Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service

?? Exciting Announcement! ?? We are thrilled to announce that Major General Joe Cavallo will be the?keynote?speaker for the Luther Terry?Keynote?at the 2025 USPHS Scientific & Training Symposium! ??? Join us as he shares his inspiring insights on navigating through times of rapid change. With his extensive experience and leadership, General Caravalho will provide valuable perspectives that are sure to motivate and empower us all. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a true leader! Mark your calendars for June the symposium, June 9-12, and stay tuned for more details. ???? #USPHS2025 #Inspiration #ForgingLeadershipforGenerations.?https://lnkd.in/e9ei45EC

We are proud to announce Mr. John DiMaggio as the recipient of the 2024 RADM Brutsche Award. Please join us in congratulating Mr. DiMaggio for his remarkable contributions and this well-deserved recognition!

Last week, while visiting DC, COA's Executive Director, CAPT (Ret.) Jacqueline Rychnovsky, presented Mr. Garrett Devenney with the Congressional Public Health Leadership Award. As a former Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee staff member, Garrett played a pivotal role in advancing COA's advocacy and legislative priorities. His efforts helped secure a permanent fix for USPHS annual leave and promoted initiatives such as the adoption of the DD214 as the discharge document for USPHS officers. Now serving as the Chief of Staff for HRSA, Garrett's impact on public health and advocacy continues. Thank you, Garrett, for your commitment to supporting USPHS officers!

This Veterans Day, the Commissioned Officers Association (COA) was honored to participate as one of only 25 national military service organizations invited by the Veterans Day National Committee to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. CDR Katie Jacques, Chair of COA's Board of Directors, had the honor of placing the wreath. She was joined by RADM Denise Hinton, Deputy Surgeon General; RADM Paul Jung, Assistant Surgeon General; and RDML Richard Schobitz, Director of CCHQ. We are proud to recognize the sacrifice and service of our nation’s veterans.

Today, Commissioned Corps Headquarters officially announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have expanded their partnership to include the Ready Reserve Corps! Under this new initiative, Ready Reserve officers will now have the opportunity to be detailed to DHS, where they’ll train and support critical emergency operations. This expansion strengthens our collective readiness and enhances our ability to respond to public health and security challenges.

Are you interested in designing the 2025 USPHS Scientific & Training Symposium coin? The winning designer will receive a complimentary registration ($450 value) to the 58th?Annual Scientific and Training Symposium in June 2025 (fully transferrable to a friend or colleague). Submissions are due by January 15th to Jasmine Stuart at [email protected].?

Happy #NationalNursePractitionerWeek! LTJG Zainab Savard, pictured below, reflects on her career: “Being a Nurse Practitioner in the USPHS is an incredible honor. Serving as a reservist has given me the opportunity to provide care to people from various backgrounds in a wide range of settings, helping to make a real difference in public health." Join COA in celebrating our nurse practitioner officers!

Veterans Day is a time to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices made by those who have dedicated themselves to protecting our freedoms. To every veteran who has worn the uniform with pride and courage, we are profoundly grateful for your commitment and sacrifice. Thank you for your service, your bravery, and your unwavering dedication. #YourCorpsYourCauses #ForgingLeadershipforGenerations

In honor of?#AmericanDiabetesMonth?this November, COA is spotlighting officers who contributed to the 38th Annual Alaska Native Diabetes Conference in Anchorage, AK! We’re proud to recognize CAPT Judy Thompson, Director of the Diabetes Program for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), and LCDR Christy Pierce, a Nurse Practitioner with ANTHC’s Diabetes Program, for their instrumental roles in organizing this impactful event. LT Kobe Thammavongsa, Nurse Supervisor, and CDR Jazz Fajardo, Nurse Manager, both employed at the Southcentral Foundation Detox Program, were also in attendance. Their commitment to health and wellness in Alaska Native communities is inspiring!

Join us in Celebrating #NationalHealthCareFacilitiesandEngineeringWeek! Every year, we celebrate the important role that facility team members have in ensuring a safe and efficient environment for all patients, residents, visitors and staff within hospitals. This year, our Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service Engineer Officers had a momentous year, as 5 PHS engineers were selected as their Agency’s engineer of the year, and 3 PHS engineers were among the top-10 finalists. Our very own, CAPT Stephen Martin (CDC/NIOSH) was selected by the National Society of Professional Engineers as the 2024 Federal Engineer of the Year (FEYA). Please join us in recognizing our USPHS Engineer Officers and engineering across the country! Our 5 engineer officers honored are pictured below ??