Fort Detrick Branch of the Commissioned Officers Association

Commissioned Officers Association

Of the U.S. Public Health Service

Ft. Detrick Branch

Minutes of the January 8, 2003 Meeting

Date: January 8, 2003

Location: Ft. Detrick, NCI Bldg # 426, Frederick, Maryland

Call to Order: CDR Katherine Berkhousen, President, called the meeting to order at 1910

hours.

Members Present: CDR K. Berkhousen, CDR Doss, CDR M. Rossi-Coajou, LCDR Brady, LCDR Gussio, LCDR R. Leland, LCDR L. Nelson, LT Byrd, LT Matheny, LT Taylor, LT Welcher, and LTJG G. Rodrigues

Reading of Minutes: Minutes approved.

Treasurer's Report: LCDR R. Leland will contact CAPT Wickizer regarding Ft Detrick

Branch funds.

Other Reports:

Congratulations LCDR Nelson for a great year in 2002. Our branch reached some significant accomplishments during the last year. Membership increased, family activities and speakers were incorporated, and we began to pave the way for community service opportunities for our branch. Thanks for everyone’s support and work over the last year.

Branch of the Year. LCDRs Gussio and Nelson have volunteered to submit a nomination to national COA for the Branch of the Year award. If interested in assisting with the write-up please contact them.

Webmaster: Email CDR Gussio if anyone would like to post accomplishments, news, etc.

National COA Issues:

National COA will purge their system of members deficient in paying dues as of January 15, 2003. There were only two members identified from our branch. A CAPT Pyler who has since moved to the state of NY. LCDR Nelson volunteered to contact the additional outstanding branch member.

COA Professional Public Health Conference will be held in Scottsdale, AZ this year. Dates are 15-20, June 2003. Members are encouraged to attend. See the following website for more information http://conference.coausphs.org/.

Military Standards Cadre (MSC)/Physical Fitness: Spring testing will be in April 2003. A

presentation at National COA conference under consideration. Branch members are encouraged to join in the fun and the challenge and consider participating in MSC Physical Fitness Testing.

Reports of Standing Committees:

The call for nominations for new committee chairs is open. A number of new members stepped forward to accept the challenge. .

Membership: LT Byrd

Community Activities: LT Welcher:

LT Welcher stated that he had a number of volunteer opportunities for us and would be posting them in a separate e:mail to branch members.

Professional Relations: LT Matheny

There are opportunities for those who need clinical hours: Ft. Detrick Pharmacy is in need of a Pharmacist. Contact the Barquist Army Health clinic head nurse for more information at (301) 619-4669.

Unfinished Business: none

New Business:

Speakers/Agendas Topics:

Mar 5, USPA - Tim Custer (i.e. retirement, investments, etc.) Spouses encouraged
May 7, Space A, - CAPT Potter (Bring spouses)

Family Picnic, options: July 12, 19, or 26 (think about it and decide at next mtg)

Fundraising ideas: allowed to solicit, no restrictions

Dining in/out (formal wear) vs. Dinner (business wear) in the Fall 2003
Casino night
Raffle at Dinner and Picnic
50/50 - arm length in tickets (ticket can be bought at a party store)
Donations: LT Taylor will look into getting a donation of tote bags

Guest Speaker: American Red Cross (Frederick CountyChapter)

Judy Peterson, Emergency Service Director - Disaster Service Presentation

Member Announcements:

Welcome to our newest member, LCDR Jeff Brady. He is a medical officer at FDA.

CDR Rossi-Coajou announced that the Army Cardigan Sweater is approved for wear. The USPHS pay increase for Base pay is funded and should see 02/03; System updated to see change of BAH by 03/03.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 2030 hours. Next meeting scheduled for March 5, 2003.

LTJG Gloria Rodrigues CDR Katherine Berkhousen

Secretary, Ft Detrick Branch COA President, Ft Detrick Branch COA

Berkhousen@cber.fda.gov