Scientist Officer Newsletter

The Scientist Officer Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 1 October 2009

OP SciPAC Home
Table of Contents

1. Greetings from the New SciPAC Chair, CDR Diana Bensyl
2. A Call to Conscience, RADM Helena Mishoe
3. Reflection of 2008-2009 SciPAC Chair, CDR Rachel Avchen
4. Update from PsyPAG, CAPT Michael Murry
5. JOAG 101: What is JOAG and How to Get Involved, LCDR Robin Toblin
6. Junior Officer Spotlight: LT Anne Purfield
7. Senior Officer Spotlight, CAPT Doug Thoroughman
8. Deputy Surgeon General Will Recognizes Cadets For Hurricane Evacuation Efforts
9. SciPAC Poster for USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium in Atlanta, GA
10. List of Presentations by Scientist Officers, January - August, 2009
11. Upcoming Meetings and Trainings
12. Scientist Officers Attending AP Fort Hill Training, August 2009
13. SciPAC Officers Shine in the Annual Surgeon General's 5K Run/Walk
14. 2009-2010 SciPAC Members and Roster of Scientist Officers
15. 2009-2010 SciPAC Visibility Committee Newsletter Team

Greetings from the New SciPAC Chair, CDR Diana Bensyl

Hello Fellow Scientists!

When I first joined the Commissioned Corps in 1999, I was assigned to Anchorage, Alaska. I was lucky to work in an office with several other Corps officers from multiple categories. Though no one else was a Scientist, they knew the basics. They taught me how to wear the uniform, how to do my COER, how to apply for assimilation, and how to navigate the military healthcare system. Most importantly, they gave me some good advice to get involved with my PAC.

To get help with the issues that were specific to my category and to be proactive in ensuring the future I wanted, I followed their advice. Though my work on the PAC has required me to work harder and longer to ensure my regular job is done well and on time, it has been a great experience. It would have been easy to sit back and let others who were more experienced, who did not have a job as busy as mine, or who were extra ambitious, take on volunteer positions within the PAC and the Corps. I realized though that these were the people who implement policy for me. If I failed to give input, I may not like the policies that come out.

By participating on PAC calls, volunteering on committees, and staying informed on Corps issues via COA, mentors, and Corps announcements, I have more readily adapted to new policies. I also feel I have been heard by Corps leadership. Giving input did not require a huge amount of time. It required staying aware of the issues and passing on my point of view to those who would facilitate change.

There are areas where I want to see change in the Corps. I certainly will not be able to accomplish all those changes over the course of the next year, but I hope to plant the seeds. Topics that are especially important to me include creating the ability to do part-time work as a Corps officer and getting special pay for ALL Scientist officers. I also want to ensure that Scientists are treated equitably in comparison to categories that also have terminal degrees (such as Medical and Veterinarian) regarding opportunities for leadership, deployment, and billets.

As the current Scientist Professional Advisory Committee (SciPAC) Chairperson, I welcome your comments in any of these areas or on new issues that need consideration. I will bring your concerns to the larger group and make sure they are heard, even if I do not agree with you. I firmly believe that this is required in my role as your PAC chair and that it is the way to provide strength to our category. I thank you for your trust and I will do my best this year to serve our category with pride and distinction. Please help by giving the SciPAC a bit of your time to ensure that we represent all Scientists.

A Call to Conscience
By RADM Helena O. Mishoe

I am extraordinarily humbled to have been asked to contribute to the Scientist Category inaugural newsletter. As I think about our category and the Corps, I am overwhelmed with emotion. The country is facing enormous challenges and there is a greater need for leaders that are willing to heed Sir Winston Churchill’s challenge, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” The country will undoubtedly reexamine who we are as a nation, and the need to answer the call to service in bold new ways will continue to challenge each of us.

The Corps is a critical component of the nation’s public health workforce. As an organization with a heart to serve, it is particularly important to pay attention to individuals without health care coverage, as well as vulnerable, and marginalized populations that suffer disproportionately in our country. We face numerous public health challenges that need to be addressed by the Corps and other public health professionals. It is important to provide data that validates the need for a holistic and comprehensive approach as parity is established for both physical and mental health. We have much to do now and in years to come.

Many have asked about my IETA experience in Angola. As you know, health diplomacy is a means to foster interconnectedness among the global community. I truly feel that I engaged in health diplomacy during my project in Angola. When selected, for IETA I was determined to leave Angola having made a difference on a professional and personal level.

Angola Experience
My project was to help establish a program for HIV/AIDS early infant diagnosis (EID). HIV-infected children in Africa without treatment have a 35% chance of dying by the first birthday and 53% chance of dying before the age of 2. The standard method of HIV diagnosis, testing for antibodies to the virus, is generally not used in children due to the presence of the mother’s antibodies up to 18 months of age. Without EID, children die unnecessarily. I was honored to have an opportunity to help save lives. Among my major tasks was to develop the Angola EID protocol, to conduct laboratory assessments to ensure equipment availability for EID, determine training needs of laboratory personnel, and strengthen global partnerships and promote EID to the Angolan health leadership. As a member of the esteemed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Angola staff, I had the opportunity to work closely with the US Embassy staff. Both the CDC and Embassy staff are extraordinary groups serving our nation abroad.

