The News Record
of the Fort Detrick Branch of COA

2007 News

2006 News

• Important!-Ft. Detrick's 4th Annual Dinning Out--will be Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006, click here for details
• New Executive Committee: Fort Detrick Branch congratulates our newly elected Executive Committee for 2007: LCDR Rick Gussio is our new branch President, LCDR Candido Alicea is our new branch Vice President, LCDR Leigh Ann Matheny has been reelected as branch Treasurer and CDR Lisa Barnhart has been reelected as branch Secretary. Please give them your support while serving your Fort Detrick Branch of COA.
• IT IS TIME TO VOTE!: The polls are now open to elect your new Executive Committee. Go to the Elections Page to draw your ballot and cast your vote. You may still vote for a write-in candidate (Fort Detrick Members only!). Winners of the election will be announced on the web, Thursday 30, November, 2006. The polls will close on Wednesday, November 29th at 1700. Good luck to all candidates!
• PROMOTIONS: Fort Detrick Branch congratulates CAPT Calvin Edwards, CAPT Reginald Claypool, CAPT Francois Lalonde, CDR Carmen Maher, CDR Lisa Barnhart, and CDR Laura Pincock on their promotions!
• Important!-Ft. Detrick's 4th Annual Dinning Out--will be Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006, click here for details
• Elections for the 2006-2007 Executive Committee: The Fort Detrick Branch of COA is accepting nominations for Executive Committee positions. You must file a nomination with a position statement by 2359 on 17 NOV 2006. Elections will be decided 24 NOV 06 and announced on the web. Self nominations (ONE POSITION ONLY PLEASE) or nominations of branch members can be made by sending an Email to the Nominating Committee Chair LCDR Rick Gussio. In the Email, please state the officer's name and position that he/she would like to run for, and include a position statement in word format or pdf.
• Fort Detrick Branch extends a very warm welcome to our new members: LCDR Candido Alicea, ENS Daveta Bailey, CDR Cheryl Ann Borden, CDR James Cheng, LCDR Linda Ellison-Dejewski, CAPT Francois Lalonde, LCDR Donald Reese, CDR Vien Vanderhoof, please check your contact information on the members page and Email corrections to LCDR Rick Gussio ASAP
• IMPORTANT: November meeting is rescheduled for the 21st
• IMPORTANT: September 12 meeting is cancelled
• Very Important: Tim Custer, (financial expert) will give a most valuable presentation on securing your financial readiness for the future at our 9 May 2006 (1900) meeting-you don't want to miss this one!!
• Fort Detrick Branch welcomes our newest members: CDR Deborah Lake, CDR Merritt Lake, CDR Theresa Minter, CDR Lisa Dolan-Branton, LCDR Laura Pincock, LCDR Linda Ulrich, LTJG John Welch, ENS Kristi Anderson, these members should please Email their preferred contact information (Email address and phone numbers) to LCDR Rick Gussio at their ealiest convenience
• Important: (14 MAR 06 at 1900) Tim Custer, (financial expert) will be unable to present at our March meeting. Please attend for regular business

2005 News

• New Executive Committee: Fort Detrick Branch extends a hearty congratulations to our newly elected executive committee:CDR Jeff McKinny is our new branch President, CDR Reginald Claypool is our new branch Vice President, LCDR Leigh Ann Matheny is our branch Treasurer and LCDR Lisa Barnhart is our new branch Secretary. Please give them your support while serving your Fort Detrick Branch of COA in our many activities in 2006.
• PROMOTIONS: Fort Detrick Branch congratulates CAPT Kirk Druey, CDR Amy Anderson, CDR Claire Karlson, CDR Nana Kwatemaa, CDR Nair Narayan, LCDR Kimberly Shiley, LCDR Destry Sillivan, LCDR David Staten, LCDR Monica Zeballos, and LT Brent Welcher on their promotions!
• Important!-Ft. Detrick's 3rdAnnual Dinning Out--will be at the Red Horse Steak House Saturday, Dec. 3, 2005, 1800 to 2100. Winners of the Executive Committee election will be announced.
