**VETERINARY PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE**

**(Vet PAC)**

###### MEETING MINUTES

# June 12, 2003

# NIH Campus, Building 31, Room 3C05 

## 

## Members Present

CAPT Bill Stokes (NIH, Chief Professional Officer, Non-voting Ex Officio
Member) via conference call

CAPT Randolph Daley (CDC) via conference call

CDR Dusty Rhodes (NIH, Vet PAC Chair)

CDR Brent Morse (NIH)

CDR Terri Clark (NIH)

CDR Estella Jones (FDA), via conference call

CDR Stephanie Harris (EPA), via conference call

LCDR Kim Taylor (NIH, Executive Secretary)

## Members Absent

CAPT Bob Hoyt (NIH, USPHS, Retired, Civil Service Member)

LCDR Patrice Klein (FDA)

## Guests Present

CAPT Sean Altekruse (NIH, Vet PAC past-Chair, ex officio member)

CAPT Cynthia Pond (USDA)

CDR Martin Kriete (NIH)

CDR Meta Timmons (DCP)

CDR Yvette Davis (NIH, Alternate for CDR Brent Morse), via conference
call

LCDR Sanyvette Williams (EPA) via conference call

CDR Dusty Rhodes called the meeting to order at 1309 hours and
introduced members and guests. Minutes of the March 27, 2003 Vet PAC
meeting were previously approved and posted on the category's website at
<http://www.fda.gov/cvm/links/vcc/>.

####### Organizational Maintenance -- CDR Rhodes

-   A hearty welcome aboard was extended to CAPT Bill Stokes, our new
    Chief Professional Officer (CPO).

-   Be sure to read this month's Commissioned Corps (CC) Bulletin - the
    Veterinary Category received a lot of press to include CAPT Stokes
    Bio.

-   The Call for Vet PAC Nominations is in this month's Bulletin. Please
    seriously consider serving on this all important and ground-breaking
    committee. Instructions can be found in the CC Bulletin.
    Self-nominations are welcome.

######## Agenda Items

**[CPO Comments -- CAPT Bill Stokes]{.underline}**

# CDR Rhodes and CAPT Stokes attended the May 22, 2003 CPO/PAC Chairs meeting. The following items were discussed. 

## Corps Transformation 

-   Secretary Thompson has directed the Surgeon General (SG) to
    "transform" the Commissioned Corps so that it will be better
    prepared to meet the public health needs of the 21^st^ century. He
    envisions the Corps as a visible, physically fit, highly motivated,
    and expert mobile uniformed service of public health professionals.
    Secretary Thompson sent a letter on April 17, 2003 to the Heads of
    all Public Health Service (PHS) Operating and Staff Divisions
    personally requesting that they assist the SG with accomplishing the
    Secretary's directives for the Corps transformation and building the
    Commissioned Corps Readiness Force (CCRF). \[NOTE: CAPT Stokes
    suggested that we all keep this letter so that in the future you can
    use it to remind your supervisor of this request for Agency support.
    The letter was also published in the June CC Bulletin.\]

-   Secretary Thompson is expected to make a public announcement in the
    near future about changes relating to the Corps transformation

## Commissioned Corps Readiness Force:

-   Surgeon General Carmona sent a letter in April 2003 calling on every
    officer to become an active member of the CCRF. Secretary Thompson
    has requested that [at least]{.underline} 30 percent of the Corps be
    deployable members of the CCRF by September 30, 2003, with increases
    to 50 percent by September 30, 2004, and 70 percent by September
    30, 2005. To facilitate training, the SG provided a CD-ROM of the
    required courses. His letter also provided detailed steps on how to
    join the CCRF.

-   ADM Babb stated that Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is
    closely monitoring the progress of the CC in meeting the Secretary's
    goals for CCRF. Because some officers may be automatically dropped
    from deployable status due to expired licenses or certifications, it
    is important that each category exceed the minimum quotas. CCRF
    courses are one way to quickly achieve qualification, and over 360
    officers will have completed this training by September 30.