On a personal basis, I volunteered each week at an abandoned home for girls. “Children are my heart.” I taught mathematics and English, arts and crafts, and was “just simply there” for the children. The girls were filled with love and laughter, taught me Portuguese, and provided me a new perspective on life. Even though we spoke very little of each other’s language, I learned that love has its own language. We understood each other perfectly

Even though we spoke very little of each others language, I learned that love has its own language. We understood each other through our eyes.
I can never pass up an opportunity to thank each of you for your service to our nation. The world is a better place because of you and what you do. Go forth, always seeking an opportunity to serve as a public health expert and a compassionate leader.
We must never grow weary trying to make a difference in the lives of others as we hold fast to “A Call to Conscience.”

Special Thanks for article preparation to:
Ms. Wendy Vasquez, NHLBI
Ms. Leslie Bassett, NHLBI

Reflection of 2008-2009 SciPAC Chair
CDR Rachel Avchen

11 September 2009

Dear SciPAC,

As I sit down to write this message, I am reminded about the strength of our Officers in the face of diversity. It was eight years ago today that I sat like many of you in awe and utter disbelief as I watched not one but two planes fly into the World Trade Center, another into the Pentagon, and yet a third diverted over Pennsylvania.

In the aftermath of such disaster and pain, our Officers rose to the occasion and still are at the ready today. We are united by the mere fact that together we are Scientists, diverse in disciplines, yet with a common goal to promote optimal public health practice.

As Scientist Professional Advisory Committee (SciPAC) Chair, I was struck by the fact that while many of us have never worked together physically, we come together “virtually” to support the PAC and draw upon experience, education, and service for the greater good. I often relate the story that I identified a fellow Scientist for the first time at Category Day based solely on inflection and lilt of voice recognition, “oh you must be Sally!”

As Chair, I have a greater respect for all that you do. This year was no exception in all that we accomplished. We worked together to promote Scientist and Commissioned Corps visibility, to uphold readiness standards, to ensure our Officers were prepared for promotion boards, to rectify appointment standards (toward equitability), to critically respond to policy, and so much more.

I thank you each for your contributions. It was an honor to serve, you made it so easy!

In memory of 9-11 victims, let us never forget the purpose that drives what we do to better the nation’s health capacity.

Candles burn, a sweet pungent scent
Haunted by the musk of sewage, a reminder of the overflow
Workers, volunteers, strangers, shuffling about
Wandering in the madness of irreconcilable loss

We will never forget
−RNA 9.16.01

v/r
CDR Rachel Avchen

Update from PsyPAG
CAPT Michael D. Murry

The most recent Psychology Professional Advisory Group (PsyPAG) conference call on September 16 had 35 Commissioned Corps (Corps) psychologists participating, showing considerably increased interest and participation. Corps psychologists may be either Scientists or Health Services officers. The PsyPAG was originally formed as a forum for psychologists in the Health Services category. The PsyPAG is now open to membership by all Corps psychologists.

The Psychology Consultant to the Surgeon of the Army, COL Bruce Crow, gave the PsyPAG updates on issues related to Corps psychologists serving with the Army. The Army and the Corps are working to develop a postdoctoral residency program for Corps psychologists. Once these officers complete the residency and obtain their license, they would have a follow-on assignment at an Army facility.

As of August 26, there are 67 Corps officers serving in Department of Defense (DOD) assignments. Twenty-three of those are psychologists.

Plans are being made to have presentations on the DOD mental health initiative at the COF Symposium in San Diego. To address a long-standing concern, efforts will be made to make the session APA- approved for continuing education credit to meet psychologists’ license renewal requirements.

CDR Salvatore and CDR Thompson completed the first comprehensive list of all Corps psychologists. The list was distributed to all psychologists and will be updated semi-annually.

CDR Rachel Avchen developed a welcome letter for new Scientist officers last year. The PsyPAG has followed suit and developed a welcome letter for psychologists new to the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service. The welcome letter will be sent to each new psychologist called to active duty. The goal is to help each new officer make contact with peers, get access to important information, and get off to a good start in this new career.

The current PsyPAG chair, CDR Slate, will finish his term and elections will soon be held for the next chair and secretary. CDR Slate has done a fine job providing important information to the PsyPAG and increasing participation.

JOAG 101: What is JOAG and How to Get Involved
LCDR Robin Toblin

The mission of Junior Officer Advisory Group (JOAG) is to provide advice and consultation to the Surgeon General, Chief Professional Officers (CPO), Professional Advisory Committees (PAC), and other Commissioned Corps (Corps) groups on issues relating to professional practice and personnel activities affecting junior officers in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service.

