Commissioned Officers Association
of the U.S. Public Health Service
Ft Detrick Branch
Minutes of the Mar 6, 2002 Meeting
Date: Mar. 6, 2002
Location: NCI, Bldg 426, Ft. Detrick, Fredrick, MD
Call to Order: LCDR Lucienne Nelson, President called the meeting to order at 1915.
Members Present: CAPT R. Potter, CAPT E. Pfister, CAPT S. Wickizer, LCDR A. Anderson, LCDR K. Berkhousen, LCDR R. Gussio, LCDR R. Leland, LCDR K. McCabe, LCDR L. Nelson, LCDR M. Rossi-Coajou, LCDR J. Shaffer, LT L. Marunycz, LTJG S. Byrd, Ms R. Butler and Mr. P. Coajou.
Reading of the Minutes: Minutes were approved and accepted.
Treasurer’s Report: CAPT Wickizer continues to explore options on where to place our branch account. Would like a bank that does not charge bank fees. Members are encouraged to check that their branch fees are coming to our branch .
Other Reports:
Webmaster: Contact LCDR Rick Gussio for anything that you would like to see posted on our web page.
National COA Issues: LCDR Nelson discussed the current issue of retirement taxation. National COA has been asked to join a group of retirees in Maryland seeking to pave the way for a legislative initiative to exempt uniformed services retired pay from MD state income tax. A number of branch members have already taken the initiative to contact their regional representatives to request support of this bill. LCDR Nelson will forward any info as she receives it. Members encouraged to attend the annual COA conference, Apr 21-24, 02 held in Atlanta, GA. Info on website: http://conference.coausphs.org/
Military Standards Cadre (MSC)/ Physical Fitness: Reminder that LCDR Nelson is the liaison for CCRF. Anyone wishing to take the PT test may contact her. Physical Fitness testing and qualifying for the MSC will be during the week of April 15th. Exact date to follow. LCDR Nelson reports that Mr. Don Feinberg, the Hood College Aquatics Director, is in full support of USPHS officers training for their PT swim test. Reminder: Swimming is an option on the Navy/CCRF fitness test instead of the 1.5 mile run. He has graciously offered the use of his pool to train for this event for FREE. Contact LCDR Nelson to get your name on the list. You must be on the list in order to utilize the free pool time (normal cost is $6.50).
Reports of Standing Committees:
Membership: CAPT Wickizer discussed our membership drive initiative. He has contacted about 50 individuals. We still need volunteers to assist with contacting potential members.
Professional Relations: LCDR Coajou informed the group that Barquist Army Health Clinic on Ft Detrick, was supporting USPHS officers who needed to maintain 112 hours of clinical expertise in their CCRF deployable role. The clinic’s needs would be matched with the officer’s background and skill to ascertain that this would be mutually beneficial. Officer’s interested should contact the clinic chief nurse, Heidi Cheney. USPHS Nursing Recognition Day will be on May 2, 2002. The event will be broadcast live from CMS in Baltimore. See website for info http://videocast.nih.gov/ ; go to future events , then May, then Nursing in Times of War and Terrorism. Online Registration begins April 1, 2002 at http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/PHTNOnline/index.asp.
Unfinished Business:
Agenda Topics/ guest speakers: LCDR Nelson reminded folks that we would begin planning our "summer fun in the sun" family activity at our next meeting. The pool party is planned for July. We will be looking for volunteers to help make the even a success.
New Business:
Deferred to next meeting.
Member Announcements:
Deferred to next meeting.
Guest Speaker: CAPT Potter gave an outstanding talk on Military Space Available Travel. After 45 minutes of "how to", useful tips, and exciting personal stories on traveling in Europe, the group was ready to plan their next vacation abroad. Special thanks to CAPT Potter on motivating us to take advantage of one of our many benefits.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 2020. Next branch meeting planned for May 8, 2002.
Submitted 3/7/02
LCDR Katherine Berkhousen LCDR Lucienne Nelson
Secretary, Ft Detrick Branch COA President, Ft Detrick Branch COA