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SCIENTIST PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Office of the Surgeon General

United States Public Health Service

Minutes of 27 April 2000 Meeting Number 77

Table Contents

Table Contents

LOCATION/DATE/TIME:

ATTENDANCE:

STANDARD AGENDA ITEMS AND REPORTS:

REPORT FROM THE TREASURER:

OLD BUSINESS--ONGOING COMMITTEE REPORTS and PROJECT STATUS:

NEW BUSINESS:

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ADJOURNMENT

      SCIENTIST PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Office of the Surgeon General

United States Public Health Service

Minutes of 27 April 2000 Meeting Number 77

  1. LOCATION/DATE/TIME:

    2. Parklawn Building, Surgeon General’s Conference Room 18-57

    27 April 2000

    1300-1600

  2. ATTENDANCE: top

A. MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

CDR Francois Lalonde

NIH

(Past Chairperson)

CDR Rebecca Sheets

FDA

(Chairperson)

CAPT Gilbert Sanders

IHS

(Vice Chairperson)

LCDR Darin Weber

FDA

(Executive Secretary)

(Liaison to DC-COA)

CDR Allen Albright

FDA

(Recording Secretary)

CDR Laila Ali

FDA

(Treasurer)

CAPT John Bartko (Ret.)

    

CAPT Alejo Borrero-Hernandez

BOP

  

Dr. Stephen Goldman

NIH

  

CDR Angela Gonzalez-Willis

HRSA

  

CAPT Helena Mishoe

NIH

  

CAPT Carolyn Strete

NIH

  

CDR Richard Troiano

NIH

  

B. EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ATTENDING:

CAPT Susanne Caviness

SAMSHA

  

CAPT Derek Dunn

OS

(CPO)

CDR Pat McNeilly

OS

  

CAPT Mark Paris

DoD

  

CDR Doris Ravenell-Brown

DCP

  

C. GUESTS ATTENDING:

LCDR Boris Aponte

SAMHSA

  

LCDR M.Thomas Hendricks

FDA

  

LCDR Kathy McDuffy

    

CAPT Walter Schaeffer

NIH

  
  1. MEMBERS EXCUSED OR ABSENT:

LCDR Nelson Adekoya

CDC

  

CDR Carl A. Ohata

AHCPR

  
 
  1. STANDARD AGENDA ITEMS AND REPORTS: top
    1. CALL TO ORDER:
    1. REPORT FROM THE DCP STAFFING OFFICER : top

CDR Ravenell Brown reported the following items on behalf of LCDR Timmons.

  • CPO authorization for access to the DCP website is to start soon. She noted that Agency liaisons can give authorization to any officer in their agency
  • 75% OPFs have been scanned
  • Information on submitting promotion material for next the next promotion cycle should be available in the May issue of the CC Bulletin. Fax is preferred for submitting information to the OPF. Fax return receipts will help assure that officer information has arrived in DCP; officers should also check their OPF on line after a few weeks.
  • Year 2000 COERs will be sent out in May. An electronic COER is planned by DCP for next year
  • The goal for the DCP reorganization is June 1, 2000. The PAC liaison role from DCP will probably be dissolved.
  1. REPORT FROM THE CHIEF PROFESSIONAL OFFICER: top

    CAPT Dunn reported on the following items from this morning's CPO meeting:

  • A draft timeline for the DCP reorganization was distributed by RADM Davidson
  • Officers are reminded that the Parklawn Classic Run/Walk is tomorrow (1100 hours) and participation/attendance is encouraged. For the 25th anniversary of the Classic, CDR Flyzyk is heading up an effort to take the Healthy Lifestyles initiative to other cities on a national level.
  • Approximately 2000 responses have been received out of 5000 healthy lifestyles surveys distributed per CDR Flyzyk
  • There may be increasing opportunities for the Corps (e.g., DoD is interested in the PHS handling the humanitarian side of many of their missions; however, this would be a huge endeavor given the current structure of the Corps and the funds available).
  • DCP is no longer providing formal career counseling for promotions. Officers are reminded that there is much related information available on the DCP Website. Category mentoring will continue to assist officers with their career development.
  • The 2000 promotion cycle is almost over with no numbers available yet. This represents the first year that electronic reviews were done and appears to be a more efficient process. Promotion announcements will be out by June 1. CPOs will send out letters of promotion as well as letters to non-promoted officers.