• Don't Forget! Tonight's meeting (8 NOV) will feature a special speaker: Ken Bransford who will give a presentation on healthy lifestyles, from his vast experience as a personal trainer and lecturer on fitness.
• IT IS TIME TO VOTE!: The polls are now open to elect your new Executive Committee. Go to the Elections Page to draw your ballot and cast your vote. Winners of the election will be announced at the 2005 Dinning out and on the web. The polls will close on Friday, November 11th at 1700. Good luck to all candidates!
• VERY IMPORTANT: September 13 meeting IS CANCELLED due to officer deployments to huricane Katrina
• Fort Detrick COA Family Picnic-will be held Saturday, July 16th from 1500 to 2100 instead of our regular branch meeting. Come and have a great time, and don't forget about our exciting raffle this year! To qualify for a prize, please send our Branch President CDR Amy Anderson an Email to let her know you will be purchasing/selling 10 $1 tickets. Money must be in by 14 JUL 2005. We need all branch members to participate!
• Special Thanks- to CAPT Richard Potter (ret.) for his wonderful Space-A talk at our last branch meeting.
• Sadly, we say goodbye-to LCDR Anne Emshoff and LCDR Celissa Stephens, we also thank CDR Jeff McKinney and LT Sean R. Byrd for taking their place as Vice President and Treasurer, respectively
• Retirement Notice- Fort Detrick COA Branch wishes to congratulate CAPT Steven Wickizer on his retirement and distinguished career, he will be missed, and we especially acknowledge his many contributions to our branch
• Last Chance for READINESS STANDARDS-Esprit de Corps Day, Spring 2005--Need to make your readiness standards by 1 May? How about just establish a baseline for training? Join other officers Wednesday, April 27 for Esprit de Corps day (bad weather day Oct. 28, or 29) and experience officer camaraderie during a group physical readiness evaluation at the Fort Detrick Barracks. You may also attend Colors in your SDB (1700). MSC will provide UCMJ training before Colors (1630). See the MSC website under "news" for specifics. The MSC will offer the Naval PRT/ USPHS APFT swim test at the new Fort Detrick indoor pool facility.
• March's Fort Detrick COA meeting will feature a special speaker: Ken Bransford who will give a presentation on healthy lifestyles, from his vast experience as a personal trainer and lecturer on fitness. Don't miss this one on March 8, at 1900, just in time to tune up for PT tests this spring!
• Fort Detrick Branch is Very Grateful-to LCDR Ron Keats, of the Division Commissioned Corps Training Department, who gave a great presentation on career development at our JAN branch meeting.
• IMPORTANT: The members page has been updated, please report any needed changes to LCDR Rick Gussio.
• A Very Belated Welcome to some of our 'unaccounted for' members: CAPT Gale Heavner, CAPT James Williams, CDR Jon Daugherty, CDR Kirk Druey, CDR Rob Edwards, LCDR Sean M. Byrd, LCDR Narayan Nair, LCDR Timothy Nelle, LCDR Krista Scardina, LT David Staten, thanks for your patience!
• CONGRATULATIONS: to CDR Tom Doss who won the Valentine's day basket with a bid of $45.00.

2004 News

• Don't forget-Ft. Detrick's 2nd Annual Dinning Out--will be at Brewer's Alley Sunday, Dec. 5, 2003, 1700 to 2000. Click here to see pictures from last year's dining out.
• Congratulations to our newly elected Executive Committee: LCDR Amy Anderson is our new branch President, LCDR Anne Emshoff is our new branch Vice President, LCDR Celissa Stephens is our branch Treasurer and LCDR Claire Karlson is our new branch Secretary. Please give them your support while serving your Fort Detrick Branch of COA! (4NOV04)
• November's Fort Detrick COA meeting will feature a special speaker: LCDR Mark Agnello from the Office of Force Readiness and Deployment on November 3rd at 1900. Get critical details about making your readiness for deployment, and other important details for USPHS deployability. Also, results of the Executive Committee election will be anounced.