-   Other CCRF News

    -   Body Mass Index (BMI) is expected to replace the height/weight
        requirement beginning in October 2003. The proposed standard for
        Fully Deployable status is a BMI \< 30; Field Medical Readiness
        Badge (FMRB) eligibility will require a BMI \<25. A BMI
        calculator is expected to be added to the CCRF website in the
        near future. \[NOTE: If you have any comments regarding this
        issue, especially those based upon factual past experience, such
        as prior military experience, please send your comments to CDR
        Rhodes. The comments will then be collated and forwarded on to
        CAPT Stokes to present to the CCRF.\]

    -   Deployable status will require completion of 12 modules as of
        October, compared to the current 4 modules.

    -   There may be a request for CCRF Officers to participate in the
        Iraqi and Afghanistan reconstruction projects.

    -   CCRF membership categories will likely change in October to:
        Candidate Status, Deployable, Fully-Deployable, and
        FMRB-eligible. These will replace the current Candidate,
        Roster-Qualified/Roster Assigned, and Fully Qualified/Roster
        Assigned.

-   Membership in the CCRF will be a factor considered by all future
    promotion and assimilation boards, including both temporary and
    permanent competitive promotions in all grades through 0-8, as
    explained by the SG in his memorandum reprinted in the May 2003 CC
    Bulletin. Officers that want to achieve \"Fully Qualified\" status
    or earn the FMRB must [complete]{.underline} the Hepatitis A and B
    vaccination series. These vaccinations will need to be started very
    soon in order to have the series completed and documented in records
    by the December deadline.

-   The Veterinary Category currently has 97 active duty officers.
    Participation in CCRF is as follows:

    -   Roster Qualified/Roster Assigned: 16

    -   Candidates: 6

    -   Applicants: 10

    -   Inactive: 14

> Only Candidates and Roster/Fully Qualified count as deployable
> members, so our category is at 22%.

-   CAPT Stokes strongly encouraged all Veterinary Officers to become
    Conditionally Deployable or Roster Qualified by September 30 of this
    year. We at least need to meet the minimum quota of 30%, and should
    strive to meet and exceed the 70% level as soon as possible.

-   For those officers that are CCRF members, it is important to log on
    at least every 90 days and ensure that your license and
    certifications are kept current so that you remain in a deployable
    status.

**Promotions**

The promotion precepts and benchmarks for FY04 promotions are being
finalized and will be available later this summer. Category specific
benchmarks prepared by the Vet PAC were forwarded to Office of the
Surgeon General (OSG) for consideration. Corps-wide precepts will
emphasize demonstrated leadership and officership attributes and
activities.

#### Commissioned Officers Association (COA) Meeting

Nearly 1000 Officers are expected at the COA meeting this year. SG
Carmona will be visiting each of the Categories during their luncheons
on Tuesday. PHS Veterinarians will have a meeting room assigned for
lunch with the CPO.

#### The Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS) 

SG Carmona is chairing the AMSUS meeting this year. Each Category was
strongly encouraged to submit nominations for awards. Veterinarians are
eligible for nomination for the McCallam Award. The AMSUS meeting
information and a description of the McCallam Award are described in the
March 27, 2003 Vet PAC meeting minutes, which are posted at
<http://www.fda.gov/cvm/links/vcc/>. Meeting information can be found at
<http://www.amsus.org/>.

# 2003 Promotions 

-   FY 03 Temporary Grade Promotions were announced on June 3.
    Congratulations to the following Veterinary Officers that were
    selected:

> [0-6]{.underline}
>
> CAPT Mark Haines, NIH
>
> CAPT Peter Bloland, CDC
>
> CAPT Nancy Pate, EPA
>
> CAPT Lynn Post, FDA
>
> [0-5]{.underline}
>
> CDR Kamela Davis, FDA
>
> CDR John Painter, CDC
>
> CDR Tracee Treadwell,CDC
>
> [0-4]{.underline}
>
> LCDR Gregg Langham, NIH
>
> LCDR Jennifer Wright, CDC

-   Promotions remain extremely competitive at the 0-5 and 0-6 levels.
    The overall success rates this year were 90% to 0-4, 30% to 0-5, and
    20% to 0-6. For the Veterinary Category, the success rates were 100%
    for 0-4 (2/2), 30% for 0-5 (3/10), and 22% for 0-6 (4/18).