Any junior officer (Temporary O-4 or below) who participates in JOAG meetings and serves on one of JOAG’s committees or workgroups is considered a general member. There are also 20 voting members including one liaison to each category. I’ll be your liaison for the next two years and will be providing updates each month on SciPAC calls and in each newsletter.

Junior officers can get involved in JOAG by volunteering for any of our committees. Through these committees, members will get the opportunity to actively participate and have a voice in the future of the Corps. There are over 10 committees that focus both on what goes on within JOAG as well as JOAG's relationship to the Corps as a whole. Being on a committee is a great way to help other junior officers and assist in Corps-wide projects. Other benefits include meeting other junior officers from around the country, leadership development, access to professional development, and a great thing to add to the “officership” portion of your CCurriculum Vitae (CV). I have really enjoyed being involved in JOAG the last two year and have made some great connections and friendships through it, so I recommend checking it out.
For more information, go to http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/joag/ or email me at rtoblin@bop.gov.

Junior Officer Spotlight: LT Anne Purfield

Can you please provide a brief summary of your training and education?

MacMurray College, Jacksonville, IL, B.S. Biology and Chemistry, 1999
Comprehensive Rural Health Project, Jamkhed India, 1998
- Experienced “public health” for the first time in India. I learned about empowering people in poverty, sustainability, and community health care. Although I was interested in microbiology and infectious disease prior to this trip, this was the first time I considered a career that would include public health.
Atlanta Semester, Agnes Scott College, Atlanta, GA, 1999
- Intern at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Emerging Infectious Disease Training Fellowship, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 1999-2001
- I worked as a microbiologist in the National Center for Infectious Disease, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, Respiratory Disease Branch. I was acquainted with several Corps officers and I first considered joining the Corps and pursuing a public health career after my graduate work was completed.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, PhD, 2007
- Dissertation: A mechanism of resistance and mode of action for drugs against Plasmodium falciparum.
- Adviser: Steven R. Meshnick, MD, Ph.D.
- My laboratory was located within the UNC School of Public Health and my research experience was cross-disciplinary and included molecular epidemiology as well as molecular biology. (At the risk of sounding like a total nerd) I became smitten with parasitology, especially the parasite that causes malaria. I found the history behind the public health struggle for disease eradication, development of treatment, and implementation of treatment policy to be fascinating. Most of all, I wanted to help the people affected by parasitic diseases.
Kenneth S. Warren Institute, Chapel Hill, NC, Postdoctoral Fellow, 2007-08

Can you tell our readers how long you’ve been a Commissioned Corps officer and describe your duties at your current duty station?

I joined the Corps in October of 2008. I was working as a post-doc when funding for my research and position started to dry up. I knew I wanted to work in a public health agency or institution. I’m working at the FDA as a clinical microbiologist in the Division of Special Pathogens and Transplant Products within Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). I review applications for drugs to treat parasitic and fungal infections, primarily. Prior to clinical trials, sponsors (pharmaceutical companies, not-for-profit organizations or academic investigators) submit protocols for approval. As a clinical microbiologist, I review the data/protocols submitted that pertains to the drug’s mechanisms of action, mechanism of resistance and in vitro and in vivo (animal model) efficacy. At the conclusion of clinical trials, I review clinical microbiology data submitted by the sponsor, including susceptibility of the microorganisms. I enjoy the challenge of learning about diseases and new treatments that have potential to impact global health.

What led you to consider a career in the Commissioned Corps?

In college I was searching for an experience abroad to see the impact of infectious diseases when I stumbled up on a group of college students going to India to study public health. I’m not even sure I understood what public health was when I boarded the 22 hour Air India flight in Chicago. It’s amazing where a 22 hour flight can take a naïve Midwestern girl. At the Comprehensive Rural Health Project in Jamkhed, India, I learned how empowering people can change their lives. I learned how treatment is useless unless people have access to it. Most of all I learned how the health of the community is dependent on the people in the community (not the government or charities).

What did you find to be the most challenging aspect of your transition into the Commissioned Corps?

I knew I wanted to join Corps when I was offered a position at the FDA. I started my first day of work at FDA as a commissioned officer. As a new employee, a new Officer and a new resident in the community—I had many questions! I am so grateful to the Officers I work with. They always point me in the proper direction for everything from health care to uniforms.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your service thus far?

I have had the opportunity to pass along the lessons I’ve learned to other newly Commissioned Officers. I’m anxious for my first deployment experience.

In your opinion, how can SciPAC help junior officers achieve their career goals in the Commissioned Corps?

’m still thinking about this… I suppose my greatest concern is finding a new position as a scientist. I’ve “hung up” my pipette and jumped off the research train for awhile to work in a regulatory position. One of my greatest fears is that by achieving “mobility” and pursuing new positions in the Corps, I will close doors for future positions as a scientist because I will no longer be an expert in one topic/field.

Describe some of your hobbies and activities outside of the Corps?