• IT IS TIME TO VOTE!: The polls are now open to elect your new Executive Committee. Go to the Elections Page to draw your ballot and cast your vote. Winners of the election will be announced at the last meeting of the year (3NOV04). The polls will close on Tuesday, November 2th at 1700. Good luck to all candidates! (29OCT04).
• Elections for the 2004-2005 Executive Committee EXTENDED: The Fort Detrick Branch of COA is accepting nominations for Executive Committee positions, especially needed is the Secretary. You must file a nomination with a position statement by 1400 on 29 OCT 2004. Elections will be decided 2 NOV 04 and announced at the last meeting of the year (3 NOV 04). Self nominations (ONE POSITION ONLY PLEASE) or nominations of branch members can be made by sending an Email to the Nominating Committee Chair LCDR Rick Gussio. In the Email, please state the officer's name and position that he/she would like to run for, and include a position statement in word format or pdf. Current candidates list can be accessed here
• Don't forget: Fort Detrick COA meeting Wednesday October 6 at 1900.
• READINESS STANDARDS-Esprit de Corps Day, Fall 2004--Need to make your readiness standards? How about just get a baseline for training? Join other officers Wednesday, October 27 for Esprit de Corps day (bad weather day Oct. 28, or 29) and experience officer camaraderie during a group physical readiness evaluation. You may also attend Colors in your SDB. MSC will provide UCMJ training before Colors. Be there at the barracks at 1630! See the MSC website under "news" for specifics.. Not a runner? Thanks to the generous provision of Hood College and the Hood College Aquatics Program, the MSC will offer the Naval PRT (CCRF) swim test.
• VERY IMPORTANT: September 8 meeting IS CANCELLED. There will be an October 6 meeting at 1900 instead.
• Fort Detrick COA Family Picnic-will be held Sunday, July 11th from 1:00 to 8:00 PM at Nallin Pond. Don't miss this one, up to $10,000 in prizes can be awarded for various activities! If you plan to attend, please contact LT Pauline Karikari-Martin (or phone: 410-786-1040)(7-6-04)
• PROMOTIONS: Fort Detrick Branch congratulates CAPT Paul A. David, CAPT Jose H. Belardo, CDR Richard N. Leland, LCDR Jasmine E. Aizvera, LCDR Carmen T. Maher, and LCDR Edward W. Wolfgang on their promotions-we're very proud they're part of our branch! (7-2-2004)
• Fort Detrick Branch welcomes a new member: LTJG Anthony Garza a Health Service Officer assigned to the EPA. (6-28-2004)
• IMPORTANT: Don't forget about our May 5, branch meeting, we have a guest speaker Diane Sieb from O'Bern and Associates to speak to us about long term care. MSC fitness awards will also be presented! Be there at 1845.
• Fort Detrick Branch welcomes a new member: LT Carolyn J. Oyster, whom many of you already know as an Instructor in Basisc Officer's Training Class.
• Are you financially ready?? (3-3-04)! Our March meeting will feature Tim Custer, a registered representative and agent, presenting "Seven Steps to Financial Independence" Don't miss this one! By the way, don't forget that our March meeting starts at 1845.
• Fort Detrick Branch welcomes a new member: LT Pauline Karikari-Martin, a nurse assigned to CMS.
• New Executive Committee Elected: CDR Mary Rossi-Coajou is our new branch President, LCDR Amy Anderson is our new branch Vice President, LCDR Richard Leland returns as our branch Treasurer and LTJG Brent Welcher is our new branch Secretary. Congratulations to all of them for being elected to the Executive Committee of the Fort Detrick Branch of COA! (5NOV03)

2003 News

• The Polls are Now CLOSED. A record number of votes this year! Please come to our last branch meeting tommorow night to see the winners and meet your new Executive Committee (4NOV03)
• VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!: The polls are now open to elect your new Executive Committee. Go to the Elections Page to draw your ballot and cast your vote. Winners of the election will be announced at the last meeting of the year (5NOV03). The polls will close on Tuesday, November 4th at 1700. Good luck to all candidates! (31OCT03).
