SCIENTIST PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Office of the Surgeon General

United States Public Health Service

 

Minutes of 26 July 2001 Meeting Number 83

 

 

 

I.  LOCATION/DATE/TIME

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

1300-1600 HOURS

 

II.  ATTENDANCE

A.  MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE 

CDR Richard Troiano                       NIH                  (Chairperson)

LCDR Nelson Adekoya                    CDC               (Vice Chairperson)

CDR Angela González Willis           HRSA             (Recording Secretary)

CAPT John Bartko (ret)       

CDR Pamela Ching                          CDC

 

B.  EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ATTENDING

CAPT Lireka Joseph                        FDA                (CPO)

 

C.  GUESTS  ATTENDING

CAPT Susanne Caviness                SAMHSA

CAPT Mark Paris                             DOD

CAPT Armen Thoumaian                 HCFA

LCDR Kathleen McDuffie                CDC

LCDR Daphne Moffett                      ATSDR

LCDR Darin Weber                          FDA                (Webmaster)

LT Joe Temenak                               FDA

 

D.  MEMBERS EXCUSED OR ABSENT

CDR Laila Ali                                    FDA                (Treasurer)

CDR Rebecca Sheets                     FDA                (Past Chairperson)

Dr. Stephen S. Goldman                  NIH

LCDR Boris Aponte                         SAMHSA

 

III.  STANDARD AGENDA ITEMS AND REPORTS

A.  CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 1305 hours by CDR Troiano.

 

B.  GREETINGS FROM THE CHAIR

 

CDR Troiano greeted the participants and asked them to introduce themselves. There was nothing to report from the CPO/PAC Chairs meeting – the group did not meet today as regularly scheduled.  A joint meeting of the CPO/PAC Chairs and SG PAC will take place tomorrow (7/27) at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington, D.C., as part of the Federal Credentialing Program Summer Colloquium.

 

C.  REPORT FROM THE CHIEF PROFESSIONAL OFFICER

 

CAPT Joseph announced the re-introduction of the Associate Recruiter Program. Each category has been asked to nominate two (2) officers to serve as representatives for this activity.  Because of their experience and involvement in recruitment efforts, CAPT Caviness and LCDR Adekoya will represent our Category.  

 

D.  REPORT FROM THE TREASURER (CDR Ali) – CDR Ali was not present at the meeting.   However, there has been no recent activity in the SciPAC account.

 

IV.  OLD BUSINESS -SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND PROJECTS

 

A.  AWARDS (CDR Troiano)  - The SciPAC Scientist of the Year Awards were presented by ADM Satcher during the Scientist Luncheon at the Commissioned Officers Association’s (COA) annual meeting.   CAPT Derek Dunn was the recipient of the 2001 Career Scientist Award, and LCDR Darin Weber was recognized with the 2001 Young Scientist Award.  Congratulations to CAPT Dunn and LCDR Weber!!          

 

B.  CHARTER REVIEW/HANDBOOK (LCDR Weber) – The Model Charter has been approved by the OSG.  The PAC will now proceed with the final version of the charter. 

 

C.  MENTORING (CDR Sheets) – Nothing to report at this time.  The subcommittee will need a Chair for the 2001-2002 year.

 

D.  RECRUITMENT (LCDR Adekoya) – CAPT Joseph and CDR Troiano will review the recruitment package submitted by LCDR Adekoya and they will make recommendations to LCDR Adekoya for a final product. 

 

LCDR Adekoya requested from CAPT Joseph a copy of the Scientist category workforce status report to present at the next meeting.

 

E.  VISIBILITY (LCDR Weber)

 

1.  Poster (CAPT Caviness) —   CAPT Caviness noted that she will be working to develop Poster #9 for the next COA meeting scheduled to be held in Atlanta in 2002.   

 

2.  Public Relations, Publishing, and Public Speaking (LCDR Weber) —

 

Several Scientist Officers were recognized at the District of Columbia Branch Commissioned Officers Association (DC-COA) Summer Awards Luncheon held Wednesday, July 18^th.  A plaque was presented to CAPT Bartko as the founder and director of the Music Ensemble.  Other PHS officers involved in the Music Ensemble were also recognized including Scientist CDR Sheets. 

 

CAPT Caviness was presented with a plaque for sustained outstanding service to the PHS and Commissioned Corps in developing projects and events, supported by the OSG, to increase esprit de corps.   CAPT Caviness also received a "Special Recognition Award" by the DHHS Asian Pacific American Network for outstanding accomplishments, commitment, and steadfast support of diversity and cultural issues, as well as mentoring of PHS Officers of Asian Pacific American decent.