 

    1. REPORT FROM THE TREASURER

CDR Ali had nothing specific to report at this time.

Discussion ensued over providing additional reduction in meeting registration for students to attend the National COA meeting. This would also be a good recruitment opportunity (e.g., advertise for Co-Step, etc.). It was noted that the COA uses this meeting primarily as fundraiser which is a different motivation than recruitment and that perhaps it is more appropriate that officer categories should take the lead with reduced student registration. It was agreed that for this year students would be invited informally by the Scientist Category to attend only the Scientist mental health session (books and meals will not covered). CDR Sheets requested that the recruitment committee look into the additional reductions in student registration idea further and how the COA meeting can be used in this regard. CAPT Dunn commented that the PAC needs to decide on a general plan and process for spending and using money in the treasury and amend the charter accordingly. CDR Ali was charged with putting a proposal together.

  1. OLD BUSINESS--ONGOING COMMITTEE REPORTS and PROJECT STATUS:
    1. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ISSUES: top
      1. AWARDS AWARDS COMMITTEE: (CDR Troiano; Adekoya, Ali, Gonzalez-Willis, Hendricks)

          CAPT Dunn commented that the committee needs to set a date to review the applications. To that end, a conference call is tentatively set for next Wednesday, May 3, 2000 (CDR Troiano is the lead).

      2. CHARTER/HANDBOOK COMMITTEES: (LCDR Weber) top

      CDR Sheets charged the Exec. board to review their roles/responsibilities.

        1. MENTORING COMMITTEE: (CAPT Mishoe; Aponte, Sheets, Troiano) top

          2. CDR Troiano provided an update on the results of the CV review mentioning that 40% of respondents received comments from two reviewing officers and 50% from one officer. CDR Troiano is preparing a formal report.

        2. RECRUITMENT COMMITTEE: (LT Adekoya; Albright, Aponte) top

      LT Adekoya forwarded the following announcements:

        1. LT Adekoya received and reviewed the CD-ROM featuring the Environmental Health Officers in action from LCDR Darin Weber. Most of the information in the CD-ROM is basic to the Commissioned Corps and is found in various manuals. He will meet with LCDR Weber at the COA meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona and advise on how the Scientist Category should proceed with this recruitment process. One idea is rather than duplicating information that is readily available, we can provide slides of Scientist officers in action, with a couple of slides summarizing what we had contributed to the Corps, and what our future plan is. The slides can be updated (e.g., when a new CPO is elected, when a new SciPAC Chair is selected, when a major task is being undertaken by the SciPAC, etc.). After finalizing the concept with LCDR Weber, LT Adekoya will brief SciPAC members on this development.

        2. CAPT Dunn requested the Recruitment Committee to work on the recruitment package that was distributed during the last SciPAC meeting. LT Adekoya provided some information to CAPT Dunn on this. At the next SciPAC meeting, LT Adekoya will print copies of this information out FOR members. The package contains useful information which can be distributed by any of the SciPAC members or by anyone in the category. The final revision to the cover page will have the name and other information on the new CPO for additional information.

    1. With regard to electronic forwarding of vacancy announcements to Scientist Category applicants, we began forwarding electronic vacancy announcements to Scientist Category applicants in March 2000. LCDR Timmons provided the names and e-mail addresses (when available) of 21 Scientist category applicants (individuals that are boarded and those who have applied and have not been boarded). About 30% of the e-mail addresses are nonfunctional. Three applicants have accepted positions with the universities or other agencies. One applicant requested additional information on International Health on completion of his EIS training. Overall, the response has been favorable.
    2. CAPT Walter Schaeffer (Scientist Officer; guest) was introduced as a NIH Research Training Officer who works in the office at NIH which oversees policy for the 8000 post docs and graduate students across the U.S. that NIH supports. CAPT Schaeffer offered his services for the PAC's recruitment efforts since these students and postdocs are potential applicants to the CC Corps Scientist Category. He can be reached at 301-435-2687. CDR Sheets commented that the DCP reorganization needs to be considered and included in any future recruitments efforts. It was discussed that the SciPAC has materials available electronically which could be sent out by e-mail (e.g., to postdocs and training directors). DCP is meeting with personnel departments. The PAC needs to have someone in contact with DCP.