• Nominations are now closed (31OCT03)
• LAST CHANCE!!: The Fort Detrick Branch of COA is still accepting nominations for Executive Committee positions. You can still file an nomination with a position statement by 1400 on 31OCT03. Elections will be decided 4NOV03 and announced at the last meeting of the year (5NOV03). Self nominations (ONE POSITION ONLY PLEASE) or nominations of branch members can be made by sending an Email to the Nominating Committee Chair LCDR Rick Gussio. In the Email, please state the officer's name and position that he/she would like to run for, and include a position statement in word format. For a Current list of candidates, please click here (30OCT03).
• Ft. Detrick's 1st Annual Dinning Out-Don't Forget--it's at Mealey's Restaurant this Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003, 4-8 PM, problems or questions, please address our Branch President CDR Katherine Berkhousen or please share an interesting anecdote or fact about a yourself, your guest with our Dinning Out Chair LT Jeasmine Aizvera
• OFFICERS NEEDED!! We need volunteers for the Maryland Public Television Pledge Drive to be held in late November/early December, please contact LTJG Brent Welcher for details
• Make Last Minute Preparations for your PT Test--Need to qualify for the MSC or the CCRF or the DMAT? How about just get a baseline for training? Join other officers Wednesday, October 22nd for Esprit de Corps day (bad weather day Oct. 23rd) and experience officer camaraderie during a group physical readiness evaluation. You may also attend Colors in your SDB. MSC will provide UCMJ training after Colors. Be there at the barracks at 16:30! See the MSC website for specifics. General testing will be held at the Fort Detrick Barracks through October. 20-24 between 16:30 to 18:30 hours. Not a runner? Thanks to the generous provision of Hood College and the Hood College Aquatics Program, the MSC can now offer the Naval PRT (CCRF) swim test-year round! Contact any of the MSC staff for details!
• Fort Detrick Branch welcomes back CAPT Bonita Pyler, a Nurse Practitioner, to our branch! We also express a heartfelt welcome to LT Edward W. Wolfgang, a Senior Regulatory Manager at the FDA. (9-24-03)
• BRANCH OF THE YEAR! Fort Detrick Branch of COA is awarded this prestigious recognition at the National COA convention in Arizona. The Executive committee wishes to express a heartfelt congratulations to all branch members and particular thanks to those who contributed from the Barquist Health Facility Volunteer Program, The Military Standards Cadre, and our additional activities that "tipped the scales" towards the selection of our branch.
• RESPONDER OF THE YEAR!! Fort Detrick Branch congratulates our own CDR Lucienne Nelson, a credit to the USPHS Nursing Category for this extremely prestigious award (see story).
• Fort Detrick Branch welcomes our newest member LTJG Bryan Emery, a nurse assigned to NIH.
• PROMOTIONS: Fort Detrick Branch congratulates CAPT Michael Montello, CDR Calvin Edwards, CDR Lucienne Nelson, CDR Diann Shaffer, CDR Ann Staten, LCDR Gregory Langham, LCDR James Morris, LCDR Vasavi Reddy, and LT Sean Byrd on their promotions-another bonus year for our branch!
• Military Space A Travel Talk--Back by popular demand! Presented by CAPT Richard Potter at tonight's meeting (7MAY03)-DON'T MISS THIS ONE!
• Its PT Test Time again--Need to qualify for the MSC or the CCRF or the DMAT? How about just get a baseline for training? Join other officers Wednesday, April 23rd for Esprit de Corps day and experience officer camaraderie during a group physical readiness evaluation. You may also attend Colors in your SDB. Be there at the barracks at 16:30! See the MSC website for specifics. General testing will be held at the Fort Detrick Barracks through April. 21-25 between 16:30 to 18:30 hours. Not a runner? Thanks to the generous provision of Hood College and the Hood College Aquatics Program, the MSC can now offer the Naval PRT (CCRF) swim test-year round! Contact any of the MSC staff for details!
