

Q. Are sneakers authorized for wear withthe PHS uniform when an officer iscommuting from public transportationstations or privately-owned vehicles tohis/her office?

A. No. Sneakers are not authorized forwear with the PHS uniform andshould not be worn with the uniformat any time.


Vacancy Announcements

The following vacancies are provided as representative of varied opportunities cur-rently available to Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers. If you have ques-tions pertaining to the announcements listed below, please call the contact listed.

Additional vacancy announcements suitable for commissioned officers can be reviewedby accessing the Division of Commissioned Personnel’s (DCP) Electronic Bulletin Board(EBB). The EBB contains a listing of vacancies currently tracked by DCP’s Vacancy An-nouncement and Tracking System (VAATS). Information regarding access and use of EBBis provided elsewhere in this Commissioned Corps Bulletin.

Any Operating Division/Program (OPDIV) wishing to list a vacancy in this columnshould send a written request to: Division of Commissioned Personnel/HRS/PSC,ATTN: VAATS Project Officer/ODB, Room 4A-18, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD20857-0001. The VAATS Project Officer can also be reached at: Phone: 301-594-3396 orFax: 301-594-2711.

Category/OPDIV Description of Position

MEDICAL COAST GUARD— Physician Liaison Rockville, MD Contact: Ms. Jean Athey 301-443-3888

Grade: O-6 VAATS ID: HBD-93-0086Serves as liaison to both public and private organi-zations that address pediatric emergency medicalservices (e.g., American College of Emergency Phy-sicians, National Association of Emergency MedicalServices Physicians, Federal Emergency Manage-ment Agency, etc.) through the Office of Traffic In-jury Control. Advises on policy and program issuesrelated to emergency medical services.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION— Supervisory Medical Officer Rockville, MD Contact: CAPT John McCrohan 301-594-3332

Grades: O-5/O-6 VAATS ID: HF-93-0063Assists the Division Director in planning, develop-ing, and conducting a nationwide certification pro-gram for mammography facilities. Serves as the Act-ing Division Director in the Director’s absence.Develops and implements quality standards formammography facilities in the areas of equipment,personnel, and quality assurance programs.

DENTAL COAST GUARD— Staff Dental Officer New London, CT Contact: CAPT R. (Skip) Miller 202-267-0812

Grade: O-3 VAATS ID: HBD-93-0085Provides dental treatment to U.S. Coast Guard Acad-emy students and active-duty and retired USCGmembers.

NURSE BUREAU OF PRISONS— Registered Nurse Various Sites Contact: CAPT Veronica Stephens

202-307-2867, ext. 137Grades: O-3/O-4 VAATS ID: HBE-93-0300Participates in sick call and chronic care clinics.Some Infectious Disease Coordinator and QualityAssurance positions available. Triage and emergencymanagement skills helpful. Vacancies are at medi-cal centers and outpatient clinics.


Physicians ProfessionalAdvisory CommitteeAnnounces Their NewWeb Site

The Physicians Professional AdvisoryCommittee (P-PAC) is pleased to announcetheir new web site - www2.ihs.gov/ppac

The goal of this web site is to enhancecommunication among commissioned corpsand civil service physicians in all of theOperating Divisions/Programs (OPDIVs),the P-PAC members, and the Office of theSurgeon General. This web site has manyfeatures designed to facilitate a two-wayexchange of information including athreaded discussion board, contact infor-mation, e-mail links to P-PAC memberswithin each OPDIV, important news andannouncements, meeting dates and min-utes of the meetings, and numerous refer-ence links to medically important websites.

Please take a moment to look up thisuseful web site and add it to your list offavorites. Further, if you have news or an-nouncements of national importance tocommissioned corps and civil service phy-sicians that you would like to have posted,please contact:

CAPT Timothy D. MayhewChief of StaffDzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle IHS Facility6 RD 7586Bloomfield, NM 87413E-mail: [email protected]: 505-632-1801, ext. 121Fax: 505-632-0542

ClarificationFrom the Office of the PHS Historian

In the obituary of former Public HealthService Surgeon General Leroy E. Burney,MD on page 17 of the September issue ofthe Commissioned Corps Bulletin, it wasstated that the use of the Sabin oral poliovaccine was approved during Dr. Burney’stenure as Surgeon General. While Dr.Burney did apparently approve the use ofthe vaccine, RADM David J. Sencer, (Ret.)has pointed out that the vaccine was notactually licensed until after Dr. Burney’ssuccessor, Dr. Luther Terry, was in office.


Category/OPDIV Description of Position

SCIENTISTENVIRONMENTALPROTECTION AGENCY— Risk Assessment Officer Washington, DC Contact: CAPT William Wood 202-564-3361

Grades: O-5/O-6 VAATS ID: P-93-0016Coordinates scientific projects on human health riskassessment. The position involves the applicationof the knowledge, theories, principles, and practicesof toxicology or biology to the development of Oper-ating Division guidance on risk assessment meth-odologies.