I have one fantastic and exceptionally beautiful dog, Toby. He’s a golden retriever/chow chow mix that I rescued in my first year of graduate school. Since I moved to Maryland, I’ve supported a golden retriever rescue organization because I believe every person should find their “dog soul mate”.
Until I moved to the DC area, I was very involved with the civic organization, Kiwanis. I was the first female president of the Kiwanis Club of Chapel Hill-Carrboro in the club’s 85 year history.
As of this morning, I joined a bowling league at Bethesda Navy with co-workers and friends. We’ll see how this turns out. Who knows, I could give up my career in public health for professional bowling! Not likely…
My favorite hobby is cooking and baking. I love exploring new and challenging cake recipes. My co-workers love it, too! I like applying my knowledge of molecular biochemistry to cooking.

Senior Officer Spotlight, CAPT Doug Thoroughman

Can you please provide a brief summary of your training and education?

I attended Central Washington University in Ellensburg Washington in the early to mid-1980’s where I earned a Bachelor of Art degree in Community Psychology and then a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology. I did a lot of teaching during my Master’s degree program as part of an assistantship to help pay my way through. Then I did a stint in the U.S. Peace Corps, in Liberia, West Africa where I served in the Combating Childhood Communicable Disease Program (CCCD), a WHO Expanded Programme on Immunization program to increase vaccination rates in the country. I include this episode because it really was an integral part of my training and education despite not getting a degree and it was what introduced me to the concept and world of public health. I returned from Peace Corps and applied to Emory University in Atlanta, where I was accepted in 1991 and completed my PhD in Epidemiology in 1996.

Can you tell our readers how long you have been a Corps officer and what duty station(s) you have been assigned to during your tenure?

I have been an officer just over 13 years now. I entered the Corps as a LT in 1996 in CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) and was assigned to the Indian Health Service (IHS) National Epidemiology Program headquarters office in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The EIS program is a two year fellowship in field epidemiologic investigation and I was fortunate to be able to conduct many investigations and studies during my two-year tenure. Once I completed the EIS program, I did one year in a joint assignment between CDC, IHS and the University of New Mexico (UNM) at UNM’s Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention which focused on HP/DP activities in American Indian/Alaska Native populations. In this position, I mainly helped write and execute grants that promoted health in AI/AN populations such as diabetes prevention. Next, I was a CDC assignee to IHS to serve as IHS’ National Hepatitis Coordinator. Here I focused on studies to quantify the effectiveness of hepatitis A vaccination in AI/AN populations and helping IHS come up with specific guidelines for dealing with the epidemic of chronic hepatitis C among many tribes nationally. Finally, I accepted a position as one of the first CDC Career Epidemiology Field Officers (CEFO) in 2002 and was assigned to the Kentucky Department for Public Health in Frankfort, KY, where I serve to this day. The CEFO program was created in response to 9/11 in an effort to assist states with lower capacity to respond to public health crises and emergency events by placing CDC epidemiologists at the state or local health departments.

What led you to consider a career in the Commissioned Corps?

Truthfully, I didn’t know what public health or the Commissioned Corps was until my time in the Peace Corps. There I met three epidemiologists, two who successively directed our program for a year each and the other who was doing her doctoral research in Liberia. I was so impressed with their skills and the fact that they got to do math and statistics (which I love) but also work with people in exciting places (which I also love) that I wanted to be an epidemiologist after that. Two of them were associated with Emory University, so that is the only place I applied to when I returned and of course, Emory is right next door to CDC and so I learned about CDC and the EIS program and the rest is history. I chose to join the Corps when I came in because the alternative was a fellowship that paid the same as the Corps but had no benefits. I didn’t learn about the true benefits of being a Commissioned Corps Officer until a year or two later. Though it wasn’t intentional in the beginning, I have never regretted coming into the Commissioned Corps as an officer, especially since understanding what it means to be a Commissioned Corps Officer, how many opportunities are opened before you, and that I get to serve my country in a really unique way.

What do feel has been the most significant change in the evolution of the Corps since you were commissioned?

Obviously, the Transformation has had a significant impact on the Corps and the way we function, though some things haven’t yet changed greatly with respect to the Transformation. The huge shift of our mission to response and readiness is probably the most obvious and significant change. In 1996 when I came in there was no focus on readiness - we did typical outbreak response nationally but we were in no way prepared or able to respond to public health crises of national significance. In recognition of the foresight of Corps planners (readiness initiatives started around 1999), 9/11 and the anthrax attacks five years later showed that we had come a long way but still had a long way to go. This has been a fundamental shift in focus for the Commissioned Corps and I don’t believe it is completely resolved yet in how we maintain our base public health mission and excellence while being ready to respond to major public health events. I think that the developing esprit de corps coming through new officers being better trained coming in and more willing to do what needs to be done because they have a clearer and more transparent presentation of what the Corps now represents has been an outcome of this and is good for the Corps. However, we still need more personnel and direct funding to move to where it seems we need to be regarding this issue.

What have you found to be the most rewarding aspect of your career in the Commissioned Corps?