• Fort Detrick Branch welcomes four new members: LT Carmen Taylor, a nurse assigned to NIH in research with NIAID, LCDR Matthew Park, a physician assigned to NIH working in the NHLBI, LT James Morris of the HSO category, who works in HRSA in the Bureau of Health Professions at Parklawn and LCDR Ann Staten, a dietician assigned to the FDA.
• IMPORTANT: Please make sure that National COA is aware that your local affiliation is with Fort Detrick! Only you can make this change.
• Fort Detrick Branch welcomes our newest members LT Jeasmine E. Aizvera, a Social Worker assigned to the clinical center at NIH, LT Tracy T. Matthews a Public Health Analyst assigned to HRSA, and LCDR Ann T. Schwartz, a Medical Officer assigned to the FDA.
• Extra, Extra...Fort Detrick's own LCDR Lucienne Nelson and CAPT Steven Wickizer vaccinate the US Surgeon General VADM Richard Carmona. Not long after, LCDR Lucienne Nelson was called back to vaccinate Senator Bill Frist read about it! who subsequently, has joined to the IRC of the USPHS to become deployed as a CCRF member (3-15-03)
• Fort Detrick Branch of COA salutes: CAPT Ed Pfister, CAPT Susanne Caviness, CDR Tom Doss, CDR Mike Montello, CDR Mike McKinney, LCDR Calvin Edwards, LCDR Rick Gussio, for their successful deployment to Operation Orange Alert on the Disaster Medical Assistance Team and the Commissioned Corps Readiness Force. Read about it in the March issue of the Commissioned Corps Bulletin.
• PROMOTION: Fort Detrick Branch congratulates CDR Kristen McCabe on her promotion!
• Don't Forget about tonight's meeting (3-5-03)! Our speaker will be Tim Custer, USPA, "Financial Planning for for the Future"
• IMPORTANT: All members, please come to our Jan. 8 at 1900 meeting for a special presentation by Judy Peterson, the Disaster Services Director for the Frederick County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Highlights include the Red Cross response to national and local disasters and their role in Frederick County.

2002 News

• Branch Meetings for 2003 announced! Hope to see you at our first on January 8th at 1900
• Fort Detrick Branch welcomes our newest member LCDR Jeff Brady, a physician who recently transferred from the Navy and is currently assigned to the FDA (12-18-02)
• Fort Detrick Branch congratulates CAPT George J. Nemo on his retirement from the USPHS! (12-1-02)
• New Executive Committee Elected: CDR Katherine Berkhousen is our new branch President, CDR Mary Rossi-Coajou is our Vice President, LCDR Richard Leland is the new branch Treasurer and LTJG Gloria Rodrigues is our new branch Secretary. Congratulations to all of them for being elected to the Executive Committee of the Fort Detrick Branch of COA! (November 5, 2001)
• IMPORTANT: Current nominations for the Executive Committee Members for Year 2003 are: CDR Katherine Berkhousen for President, LCDR Lucienne Nelson and CDR Mary Rossi-Coajou for Vice President, LCDR Richard Leland for Treasurer and LTJG Gloria Rodrigues for Secretary. Additional self-nominations and votes will be accepted up until November 5, 2002. The new Executive Committee will be announced at the November 6th Branch Meeting. If you are a Branch member and are interested in voting for/nominating an Executive Committee Member, download your ballot here, and fax your vote to 301-846-6106. (11-1-02)
• Admiral Carmona's visit was a great success--stayed tuned for photos and details!!!