 

CDR Sheets and LCDR Hendricks were recognized with a plaque for serving as Co-Chairs of the Science Fair Judging.

 

LCDR Weber is the new President of the DC-COA Branch.  CDR Troiano will serve as the DC-COA Branch Scientist Representative.

 

CAPT Caviness announced the new PHS “blazer” patch which will be available this September through the DC-COA Branch (PHS coins are still available through the Branch).  The patch is hand embroidered in silk and bullion and matches the PHS Seal in design and color.  It is to be worn on the left pocket of a blazer jacket (when in civilian attire).

  

3.  Internet (LCDR Weber) — Pictures and abstracts from the 2001 National COA annual meeting are available on the web-site (http://usphs-scientist.org).

CAPT Joseph mentioned that vignettes of those officers who were candidates for the Career and Young Scientist Awards and who gave permission will be included on the web-site in the future.

 

4.  Science Fair Judging (CDR Sheets) — Nothing to report at this time.

5.  Music Ensemble (CAPT Bartko, ret.) — CAPT Bartko stated his appreciation to the DC-COA for their generous financial gift to the Ensemble, and for their recognition of the Ensemble members at the DC-COA Summer Awards Luncheon. 

 

CAPTs Dunn and Bartko are working on a write-up of the Ensemble, which will include the history and accomplishments to date.  They are also planning to develop a tri-fold brochure that can be easily distributed at meetings and conferences.  CAPT Bartko noted that the Scientist category should be very proud for planning, implementing, and spearheading this effort.

 

The Ensemble was asked to perform at the Federal Credentialing Program Summer Colloquium scheduled for 7/27/01.  Unfortunately, the Ensemble was not provided with enough lead/preparation time for this event.  It was recommended that a small cadre of officers (2-3) be “on-call” to serve as lead singers for the PHS march in any given situation.  CAPT Bartko will discuss this suggestion further with members of the Ensemble. 

 

The Ensemble will perform at the DC-COA Branch Family Picnic scheduled for Saturday, September 22^nd, and at the annual DC-COA Dining Out (tentatively scheduled for Saturday, November 17^th).  

 

F.  CV REVIEW  (CDR Troiano) – CDR Troiano noted that the review process will approach us soon and he encourages officers to volunteer to serve as reviewers. Junior level officers are paired with a more seasoned officer as part of the CV review process. Having two reviewers helps the officer being reviewed, and serving as a reviewer helps junior officers improve their own CV. This is an important service provided by SciPAC and needs support by the category.

 

G.  SURVEY (CDR Troiano) – CDR Despins and LCDR Thoroughman reviewed the report and provided specific written recommendations and changes to be incorporated in the final survey report.  CDR González Willis noted that the changes and recommendations were very much “on target.” She suggested that to expedite the completion of the final report, CDR Despins and LCDR Thoroughman make the necessary changes but that these suggestions be shared with the rest of the survey subcommittee members.  

 

V.  NEW BUSINESS

 

1.                  COA Meeting (CAPT Paris) – CDR Troiano thanked CAPT Paris for his work and involvement in planning the COA annual meeting, and especially for developing the Scientist Day Session and coordinating the joint session with the Health Services Officers (HSO) category.  CAPT Paris is “retiring” from this position and recommended that the PAC review those activities that were successful and consider areas of common interest with other Categories for next year’s meeting.  CAPT Thoumaian volunteered to help with the planning and coordination for next year’s meeting. 

 

2.                  New Members (CAPT Joseph) - A total of 11 applications were submitted for consideration to the SciPAC.  CAPT Joseph mentioned that the PAC is looking for balance and diversity in terms of discipline, gender, geographic representation, agency, and seniority. 

 

3.                  Election of New Officers (CDR Troiano)  -- This activity will be a challenge this year since there are a limited number of officers eligible to hold office.   Nominations (self and other) for the positions of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer should be sent to CDR Troiano by Friday, August, 10^th  (please check to make sure if the person you are nominating is willing to serve in the position).

 

D.       ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Nominations for SciPAC certificates are to be sent to CAPT Joseph by Friday, August 31^st.   Please write a brief paragraph providing supportive documentation (why officer should be recognized).  

 

 

The next scheduled meeting:  Full SciPAC - September 27, 2001

 

VI.  ADJOURNMENT

 

The SciPAC meeting was officially adjourned at 1405 HOURS.

 

Submitted by:

 

   AGW                                                                                                      

CDR Angela M. González Willis                              CDR Richard Troiano

Recording Secretary                                                Chairperson

Date 7/30/2001    1531 HOURS                             Date