Commissioned Officers Association
Of the U.S. Public Health Service
Ft Detrick Branch
Minutes of the May 8, 2002 Meeting
Date: May 8, 2002
Location: NCI, Bldg 426, Ft. Detrick, Fredrick, MD
Call to Order: LCDR Lucienne Nelson, President called the meeting to order at 1920.
Members Present: CDR R. Leland, LCDR K. Berkhousen, LCDR R. Gussio, LCDR L. Nelson, LCDR M. Rossi-Coajou and LT L. Matheny.
Reading of the Minutes: Minutes were approved and accepted.
Treasurer’s Report: A grand total of $35 for our branch dues has been received from national COA. Members are encouraged to check that their branch fees are coming to our branch. http://www.coausphs.org/membership.html
Other Reports:
Webmaster: No issues. Contact LCDR Gussio for any web postings, issues or suggestions.
National COA Issues: No report.
Military Standards Cadre (MSC)/ Physical Fitness: Jerry Farrell, Executive director of the National COA, visited our branch on April 21, 2002, during our spring MSC physical fitness testing and Honor the Colors. We had an excellent showing of support from our branch officers and his visit was well received. Jerry Farrell sent a follow-up letter of support and encouragement of this Branch activity. We are planning an article in a future Frontline issue. (Slide show of the event featured under New Business). New PT standards will be implemented Fall 2002. LCDR Gussio will update our website to reflect the changes.
Reports of Standing Committees:
Membership: No report. Welcome new members LT Reddy, LT. Matheny
Professional Relations: LCDR Rossi-Coajou reports continuing support of Barquist Army Health clinic at Ft Detrick to corps officers wishing to maintain clinical skills/professional development. Currently the clinic is in need of pharmacy support. Please contact the pharmacist at the clinic if you are interested.
Ongoing Business:
Social event planned for July. Families are invited. This will be our annual let’s have some fun event. Dates tossed around were July 6 and 13. LCDR Gussio will obtain information on reserving the pool at Ft Detrick; LCDR Rossi-Coajou volunteered to assist with music and entertainment planning and LCDR Berkhousen will coordinate sign up sheet for food. E-mails concerning the event will be forthcoming.
New Business:
COA Conference Update: LCDR Rossi-Coajou provided an update on the 2002 COA conference. She provided a very moving slide presentation highlighting the Sept 11th events (which was also shown at the COA conference).
LCDR Nelson provided information on voting for the National COA Board of Directors. The ballot in the Frontline is incorrect in two categories – Health Services nominees are listed under the Nurse category and Nurse nominee names were left off of that ballot. Please be careful when voting and ensure that you have the correct nominees (corrected ballot was sent out via e-mail on April 30, 2002).
Esprit de Corps Slide Show: LCDR Gussio presented a motivating slide show of the April 21, 2002 physical fitness and military standards cadre (MSC) event, complete with award presentation to Don Feinberg and Special guest appearance by Jerry Farrell, Nat’l COA executive director.
Member Announcements:
LCDR Berkhousen asked the group if they were interested in providing community service in Fredrick County as a branch activity. Suggestions mentioned were manning telephone lines for public TV fund drive or working in the Fredrick mission’s soup kitchen. Members’ expressed interest in pursing this idea.
LCDR Rossi-Coajou spoke about the USPHS Nursing Recognition Day held May 2, 2002. The event was broadcast live across the US, from CMS (former HCFA) in Baltimore, MD. Theme: The Role of Nursing and Public Health During Times of War and Terrorism. Over 500 sites and estimated that over 4,000 individuals viewed the broadcast.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 2040. Next branch meeting will be replaced by the July family fun activity.
Submitted 5/14/02
LCDR Katherine Berkhousen LCDR Lucienne Nelson
Secretary, Ft Detrick Branch COA President, Ft Detrick Branch COA
Berkhousen@cber.fda.gov nelsonlu@mail.nih.gov