The variety of work that is out there to do. I have never had a lack of projects and interesting things to be involved in, outside of the number of positions that are regularly available to choose from if one wants career change options.

What have you found to be the most challenging aspect of your career in the Commissioned Corps?

Trying to reign myself in with respect to the number of projects I get involved in. I typically take on way too much because there is so much out there that interests me. The most recent example is taking on Applied Public Health Team #1 leadership this year. I absolutely should not have done that given the workload I am under, but I went ahead and agreed to it, as per my typical modus operandi. Having three bosses, Commissioned Corps, CDC, and the Kentucky Department for Public Health is always a challenge keeping the first challenge in mind.

What advice would you give a newly commissioned or junior officer regarding the early years of his/her career in the Commissioned Corps?

Get involved in Corps activities – COA, JOAG, SciPAC, recruiting activities. All of these are available to any officers, they are good for your career, you can learn from senior officers, make new friendships, find new career opportunities yourself and on and on. I didn’t get too involved in Corps activities until my third year in the Corps, but my life has never been the same since (in a good way!). Another bit of career advice that my first supervisor gave me that is really useful is that you should have a ribbon for every 1-2 years in the Corps and for each job assignment that you do. This is something that needs to be focused on early, but many officers don’t realize or think about this until they are several years into their career, they are up for promotion, and don’t have any ribbons to represent their career accomplishments.

What role has SciPAC played in helping you achieve success in the Corps?

SciPAC is what got me more involved in the Corps, gave me great career guidance, led to my stint as acting Chief Scientist Officer when RADM Joseph unexpectedly passed away in 2004 and helped me to contribute actively to dealing with the Transformation and readiness requirements early in their development. We didn’t always have a strong influence but at least we felt that we had a voice and an avenue to contribute. SciPAC has been a great advocate for Scientist officers and a great resource for every Scientist CPO. My only regret is that lately I haven’t been able to participate as actively due to my schedule.

Deputy Surgeon General Recognized Cadets For Hurricane Evacuation Efforts
Source: www.aggiecorps.org

Deputy Surgeon General and Chief Operations Officer of the U.S. Public Health Service Rear Admiral Robert C. Williams '76 will recognize four Texas A&M students, including three Corps of Cadets members, for their volunteer efforts during Hurricane Ike evacuations on campus last fall during halftime at the Texas A&M vs. University of Texas men's basketball game, Monday, February 16.

Last fall, as Hurricane Ike approached the Gulf coast, over 250 Category 4 and 5 Critical Care Patients were evacuated from the Beaumont area to Reed Arena on the Texas A&M campus. Texas A&M student and staff volunteers were a key element of the support system that helped the shelter provide for the evacuees.

The four students, all from the Class of 2009, who will be recognized Monday night are Jordan Reid, Corps of Cadets Commander; Syed Hussain, Corps Operations Officer; Cadet Matthew May and Mark Gold, Texas A&M student body president. Reid, Hussain and May also received the Corps Distinguished Humanitarian Award in December, given to cadets who go above and beyond the call of duty, making a significant difference in the lives of others.

Jordan Reid '09, a senior political science major from Whitehouse, Texas, is the Corps Commander and a member of Company F-2. Reid's exceptional leadership helped ensure the safety and well-being of Corps members during the storm and resulted in outstanding Corps support of the evacuees on the Texas A&M campus in the storm's aftermath. Prior to the storm, he worked with commanders to prepare the Quad for the hurricane, developed and implemented a thorough plan for safety and accountability and worked directly with the U.S. Public Health Service and other agencies to effectively coordinate volunteer efforts.

Syed Hussain '09, a senior biomedical engineering major from Mont Belvieu, Texas, is the Corps Operations Officer and a member of Company N-1. Hussain played a critical role in planning and coordination of the various relief efforts for which the Corps of Cadets provided personnel. Working tirelessly and sleeping little over the weekend of Hurricane Ike, his contributions were critical to the success of the Easterwood Airfield operations and the organization of the evacuees at Reed Arena.

Matthew May '09, a senior agricultural leadership and development major from Gatesville, Texas, is a member of A-Battery and the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band. For the entire week after the hurricane hit, when May was not in class he was at Reed Arena doing whatever was needed and asked of him. Serving those in need at Reed nearly all day, every day, he volunteered completely on his own initiative as there was no directive to serve. May's commander stated, "That week, Matt truly showed what the Aggie Spirit is all about and what it means to be a good Aggie. He is an asset to this unit and the Corps of Cadets."

In addition to bestowing special recognition upon Reid, Hussain, May and Gold, Admiral Williams will also award U.S. Public Health Service certificates and uniform ribbons to more than 600 cadets who served as volunteers during the Hurricane Ike relief effort. The cadets provided over 6,700 hours of service, including an essential 28 hours of offloading patients from the Texas Air National Guard C-130 aircraft that provided airlift for the patient evacuation.

Texas A&M's Corps of Cadets is in its 132nd year of training leaders for service to the state and nation. In the Corps, cadets gain valuable leadership skills and experience to complement their academic education.
While cadets earn commissions as military officers, membership in the Corps itself, carries no military obligation.