-   Division of Commissioned Personnel (DCP) has sent memos to all
    officers eligible for promotion informing them of the results for
    this year. For those officers not selected, information was provided
    about review board scores and ranking.

-   All officers, especially those eligible for promotion, need to be
    aware of the revised promotion precepts and benchmarks that will be
    released later this summer. They should also keep in mind that CCRF
    qualification will be a factor considered by the 2004 Promotion
    Review Boards.

##### **Commissioned Officers' Effectiveness Report (COER) System** 

-   The new 2003 Annual COER (web based electronic workflow process)
    will be released on DCP\'s website on June 25th. DCP will introduce
    and demonstrate this new process at the USPHS Professional
    Conference in Scottsdale, AZ.

-   Please note the revised due dates:

    -   The electronic COER should be transmitted to the Rating Official
        no later than July 11th.

    -   The electronic COER should be transmitted to the Reviewing
        Official not later than August 8th.

    -   The electronic COER should be transmitted to DCP no later than
        September 2nd.

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-   More detailed instructions, as well as the manual circular will be
    posted to the DCP website on June 25th. The instructions and manual
    circular should be printed at that time and provided to your Rating
    Official.

### Communications

CAPT Stokes will be sending information and updates periodically by
e-mail to all PHS Veterinary Officers, and would like everyone to keep
him informed of any changes to their e-mail addresses. Please let him
know if there are any COSTEPS, new Officers, or civil service
veterinarians that should be included on this distribution list. He can
be reached at <stokes@niehs.nih.gov> or 919-541-7997. If he is out of
the office and you need to reach him, you should contact his assistant
Ms. Debbie McCarley at <mccarley@niehs.nih.gov> or 919-541-2384.

**[Subcommittee Reports]{.underline}**

**Awards Subcommittee -- Chair CDR Terri Clark**

-   2003 Goals and Progress Report

    -   Vet-of-the-Year Award: CAPT Judith A. Davis, NIH, was the
        recipient of this year's award, which was presented at the All
        Hands meeting at Uniformed Services University of the Health
        Sciences on May 8, 2003. A summary of CAPT Davis'
        accomplishments will appear in the October 2003 CC Bulletin.

    -   James A. McCallam Award: The nominations submission deadline is
        June 30th. This award is presented at the annual AMSUS meeting.
        Please email nominations to CDR Clark (<clarkte@od.nih.gov>)
        June 20th.

    -   Special Assignments Award: This award is currently being
        presented to PAC Chairs as they complete their term of service.
        Typically they are put forth for this award by the CPO. However,
        this award is available for all Vet PAC members who put in 30
        days of service. The criteria for this award are currently not
        well-defined. The Awards Subcommittee will attempt to define the
        existing criteria and make a recommendation to the Vet PAC at
        the next meeting.

    -   Vet PAC Certificate of Appreciation: The newly created and
        approved Vet PAC Certificate of Appreciation will be used to
        recognize individuals who provide outstanding service and/or
        support to the Vet PAC, the Veterinary Category, and/or the PHS.

    -   Retired Officer Recognition: CDR Clark is investigating into
        this possible new \"award\" that would be presented by the Vet
        PAC as a companion to the current Vet-of-Year Award.

    -   The subcommittee is working on developing a SOP that will
        provide guidance for supervisors and officers concerning awards.
        This guidance will be based on the new promotion precepts.

    -   The Awards Subcommittee plans to draft a SOP providing guidance
        on all awards that relate to the Vet PAC.

-   CDR Clark provided the following notes from an informal discussion
    she had with Mr. Ken Diepold, the NIH CC Liaison Officer (LO) and
    NIH Awards Coordinator regarding awards submission:

    -   There are no limitations on who can nominate an officer for an
        award. If the nominator and awardee are within the same agency,
        the award goes to the CC LO for processing. If you are nominated
        across agencies then the nominator sends the award to their
        agency's LO, who then contacts the awardee's agency to ensure
        that they concur with the award being submitted.