• Fort Detrick Branch warmly welcomes its newest member LTJG Gloria Rodrigues a Nurse Officer assigned to the NIH. (10-2002)
• Fort Detrick Branch proudly announces CAPT Suzanne Caviness is chairperson for this year's CFC campaign
• BREAKING NEWS!!! VADM Richard H. Carmona will be personally attending the Fort Detrick Branch of COA's Esprit de Corps Day to meet and observe officers demonstrating their physical readiness. If you are an officer in the CCRF, the DMAT, the MSC or any USPHS officer that maintains physical readiness, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Plan to muster at headquarters of Fort Detrick for the Honor the Colors Ceremony in your SDBs at 1630 on Friday, October 18, 2002. After colors (1650-1705), PT testing will be held at the barracks. Please Email us if you plan to attend either colors, PT testing, or both... ALL OFFICERS ARE WELCOME and encouraged to attend! Click here for brochure and details
• IMPORTANT: The Fort Detrick Branch of COA is now accepting nominations for our annual elections for Branch Executive Committee positions. Elections will be decided in November. Self nominations or nominations of branch members can be made by sending Email to LCDR Rick Gussio. In the Email, please state the officer's name and position that he/she would like to run for (10-1-02).
• Fort Detrick Branch is proud to welcome our new members CDR Jeff McKinney and LCDR Kristen McCabe. LCDR McCabe is a Nurse Officer at NIH and CDR McKinney is a MIS Analyst assigned to the NIH (9-13-02)
• Read the truly inspirational words of LCDR Lucienne Nelson's speech made at the 9-11Event for HHS Employees.(9-13-02)
• Breaking News: Fort Detrick's Branch President LCDR Lucienne Nelson called to speak at the 9-11 Event for HHS Employees. VADM Carmona will introduce LCDR Nelson who was selected to recount her deployment experiences during the WTC, Pentagon, and Anthrax terrorist attacks. Will be videocast from NIH at 1:00 PM on Monday, Sept. 9. (9-06-02)
• Extra, Extra...Read all about four of our Fort Detrick Branch Nurses featured in the September issue of Frederick Magazine. You can pick this up at any Frederick CVS! (9-5-02)
• Fort Detrick Branch welcomes our newest member CDR Mike Montello a pharmacy officer assigned to NCI/CTEP (8-30-02)
• Fort Detrick is proud to announce that our President LCDR Lucienne Nelson has been appointed to become the Aministrative Officer of the PHS Region III National Nurse Response Team (8-27-02)
• More News on VADM Carmona's address to USPHS: Fort Detrick's own Vice President LCDR Calvin Edwards gets to ask the first questionn! Fort Detrick Branch member CAPT Susanne Caviness presents USPHS coin to VADM Carmona. Click here for the story! (8-23-02)
• IMPORTANT: VADM Richard H. Carmona will address all USPHS officers Friday, August 23 at 1500-1600 by teleconference. Follow this link for details.
• Fort Detrick Branch welcomes our newest member LT Brent C. Welcher, formally with USAMRIID at Fort Detrick, now assigned to the NIH
• Fort Detrick COA Family Picnic-Photos available!
• Fort Detrick Branch congratulates VADM Richard H. Carmona for his comfirmation by the senate to be the next Surgeon General of the US (7-23-02).
• Fort Detrick COA Family Picnic-will be held Saturday, July 13th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM instead of our regular branch meeting. If you plan to attend, please contact CDR Katherine Berkhousen (or phone 301-827-6003) click here for details and directions (6-21-02)
• Fort Detrick Branch congratulates our own LCDR Gregory Davis for winning in the Surgeon General's Team Cup at the annual Surgeon General's Run Walk Competition (6-15-02)
• PROMOTIONS: Fort Detrick Branch congratulates CDR Katherine Berkhousen, CDR Mary Rossi-Coajou, LCDR Gregory Davis, LCDR Lisa Marunycz, and LCDR Leigh Ann Matheny for their promotions-a bonus year for our branch! (6-05-01)
• Announcement: Fort Detrick Branch is thrilled to announce the start of our new program: PHS-ARMY Clinical Volunteer Program at Fort Detrick (more details in Activity Section) (5-10-02)
• Fort Detrick Branch is both proud and happy to welcome three new members: LCDR Richard N. Leland, LT Leigh Ann Matheny, and LTJG Sean R. Byrd. LCDR Leland is a Patient Care Coordinator with DCP and a CCRF member, LT Matheny is a Senior Clinical Staff Nurse at the Ambulatory Clinic in NIH, and LTJG Byrd is a Senior Regulatory Manager at the FDA (5-9-02).