 

      1. VISIBILITY COMMITTEE top
        1. Scientist Poster (CAPT Caviness)

          2. Pictures are needed urgently for poster preparation. The deadline for submitting these is next Friday. An announcement was sent out through the e-mail distribution list.

        2. Public Relations/Others (LCDR Weber; Albright, Bartko, Gonzalez-Willis, Hendricks, Maramark, Mishoe, Sheets, Troiano)

          3. LCDR Weber reported that the Scientist Category article should be appearing in the May issue of the CC Bulletin. The article includes a link to the Scientist Webpage.

          Survey update

          CDR Sheets reported that the response rate was 148 out of 260 (about 50% by Web, 25% by mail, and 25% by fax). Follow up e-mails were important factors for the response rate. The data analysis portion is ongoing by part of the committee while the rest work on an after-action report. A draft report of some of the data can be presented at the COA meeting (a volunteer is needed). The final report will be distributed through the website once available.

          Transition to new CPO

          CAPT Dunn outlined a proposal for a special transition meeting once the new CPO is on board. Also, as part of the transition, CAPT Dunn may also work toward developing a CPO manual including CPO forms, certificates, duties, and schedule of events, etc. (this effort will also depend on new CPO’s discretion). The July meeting is a full member meeting which may be a good forum to provide the new CPO an overview of PAC activities (e.g., committee reports from chairs of ongoing programs). CAPT Dunn will also work on putting his old files as CPO into electronic form to distribute to the PAC for future records.

          2000 COA Meeting update

          CAPT Paris reported that the Mac flight (Washington, DC only) is full and that all names and lists have been submitted.

          Corps Musical Group update

          CAPT Bartko reported that the musical survey was advertised to the entire Corps through the CC Bulletin. No formal action has been taken yet. Responses to CC Bulletin notice will be sent to CAPT Bartko.

        3. Science Fair Judging (CDR Sheets; Ali, Bartko, Hendricks, Weber

          4. CDR Sheets reported that the fairs are completed and were successful with enough volunteer officers; however, there is room for improvement. At one fair, 2 students did not show up for their awards and the presenter was left in an awkward situation. It was recommended that award recipients be informed that they have won the SG award with committment to attend the award ceremony.

        4. Internet Committee (LCDR Weber; Lalonde, Maramark, Troiano)

              CDR Lalonde provided a status report on the internet meeting project. The cameras have arrived, and he plans to meet with specialists to test the system out. CAPT Dunn commented that this program can be presented at the CPO meeting as a pilot.

               

               

  1. NEW BUSINESS: top

SCIPAC STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS ISSUES:

  • Status of Psychologists in Scientist Category

Discussion continued on this issue. The PAC may request (through letter from CAPT Dunn) that RADM Davidson designate someone in DCP to explain the policy for category assignment to the SciPAC. It was discussed that the letter should detail licensure differences between the HSO and Scientist category and why this issue has come under discussion by the PAC, so that DCP can clarify its position to resolve any ambiguity.

  • SciPAC Elections

An announcement will be sent out by the Recording Secretary calling for nominations to for the Exec. Board. Responses should be sent to the Chair.

In addition, there will be a call for new members for the Scientist category to go out in the June CC Bulletin. The Exec. Sec. will also post an announcement by the e-mail distribution list. There was some discussion on the need to harmonize the Charter concerning eligible scientists for the category (i.e., role of PAC and civilians on PAC, etc.). This can be discussed further at the July PAC meeting.

VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS top

  • CAPT Sanders mentioned the issue of e-mail and Web access for all officers . The PAC should work on assisting officers to obtain hard copies or tools to read electronic materials.
  • A reception for CAPT Dunn was announced to commence immediately following the SciPAC meeting today in honor of CAPT Dunn and his tenure as CPO. RADMs Moritsugu and Blackwell are included as invited guests.
  1. ADJOURNMENT ADJOURNMENT top

The SciPAC meeting was adjourned at 1550 hours.

 

Submitted by:

 

__________________________ ______________________________

CDR Allen Albright CDR Rebecca Sheets

Recording Secretary Chairperson

Date___________________ Date___________________