    -   Supervisors should establish a pattern for themselves of either
        recognizing officers after the completion of significant
        projects or for overall accomplishments for significant periods
        of duty, i.e. every 2-4 years.

-   CAPT Stokes raised the question of pursuing approval of a category
    specific device. There was concern over the cost of production for
    such a small group of officers.

-   CAPT Pond stated that she had championed a new ribbon for PAC
    members. It had made it through the approval process through all the
    PACs and DCP, but was not accepted by the previous SG. Since VADM
    Carmona is much more favorable to awards, she suggested contacting
    the OSG to see if this effort would have a chance of success in the
    current administration.

**Recruitment Subcommittee -- Chair CDR Stephanie Harris**

-   2003 Goals

    -   Receive funding from DCP for shipment of recruitment booth to
        and from \"recruitment\" activities.

    -   Identify Veterinary Category officers that are willing and able
        to attend national/state conferences and to visit veterinary
        schools to act as recruitment officers. These individuals must
        also be willing to assist people who are attempting to join the
        PHS.

    -   Encourage veterinary officers to track positions available
        within their agencies that could be filled by a veterinarian and
        to forward this information to the Recruitment Subcommittee.

    -   Prepare a video or CD to augment the current general recruitment
        CD that is more specific to veterinarians. This would be used
        during recruitment efforts at veterinary schools and various
        meetings.

    -   Modify the current PowerPoint presentation to make it more
        generic and add \"standardized\" text to make the presentation
        easier for the presenter. This PowerPoint presentation would be
        made available to officers attending recruitment events. The
        advantage of preparing standard text to complement the slides is
        that the information presented by different recruiters would be
        consistent.

> []{.mark}

-   Notes from the Vet PAC Committee Members discussion during the
    meeting:

    -   Historically, there has been no funding set aside by OSG to
        assist the different categories with recruitment efforts to
        include shipping the recruitment display and providing TDY
        funding for officers willing to act as recruitment officials. As
        a result, the veterinary category has had to use creative
        mechanisms to fund these activities or find officers willing to
        travel on their own time and dollar. CDR Rhodes has placed this
        item on the PAC Chair Meeting agenda for the past two months but
        unfortunately CCRF and the new promotion precepts have dominated
        the meeting discussions. CDR Rhodes will continue to pursue this
        topic at the PAC Chairs meeting.

    -   CAPT Altekruse suggested that the Recruitment Subcommittee needs
        to focus their efforts on first and second year veterinary
        students, since the majority of these individuals might be still
        considering a variety of career options.

    -   The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC)
        has expressed their interest to CAPT Altekruse in finding career
        tracts for new veterinarians. There may be a possibility that
        the veterinary category could obtain funding from the AAVMC or
        from the veterinary schools themselves to defray the costs of
        travel for recruitment efforts. This will be discussed at a
        meeting with the AAVMC on June 25^th^ -- CAPT Pond will
        represent the Veterinary Category at the meeting.

    -   A suggestion was made to replace the recruitment booth with a
        PowerPoint presentation and the brochure when recruiting at
        veterinary schools.

    -   The AVMA is currently very active with a number of legislative
        issues to include loan forgiveness for new veterinarians
        entering private practice. CAPT Altekruse suggested that the Vet
        PAC could address this issue at the OSG level.

    -   There is a meeting at the University of Maryland, entitled
        "Career Transitions" on September 13^th^ and 14^th^ at College
        Park, MD. CDR Yvette Davis, NIH, has volunteered to speak at
        this meeting.

    -   The next annual Student American Veterinary Medical Association
        meeting is scheduled for March 11-13, 2004 in Memphis, TN.
        Anyone interested in attending this meeting to assist in
        recruitment should contact CDR Harris at
        <Harris.Stephanie@epamail.epa.gov>.

    -   CAPT Cynthia Pond informed the committee members that there are
        currently 28 Consumer Safety positions and nearly 100 veterinary
        positions open for veterinarians interested in a career in the
        FSIS. She also suggested that in the future these positions
        could be listed on the Veterinary Category website. CAPT Pond
        can be reached at
        [Cindy.Pond@.fsis.usda.gov](mailto:Cindy.Pond@fsis.usda.gov) or
        202-720-7208.