PHARMACY BUREAU OF PRISONS– Chief Pharmacist Various Sites Contact: CAPT John Babb 202-307-2867, ext. 128

Grade: O-5 VAATS ID: HBE-93-0301The Federal Correctional Institutions in Sheridan,OR; Miami, FL; Beckley, WV; Taladega, AL; andAllenwood, PA.

MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH— Human Subject Protection Coordinator

Rockville, MD Contact: CAPT Melody Lin 301-435-5647Grade: O-5 VAATS ID: HN-93-0024Administers Department of Health and HumanServices (HHS) programs for the protection of hu-man research subjects. Responsible for providing au-thoritative expertise to research institutions andHHS components concerning application of HHSpolicies, procedures, and regulations for the protec-tion of human research subjects, negotiates and ad-ministers human subject Assurances of Compliance,and conducts final review of and approving humansubject Assurances on behalf of HHS.

Vacancy Announcements(Continued from page 9)

Retirements – October

Title/Name OPDIV/Program

DENTALCAPTAINAndrew P. Goldbeck IHSCOMMANDERJames J. Crumbaker BOP

NURSECAPTAINBetty J. Tateyama IHSDaniel J. Walz IHSGladys M. Campbell NIHLynn E. McCourt NIH

COMMANDERShirley E. Jacobson IHS

ENGINEERCAPTAINDavid A. Ross CDCTerrence O. Hausken IHSAlan L. Petersen IHSArthur S. Kawatachi EPA

LIEUTENANT COMMANDERGary T. Carlisle IHS

SCIENTISTCAPTAINRoger L. Anderson CDCWilliam G. Sorenson CDCRobert P. Klein NIH

SANITARIANCAPTAINRichard E. Gross FDALee A. Shands IHS

PHARMACYCAPTAINThomas A. Alpert IHSGregory G. Moeller IHS

HEALTH SERVICESCAPTAINHarley V. Piltingsrud CDC

COMMANDERThomas A. Clemmer EPA

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE— Regional Public Health Consultant San Francisco, CA Contact: CAPT Jerry M. Johnson 202-565-1120

Grades: O-4/O-5 VAATS ID: HC-93-0062Serves as environmental health consultant for Na-tional Park Service units located in California, Ha-waii, Nevada, American Samoa, Saipan, and Guam.Emphasis on food safety, water supply, wastewater,and vector-borne diseases. Minimum of 8 years ofexperience is required as well as a relevant mastersdegree. Professional registration (P.E., R.S., REHS,CIH, or similar) is mandatory.

DATED MATERIAL

DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Program Support CenterHuman Resources ServiceDivision of Commissioned Personnel, Room 4A-15Rockville MD 20857-0001

Official BusinessPenalty for Private Use $300

0774

REDISTRIBUTIONUSING PERMIT IMPRINT

IS ILLEGAL


BULK RATEPOSTAGE AND FEES PAID

PSCPERMIT NO. G-280

Title/Name DateMEDICALCAPTAINGerald D. La Veck 09-20-98Harry A. Sauberli 09-10-98Bernard F. Rosenblum 09-26-98Harold A. Wood 07-26-98

NURSECAPTAINMargurite M. Albrecht 09-27-98Louise C. Anderson 09-24-98Vera P. Hansel 06-04-98

LIEUTENANTEva B. Isaacson 02-26-98

SCIENTISTCAPTAINCharles H. Powell 09-15-98

THERAPYCAPTAINEleanor G. Loomis 09-01-98Grant A. Schofield 09-18-98

Recent Deaths

The deaths of the following retired of-ficers were reported to the Division ofCommissioned Personnel:

Access to the Division of CommissionedPersonnel’s (DCP) Electronic BulletinBoard (EBB) requires a computer termi-nal equipped with a modem. The telephonenumber to connect to EBB is 301-594-2398.The line parameters for your modem/ter-minal should be set at 300-14400 baud; 8bits; 1 stop bit; no parity. If you do nothave access to the required equipment, itis suggested that you contact your Oper-ating Division/Program to inquire aboutobtaining the necessary equipment or in-formation on how to obtain the materialdisplayed on the EBB.

If you experience a problem regardingregistration or access to the EBB, pleasecontact:

Division of Commissioned Personnel/HRS/PSCATTN: EBB Project Officer/ODB5600 Fishers Lane, Room 4A-18Rockville, MD 20857-0001Phone: 301-594-3396

Method for Accessing DCP’sElectronic Bulletin Board

On June 19, 1998, Assistant Secretary forHealth and Surgeon General DavidSatcher toured the exhibit “Doctors at theGate: The U.S. Public Health Service atEllis Island” at the National Museum ofHealth and Medicine . PHS Histor ianJohn Parascan dola, Ph .D., who co -curated the exhibit, conducted the guidedtour.

Surgeon General Satchertours the National Museumof Health and Medicine