Announcements

• Message from the Office of the Surgeon General.
• USPHS Symposium Offers Critical Needs Training Workshops
• Board of Directors for 2011 - 2012
• 2012 COF Symposium 1st Annual Officer Fitness Challenge Registration Details --Order your APFT T-shirts here
• Volunteers Needed for 2012 USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium

  The Logistics Committee for the 2012 USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium is seeking the help of volunteers to assist with a variety of tasks onsite during the conference in Maryland. Duties are time-limited and straight-forward. For Junior Officers it is a great opportunity to showcase your talents and expand your network. For Senior Officers, it is an excellent way to give back! Your help will ensure a smooth-running conference and a positive experience for everyone! All volunteers will receive a Certificate of Appreciation. If you will be in Maryland for the Symposium, please take a moment to review the needs and sign up today! Visit http://www.phscofevents.org/related/VolunteerOpportunities.cfm for details and to sign up!

• 2012 USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium Pre-conference Community Service Projects. Click here for project descriptions.

• Top 10 Reasons for DC Areas Officers to Attend the USPHS Symposium
  Click link here to view the list.
• USPHS Symposium Officer Room Share Program

  Find a roommate for the USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium taking place on June 19-21, 2012 in College Park, Maryland. Use this self-sustained, easily accessbile online spreadsheet where you can post your interest in a roommate:
  

  1. To access the online tool click here
  2. Once the link is open, click on the first empty cell under Column A.
  3. Once the Column A cell is highlighted, click on the arrow to the right of the cell to pull up drop down options. From the drop down click on “Looking for a Roommate” or “Have a Room to Share” to indicate your room need.
  4. Enter your name, email address, phone number and other pertinent information listed on the spreadsheet. This information will be used by other officers to get in touch with you or vice versa.
  5. Once you have identified a roommate, please remove your information from the spreadsheet.
  Contact LCDR Latonia Ford (Latonia.Ford@fda.hhs.gov or call 301-796-4901)
  

• Call for Volunteers to serve as Judges in Regional Science Fairs

  It is that time of year again. The DC COA needs Commissioned Corps Officers from all categories to serve as judges and award presenters at approximately 10 regional high school science fairs. The fairs will be held in March and April in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. This program involves judging and presenting the "Best of Category - Medicine and Health Award" to the best project(s) at each science fair.

  Please consider volunteering as a Judge in one the regional science fairs. Not only is this a great opportunity to meeting some of the brightests students from around the DC Metro Area, you will also have the opportunity to network with fellow officers. Join us in encouraging the scientists and engineers of tomorrow. If you would like to participate, please complete the science fair regisration form.

  For more information on the registration process, please contact CDR Tarsha Cavanaugh (tcavanaugh@hrsa.gov). POC: CDR Jacqueline Rodrigue (jrodrigue@hrsa.gov) and LCDR Yvette Waples (yvette.waples@fda.hhs.gov)

  Please remember to wear your Service Dress Blue uniform during the judging events.

• Marine Corps Marathon Runners and Volunteers

  Date and Time: Sunday, October 28, 2012 at 0700
  Location: Arlington, Virginia
  Activity POC: CAPT Mark Freese (mark.freese1@us.army.mil)

  Description: We are establishing a USPHS Marine Corps Marathon Team for 2012 and are looking to assemble a group of runners and volunteers to embark on this journey. This year the race will be held on Sunday, October 28, with registration opening on Wednesday, March 7, at 1500EST. Beginning at noon Eastern on Thursday, February 23, all active duty and Reserve military members can receive a 15 percent savings for the 37th Marine Corps Marathon. Service members can register online during an exclusive two-week period through March 6, before the MCM opens to public registration on March 7. If you were planning to run this year or would like to volunteer, please contact CAPT Mark Freese (mark.freese1@us.army.mil) or LTJG Kazu Okumura. (kazuhiro.okumura@fsis.usda.gov).

• USPHS Videographers needed for AMSUS Video Project

  Video editing software and superb post-production skills needed for AMSUS video project. Contact David Wright (david.wright2@fema.dhs.gov) and see HSO Video Casting Call for more information. Deadline to sign up is April 5, 2012.

• Uniform Shop Hours of Operation

  Date and Time: Every Wednesday from 1200-1300
  Location: 5600 Fishers Lane (Parklawn Building), Room 4-59, Rockville, MD 20857. The Building is The Building is located near the Twinbrook Metro Station (Redline). POC: (301) 443-9704
  

• FDA Shuttle Bus Schedule

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Mission

The mission of the Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service is to improve and protect the public health of the United States by advocating for the Commissioned Corps and its officers.

2010-2011 Initiatives

The District of Columbia Metropolitan Area Branch of the Commissioned Officers Association pledge ourselves to make this Branch an outstanding example of cooperative endeavor by furnishing opportunities for Commissioned Corps Officers to improve and protect public health through education, networking, and community service.

CDR Vicky Borders-Hemphill, USPHS
Branch President