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CAPT Jacqueline Rychnovsky, USN (Ret.)

Executive Director

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Who They Are

  • USPHS Commissioned Corps is one of the eight uniformed services
  • 6,000 active duty
  • ~8,000 retired officers

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What they Do

  • Provide essential healthcare services to underserved and vulnerable populations
  • Serve at the forefront of public health emergencies including natural disasters and disease outbreaks
  • Lead public health programs and policy development within the Department of Health and Human Services and throughout the federal government
  • Advance innovation and science to address our nation’s most challenging public health crises, such as COVID-19, Ebola, cancer, food safety, and mental health

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Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service

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U.S. Public Health Service

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Where They Work

  • 800 locations
  • All 50 states, most territories, and international locations
  • 38 federal departments and agencies across the nation
    • FDA, CDC, NIH, IHS, BOP, USCG

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Service Categories

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  • Medical
  • Dentist
  • Veterinarian
  • Nurse

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Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service

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U.S. Public Health Service

  • Therapist
  • Pharmacist
  • Health Service
  • Environmental Health

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  • Dietitian
  • Engineer
  • Scientist

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VADM Vivek Murthy, MD

21st Surgeon General of the United States

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  • 501(c) (6) membership organization supporting and advancing the interests of the Commissioned Corps and its officers
  • Only organization working exclusively on behalf of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
  • In existence since 1951
  • Serves members by providing:
      • Representation and advocacy
      • Education and training
      • Dissemination of professional information
      • Scholarships and grants
      • Leadership opportunities
      • Collaboration with related organizations

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Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service

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What is COA

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  • 8 uniformed services vs 6 armed forces.
    • Federal law (38 U.S.C. § 101, 42 U.S.C. § 213) determines former USPHS Officers are veterans.
  • Successful advocacy transitioning active duty to receive a DD214
  • Expiring leave for USPHS officers
  • Advocating for National Park passes
  • Advocating for retired and former officers to receive DD214 in lieu of PHS 1867
  • Correcting many VA forms to include USPHS

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Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service

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COA Advocacy: Parity with Uniformed Services

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Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service

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Florida State Advocacy

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service

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Executive Director: jrychnovsky@coausphs.org

Deputy Director: dcorrigan@coausphs.org

www.coausphs.org

www.phscof.org

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