For more information about the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, visit www.aggiecorps.org.

SciPAC Poster for USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia

The Scientist Category presented at poster at the Annual USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia on June 1 to 4, 2009.

To download the poster in PPT format, please click here.

List of Presentations by Scientist Officers, January - August, 2009

Our Scientist Officers work in a wide variety of fields and they have presented their work in many forums from scientific conferences, to the annual COF meeting, to members of congress and the list goes on. The presentations provided by our Scientist Officers in 2009 are listed in this section.

January

CAPT Richard P. Troiano “2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans” 2009 Consensus Conference: Advancing the Future of Physical Activity Measurement and Guidelines, Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.

CAPT Victor Krauthamer “Magneto-hydrodynamic simulations for non-invasive cardiac blood flow measurement.” Bioelectromagnetics BioEM 2009, Davos Switzerland.

CAPT Victor Krauthamer “Effects of optical irradiation parameters on safe peripheral nerve stimulation with infrared light.” SPIE Photonics West, San Jose, CA, January 24 – 25, 2009.

LCDR Deborah L. Dee “Results from the CDC National Survey of Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care.” Invited Presentation, International Conference on the Theory and Practice of Human Lactation Research and Breastfeeding Management, Orlando, FL, January 15, 2009.

LCDR Deborah L. Dee “Characteristics of Breastfeeding in the United States and the CDC State Breastfeeding Report Cards.” Invited presentation, International Conference on the Theory and Practice of Human Lactation Research and Breastfeeding Management, Orlando, FL. January 15, 2009

LCDR Deborah L. Dee “Breastfeeding-Related Maternity Practices at Hospitals and Birth Centers in the US: Results of the 2007 CDC mPINC Survey.” Epidemic Intelligence Service Tuesday Morning Seminar, Atlanta, GA. January 20, 2009.

February

CAPT Rickie R. Davis "Use of L-NAC as a noise otoprotectant in mice," Association for Research in Otolaryngology.

LCDR Henraya F. McGruder “Characteristics of Hospitals Associated with Use of Thrombolytic Therapy for Ischemic Stroke Patients.” Oral Presentation at the 2009 International Stroke Conference, San Diego, CA.

CAPT G. Shay Fout “Enteric virus and indicator occurrence in ground water sources of public drinking water” Center for Environmental Education, Conservation and Research of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico's 8th Biennial Symposium on Potable Water Issues in Puerto Rico: Science, Technology and Regulation in Puerto Rico.

CAPT David J. McIntyre “Depression and Suicide: Screening and Prevention” 2009 IHS National Combined Council Conference, San Diego, California.

CAPT Betty Tai “How NIDA’s Initiatives Promote Understanding of Prescription Opiates” FDA Regulatory Processes and Standards for Review and Approval of Opioid Analgesics: An Educational Primer and Conversation, Hilton Washington DC/Rockville, Rockville, Maryland.

March

CAPT Rebecca Sheets “The NIAID Portfolio and Pipeline to Discover and Develop Novel Technologies for HIV Vaccines” Workshop on considerations for the regulation of clinical trials of novel preventive vaccines against HIV and other infections sponsored by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation in Moscow, Russia.

CAPT Rebecca Sheets “Assay Validation & Good Laboratory Practices Requirements” Workshop on considerations for the regulation of clinical trials of novel preventive vaccines against HIV and other infections sponsored by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation in Moscow, Russia.

CAPT Paul D. Siegel “Comparison of glove contact allergen contact and clinical patch test.” Presented at Society of Toxicology Meeting.

CAPT Paul D. Siegel “Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) – specific monoclonal antibodies: production and epitope mapping.” Presented at Society of Toxicology Meeting.

CAPT Paul D. Siegel, Ph.D. Capt. USPHS “Increased cell proliferation in spleen and lymph nodes peripheral to contact allergen application site.” Presented at Society of Toxicology Meeting.

CAPT Paul D. Siegel “The production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-conjugated proteins” Presented at the American Association for Allergy Asthma and Immunology.

LCDR Deborah L. Dee “Maternity Practices in US Hospitals and Birth Centers: Results of the First National mPINC Survey.” Invited presentation, Breastfeeding and Feminism Symposium, Greensboro, NC.

April

CAPT Rebecca Sheets “Moderator and presentation: “Evolving Strategies” Workshop on Microbial Agents in Animal Cell Substrates: An Update on Testing & Methods” sponsored by NIAID, International Association for Biologicals, and the World Health Organization in Bethesda, Maryland.

CAPT Rebecca Sheets “Adventitious Agent Testing” WHO Study Group on Cell Substrates for the Production of Biologicals” sponsored by the World Health Organization in Bethesda, Maryland.

CAPT Rebecca Sheets “Adventitious Agent Testing Action Items” WHO Study Group on Cell Substrates for the Production of Biologicals” sponsored by the World Health Organization in Bethesda, Maryland.