    -   [To find information about FSIS positions]{.mark}:

> The following is the web site for FSIS positions that are not
> announced through our automated hiring system:
>
> [[http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/a9fsis.htm]{.underline}](http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/a9fsis.htm)
>
> The following is the web site for FSIS positions that are announced
> through our automated hiring system. To view the current vacancies,
> just click the "Just Browsing" button, then press the NEXT button and
> a list of current vacancies will appear.
>
> [[https://jobs.quickhire.com/scripts/FSIS.exe]{.underline}](https://jobs.quickhire.com/scripts/FSIS.exe)
>
> Together, these two lists will give a total listing of all announced
> vacancies at any given time.

**Mentoring Subcommittee -- Chair CDR Brent Morse**

-   2003 Goals and Future Initiatives

    -   Update the Mentoring Webpage.

    -   Link the webpage to the new "Commissioned Corps Force
        Management" for recruiting and assignments.

    -   Review and, if needed, update the mentoring forms.

    -   Coordinate the mentoring program with the Junior Officers
        Advisory Group and with Veterinary Category Officers attending
        the Epidemiologic Intelligence Service (EIS) training.

-   After discussion, it was decided that it would be critical to have
    CC points of contact to act as liaisons for the Mentoring Program.
    These areas will be discussed by the subcommittee, but initially two
    areas where new CC officers can be offered mentoring through the
    program are the USDA (CAPT Pond as liaison) and the EIS course.

-   If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact CDR Morse
    (<morseb@ors.od.nih.gov>).

**Commissioned Corps Readiness Force (CCRF) Subcommittee -- Chair CAPT
Randolph Daley**

-   CCRF Subcommittee Goals

    -   Goal 1: Veterinary Category participation in CCRF that meets or
        exceeds general Public Health Service (PHS) objectives

        -   Objective 1 -- Produce an information document to inform and
            educate Veterinary Officers about CCRF. \[NOTE: CAPT Daley
            presented a draft brochure entitled "Information for
            Veterinarians about the Commissioned Corps Readiness Force"
            to the Vet PAC. The Vet PAC discussed the proposed document
            and will move forward to finalize it.\]

        -   Objective 2 -- Identify obstacles to veterinary
            participation in CCRF.

        -   Objective 3 -- Develop recommendations for the Vet PAC and
            CPO on actions designed to increase veterinary participation
            in CCRF.

    -   Goal 2: A large contingent of Veterinary Officers qualified for
        various CCRF deployment roles

        -   Objective 1 -- Identify principal roles and critical skills
            needed by CCRF.

        -   Objective 2 -- Target roles most applicable to the
            Veterinary Category.

        -   Objective 3 -- Identify opportunities for Veterinary
            Officers to develop and maintain critical skills.

        -   Objective 4 -- Identify obstacles to qualification of
            Veterinary Officers for target deployment roles.

        -   Objective 5 -- Develop recommendations for the Vet PAC and
            CPO on actions designed to support the development of
            Veterinary Officers.

    -   Goal 3: A stable, qualified contingent of Veterinary Officers
        capable of responding to CCRF requests for clinical veterinary
        services

        -   Objective 1 -- Identify obstacles to becoming qualified for
            the CCRF role of veterinarian (clinical).

        -   Objective 2 -- Develop recommendations for the Vet PAC and
            CPO on actions designed to allow Veterinary Officers to
            maintain qualification for the CCRF role of veterinarian
            (clinical).

        -   Objective 3 -- Identify PHS billets that could provide
            veterinarians the opportunity to maintain clinical currency
            requirements.

        -   Objective 4 -- Target information to Veterinary Officers
            serving in these billets.

        -   Objective 5 -- Inform the Veterinary Category about
            opportunities to maintain clinical currency outside of their
            official billet.