• Fort Detrick Branch expresses a heartfelt welcome to our newest member LT Vasavi T. Reddy, a Regulatory Manager for the FDA (5-1-02)
• CAPT Jerry Farrell, USN (ret), Executive Director of the National COA, helps presents award to Don Feinberg, Director of Hood College Aquatic Facility (4-18-02)- Read story here
• Exciting News: LCDR Lucienne Nelson, our own Branch President, is one of the five heroic NIH women honored for outstanding accomplishments after 9/11. Fort Detrick Branch congratulates her for this important and well-deserved recognition. Make sure you read the article in the April 16, 2002 NIH Record (Vol. LIV, No. 8), or click here to access this story!
• Fort Detrick Branch welcomes our newest member LCDR Diann Shaffer, our first officer to become a branch member and MSC member at the same time! (3-29-02)
• NEW CO: Fort Detrick COA is proud to announce their new Commanding Officer of the Military Standards Cadre: CAPT Edward Pfister-Welcome Aboard! (3-7-02)
• Military Space A Travel Presentation a great success! Photos available (3-6-02)
• Military Space A Travel Talk--Presented by CAPT Richard Potter at Fort Detrick COA's March 6, 2002 meeting-DON'T MISS THIS ONE!
• Fort Detrick Branch of COA congratulates Destry Sillivan for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant (1-12-02)
• Two for the Price of One! Read the NIH Clinical Centers article featuring two of our own officers- LCDR Lucienne Nelson and LCDR Katherine Berkhousen. Another proud moment for our branch! (Jan-2002)

2001 News

• And the Winners are: LCDR Lucienne Nelson is our new branch President, LCDR Calvin Edwards returns as our Vice President, LCDR Katherine Berkhousen is the new branch Secretary and CAPT Steven Wickizer returns as Treasurer. Congratulations to all of them for being elected to the Executive Committee of the Fort Detrick Branch of COA! (December, 2001)
• IMPORTANT: Nominations for the Executive Committee Members for Year 2002 are: LCDR Lucienne Nelson for President, LCDR Calvin Edwards for Vice President, LCDR Katherine Berkhousen for Secretary and CAPT Steven Wickizer for Treasurer. Additional self-nominations and votes will be accepted up until November 13, 2001. The new Executive Committee will be announced at the November 14th Branch Meeting. If you are a Branch member and are interested in voting for/nominating an Executive Committee Member, download your ballot here, and fax your vote to 301-846-6106. (11-2-01)
• Fort Detrick Branch welcomes our newest member LT Lisa Marunycz, a Nurse at NIH (10-29-01).
• Fort Detrick Branch of COA welcomes CAPT Gerard Farrell, USN, Ret. as the National COA's new Executive Director. He will report to COA on November 1.
• Fort Detrick Branch of COA welcomes back some of our chapter's finest: CDR Tom Doss, LCDR Calvin Edwards, LCDR Lucienne Nelson, CAPT Susanne Caviness, and CAPT Steven Wickizer from their successful deployment to the New York WTC on the Disaster Medical Assistance Team and the Commissioned Corps Readiness Force. During their New York deployment, these fine officers provided health care and assisted in the WTC rescue efforts. Their deployment also filled critical shortages at the Bethesda Naval Hospital created by the Navy's deployment to the WTC attack.
• Its PT Test Time again--Need to qualify for the MSC or the CCRF or how about the DMAT? General fall testing will be held at the Fort Detrick Barracks through Oct. 22-25 between 16:30 to 18:30 hours. Not a runner? Thanks to the generous provision of Hood College and the Hood College Aquatics Program, the MSC can now offer the Naval PRT swim test-year round! Contact any of the MSC staff for details!