LCDR Anne C. Dobmeyer, “Translating behavioral health interventions for diabetes and pulmonary diseases for the primary care environment.” Symposium presented at the meeting for the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Montreal, Canada, April 2009.

LT Michael L. Jackson Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine shortage and surveillance for invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease - United States, 2007-2008. Presented at the National Immunization Conference in Dallas, TX.

CAPT David J. McIntyre, Ph.D., ABPP “Suicide Clusters in Indian Country” 2009 American Association of Suicidology – Annual Conference San Francisco, California.

CDR Christine Hunter Chair for pre-conference workshop on Translational Research Design and Methodology; 2009 Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual.

LCDR Deborah L. Dee “The Association between Breastfeeding Duration and Weight Retention at One Year Postpartum is Modified by Breastfeeding Intensity–United States, 2005-2007”. Oral presentation at 2009 EIS Conference, Atlanta, GA. April 20, 2009.

CAPT Michael D. Murry "Global Review of Emerging Treatment Settings in Psychology.” West Virginia Psychological Association, Charleston, WV.

CAPT Michael D. Murry "What Do We Have To Do, And Why?" Mental Health in Corrections Conference, Kansas City, MO.

May

CDR Diana Bensyl, “Considering Field Assignments for National Training Programs”, European Scientific Conference on Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology.

CDR Diana Bensyl, “Uncle Sam Wants Your PhD”, NIH Career Symposium.

LCDR Chekesha S. Clingman, Ph.D. “FDA Public Private Partnership Program: Improving the Critical Path Toward Efficient Product Development” 2009 BIO International Convention, Atlanta, GA.

CAPT Rebecca Sheets, Ph.D., USPHS “Biodistribution of Ad5” Meeting with Swissmedic (Switzerland’s FDA equivalent) in Bern, Switzerland.

CAPT Victor Krauthamer,“Transmembrane Impedance and Intracellular Calcium Changes following High-Voltage Shocks in Cardiomyocytes”, Heart Rhythm Society Meeting, Boston MA.

LT Shane Davis “Religious Involvement and Social Support as Mediators of Intimate Partner Violence and Psychological Maladjustment"- Society for Prevention Research 2009, Washington, DC.

LCDR Nicole Frazer “Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury: Best Practices”. Poster presented at the Presentation at the Hidden Casualties of War: Moving to Solutions Symposium in Pensacola, Florida.

CAPT Betty Tai, “Discussant’s Remark on Status of Drug Abuse Treatment in South-East Asia” Symposium on “International and Global Issues in Drug Abuse Treatment” at NIDA 2009 Hawaii Addictions Conference / AAPI Workgroup Scientific Conference on Addiction and Related Issues: Focusing on Recent Research and Culturally Relevant Treatments Among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Honolulu, Hawaii.

June

LT Shane Davis "Availability of Free Telephone Cessation Services to Youth Smokers"- National Conference on Tobacco or Health 2009, Phoenix, AZ.

CAPT Deborah Levy “Community Partnership Workshops for Delivery of Healthcare during an Influenza Pandemic” Presentation at the 2009 United States Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia.

LCDR Matthew Newland “Adapting the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program’s Diagnostic Compliance Module for International Analysis” Presentation at the 2009 United States Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia.

LCDR Andrea Sharma “Maternal Body Weight Prior to and Following Pregnancy” Presentation at the 2009 United States Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia.

LT Jennifer Adjemian “Investigation of Progressive Inflammatory Neuropathy (PIN) Among Swine Abattoir Workers in Indiana” Presentation at the 2009 United States Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia.

CAPT Doug Thoroughman“ Hurricane Response in Kentucky: PHS Officers Answer the Call” Presentation at the 2009 United States Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia.

CAPT Mehran S. Massoudi “CDC-Tuskegee University Public Health Ethics (PHE) Fellowship” Presentation at the 2009 United States Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia.

LCDR Nicole L. Frazer ”Department of Defense/Public Health Service Initiative: A Panel Discussion.” Panel presented at the 2009 United States Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia.

LCDR Nicole L. Frazer “Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury: Leading a Collaborative Global network Promoting Resilience, Recovery, and Reintegration.” Presentation at the 2009 United States Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia.

LCDR Nicole L. Frazer “Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury: Overview of the Resilience Continuum.” Poster presented at the 2009 United States Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia.

LCDR Chekesha S. Clingman, Ph.D. “FDA PPP ProgramL Improving Public Health Through Collaboration” 2009 USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium, Atlanta, GA.

LCDR Deborah L. Dee ”Are US Hospitals and Birth Centers Practicing Breastfeeding-Supportive Maternity Care? Results of the First National mPINC Survey.” Oral presentation at USPHS Symposium, Atlanta.

LCDR Deborah L. Dee “Scientist Officers Work to Ensure a Safe and Healthy World.” Poster presented at the USPHS Symposium, Atlanta, GA.