-   If you have specific comments or suggestions regarding the CCRF,
    please send them to CAPT Daley (<wcd0@cdc.gov>). The subcommittee
    will then collate the comments and make recommendations to the Vet
    PAC Chair and CPO for presentation to the CCRF.

**[Promotion Precepts]{.underline}**

The Vet PAC needs to take the initiative and play an active role in
ensuring that all officers are aware of these new promotion precepts,
which will be released later this summer.

**[Upcoming Meetings]{.underline}**

# AVMA Meeting (Denver, CO, July 19th through the 23^rd^)

-   The PHS Veterinary Booth will be set up at the AVMA meeting.
    Volunteers are still needed to man the booth during the General
    Session. CDR Rhodes will be sending out a sign-up sheet with the
    times needed. Additionally, there will be a sign-up sheet located at
    the booth within the Exhibit Hall.

-   The Veterinary Officer meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 20,
    from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 in the Nat Hill Room in the Marriot. CDR
    Rhodes will be sending out the agenda for this meeting in the near
    future.

-   A general announcement will be sent out regarding a session entitled
    "Public Practice Careers in Veterinary Medicine", which is scheduled
    for Saturday, July 19^th^ from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

# AMSUS Meeting (San Antonio, TX, November 16^th^ -- 21^st^, 2003)

-   The PHS is sponsoring the meeting this year; attendance by CC
    Officers is highly recommended.

-   The Veterinary Category is well represented this year by CAPT Paul
    Garbe, who is the Chair of the Veterinary Medicine Section, and by
    CDR Hugh Mainzer, who is Chair of the Exhibits.

**[Opportunities for Veterinarians at USDA -- CAPT Cynthia
Pond]{.underline}**

-   There are currently two mechanisms in place for CC Officers to
    become hired by the USDA:

    -   A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed in April by the PHS
        and the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). This MOA is the
        mechanism by which veterinarians and other CC Officers can be
        hired into FSIS.

    -   An individual detail agreement can also be used for CC Officers
        wishing to work in divisions or agencies of the USDA other than
        the FSIS. CAPT Pond can assist individuals with this process.

-   Future MOAs are in the works and should be relatively easy since one
    is already written and in place with the FSIS. The Animal, Plant,
    Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is interested in pursuing a MOA.

-   Vacancies not announced on the Quickhire or USAJOBS websites will be
    placed on DCP's Vacancy Announcement Tracking System (VATS). Both
    Corps applicants and Corps Officers are eligible to apply for these
    positions.

-   This is really an exciting opportunity for interested individuals.
    The FSIS is very interested in becoming a premier public health
    agency.

-   CAPT Pond welcomes any comments or suggestions you may have to
    improve and promote this tremendous career opportunity. She can be
    contacted at 202-720-7208 or
    [Cindy.Pond@fsis.usda.gov](mailto:Cindy.Pond@usda.gov).

**[Web Page Management]{.underline}**

The Category Website contains some outdated information. LCDR Kim Taylor
has volunteered to head this project. If you have any suggestions or
comments or would like to volunteer to help, please email her at
<ktaylor@niaid.nih.gov>.

####### Announcements/Concerns Around the Room

-   Congratulations are extended to LCDR Jennifer McQuiston! She was
    recently awarded the prestigious Dr. Daniel E. Salmon Award for her
    assistance during post-911, the anthrax postal episode, the Avian
    Influenza outbreak, and now, during the monkey pox outbreak. She
    will be presented this award on CSPAN sometime in the near future.
    This award is presented annually to recognize outstanding
    contributions and notable service in the public\'s interest by a
    veterinarian employed in any federal human health, environmental
    health or animal health discipline. More information can be obtained
    at the National Association of Federal Veterinarians website at
    <http://users.erols.com/nafv/salmon.htm>.

-   The Vet PAC would like to extend an open invitation to all CC
    officers and COSTEPs to attend our quarterly meetings. This is a
    great way to meet your peers and to learn more about what's
    happening in the Veterinary Category.

####### Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for September 25, 2003 at 1300 hours. The
meeting place will be announced.

The meeting was adjourned at 1515 pm. Minutes were prepared by LCDR Kim
Taylor and approved electronically by Vet PAC members.