• Fort Detrick Branch welcomes our newest member CAPT Richard Potter, a pharmacist at the FDA (9-13-01).
• IMPORTANT: The Fort Detrick Branch of COA is now accepting nominations for our annual elections for Branch Executive Committee positions. Elections will be decided in November. Self nominations or nominations of branch members can be made by sending Email to LCDR Rick Gussio. In the Email, please state the officer's name and position that he/she would like to run for (9-12-01).
• We are proud to announce that at least two of our branch members LCDR Calvin Edwards (DMAT) and LCDR Lucienne Nelson (CCRF) have been deployed to provide care and assistance in the New York/Washington terrorist incidents' rescue and recovery operations (9-11-01).
• Congratulations to CAPT Bobby Brown for receiving his new appointment with the CDC as a Senior Research Fellow in the Office of the Director of the Scientific Resources Program. Since he will be moving to Atlanta, both he and his great sense of humor will be sorely missed! (9-7-01).
• Congratulations to LCDR Lucienne Nelson for achieving a Navy Fitness Badge in her recent PT test with the Military Standards Cadre-Well Done! (9-1-01)
• Fort Detrick Branch congratulates Thomas Doss for his promotion to Commander! (7-01-01)
• Two of Fort Detrick Branch members are featured for their testimonials on the Commissioned Corps web site. Read LCDR Lucienne Nelson's testimony for the Nursing category, and LCDR Calvin Edwards' testimony for the Environmental Health category.
• Fort Detrick Branch congratulates LCDR Lucienne Nelson for receiving the Field Medical Readiness Badge from the Commissioned Corps Readiness Force. LCDR Nelson was also awarded the Crisis Response Service Award for her recent deployment to the Kotzebue Alaska.
• Commissioned Corps Readiness Force Briefing (5-16-01) provided officers with all the information necessary for joining or maintaining their membership in the CCRF. Handouts are available upon request to the Branch Executive Committee.
• Fort Detrick Branch would like to thank our newest member LCDR Katherine Berkhousen for being our new Nursing-PAC representative
• Fort Detrick Branch would like to congratulate CAPT Michael R. Boyd on his retirement from the Commissioned Corps.
• Military Standards Cadre Special Note: MSC will also give PT tests for CCRF officers. If you are a CCRF member, and you want to fulfill your PT requirement call the XO!
• Military Standards Cadre has a new Advisory Board, implements new Navy PRT standards, and height and weight standards for its members.
• LT Gregg Langham is interested in organizing a Saturday morning basketball game at the Shafer Odom fitness center on Fort Detrick. Interested officers should contact him as soon as possible (2-22-01)
• Fort Detrick Branch would like to welcome two new members CDR Jose Belardo and CDR Martin Kriete.
• Open house was a great success. Roughly, a third of our members came, as well as two new members-LT Gregg Langham and LTJG Destry Sillivan.
• FYI--our branch meetings (not including Exec. Com. meetings and special activities) for the rest of the year will be:
  • 3-14-01 (6:00 pm-7:30 pm)
  • 5-16-01 (6:00 pm-7:30 pm)
  • 7-11-01 (6:00 pm-7:30 pm)
  • 9-12-01 (6:00 pm-7:30 pm)
  • 11-14-01 (6:00 pm-7:30 pm)
• Fort Detrick Branch is proud to announce that CAPT Bonita Pyler is our new Professional Relations Committee chairperson. We are excited that she will be working with two esteemed officers: LTJG Destry Sillivan and LCDR Thomas Doss on this important committee. We are also delighted to announce that LT Gregory Davis has agreed to chair our Committee on Education and Legislation. He will be working with LCDR Thomas Doss and CAPT Bobby Brown on their exciting agenda. Welcome aboard!
• The Military Standards Cadre is an official Fort Detrick Branch activity. Part of our commitment is help other local branches coordinate with us on this exciting new activity.