CAPT Michael D. Murry "A Drug Abuse Prevention Program Utilizing Prison Inmates Speaking to School Students." 2009 USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium Atlanta, GA.

CAPT Rebecca Sheets “Ethical, Legal, & Social/Cultural Challenges” Consultation on the Inclusion of Adolescents in HIV Biomedical Prevention Clinical Trials sponsored by the Forum for Collaborative HIV Research, NIAID, and NICHD in Washington, DC.

CDR Steven Sparenborg and CAPT Betty Tai “Comparative Effectiveness Research in the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network” Annual Meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence.

LCDR Renee Calanan “Residential proximity to traffic and adverse birth outcomes in four Utah counties” 2009 Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) Annual Conference.

LCDR Renee Calanan “Knowledge of an educational effort undertaken following a statewide cryptosporidiosis outbreak — Utah, 2008” 2009 Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) Annual Conference.

July

CAPT Christine Benally "How Are We Measuring Performance." National Healthcare Preparedness Evaluation and Improvement Conference. Evaluation Section State and Local Initiative, ASPR. Arlington, Virginia. July 21 to 24, 2009.

CAPT Richard P. Troiano, Ph.D. “Within-Person Differences in Physical Activity Measured by Self-Report and Accelerometer in US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2006” 7th International Conference on Diet and Activity Methods, Washington, DC.

LCDR Tracie Gardner "Outbreak of campylobacteriosis associated with consumption of raw peas - Alaska, 2008" International Association for Food Protection, 96th Annual Meeting, Grapevine, TX.

LCDR Anthony Tranchita “Youth Regional Treatment Center Data Management Pilot Project”Indian Health Summit.

CAPT Betty Tai “Overview of NIDA’s Clinical Trials Network (CTN) and How to Integrate Cost Analysis Measures in Addiction Treatment Trials.” NIDA Health Economics Workshop on “Cost- Effectiveness/Cost Analysis Evaluation in Addiction Treatment Clinical Trials”. Rockville, Maryland.

CAPT Betty Tai “The Barriers and Opportunities in Developing and Implementing Behavior Health Electronic Records in Substance Abuse Treatment” NIDA Workshop on “Narrowing Research-Practice Divide in Evidence-Based Medicine with Adoption of Electronic Health Record Systems: Present and Future Directions” Rockville, Maryland.

August

CAPT David J. McIntyre, Ph.D., ABPP “Assessing & Managing Suicide Risk – skills training workshop” 2009 IHS/SAMHSA National Behavioral Health Conference St. Paul, Minnesota.

Upcoming Meetings and Trainings

Events and Meetings List [PDF]

Scientist officers attending AP Fort Hill Training, August 2009


CAPT Doug Thoroughman, CAPT Christine Benally, LCDR Sally Hu and CDR Dan-my Chu.	Scientist officers at AP Hill.

SciPAC Officers Shine in the Annual Surgeon General's 5K Run/Walk

SciPAC was well-represented at this year's Surgeon General's 5K Run/Walk held in conjunction with the Annual USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium in Atlanta, GA June 1 - 4. In addition to the individual competition, 3-person teams also could compete. SciPAC formed a Men's Team and a Women's Team, and both earned a top award! The SciPAC Women's Team, comprised of CDR Sara Newman, CDR Danice Eaton, and LCDR Robin Toblin, earned 2nd place in the team competition, while the SciPAC Men's Team, comprised of CAPT Doug Thoroughman, LCDR David Thomposon, and LCDR Michael King earned 3rd place in the team competition. CDR Sara Newman also made SciPAC proud with her overall female 1st place performance. Way to go, Sara! Thank you to each of the team members for being willing to participate! If you didn't participate this year, mark your calendar for next year's Run/Walk which will be during the 2010 USPHS Scientific Training and Symposium held in San Diego, CA on May 24 - 27.

L-R: CDR Danice Eaton, LCDR David Thompson, CDR Sara Newman, LCDR Michael King, CAPT Doug Thoroughman, LCDR Robin Toblin.

2009-2010 SciPAC Members and Roster of Scientist Officers

For a list of the current 2009-2010 SciPAC Members and their roles and contact information, please visit http://www.usphs-scientist.org/membership.htm.

For a roster of all Scientist Officers in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service in Excel format, click here.

2009-2010 SciPAC Visibility Committee Newsletter Team

A special thank you goes out to all the officers on the Newsletter Team of the Visibility Committee! Our members include:

CAPT Christine Benally
LCDR Renee Calanan
LCDR Anne Dobmeyer
LCDR Samuel Dutton
CDR Danice Eaton
LT Theodore Garnett
CDR Wei Guo
LCDR Sally Hu
LCDR James Kenney
CAPT William Lotz
LCDR Sharon Saydah
LT Heather Silvio
LT Charlene Sydnor
LCDR Robin Toblin
LCDR Yi Zhang

If you wish to submit an announcement or article to the Scientist Officer Newsletter, please contact CAPT Christine Benally.

Visit our website at http://www.usphs-scientist.org

Scientist Officer Newsletter